hey guys im kinda new in the detailing thing but i was wondering what order do you guys do everything, what stage and what products do you prefer? as of right now, i washe dmy car with rain-x soap and then used Meguires claybar to clay it, then waxed it with turtle wax... did i do that in the right order? also i was wondering, when does polishing come into play?

 

Here is a good write up on the steps to detailing your paint.

http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2409

If you have questions post up.

Kevin

 

good link

 

Hi. The article linked by Kevin helpfully lays out the detailing steps. My son asked me to propose to him a workable detailing wash and wax regimen for his daily driver. Here is what I came up with for him. Perhaps you will find it useful:

Microfiber towels (more the merrier)
Tire/wheel brush
2 foam or microfiber applicators
Meguiar's Clay Bar kit
ColorX or Cleaner Wax
NXT Generation Tech Wax or HiTech Yellow Wax (M26)

Every one or two weeks:

1) Wash your car using the two bucket method:

How to Wash Your Car Show Car Style

Dry with your waffle-weave towel. Some of us also like to first blot the water with a synthetic chamois called the Absorber.

Every two months:

2) Inspect paint surface. Gently run your hand over the surface. Is it smooth as glass? Do you feel bumps and rough spots? If you do, you need to clay your car:

How to Claybar Your Car

Typically, you will only need to clay your car twice a year.

3) Apply a coat of ColorX or Cleaner Wax. Massage it into the paint. You are working it into the paint in order to clean the paint and remove oxidization and previous layers of wax. Allow to haze and wipe off.

Wait 15-30 minutes.

4) Apply a thin coat of NXT or M26. (NXT, by the way, should look particularly stunning on your silverstone.) Allow to haze and wipe off. If you wish (this is purely optional), you may apply a second coat of your LSP (last step product), optimally waiting 12 hours between coats.

The products I have listed above are readily available from local auto stores. The important thing is to adopt a regular regimen and stick to it. Hope this helps.

Keep it simple and keep it fun!

Cheers,
Al

 

For a full detail, I usually go roughly in this order:

- Wheels, tires, wheel wells cleaned
- Exhausts cleaned and polished
- Engine bay cleaned and dressed
- Strip wash
- Dry (blower and/or large MF towels)
- Clay
- Polish (number of stages depends on car)
- Re-wash to remove polishing dust (if necessary)
- LSP
- Brush all carpets and mats
- Vacuum interior
- Shampoo carpets if necessary, re-vacuum, cover with freezer paper
- Clean dash, seats, all interior plastic
- Dress dash, treat seats (if leather)
- Dress exterior plastic and rubber trim, if there is any
- Dress tires and wheel wells
- Clean windows
- Final spot check for missed areas, overspray, etc

 

For a full detail, I always like to do the interior first.

Interior:
Vacuum carpets/mats/trunk.
Spot clean/shampoo as necessary
Dust out any cracks/crevices/vents with a good detailing brush
Clean/dress all plastics/vinyl/leather
Check for any missed areas
Clean Glass
Add smell good if desired

Exterior:
Rinse car off very well
Pretreat wheels/wells/tires
Clean wheels/wells/tires
Wash with 2BM
Dry
Clay
Compound/polish depending on severity of the paint defects
IPA/Prep-All wipedown
Dress tires/wells
Add sealant/wax to wheels if desired
Put sealant on paint if desired
Apply LSP
Clean Glass
Check for any missed areas

 

Wow I feel lazy. I guess the old bucket of soapy water and hose rinse won't win me any awards!

Good info.