First detail

[Abzynthe]

Well, Weather permitting. I will be doing my first detail on the car, getting it ready for the upcoming shows in July.

Im no professional, and I dont use the best products, but I will put a couple of pics up to compare

Here is my process:

Rinse entire car with pressure washer.
Candy fluff Snow foam.
Rinse remains off after 5-10 minutes with pressure washer
Go over entire car with sheep skin wash mit and Autoglym shampoo and conditioner.
Rinse with pressure washer
Wonder wheels for the alloys.
Rinse with pressure washer.
Dry with microfibre towel.
Then its on to clay.
I use autoglym claybar with autoglym rapid detailer as the lubricant.
Rinse with pressure washer
Dry again with microfibre towel
Machine polish with super resin polish. (The machine polisher I have is a cheap one, so its only as good as hand polishing, only quicker)
Buff
(Now Im not sure if I do it the right way round at this point)
Wax with Simoniz Original Car Wax
Buff
Seal with Autoglym extra gloss protection for body work and armourall shield for the wheels.
Buff
Then go over all the glass and head/tail lights with Autoglym glass polish and then Rain X
Finish with Meguirs endurance tyre gel.

I also use autoglym odour eliminator and auto fresh inside and autoglym leather care balm for the seats.

Results will be posted

 

[Anonymous]

Me thinks that RCZ1 will have a word about your proposed technique. However I would query the use of Wonder Wheels as I personally believe that to be seriously nasty stuff. I prefer to use much gentler materials. If you clean and seal them there is no need for such aggressive products.

I too thought of sealing the wax in. However it was pointed out to me that would be the wrong way around. Plus there is no need to seal and wax. Personally and I know my detailing partner would agree with your lovely Amber Red it really would benefit from a good wax as opposed to sealant.

Just my quick pennies worth for you to disregard or otherwise :beer:

 

[Abzynthe]

Thanks Ive always thought you cant have too much protection lol.

I guess your right about the wonder wheels, and with my wheels being brand new, It probably isn't required. I have autoglym clean wheels which may suit better

 

[Anonymous]

I would suggest that you use a decontaminating product ahead of claying the car. IronX is the original decontaminating product and probably still the market leader. I would also be using a product to remove the tar ahead of claying. I would recommend Tardis or Auto Finesse's 'ObliTARate'.

Also, you appear to have overlooked the exhausts. They need a little love and attention. I would recommend that you investigate some fine grade wool and the Britemax twins. These were recommended to me by RCZ1 and I wouldn't use anything else. They'll come up like new.

Your choice of products wouldn't be my own but it is all personal choice. Personally, I would be recommended a wax such as Bouncer's Satsuma Rock (applied using a Dodo Juice Supernatural Mitt). I really think that this will give leave your car looking stunning. It isn't "cheap" but it is cheap for what it is and a little goes a LONG way.

Lastly, I'd look at RCZ1's guide on the forum. (viewtopic.php?f=38&t=5286). RCZ1 really is THE expert on detailing and I would recommend following her advice. She REALLY knows what she is talking about!

 

[Anonymous]

Clean Wheels is good stuff actually and isn't aggressive. You don't want to damage those new alloys!!!

 

[Anonymous]

Oh...and please tell me you are using the "two bucket method" when you are washing with your mitt?!

 

[Anonymous]

Oh...and please tell me you are using the "two bucket method" when you are washing with your mitt?!

Or, do it like me with the 8-mitts-in-one-bucket method

Both sides of 6 mitts for the car itself, 2 for the alloys. Saves a ton of time once you're used to it.

 

[Abzynthe]

lol. Trying to get your post count up Riz?

I wrote that while trying to look busy at work so I did miss a couple of things.
Thanks for the recommendation of decontaminating if before claying, as I thought thats what the clay did lol.

I do use the two bucket method, and I have autoglym metal polish for the exhaust. I havent used it yet, thats probably why I forgot to mention it

I also have autoglym intensive tar remover, which is really good stuff, and a bit of autoglym paint renovator for light scratches.

