AZWILDCATS

I was wondering how many of you detail your car yourself or pay to have it done? If you do it yourself, what steps do you take? If you take it somewhere, where?

BFAmazon35

First I rinse the whole car.
then I clean the Rims and Top
Then I change the water and clean the body of the car using a different tower.

Rinse of the entire car.

Dry it and then use Zaino car polish.

sonicjai

I need to clean my stockies.... looks like crap!

FURIO G

I'm one of those anal retentive types who doesn't let any else touch their car.
I do it all myself utilizing the Zaino method.

First time around wash the car with Dawn ( the dishwashing liquid,not the girl ). Then use a clay bar to get off any residue. Wash the car with Zaino car wash. Then several coats of polish. I've tried a number of product over the years and really love it. The first time around it does take some time. But after that first shot I find it real easy. I used the Zaino on the rims and trim too and it did a great job keeping them clean. Dirt wouldn't seem to stick there like it did before I used it.

I always wash the car first and do the rims last with a different sponge or cloth and a separate bucket of water so as not to scratch the paint.

Looking forward to giving my S that Spring treatment over the weekend and the same with the new car I'm about to buy, if the guy I'm buying it from ever gets his freaking title.

S2KNJ

I do the same. i use an old wash mit for the rims and tires since they are usually dirtier then the rest of the car, toss the water and start fresh for the rest of the car.

Do it near dusk with no wind and you can wash the whole car without it drying on you before you wipe it down.

i never really wash the top, it doesn't see rain too much.

I always wax by hand, the "S" is small enough that you can do it in about 2 hours and a 6 pack. The detailer guys do amazing jobs but don't really care about saving your paint, used to have a Camaro that i got detailed so much that there was hardly any paint of the car when i sold it... also $$$. you can get an orbital buffer but you need to spend $$$ to get a good one that provides truley random orbits. spend some quality time with your car, don't forget the 6 pack

Sucks i'm not going to WTD, i have a family thing for like 2 hours on that saturday... can't miss it and it blows that whole trip.

AZWILDCATS

I need to either borrow or buy one of those electric buffer thingies... my arms are too wimpy for:

Wash
Dry
Polish
Swirl Remover
Glaze
Wax

Anyone have one they want to loan me or can make a recommendation for a cheap but good one?

AZWILDCATS

You Jewish?

I told my family that I wasn't hanging with them for Passover.... boy were they pissed.

S2KNJ

i thought dishwashing detergent was a no, no. it has something in it to cut grease which strips the paint or claercoat.

AZWILDCATS

I believe it is to strip the car before you go through the ENTIRE detailing process.... it is NOT to be used for regular washings.

S2KNJ

No, my god daughters comunion, her parents are divorced and it's her dads weekend with her so i'm basically going to the church, taking a few pics and then she's off... the whole thing sucks! don't remind me. the whole dragon sounded cool but i was just looking forward to the convot down...