Detailing steps with the products I currently have

[gearheadrd]

Hi Mike,

My friend bought me a bunch of car detailing products that I wish to use it on one of my cars. However, I'm pretty new to car detailing and I'm wondering if you can advise me on the procedures on the steps to use these products (which ones goes first, etc.).
Basically, my car is red in color, some paint oxidation, and minor swirl marks.


These are the products I currently have:

- Pinnacle Advance Swirl Remover
- Pinnacle Advance Finishing Polish
- Klasse All-In-One (red bottle)
- Klasse Sealant Glaze (grey bottle)
- Pinnacle Souveran Paste Wax

Porter Cable 7424XP with the following pads:
- Lake Country Yellow Pad
- Lake Country Orange Pad
- Lake Country White Pad
- Lake Country Green Pad
- Lake Country Blue Pad
- Lake Country Black Pad

- Microfiber Towel
- Polishing Towel
- Terry Cloth and Sponge Type Hand Wax Applicator Pads

I've watched your tutorial videos on using the Porter Cable, so I think I'm okay on the technique. Your videos are awesome by the way, they taught me a great deal :dblthumb2:

 

[CEE DOG]

Wash
Clay
Polish w/ swirl remover
Polish w/ finishing polish
IPA Wipedown
Seal and/or
Wax

Wash and clay the car using the proper techniques. Use the swirl remover with maybe the white pad to do a 12x12 or 18x18 test section. IPA wipedown and check. If you are satisfied continue onto the rest of the vehicle. If you are not then switch to a more aggressive pad or come on here and post the result of your test section if their is something that isn't seeming right.

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

Hi gearheadrd,

Sorry for the late reply, looks like you posted this on Sunday afternoon and I try to push away from the keyboard on Sundays... It's now noon on Monday and Monday's are usually catch-up days for posts made over the weekends.

Hi Mike,

Basically, my car is red in color, some paint oxidation, and minor swirl marks.

What are you working on? 2002 Honda? 1947 Chevy Coupe?

Is the paint a single stage finish or a basecoat clear coat finish?

Can you take a pictures of the worst oxidation portion?

 

[gearheadrd]

Hi gearheadrd,

Sorry for the late reply, looks like you posted this on Sunday afternoon and I try to push away from the keyboard on Sundays... It's now noon on Monday and Monday's are usually catch-up days for posts made over the weekends.




What are you working on? 2002 Honda? 1947 Chevy Coupe?

Is the paint a single stage finish or a basecoat clear coat finish?

Can you take a pictures of the worst oxidation portion?

Hi Mike,

The car is a '98 Honda, red in color. I'm not sure if the paint is a single stage or a basecoat with clear coat, as the car had been repainted in some portions due to minor fender-benders over the years. The oxidation is not extremely bad, it's just at the point where I can see deteriorated color on parts of the car where I've never had it repainted (ie. Hood, Roof, Trunk Lid, Front Fender).
I do take pride in taking care of my cars over the years, I wash and wax it frequently (I wash it weekly, wax it 3 times a year, and clay about 1-2 times a year). Everything is hand-buffed, but now since the paint oxidation is really showing despite my efforts (plus my friend bought me a Porter Cable), I feel I can make my paint like new again with an orbital buffer The paint still shines beautifully, but I can see the paint oxidation in the sunlight though.

Oh, I'll try to take a picture when I get a chance... the weather is pretty crappy and cold these days...haha

Thanks.

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

It's either oxidized single stage or failing clear coat, rub just about any kind of compound or paint cleaner on to a section with a white cloth and if you see red pigment it's single stage, if you just see some dirt color coming off then it's clear coated.

If it's single stage you can fix it easy enough, it it's clear coat failure then usually buffing won't help and if it does help the results won't last very long.

Here's a 1993 Honda that we did an extreme makeover on and it had a factor clear coat finish but at some time in it's life someone repainted a rear quarter panel with single stage paint. While the rest of the clear coat paint was in horrible condition, (swirls and etchings), the single stage section oxidized. It all buffed out just fine in the end...

Photos courtesy of MeguiarsOnline.com

Hood Before

Before and After by HAND

After Shots

Shouldn't take to long to figure out...

Have fun!