***official auto detailing thread***

[BigB02z28]

So did my first detail over the weekend with the assistance of my friend who provided all the supplies.

Started with Sonax wheel cleaner, kind of smelt like a mix of lemon and sewer water. Liked how it turned my rotors purple though.

Then had a spray bottle with some Optimum wash & shine to lubricate for the claybaring.

Then washed and dried with the Optimum and a waffle cloth.

Then did a coating of Carpro Hydro2 and blew dry.

Finished with aerospace wipes and zep window cleaner for the interior.

We're gonna do the full paint correction when I find a coating I want to go with, I want something a little more protective than the hydro2. I am still lost on this route.

I think it was a successful first time and I feel a whole bunch more confident about the whole process now. I made my first order with autogeek last night as well.

1 STO-91164 - 19 oz. Stoner Invisible Glass Cleaner AERO
1 MEG-WTK - Meguiar's Wheel & Tire Kit
1 OPT-2BWS - Optimum No Rinse Wash & Shine Two Bucket Wash system
1 X-2000 - Meguiar's Water Magnet Drying Towel

For christmas I'll pick up some more towels and whatever coating I end up going with.

Wash before you clay. It'll save your clay bar and prevent you from causing any unwanted paint damage.

Check Lowes for Stoner's. I could always get it like 20-30 cents cheaper than Autogeek per bottle/can.

[yourname2221]

Wash before you clay. It'll save your clay bar and prevent you from causing any unwanted paint damage.

Check Lowes for Stoner's. I could always get it like 20-30 cents cheaper than Autogeek per bottle/can.

wouldn't I have to wash again after? /noob question.

and 20-30 cents is rather minuscule

and check edit

[BigB02z28]

wouldn't I have to wash again after? /noob question.

and 20-30 cents is rather minuscule

and check edit

Don't you have to pay for shipping as well?

Yes, wash before and after.

I use opticoat.

For soap products it depends. CG Citrus/dawn for stripping. If I'm not stripping I like to use DG 903. Wax I've been using Detailers Max Wax, I scored a bunch on BOGO a while back. Sealants I like BFWD.

[jmonty]

My 03 aviator was looking rough, paint all dinged up and scratched. But, since I got it running better I decided to wash/wax it with some soap and wax I got as a gift.

Surprisingly it looks way better!

After a run through an automated wash it still looked bad, lots of build up, so I hand washed it and wiped down with some detailing clothes. Then waxed/polished quickly.

Now I think I'll have to find some touch up paint.

[BrianK.]

For christmas I'll pick up some more towels and whatever coating I end up going with. What coatings have you guys been using and what wash combo should I try next time? He was trying to get me to buy some dodo juice wax but I saw the price and was like **** that.

When you say coating; are you talking about an actual ceramic/resin/silica coating? or are you talking waxes and sealants?

Dodo Juice carnauba waxes wont last long at all and some of them suck IMO. I have never used their sealant and not sure if they have a coating.

Most Coatings: Last 2+years
Most sealants: Last 6-12 months
Most carnauba waxes: Last 2-4 weeks

[yourname2221]

Don't you have to pay for shipping as well?

Yes, wash before and after.

I use opticoat.

For soap products it depends. CG Citrus/dawn for stripping. If I'm not stripping I like to use DG 903. Wax I've been using Detailers Max Wax, I scored a bunch on BOGO a while back. Sealants I like BFWD.

It was shipped free on autogeek, not sure how I got it all shipped free tho.

Ok I'll only be doing the claying sporadically since car is only driven to work and parked in garage at home. But next time will def do both.

Whats stripping? Removing wax?

After the protective coating I'll just be washing for a few months, no? In that case what should I go with.

I guess I am talking about a sealant, I want something that prevents bugs from sticking, repels water and last a while. I am going to have to re read through this thread, to get my bearings too much to try to remember.

[BrianK.]

It was shipped free on autogeek, not sure how I got it all shipped free tho.

Ok I'll only be doing the claying sporadically since car is only driven to work and parked in garage at home. But next time will def do both.

Whats stripping? Removing wax?

After the protective coating I'll just be washing for a few months, no? In that case what should I go with.

I guess I am talking about a sealant, I want something that prevents bugs from sticking, repels water and last a while. I am going to have to re read through this thread, to get my bearings too much to try to remember.

Yes, stripping is removing old waxes or sealants. (done a few ways, some better than others)

The word 'coating' is typically used for products that are considered measurable through a paint depth gauge.

A sealant is what you want right now; it will last 6-12 months. IMO for the money Collinite 845 is the best. Collinite calls it 'Insulator Wax', but its a hybrid between a sealant and a wax. (it has a touch of carnauba in it) Some products are called "waxes", but are in fact sealants. This is done to not confuse consumers who don't know what the difference between waxes and sealants are.

