Best way to detail paint by hand?

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djzero

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Historically, I've used these when I've detailed my cars:

20140921_134213_zpsaexqsz4b.jpg


However where I now live, my only option is street parking, so I can't plug in an orbital buffer. What are my best options for detailing by hand? Should I try and use these without the buffer? Use something else? I'm in an area where a lot of cars have peeling clearcoat, so my primary objective is to prevent this from happening. Also, whatever option I go with would have to take me <2 hours, otherwise I'm just going to take it to a professional.

If it matters, I've got a silver 2012 madza 3 sedan.

Thanks!
 
Since your Car is still quite new,, you should be OK with Hand Detailing, cleaning, and protecting your paint.

While many here have discovered Electricity, and use Electric (or air operated) Polishers, Buffers, etc, still many processes have to be done by hand, such as washing, decontaminating the paint, and of course also applying paint-trim-glass protectants.

"Rome was not built in a Day", and there's nothing that says you have to complete a vehicle within one day's time. That one can do one panel or two, clean properly, then seal-wax-coat with whatever product you choose.

As most will say, wash, clay, polish, protect.

I would forego, and not use such as any compounds, whether pastes, or liquids, you most likely would not need such harsher abrasives to refine your paint finish.

With over the counter products, I would say get a Clay Bar Kit, Something like Meguiars, or Mothers, a qt bottle of a ultra fine finishing Polish such as Meguiars Mirror Glaze 205, (or similar to) and a good sealant or wax. Megs NXT, #20-#21 would be good picks, or a bottle of one of the Duragloss Polishes-Sealants from NAPA, or CARQUEST.

Some decent Microfiber Applicators and Microfiber Towels, and you'll have the basics to making your car looking great, and protecting the finish quite adequately.

Living here in New Mexico, I see it all too often, vehicles not much older than 4-5 years old, with failing clear coat.

Sole factors for such are laziness, and ignorance. Ignorance in thinking since a person sees a paint finish looking shiney, that it is somehow protected, and of course, it isn't.

With even a bit here, and a bit there, simply remember what panels have not been done, and go from there. Commonly the Hood Roof, and Trunk Areas take the biggest beating from UV Clear Coat Failure.

Hope this helps, and as well, welcome to the forum!
Mark
 
Since this is your first post to AGO...


Welcome to AutogeekOnline! :welcome:


I've been posting to the Internet world for 20+ years now... that's a long time. I don't as a habit post anything negative about any company as that's not my style.

But in an effort to help you, in most cases that I can remember where Turtle Wax Rubbing Compound is involved it is with someone coming to this forum seeking help to remove dull spots or scratches after using the product.

Could be their newest versions are clearcoat safe, I don't know it's been decades since I've used their rubbing and polishing compounds and they were not good products back when I used them in the 1970's I just didn't know any better.

So here's some advice... if you're car is important to you and specifically the paint, perhaps just get a good one-step cleaner/wax that can be applied by hand and use it instead of the two product you pictures.

Meguiar's Cleaner/Wax has been around since 1973, formula always updated and it's very safe and works very well for a baseline cleaner/wax.



Here are some threads on this forum dealing with Turtle Wax Rubbing Compound....

Note I didn't read through them, just did a search with the words Turtle Wax Mike Phillips to see what I could dig up...


http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...416-help-rubbing-compound-left-dull-spot.html

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...-paint-haze-after-using-rubbing-compound.html

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...e-water-spots-stains-polish-compound-pad.html

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...phillips/50220-wish-i-found-site-earlier.html

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...utting-polishing-products-relative-grits.html





:)
 
I also started out doing everything by hand, and made the mistake of using Turtle wax because a family member had it handy. I quickly made the jump to Meguiars and have learned that better products can save you time. If you don't have access to water consider a waterless wash. Also, sealing the paint with an all in one sealer and topping it with a quality wax will give it an incredible look and make it easier and faster to maintain as the sealer lasts months longer than the wax will. Check out autogeek.net and order klasse all in one and top with pinnacle souveran wax. I tried it and am very glad I did. The maintenance now takes little time and the paint always looks amazing.
 
I don't have a polisher and I've been doing everything by hand for a year (I detail only my own car), I had it polished by a professional detailer when it was brand new and then took care of it myself after that..
For sealant/wax application it's easy or at least not that hard, but for polishing it's very tiring and not fun at all! For me it's the most time and elbow grease consuming part of a detail, and by polishing here I mean using ultra fine polish or paint cleaner prior to LSP application and not removing defects!

As MarkD51 said you don't have to do it all in one day, or you can invest in a cordless polisher like this one here http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/questions-about-porter-cable-7424xp-7424-7336-griot-s-meguiar-s-dual-action-polishers/87680-review-griot-s-cordless-5-inch-polisher.html
 
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