Keith Harrison
New member
- Jul 3, 2008
- 153
- 0
Gents, (and ladies)
1st let me say I appreciate the wealth of information on this forum. Its informative but to a noobie a bit overwhelming. I've tried to answer all my questions without a post but have a few questions left so here goes.
I just purchased an 06 Boxster S. Lapis Blue. Has 3k miles on it and basically brand new in appearance. When i drove it off the lot I was so pleased with the exterior appearance of the car that I immediately started searching the internet for products to maintain it which lead me here. So far i have purchased for the exterior:
> P21S Carn. starter kit: Includes Tire Gel, Shampoo, Paintwork Cleanser, 100% Carn. Wax, var. applicators...
> Cobra Start Kit:Ultimate Guzzler, Wash Mitt, Applicator Pads, Polishing Cloths
> I also have some Meg. (Gold I think) Quick Det. left from my previous adventures which I use limitedly almost daily. When it runs out I'll be changing.
> Meg. Tire Gel from previous car.
So last weekend was my first serious (to me anyway) detail. I did all wash work in shade.(6:30am shade. Been a long time since I cared enough for a car to get up at that time to clean it!)
Went through the normal steps as you would expect from my purchases:
1. Soaked/cleaned tires with Gel
2. Rinsed entire car with water
3. Washed with MF Mitt and shampoo
4. Dried with Guzzler
5. Polished with Paint Cleaner with supplied sponge
6. Waxed with 100% Carn. / MF
7. Dressed tires
Car looked awesome in my garage. It was the most fulfilling cleanup in my history. I've had other nice cars but sadly never really maintained them properly.
Anyway, I of course started to closely look at the paint in the direct sunlight and noticed spider webbing I guess you call it. Circular reflections around the direct sun light. I also noticed a few light scratches i had never really noticed. I would hope that as careful as I was it was not a result of my cleaning efforts but me revealing what was already there.
So here comes the questions finally!
I know missing in my arsenal is a DA polisher. I'm contemplating the Flex and I've read all the chains telling that I need one. I got it!!
In the meantime, is there anything I can do by hand to remove these? Also, in the normal course of washing/waxing with the above steps should I expect to add scratches/swirls as just the "nature of the beast"?
Next, I'm a little confused/afraid by the Flex. Within the steps I took this weekend, how many steps would I be adding and where would they go?
Would I use Paint Cleaner first to clean the surface and then run Flex or Flex then clean, then wax?
Also, assuming minor webbing/scratching how many times would I need to go over the car with the flex? I've read about the various pads etc and I'm wondering if I start with minor scratches and remove them is that a 1 step, 2 step, etc
Finally, using the flex no doubt introduces abrasion. Over a long enough time this would have to ultimately cause damage I would assume. So the question is, how often do you recommend a full polish like this? I know a simple answer is when needed but I guess this goes back to my previous question about what to expect from normal washing/waxing.
I fully expect to wash my car at least once a week. I would expect with Carn. wax to probably use the cleaner/wax at least once a month.
In this regimen, where does Flex/Polishing fit in? Do you polish every waxing? Twice a year? etc.
2 other real quick questions:
1. I had some light overspray from something and I ultimately used GoofOff to remove it. It worked great and I have seen no reprocussions so far. Any thoughts on that? I noticed a few threads about over spray.
2. I have an odd spot on my hood that looks like maybe tree sap or something. It feels smooth to the touch but will not come off. I was hoping the P21s Cleanser would get it but no luck. Also, GoofOff did not work. Will Flex process remove that or do you have any other suggestions?
As you might expect, my ultimate fear in all of this damaging my babies skin!
Thanks a bunch for feedback and all that you guys do to help us amateurs out!
1st let me say I appreciate the wealth of information on this forum. Its informative but to a noobie a bit overwhelming. I've tried to answer all my questions without a post but have a few questions left so here goes.
I just purchased an 06 Boxster S. Lapis Blue. Has 3k miles on it and basically brand new in appearance. When i drove it off the lot I was so pleased with the exterior appearance of the car that I immediately started searching the internet for products to maintain it which lead me here. So far i have purchased for the exterior:
> P21S Carn. starter kit: Includes Tire Gel, Shampoo, Paintwork Cleanser, 100% Carn. Wax, var. applicators...
> Cobra Start Kit:Ultimate Guzzler, Wash Mitt, Applicator Pads, Polishing Cloths
> I also have some Meg. (Gold I think) Quick Det. left from my previous adventures which I use limitedly almost daily. When it runs out I'll be changing.
> Meg. Tire Gel from previous car.
So last weekend was my first serious (to me anyway) detail. I did all wash work in shade.(6:30am shade. Been a long time since I cared enough for a car to get up at that time to clean it!)
Went through the normal steps as you would expect from my purchases:
1. Soaked/cleaned tires with Gel
2. Rinsed entire car with water
3. Washed with MF Mitt and shampoo
4. Dried with Guzzler
5. Polished with Paint Cleaner with supplied sponge
6. Waxed with 100% Carn. / MF
7. Dressed tires
Car looked awesome in my garage. It was the most fulfilling cleanup in my history. I've had other nice cars but sadly never really maintained them properly.
Anyway, I of course started to closely look at the paint in the direct sunlight and noticed spider webbing I guess you call it. Circular reflections around the direct sun light. I also noticed a few light scratches i had never really noticed. I would hope that as careful as I was it was not a result of my cleaning efforts but me revealing what was already there.
So here comes the questions finally!
I know missing in my arsenal is a DA polisher. I'm contemplating the Flex and I've read all the chains telling that I need one. I got it!!
In the meantime, is there anything I can do by hand to remove these? Also, in the normal course of washing/waxing with the above steps should I expect to add scratches/swirls as just the "nature of the beast"?
Next, I'm a little confused/afraid by the Flex. Within the steps I took this weekend, how many steps would I be adding and where would they go?
Would I use Paint Cleaner first to clean the surface and then run Flex or Flex then clean, then wax?
Also, assuming minor webbing/scratching how many times would I need to go over the car with the flex? I've read about the various pads etc and I'm wondering if I start with minor scratches and remove them is that a 1 step, 2 step, etc
Finally, using the flex no doubt introduces abrasion. Over a long enough time this would have to ultimately cause damage I would assume. So the question is, how often do you recommend a full polish like this? I know a simple answer is when needed but I guess this goes back to my previous question about what to expect from normal washing/waxing.
I fully expect to wash my car at least once a week. I would expect with Carn. wax to probably use the cleaner/wax at least once a month.
In this regimen, where does Flex/Polishing fit in? Do you polish every waxing? Twice a year? etc.
2 other real quick questions:
1. I had some light overspray from something and I ultimately used GoofOff to remove it. It worked great and I have seen no reprocussions so far. Any thoughts on that? I noticed a few threads about over spray.
2. I have an odd spot on my hood that looks like maybe tree sap or something. It feels smooth to the touch but will not come off. I was hoping the P21s Cleanser would get it but no luck. Also, GoofOff did not work. Will Flex process remove that or do you have any other suggestions?
As you might expect, my ultimate fear in all of this damaging my babies skin!
Thanks a bunch for feedback and all that you guys do to help us amateurs out!