 

[Anonymous]

:lol: I was actually trying to smuggle my posts on while welcoming a class in!! :-o:grin:

 

[Anonymous]

Wee bit of ironx for rust spots although it might not be as visable on rusty orange, so couldnt resist that one/ amber red. could use bilberry for the alloys quick and easy.

 

[Anonymous]

you should first seal and then wax, as applying a sealer after waxing will remove the fine layer of wax you have applied onto the car . At first that is how i thought it would be but after some research i have found that i was doing it all wrong.

 

[Abzynthe]

Yeah it does make sense to wax it last, but my mind always assumed that seal would be last lol

 

[Anonymous]

Yeah it does make sense to wax it last, but my mind always assumed that seal would be last lol

My thoughts too. In my mind like you, I thought "you can't have too much protection & seal in the wax by putting a sealant on after waxing" Wrong, wrong, wrong is what I was told by our Queen of all that is detailing :clap:

 

[RCZ1]

Well, Weather permitting. I will be doing my first detail on the car, getting it ready for the upcoming shows in July.

Im no professional, and I dont use the best products, but I will put a couple of pics up to compare

Here is my process:

Rinse entire car with pressure washer.
Candy fluff Snow foam.
Rinse remains off after 5-10 minutes with pressure washer
Go over entire car with sheep skin wash mit and Autoglym shampoo and conditioner.
Rinse with pressure washer
Wonder wheels for the alloys.
Rinse with pressure washer.
Dry with microfibre towel.
Then its on to clay.
I use autoglym claybar with autoglym rapid detailer as the lubricant.
Rinse with pressure washer
Dry again with microfibre towel
Machine polish with super resin polish. (The machine polisher I have is a cheap one, so its only as good as hand polishing, only quicker)
Buff
(Now Im not sure if I do it the right way round at this point)
Wax with Simoniz Original Car Wax
Buff
Seal with Autoglym extra gloss protection for body work and armourall shield for the wheels.
Buff
Then go over all the glass and head/tail lights with Autoglym glass polish and then Rain X
Finish with Meguirs endurance tyre gel.

I also use autoglym odour eliminator and auto fresh inside and autoglym leather care balm for the seats.

Results will be posted

You seem to have the basics there but can I offer some suggestions?

Clean your wheels first and wheel arches. You don't want dirty splatter from them onto nice clean paintwork. Power wash them done, use your wheel cleaner, then rinse them down before going on to snow foam the car. Remember you need something to seal your alloys with, to stop brake dust and dirt sticking to them. Planet Polish Wheel Seal and Shine gives up to 6 months protection with 2 coats, adds a great shine too and is excellent value for money. Bottle lasts for ages.

Snowfoam your car dry. I find it clings and cleans better when the car is dry. The important bit is spending a good 5-10 minutes power washing the snow foam off working from bottom to top. This helps to remove any remaining loose dirt, dead flies, etc.

The clay bar will remove most of the contaminants but I would consider buying Iron X to remove the embedded iron particles in your paintwork. It's also very good for cleaning alloys (not every time mind !). Also consider Tardis for removing Tar.

As others have said sealant first, then wax. Although I don't see a need for both but that's personal choice. As Ron pointed out, I'm a firm believer that wax is the bees knees on red paint. It adds such a deep, glossy look to the finish.

Mrizzle also said it right - don't forget your exhausts - using the Britemax Twins

Look forward to seeing your finished results.

 

[Abzynthe]

Thanks for the advice. Ill try it that way

I dont have time now to go out and get any more stuff, but I think I have everything covered except the iron X.

If I can, ill get out and see if I can get some.

 

[Anonymous]

I can't get any of my detailing products in store (with a few exceptions that I can get from the Polished Bliss unit up the road from me). I order practically all of my gear online.

 

[RCZ1]

No such luxury of a proper detailing store near me unfortunately, so all mine is bought on-line.

 

[Anonymous]

U get nothing in N Ireland bar autoglm or meguirs so all mine from clean ur car or fleabay which ever cheaper.

 

[renegade79]

can't even get ironx in store anymore!! seems everything has to be got online nowadays....

 

[Abzynthe]

My local halfords has a very large selection of detailing stuff. The most Ive seen in any halfords. I dont remember seeing any Iron X but im sure they have an equivalent