I thought I knew something-but I know nothing

duramaxblade

duramaxblade

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Alright, I am totally lost. I am so lost I don't even know where to start.

I am finding out that there is soooo much more to care care than I thought. I know how to make a car look pretty good but I really didn't know how detailed I could get. I can really make the interior shine, but I am not sure how the long term effects are, in regards to armoral being safe for the interior. Also, I am finding out that there is a whole new language here!!! There are abbreviations and initials that I have no clue what they mean. For all you guys that really know your stuff, bare with me for sounding so stupid, since my lack of knowledge is probably going to hurt some of you.

I really need the full work up. Everything from what do I buy for tools (brushes for washing,microfiber towels, the porter cable DA polisher), to everything for washing the trucks (what do you guys use, a regular wash, I have heard two buckets but not sure what that means), and then everything that follows the wash (clay,polish,wax,sealant?). I know this must sound ignorant, but I really feel too lost to try and piece all the information here together. With my luck I would screw something up.

The vehicles that I have are a 2004 Chevy Tahoe LT that is Black with tan Leather.
The other truck is a 2003 Chevy 2500HD LT that is white with tan leather, and chrome wheels.

Basically I want to get everything that I need and yes, I do know that it will cost me to get everything, but I would rather get it now and start doing things right. Plus, if I get stuff that you all know what it is then I should be able to start understanding this new language!!!

Here's a link from my introduction in case I missed something.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/introduce-yourself/17358-new-nh-looking-good-advice.html

Thanks in advance...
 
Welcome to AG! Read and ask questions. There is way too much information here for you to get it all in a few visits. This is a never end book, that gets better everytime you pick it up. Take your time,you have alot to learn!
 
duramaxblade said:
Alright, I am totally lost. I am so lost I don't even know where to start.

I am finding out that there is soooo much more to care care than I thought. I know how to make a car look pretty good but I really didn't know how detailed I could get. I can really make the interior shine, but I am not sure how the long term effects are, in regards to armoral being safe for the interior. Also, I am finding out that there is a whole new language here!!! There are abbreviations and initials that I have no clue what they mean. For all you guys that really know your stuff, bare with me for sounding so stupid, since my lack of knowledge is probably going to hurt some of you.

I really need the full work up. Everything from what do I buy for tools (brushes for washing,microfiber towels, the porter cable DA polisher), to everything for washing the trucks (what do you guys use, a regular wash, I have heard two buckets but not sure what that means), and then everything that follows the wash (clay,polish,wax,sealant?). I know this must sound ignorant, but I really feel too lost to try and piece all the information here together. With my luck I would screw something up.

The vehicles that I have are a 2004 Chevy Tahoe LT that is Black with tan Leather.
The other truck is a 2003 Chevy 2500HD LT that is white with tan leather, and chrome wheels.

Basically I want to get everything that I need and yes, I do know that it will cost me to get everything, but I would rather get it now and start doing things right. Plus, if I get stuff that you all know what it is then I should be able to start understanding this new language!!!

Here's a link from my introduction in case I missed something.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/introduce-yourself/17358-new-nh-looking-good-advice.html

Thanks in advance...
Click to expand...

Welcome back. We're all here to help. We were all newbies at some point in time haha. You will definitely find all your answers here. Two bucket method is a great method to use because it will reduce swirling on your car. Basically you put clean water in one bucket, and soap and water in the other. Wash your car, but before you dip back into the soap, dip in the in clean water bucket. This gets all the dirt off into that bucket and keeps it from getting into the soap bucket. After you wash, you want to use a high quality waffle weave (WW) MF towel. PakShak has some great ones. After drying, a good claying is in order. I've used Meg's white clay and Mother's yellow clay. Both have given me great results. You can pick up a Mother's or Meg's clay kit at your local auto store or Wal-Mart. After claying, some people wash, some don't. Either way, this is where your compounding stage comes in. Menzerna (Menz) SIP (super intensive polish) is very very good. Most use this polish with a green, white, or orange LC (Lake Country) CCS pad; depending on hardness of CC and severity of damage. Following this is your polish. Menzerna Nano (106FA) is fantastic. Most use this with either a white or blue LC CCS pad. You can then follow this step with Menz 85RD for your final polishing using a blue CCS pad. You can then add your carnauba wax or a sealant or both. If you add both, the sealant goes on first. WG (Wolfgang) Deep Gloss Paint Sealant is great, DG 105 I've heard great things about it's durability too. If you want, add a nuba after this. Natty's Blue, Pinnacle Souveran or SS2 (Signature Series II), Dodo Juice Supernatural Swissvax (SW) also makes exceptional waxes on the high end. That's a very quick overview of the outside. Got it :D
 
