[/\/07 Midget]

Originally Posted by Andrewc-c

Normally I don't buy OTC stuff but this is what I got from autozone.

Here is an indepth look into using clay.
http://www.autopia.org/forum/guide-d...-cleaning.html

A clay bar won't take away ANY light scratches actually MIGHT give you light scratches if not used properly. It isn't a polisher all it is used for is to take surface contamination off of the paint. Examples would be: fallout, tree sap, other kinds of polution in your everyday life.

Oops looks like Alan beat me to it.

As for dishsoap? It's been a few years since I've totally detailed a car so I won't comment on that.

I use to have a black car so if you are looking to spend some money I have some products that will give you that look back without even using a buffer just a few hours of elbow grease.

Here's my old celica back in the day.

[Andrewc-c]

Originally Posted by Dyoel182

I've heard both sides of the dish soap argument and another side that simply polishes away the old wax thats left when they apply the new polish/wax.

I would play it safe and use Klasse AIO... that'll strip everything off.

Originally Posted by /\/07 Midget

Yea I have more I just didn't feel like cluttering the thread with high gloss black paint pictures.

[Evil_Paintball_freek]

Woot just got back from the dr.

Picked up Meguiars 3 Step
Paint cleaner
Polish
Caranuba Wax

Also I should Claybar right after I wash/dry, correct?
When should I do scratch X/Color X, and after all that I'd still be fine throwing on a coat or 2 of NXT 2.0 right?
________________

[Matt H]

I like to wash then clay then wash again. Depending on the job and time. But yes you want to clay after you wash.

[Evil_Paintball_freek]

Does the color X/scratch X matter and since the 3rd step is supposed to be the finishing wax, would I still be able to throw on a layer or 2 of the NXT 2.0?

[Matt H]

Is the scratch X/color X a paint corrector? If so you want to do it before polishing and sealing the car.

[Evil_Paintball_freek]

Originally Posted by Matt H

Is the scratch X/color X a paint corrector? If so you want to do it before polishing and sealing the car.

scratch X removes swirls/scratches in the Clear Coat. And Color X just gives a deep black look.

[Xi Troll 13]

I have Megiuars Gold class car was and nxt tech wax (not the 2.0) and meguiars clay bar.
I want to do a full wash and wax detail on it, but the right way, so, I know I was first, then clay bar, then wash again but after that I'm lost. Do I need some type of other wax before the tech wax, how many other steps are there? I have a white car and I can see some small swirls n such so what steps do I take after the clay bar?

I do my shopping at Autozone btw. Help me out guys, what do I need?

[RIP. Robert Paulson (Banned)]

Originally Posted by Xi Troll 13

I have Megiuars Gold class car was and nxt tech wax (not the 2.0) and meguiars clay bar.
I want to do a full wash and wax detail on it, but the right way, so, I know I was first, then clay bar, then wash again but after that I'm lost. Do I need some type of other wax before the tech wax, how many other steps are there? I have a white car and I can see some small swirls n such so what steps do I take after the clay bar?

I do my shopping at Autozone btw. Help me out guys, what do I need?

Wash car with gold class
rinse
claybar
wash car again
rinse
dry
apply your swirl remover/color enhancer w/e
polish if you have some
sealant/wax

[Xi Troll 13]

Originally Posted by RIP. Robert Paulson

Wash car with gold class
rinse
claybar
wash car again
rinse
dry
apply your swirl remover/color enhancer w/e Scratch X or similar?
polish if you have some Name a good one for me please.
sealant/wax NXT Tech wax?

Thanks.

[crazyman3737]

1) yes
2) I would just use meguiars since you are already using their products. Mothers is good as well. you can skip this step but if you want to do it then make sure its a polish and not a rubbing compound.
3) yes NXT is good 2.0 is better

[!T3h Bouncer!]

How do you get the spots where a lot of paint is coming off without taking more paint off?

[RIP. Robert Paulson (Banned)]

That sound tricky bouncer, honestly i wouldn't even polish it if that's what you're doing.

[!T3h Bouncer!]

Originally Posted by RIP. Robert Paulson

That sound tricky bouncer, honestly i wouldn't even polish it if that's what you're doing.

I'm not but I don't want a lot of paint to come off, on my bumper on the drivers side there is a large amount of paint missing and I don't even know how I could clean it without removing more paint.

