Full detailing procedure

[The Guz]

I would have to agree. The ultimate line up is very user friendly and is nice to learn with. All products are available at all your local auto parts stores. I have seen M26 at pep boys and autozone. Topping would be an optional step especially on the color of your car.

This is based on items you can find at any local store. Will give you a nice look.

1. Wash - Gold Class
2. Clay detailing - Meguiar's clay kit
3. Compound - Meguiar's Ultimate Compound
4. Polish - Meguiar's Ultimate Polish
5. Sealant - Meguiar's Ultimate wax or NXT 2.0
6. Wax - optional step (M26 or gold class)
7. Maintenance- ultimate quik wax & ultimate quik detailer
8. Foam applicators

Once you get your technique down you can move onto theor professional products.

 

[Jaap]

Thank you everyone for you answers!

As Mike Phillips said in earlier posts, after a compound its good to polish and I will go by his word. My question now is:

Do I compound the whole car and then polish the whole car OR to I compound the etchings and some scratches and then polish the whole car to remove swirls?

The reason I am asking is to understand if the compound will remove the etchings/scratches and the polish the swirls OR will the compound remove etchings/scratches and swirls while the polish will give that extra shine!

Thanks

 

[trekkeruss]

Do I compound the whole car and then polish the whole car OR to I compound the etchings and some scratches and then polish the whole car to remove swirls?

Since you are doing this by hand, my guess is you will need to use the compound on the entire car, because clear-coat is generally quite hard, and it will probably be too difficult to remove defects with just the polish. But as it is always suggested, do a test spot first, using the least aggressive product...in this case the Ultimate Polish...to determine if you can remove scratches and swirls . If you cannot, then use the Ultimate Compound.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-articles/50162-how-do-test-spot.html

 

[aztec1987]

I usually to this
-Wash
-Clay
-Swirl remover with CG V Line
-Polish CG V38
-Paint Sealant
-Gloss glaze
-Sealant
-Wax (2-4 layers)
-Spray Sealant (CG V7)
-Carnuba Spray Wax
-Remove and Wash each wheel
-Wax each rims and apply dressing
-Have a 6 pack after detailing

 

[BobbyG]

Jaap,

Since you're attempting a correction and polish by hand, no machine, I suggest you complete one panel at a time. Removing finish defects such as swirls and minor scratches is difficult enough but manual correction is in a world of its own.

Paints and clear coats of today are developed to resist swirls and scratches...to a point, which makes them harder to work with. If you ever have a chance to work on an older single stage finish lets say of the 1980's or before, you'll find it much softer and easier to work.

 

[Bunky]

Jaap,

Since you're attempting a correction and polish by hand, no machine, I suggest you complete one panel at a time. Removing finish defects such as swirls and minor scratches is difficult enough but manual correction is in a world of its own.

Agreed. Take your time. did it over days if necessary, and just try to knock it out. The swirls are not going anywhere and it is perfectly fine to just rewash the section with either a regular wash or even rinseless as you do each section.

 

[Jaap]

what steps do I need to do consecutively? I mean if I don't do the steps consecutively I can't take the car out of the garage can I? Since I will use Iron-x and then clay detail the car, it will not be smart if I take the car outside for a spin just like any other day and the next day do a polish.

 

[Bunky]

There is an order to be efficient but the steps can be done over days or weeks. You will just need to rewash it before continuing to prepare for the next step. You will not need to reclay etc. once it is done.

For example, you could wash, clay/iron x, etc. then stop. Then next time wash, paint cleaning or correction (a few panels at a time), then stop and continue by washing, polishing, etc. A rinseless or even waterless wash process may work if just driven one day without rain. etc.

This is what I meant in the earlier post.