Collinite 845 is $17.99. They could have it at your local auto-parts type store and if they don't then they can order to the store so you save on shipping.

[Niko49ers]

Difference between 'strip wash' and 'wash' is just the addition of a 'breakdown' component such as dish soap?



Why are waffle weave towels better than just normal MF towels?


Edit: Sooo many fking products to chose from...

[BrianK.]

Difference between 'strip wash' and 'wash' is just the addition of a 'breakdown' component such as dish soap?



Why are waffle weave towels better than just normal MF towels?


Edit: Sooo many fking products to chose from...

Yes you have the strip wash differnece correct, but I have to add that there are times when strip washes aren't easy and you actually need to abrade the LSP off using a polish. Meaning sometimes an all purpose cleaner or dawn doesn't work.

Waffle weaves can be better at times, but there are non waffle weave towels that are good as well for drying. You'll be shocked at how much water a good waffle weave will hold, plus they say that any possible dust could be swept up away from the pain into the crevices of the waffles decreasing your chances of marring. With that said, I sometimes use Ubers drying towel and never have an issue, plus it hold more water...it's mind blowing.

As far as choosing products, you should narrow it down to WHAT TYPE OF PRODUCT you want then to from there. Example: you need say a rinsless wash, so then find all the rinse less washes that are rated good and pick one. All top level products basically perform the same. (Kind of a generalization, but it tends to be true)

[Niko49ers]

Gonna attempt the biggest wash/detail I've done yet in prep for winter. (Note location)

0. Rims & tires
1. Attempt the "strip wash"
2. Clay bar car including vertical planes
3. Wash & Dry
4. Megiuars 3-step compound/polish/wax system with their DA Buffer
5. Glass
6. Interior

If I do the iron x, where should it fall within that routine?

[BrianK.]

In between your 1 and 2.

Always after a wash and before claying.

What are using for a strip wash?

[Niko49ers]

In between your 1 and 2.

Always after a wash and before claying.

What are using for a strip wash?

Not sure yet gonna look at the 3 ways you said people do it. What would you suggest ?

My car wash soap is Megiuars Gold wash... so that would be what the "breakdown" component will be mixed with.

[BrianK.]

Not sure yet gonna look at the 3 ways you said people do it. What would you suggest ?

My car wash soap is Megiuars Gold wash... so that would be what the "breakdown" component will be mixed with.

I personally like to use an all purpose cleaner. I have both Adam's APC + Megiuars APC and I'm really not sure what APCs people use from a local store.

You can use Dawn and I think it would work for you because you don't have a traditional wax laid down.

If you're using dawn, you just use dawn as if it were a car wash shampoo.
If you're using an APC, you add maybe 4oz to your shampoo/water mix.

Both ways aren't always COMPLETELY effective, but they help.

[LS1SSChris]

While I was parked, either a bird, tree branch or something, must have swiped on my cars rear bumper and put a little scratch on it. Not deep at all, it's just on the surface. The funny thing is my Dad was outside when I pulled up and was saying how nice the car looked and I had mentioned the scratch I just got on it and he took his finger and rubbed it. Which of course made it worse because he rubbed the dirt that was on the paint, into the paint, on top of the scratch. Now i have an ugly swirly mark about the size of a quarter on my rear bumper, thanks Dad!

What do you all recommend to remove it? I'm thinking I'll claybar the area and hit it with some of my Zaino Z2 a couple of times and that should cover it up? Any recommendations on what else I should try, this is not a deep or bad scratch at all

[WSG1]

While I was parked, either a bird, tree branch or something, must have swiped on my cars rear bumper and put a little scratch on it. Not deep at all, it's just on the surface. The funny thing is my Dad was outside when I pulled up and was saying how nice the car looked and I had mentioned the scratch I just got on it and he took his finger and rubbed it. Which of course made it worse because he rubbed the dirt that was on the paint, into the paint, on top of the scratch. Now i have an ugly swirly mark about the size of a quarter on my rear bumper, thanks Dad!

What do you all recommend to remove it? I'm thinking I'll claybar the area and hit it with some of my Zaino Z2 a couple of times and that should cover it up? Any recommendations on what else I should try, this is not a deep or bad scratch at all

Clay bar isnt going to do anything in that situation, Youre going to need a compound to get the scratch out, then polish. Should be able to get it out by hand if you dont have a machine polisher. If the scratch is light enough, you can probably skip the compounding part and go straight to a polish.

[BigB02z28]

Clay bar isnt going to do anything in that situation, Youre going to need a compound to get the scratch out, then polish. Should be able to get it out by hand if you dont have a machine polisher. If the scratch is light enough, you can probably skip the compounding part and go straight to a polish.

