Saved by Grace
New member
- Apr 22, 2014
- 16
- 0
I am in the midst of my very first detail ever! :buffing:
I started with my oldest car, a '03 Acura CL. All in all it is going pretty well. So much information available here on the website and forum. Thank you to Mike Phillips for all the videos/book/articles, and of course to all the regular posters here. You have demonstrated to me over the last couple weeks what a true, professional detailer does. What a wealth of information!
Now that I've spent a ton of cash I'm at least happy to say that I enjoy doing it as much as I did learning about it. It's almost therapeutic.
Did I mention how much stuff I've bought? Boy this is addictive!
Anyway... here are a couple questions I have, and I realize they are probably stupid:
1. How do you all polish the thinner surface area parts like under the front grille? Or along the runners? I know I'm supposed to keep the pad flat, so it's not possible with a 6" pad (without tilting it on edge) because that pad is too big and product goes everywhere if I try to use it. Do you do it by hand or maybe use 4" pads?
2. I have old love bugs which were never properly cleaned off and have etched into my paint. I searched the forum but it mostly just talks about removing remains. I have a GG and used an Orange Pad with Megs UC. No dice. Should I try a yellow pad or use something like 105 with Orange Pad?
3. Here's what I have done so far for my detail (car was pretty neglected):
Rinse and then wash with Dawn, 2 bucket w/grit guard, micro chenille mitt
Sonas Ultra Fine Clay w/lube
Took off wheels and cleaned with BF W&T kit and Iron-X
Diamondite Glass repair
Diamondite Headlight repair (dehaze)
Clean interior carpet w/vacuum, cyclo polisher brush on my GG & Folex
Clean leather seats with Mag leather cleaner/protectant
Wipe down interior with Mag QD, finished with Poorboy's Natural Dressing (great smell!)
Mag UC with Orange pad
IPA (10%) wipedown
Still have to.....
- Get out my bug marks!
- MEG Ultimate Quick wax
- Wolfgang Exterior trim
I started with my oldest car, a '03 Acura CL. All in all it is going pretty well. So much information available here on the website and forum. Thank you to Mike Phillips for all the videos/book/articles, and of course to all the regular posters here. You have demonstrated to me over the last couple weeks what a true, professional detailer does. What a wealth of information!
Now that I've spent a ton of cash I'm at least happy to say that I enjoy doing it as much as I did learning about it. It's almost therapeutic.
Did I mention how much stuff I've bought? Boy this is addictive!

Anyway... here are a couple questions I have, and I realize they are probably stupid:
1. How do you all polish the thinner surface area parts like under the front grille? Or along the runners? I know I'm supposed to keep the pad flat, so it's not possible with a 6" pad (without tilting it on edge) because that pad is too big and product goes everywhere if I try to use it. Do you do it by hand or maybe use 4" pads?
2. I have old love bugs which were never properly cleaned off and have etched into my paint. I searched the forum but it mostly just talks about removing remains. I have a GG and used an Orange Pad with Megs UC. No dice. Should I try a yellow pad or use something like 105 with Orange Pad?
3. Here's what I have done so far for my detail (car was pretty neglected):
Rinse and then wash with Dawn, 2 bucket w/grit guard, micro chenille mitt
Sonas Ultra Fine Clay w/lube
Took off wheels and cleaned with BF W&T kit and Iron-X
Diamondite Glass repair
Diamondite Headlight repair (dehaze)
Clean interior carpet w/vacuum, cyclo polisher brush on my GG & Folex
Clean leather seats with Mag leather cleaner/protectant
Wipe down interior with Mag QD, finished with Poorboy's Natural Dressing (great smell!)
Mag UC with Orange pad
IPA (10%) wipedown
Still have to.....
- Get out my bug marks!
- MEG Ultimate Quick wax
- Wolfgang Exterior trim