[Evil_Paintball_freek]

Originally Posted by Evil_Paintball_freek

Well using some tips on top of what I already knew from people on here, my car came out pretty damn good!

Products Used

• Meguiar's Gold Class Car Wash
• Armor All Shammi/California Water Blade to dry
• Meguiar's "Smooth Surface" Claybar Kit
• Wash again with Meguiars Gold Class
• Meguiar's Scratch X
• Meguiar's Color X
• Meguiar's Stage 1 Paint Cleaner
• Meguiar's Stage 2 Polish
• Meguiar's Stage 3 Caranuba Wax
• Meguiar's NXT 2.0 Tech Wax first coat say for about 8 hours, Second for about 2
• Meguiar's All Wheel wheel cleaner
• Meguiar's Hot Shine Tire Gel

Yall are probably sick of seeing this POS but I don't care I spent a **** load of time and feel like showing it!





From Me to You

All over the counter stuff available at autzone/wal-mar

[DYE4P8NTBLL21]

Originally Posted by adgergewh

I work at an automatic car wash as a detailer. It's pretty high class though, the cheapest wash is $20. It's not a powerful "laserwash" type deal, it's got mechanical parts and such, but it's very gentle. 80% of the cars that come through retail at $35k+ and nobody has ever reported damage.

For a basic wash which is $20:

1. Get out of car and give to employee.
2. Have floors/seats vacuumed to remove any loose debris, nothing major.
3. Have wheels soaked in wheel cleaner then powerwashed off.
4. Powerwash wheel wells and tires.
4. Have any bugs on front soaked in bug cleaner.
5. Car goes through wash.
6. Car comes out, hand dried by white towels (white towels for clean things, red for dirty, blue for windows).
7. Door jambs wiped/cleaned with red towels.
8. Inside of windows/windshield cleaned with Stoner's Invisible Glass.
9. Dash, instrument panel, cup holders, center console wiped down and if necessary (spills etc) extra cleaning.
10. Wheels cleaned further by hand, chrome wheels shined.
11. White walls or white letters cleaned with a solution to make them perfectly white.
12. Clean bugs off of side view mirrors and front with soft abrasive pad and bug cleaner.
13. Returned to customer.

Everything from getting out of the car to getting back in the car takes less than 15 minutes. For ~$45 you get everything above plus entire inside cleaned and vacuumed thoroughly including trunk, everything gets Stoner's Trim Shine applied (inside and tires, outside if there is plastic trim), which is MUCH better than Armor-All, and it takes about 30 minutes. It's basically an express full detail.

Where do you work? I work at a high class car wash also and seems very similar to yours. Except we use griots garage products and our towels are different colors than yours(blue-dirty, yellow-dry off, yellow micro-windows). Its an awesome place, theres a little store inside and we sell almost anything that has to do with cars and garages. If you live nearby, you should definitely check it out.

Heres the website www.milesautospa.com

[The Wizard]

I work in the detail shop at a car wash place too. Delta Sonic. I pretty much vacuum cars all day though. We do offer Vinylex application, Lexol leather conditioner, Sealtek waxes, carpet shampoos, Aquapel treatment, etc.

[InfamousDX]

Just detailed a coworker's black Volvo S60 on Saturday. Turned out very well.

Products used:
Optimum Car Wash + Foam Gun
Sonus Green Clay
Optimum Compound + Orange pad
Optimum Polish + White pad
Klasse AIO
Klasse SG
Collinite 845
Four Star Tire Gel
303 Protectant (interior)
Meguiar's APC (carpet)

Will have pics tomorrow but just wanted to bring this thread back up.

[Matt H]

I saw the Mercedes you posted in the reflection thread, looking good and all.

[pballer12345]

I want to detail my car, but I don't know where to start. What should I buy as my 'car detailing kit?' Is it smart to detail my own car or is going somewhere a better value?

[DanB]

Why does everyone wash, clay and then wash again? If you do it right the clay removes what it removes and the paint is clean. There should be nothing left to wash off.

Simplified a bit. Wash, clay, removes swirls if present and then wax.

Polish is rubbing compound. Polish is designed to remove/hide swirls. It does this by removing paint. Rubbing compound does the same thing a lot more aggressively.