My Detailing Wakthrough

[Vivek]

Am i getting this correct.

1. wash car
2. clay car
3.polish
4.wax.... but when do we put on the sealer ?

I'm sure you saw the flow chart and understood, and I know this question/thread is old, but I'd love to help out since I like to think I'm pretty damn good at detailing cars. Basically it all makes sense if you think about it. When your car is dirty, you wash it. You use clay to get out the embedded dirt, but only after you removed all the surface dirt, by washing. Once the paint is fully clean, you compound and polish it. Start with heavier polishes, and go up to finer ones. Once your paint is looking like you want it to, it's time to protect it. First you go with a strong sealant that can last up to 6 months, and then top that off with a weaker but better looking wax that will last a few (up to maybe 10 depending on the wax and usage, etc) weeks.

[Mr. Tasty]

=
Does wax do anything to the 'blackness' of trim?

oppostite. Makes it white.

[Mr. Tasty]

I'm sure you saw the flow chart and understood, and I know this question/thread is old, but I'd love to help out since I like to think I'm pretty damn good at detailing cars. Basically it all makes sense if you think about it. When your car is dirty, you wash it. You use clay to get out the embedded dirt, but only after you removed all the surface dirt, by washing. Once the paint is fully clean, you compound and polish it. Start with heavier polishes, and go up to finer ones. Once your paint is looking like you want it to, it's time to protect it. First you go with a strong sealant that can last up to 6 months, and then top that off with a weaker but better looking wax that will last a few (up to maybe 10 depending on the wax and usage, etc) weeks.

yep this. I have been detailing all my cars for about 3 years with my 7424. If you guys have any questions about certain products, I am sure I can help

[Court M3]

^^ Good advice quoted. Going to be doing this as soon as I have time to my non BMW car which looks like it hasn't been done in ages and posting befores and afters.

[ANDRÜ]

Ive used alot of Poorboys products, mostly the SSR line. Awesome stuff, they work really well with the Porter Cable

[mcskibadee1]

anyone looking to detail their car this weekend? If not, anyone have the porter cable polisher I could borrow/rent?

[Eurospec]

anyone looking to detail their car this weekend? If not, anyone have the porter cable polisher I could borrow/rent?

I have a griots garage orbital I can rent out. Attending bfest?

[mcskibadee1]

I have plans so probably not but if they fall through I definitely will.

My paint is fairly new with no swirl marks, do I still need to use the cutting compound or could I just clay, then apply nxt wax/sealant and then a carnauba wax?

[Eurospec]

It's usually recommended that you polish before waxing. However, you may be able to get away with just clay and wax depending on the amount of swirls your paint has.

[mcskibadee1]

You're right, if I am doing that much I might as well do the polish too. What does the OP mean when he says Remove it quickly with some QD and a MF towel after. I know mf is microfiber but what is QD?

[Eurospec]

Quick detailer.

[mcskibadee1]

ahhh, thanks for the help eurospec! I am going to get an order together of items I need so maybe if you are available next weekend I could meet up?

[Eurospec]

I should be in town next week. I'll forward you my contact info via PM.

[AdamPlaysDrums]

Does a detailing clay bar work more or less like a rubbing compound? I had serious paint oxidation, and I used 3M Advanced Auto rubbing compound and then Meguiar's Cleaner Wax and the paint (original Brilliantrot) looks fantastic. Did I miss a step with the bar though?

[Eurospec]

Does a detailing clay bar work more or less like a rubbing compound? I had serious paint oxidation, and I used 3M Advanced Auto rubbing compound and then Meguiar's Cleaner Wax and the paint (original Brilliantrot) looks fantastic. Did I miss a step with the bar though?

Claying removes contaminants from the paint and should always be done when completing a thorough detail. It ensures that your paint is nice and clean before continuing with polish/wax.