Excited new member of AG introduction/needs help with new car!!

Enthusiast

New member
Joined
Jan 13, 2012
Messages
23
Reaction score
0
HI Guys,

I recently posted about help with picking a polisher to remove light swirls, cut time down, and leave a better shine. The Flex seemed to be the popular decision. I do not do detail for a living, I am a college student and clean cars for cash throughout the year. As I mentioned before I have been doing cars for a couple years but have not achieved the results that I want. I clean cars at golf tournaments and typically clean 15-20 cars per day in the summer. I do not have the time then to spend numerous hours on the vehicles so I generally use the two bucket method with a water blade, micro fibers, and a spray wax to make for happy customers that want me to come back and do their cars on the weekends at their homes.


From all this hard work I have finally gotten my hands on a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit Edition! It is black metallic and the last thing I want to do is to put swirls on it. It is my first new car and I want to start this off right. I would greatly appreciate it if someone would either send a link to a previous forum guiding me with a step-by-step process to keep this car in MINT condition with the products that they used to achieve a great finish.

I got it just three days ago and I washed I used two buckets of warm water both equipped with grit guards. I use a soap called Zaino Show Car (Z-7). When washing I use two wash mitts. I use one for the paint and other for the wheels, running boards. In order to dry the car I use a rubber water blade to remove 90% of the water. I will then use air to blow the water out of hard to reach areas. Lastly, I use a large microfiber towel to dry the rest of the car.

After I used Z-6 Ultra Clean Gloss Enhancer Spray and then applied a coat of Z-2 PRO Show Car Polish for Clear Coated Car Finishes let it dry to a haze in my garage and buffed it off with a 10’’ Ryobi Orbital buffer. I then used the Z-6 again and Zaino Blonde Borderfree Towels to get a great shine.

Needless to say I have been a big fan of Zaino but I am open to anything. My new jeep has these finished chrome rims that I am unsure how to protect. I do not want to scratch them in the process of polishing them but I need to protect them from winter. My jeep also has this leather dash that I am unsure of what to use to condition it. Some friends have said to use Lexol? I also am trying to buy a DA polisher (Flex, PC, or Griots) also what pads, compound and polishes work best not only for my new car but my customers. I currently apply Z-PC Fusion Dual Action Paint Cleaner Swirl Remover by hand and use the Ryobi orbital buffer to take off with micro fiber bonnets and it does not do a great job taking swirls and scratches out.

I would greatly appreciate it if someone could list a detail step by step process on what to do and what to use for not only my new vehicle but a car that needs a little attention. Below are some pictures of the jeep. I included one pic of the dash as well. I look forward to reading your responses!!:props:
 
First, welcome to AGO.

Keeping a black DD swirl-free is a challenge. Someone once said "black isn't a color, it's a full-/part-time job."

I don't think you'll find many fans of the water blade on the forum. If you can, become very proficient at flooding the rinse and follow up with a WW MF, blotting dry. IMO - drying is the cause of most swirls. Apply little, if any, pressure with MFs when touching the paint.

When you can, invest in a MetroVac.
 
Sounds like a good chance to apply a paint coating such as Opti-Coat 2.0 or Cquartz.
 
Hi there! I thought it was funny how the one member mentioned about having a black vehicle as being a full-job!!

As far as keeping it clean/protected - like one of the member suggested, using something like Opti-Coat/CQuartz might be a great product for you. I have OC on my personal vehicle and have had great success with keeping my black-vehicle minimized from surface defects. I applied it last July and have only run Poli-Seal over it once in November and can honestly say, it has minimal marring.

With that being said, I did use CQuartz on my winter wheels to protect them for the winter, and I have to say I really liked to apply this LSP. I won't go into the pros/cons of each product - simply giving a direction that you could consider.

As far as polishers: I have both a PC and a Flex 3401. I believe it comes down to how deep your pockets are: a Flex does have more of an investment behind it. However, as you will read the microfiber polishing pads (example was Optimum, but there are other manufacturers as well) that seem to have changed how well the PC/Griots can perform. To be honest, I haven't used these yet, so I will let another member chime in with that.

For drying, there are many different ways to go about it. I personally use a drying mitt and WW drying towels to keep it spot free.

For a nice step-by-step process, you can do a search to see how the pros do it, or for a nice colour and detailed outline: The Art of Detailing

Hope I helped out a little! Good luck!
 
What did you decide on the dash? I have tried Meg's and it is way to shinny. I want dull and UV protection.
 
Back
Top