If the scratch is as light as you're making it sound, you can probably take it out with something like Scratch-X over the counter and do it by hand.

I always clay before compounding/polishing though.

[LS1SSChris]

Yeah, it's not real bad looks almost like a smudge mark from a finger print or something, I'm gonna try the Zaino polish and if that doesn't work I'll try Scratch X, I don't have a machine but I wouldn't think something this minor would require one

[BigB02z28]

Yeah, it's not real bad looks almost like a smudge mark from a finger print or something, I'm gonna try the Zaino polish and if that doesn't work I'll try Scratch X, I don't have a machine but I wouldn't think something this minor would require one

I've never used Zaino polishes, but I've taken light stuff out by hand with M205 and that can be found at autozones and such.

[LS1SSChris]

I worked at Advanced Auto this past summer and I remember seeing that. I will probably buy that and Scratch X if my Zaino show car polish doesn't cover it up. Do you have any experience with Adams? I have their swirl and haze remover in my garage right now, looks like it could work, never tried it.

[BrianK.]

I worked at Advanced Auto this past summer and I remember seeing that. I will probably buy that and Scratch X if my Zaino show car polish doesn't cover it up. Do you have any experience with Adams? I have their swirl and haze remover in my garage right now, looks like it could work, never tried it.

I haven't used Zaino either, but a quick search and it seems like it's a protectant (wax/sealant) with fillers. Regardless of the name it sounds like it's not a polish as WE know it. Fillers do what they say, but don't correct anything.

Adam's swirl and haze remover should do the trick...it's not aggressive at all and finishes down ok because of it's diminishing abrasives.

[LS1SSChris]

Ok, and I see the Swirl and Haze remover can be done by hand, looks like I will be taking my chances with this, I appreciate it fellas!

[Niko49ers]

http://www.meguiars.com/en/DAPowerSystem/Polishing

This says the 'Polish' product will remove swirls. Why don't they have their 'Swirl-X' product in there instead of the polishing product thats in there now?

[BrianK.]

http://www.meguiars.com/en/DAPowerSystem/Polishing

This says the 'Polish' product will remove swirls. Why don't they have their 'Swirl-X' product in there instead of the polishing product thats in there now?

Ultimate Compound will remove swirls and so will Ultimate Polish in that system.

Swirl X is just another over the counter option for cleaning the paint.

If you're referring to my post about the Zaino being called a polish even though it's not...it's because that's product specific. For some reason Zaino Z2 is called a polish eventhough it's a wax of some sort. I don't know why they would do this.

[Niko49ers]

Ultimate Compound will remove swirls and so will Ultimate Polish in that system.

Swirl X is just another over the counter option for cleaning the paint.

If you're referring to my post about the Zaino being called a polish even though it's not...it's because that's product specific. For some reason Zaino Z2 is called a polish eventhough it's a wax of some sort. I don't know why they would do this.

Damn you detailing products , you confusing.

[Wantaripbod]

hey guys. well heres whats up, i have a honda 01 accord, i know, its my first car, but i want to mod it the **** up and make it look real nice, and perform/sound nice as well. Basically the question is, what kind of mods can i make to my car to do those things?

please pm me if you have knowledge in this kind of thing cus im new as fuarkk to cars, will rep!!!

thanks guys

[BigB02z28]

hey guys. well heres whats up, i have a honda 01 accord, i know, its my first car, but i want to mod it the **** up and make it look real nice, and perform/sound nice as well. Basically the question is, what kind of mods can i make to my car to do those things?

please pm me if you have knowledge in this kind of thing cus im new as fuarkk to cars, will rep!!!

thanks guys

First thing to learn is that Detailing has nothing to do with modding a car the **** up. If you want to learn how to clean your car with an OCD like technique and attitude, read through this entire thread, watch all videos in it, and then ask questions.

[Niko49ers]

Planning to sound deaden the entire floor of my S13 and while I have the carpet out I'm going to clean it up. Grey carpet that's not in too bad condition but could still use some TLC.

Looks like the weather is gonna be 35-45degrees Fahrenheit for when I do my "big" detail . Strip wash, clay bar, the DA buffer system , whole nine yards. Gonna order that IronX stuff too.

Looking forward to getting rid if swirls & scratches!


What's the tape you guys use for applying to the car?

[BigB02z28]

I use 3M blue/green tape.

[BrianK.]

I use 3M blue/green tape.

What he said.

[Wantaripbod]

First thing to learn is that Detailing has nothing to do with modding a car the **** up. If you want to learn how to clean your car with an OCD like technique and attitude, read through this entire thread, watch all videos in it, and then ask questions.

i sense some attitude in this post and I don't apprciate it sir.