Newbie. Lessons Learned.

Winter prepped my Black Toyota Tacoma. Had mild swirling and RIDS.

Washed
Meg's Gold Class Shampoo
MF mitt
2BM with GGs
Brass Nozzle on Garden Hose
Pinnacle Bug Sponge
Absorber

Wheels
GG Wheel cleaner
Tire Brush
Tire Wand Brush
Aerospace 303

Clay
Meg's Smooth Surface Clay
Meg's QD

Tape
3M

Swirl Removal
Meg's UC
GG RO

Polish
Poli-Seal
GG RO

Sealant
Opti-Seal
Foam Applicator

LSP
Collinite 845


Here are some lessons I learned
1. Taping sucks. But I'm glad I did it.
2. Mike Phillips was right. Don't lift the polisher off the paint if it's still spinning.
3. Start a section on a flat surface, not a rounded surface.
4. Don't tape the driver door handle until you are sure you don't need to move the car anymore.
5. Applying Opti-Seal is quick, but not very satisfying. Don't use too much or it will streak, but if you use so little, there is no lubricity. No lubricity means I keep dropping my applicator when I hit a dry spot. Dirty applicator not good after spending the whole day removing swirl marks. Seems counterintuitive that so little can reportedly do so much.
6. Applying Collinite was more fun.
7. When washing, keep in mind all the nooks and crannies that make your microfiber dirty when your detailing it. (Edge under the wheel wells, bottom edge of the rocker panels, between the bumper and the panels, bottom of the windshield where the wipers are).
8. There's an answer to nearly every detailing question on AGO.
9. Detailing takes a long time, but it's good times.

Thanks to all the contributing members of this forum.

CAMAROZL1 said:

don't worry I start my detail on Monday with my tacoma. You have pics of your finished product

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Edited to include pics. Post some pics of your Tacoma detail.
Why would I worry??

Can't edit my opening post to add pics.

I'd say I got >95% of the swirls out. Very happy with the results.

TheCow said:

what tape do u use from 3M ?

Btw nice detailing job

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i used 3m scotch blue painter's tape. i ordered it from amazon, but i think you could get it most anywhere. i saw a post on here that said standard masking tape also works and is cheaper. i myself have not tried regular masking tape though so can't speak from personal experience.

[email protected] said:

Great job and nice Taco!

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Thx matt!

umi000 said:

Depends on the tape - I've tried some cheap no-brand masking tape, and it definitely leaves residue behind; however, some members on our local detailing forum use a different brand of masking tape which doesn't leave behind residue.

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vet said:

Regular masking tape might be OK on glass and hard plastic, but not on rubber trim around windows, etc. I had residue issues, and it pulled some of the rubber trim off. Use painter's tape and you won't regret it.

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I'll stick to using the 3m tape then. I did have some dollar store blue tape, but it was very poor quality.

BobbyG said:

Quite an initial writeup and spot on!

Your truck came out gorgeous!rops:

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Thanks Bobby G! Loved your truck detail and your truck. Mentioned before, I think trucks and porsches are the two cars that age well, especially when cared for like yours. Then again, all the cars on this forum look good.

cutter said:

95% correction is great!!!! The truck looks awesome!!!rops:

What year model is your Tacoma?

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Thanks, cutter. It's a 2007 with Off Road Package. Love it.

Mike.Phillips@Autogeek said:

The good news is... you usually only have to learn the lesson about lifting a spinning pad off the surface once...

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Haha. That true. Nothing hits it home like experience. Thanks for all your and the other forum members knowledge that made this so fun.

Next up...winter prepping the minivan.

Kristopher1129 said:

Pics help a lot. Nice job!! rops:

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Thanks! working on photo skills still