I know it. I thought the diesel forums had a lot of threads, but this place never ends!!! I am really just looking for a place to start. And I always follow up with the threads that I start. I am not going to just ask a question and never give any feedback. I can't stand when guys come in, ask questions and then never respond. Drives me nuts. I wouldn't have asked this question if I was able to understand even half the stuff that is here. But I am really at a loss. So if anyone can help me out, or if some one has a link to a thread that already explains the process (in dumb-guy words) that would be great.
 
There really is no one way to do any of these steps. You could do a compound stage a hundred different ways. It's all in what you like and what you feel comfortable doing.
 
Buy a Flex, some pads (orange, white, blue), some menzerna polish, a good wax (I just ordered some Collinite 915 today:D), and keep reading on here. I have been "detailing" on a small scale for ten years now. After joining this forum in October 08', I feel my skills and knowledge have grown to a level I did not even know existed, and im still learning everyday from this place.
:welcome:
 
Thanks a lot guys. joshs07redss, what pad do I need for the carnuba wax? And what about the sealant? All of this can be put on with a polisher? Viking, what do you mean by flex? It seems like everyone loves the menzerma polish, so I will definitely get that.
 
That really is a lot to answer. I would read here, surf google and other detail sites.
If you get a Flex I would suggest the new kompressor pads and some LC 6.5" pads. If you get a PC I would go with 5.5" and 4" pads the more pads the better
I use Optimum No Rinse for 99% of my washes
Clay Meguiars and Clay Magic
polish well there are so many I have an assortment seems like some days one combo works better then another but Meguiars 105 and 205 are great to have as well as Menzerna SIP and 106FA
Paint cleaner I really like DG 501 even though it is more a cleaner/sealant I use it mostly for cleaning and honestly not sure why bc it is a great sealant
Wax/Sealants I like FK 1000p, FK pink wax, DG 111, DG 105, P21s 100%, SSII and Souveran
Cheap Microfiber towels from walamart are great for interiors and wheels, old bath towels for tires and wheel wells, I can not comment on the Cobra towels sold by Autogeek I get my MF towels elsewhere
Meguiars All Season Dressing is great for exterior moldings, wheel wells and tires
Meguiars Hyper dressing is great for engine bay and wheel wells
FK 108 is great for engines, interior and tires
Hope that helps a lil
 
The Flex 3401 is a polisher that is very popular for a reason. I bought one in November and had no problems learning to use it. It is an amazing machine. If you do a search on it you will want one....soon.
:buffing:
 
Ok, so I am reading what everyone is replying, and it sounds like I can get a lot of this stuff from autozone to start. The good car wash, microfiber towels. Sounds like I could use all meguiars or mothers clay, polish, sealant, and carnuba. Is this right? At least so I can get the technique down and see how it comes out? I really do want a polisher, so I know that I will have to get one to get some good results.

By the way, thanks to everyone that has responded to me and been pretty easy going with the lingo, and spelling things out.
 
Patience and research, research...The search function and specialized forums can teach you a lot. This site is a gold mind of information and expert advice and help. I went from 0 knowledge (thought TW Synthetic Ice was the top of the line lol) To my first finish and the opportunity to make some extra $$ on the side. Just finished my first two details and they are unreal. And that is without using a Flex or PC. Friends want to pay me 100 to $200 to do something I love. You won't find a more helpful bunch of guys. This site alone is all you really need to become a pro. Now if I could just figure out how to post before and after pics lol...I am sold on the DG line. I thought FK 425 was the best QD until I got a hold of the DG QD. Welcome and take notes :)
 
I think Pep Boy's has a better selection than Auto Zone. Probably at a better price too. Most of the products you will hear about here are bought on line or specialty stores. Auto Geek has most of what you will need. Continue to read and decide what will be best for you. Ask questions. Some of the products in your local AZ are alot of hype. Don't waste your money use and buy what works and gives the best results.
 
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duramaxblade said:
Thanks a lot guys. joshs07redss, what pad do I need for the carnuba wax? And what about the sealant? All of this can be put on with a polisher? Viking, what do you mean by flex? It seems like everyone loves the menzerma polish, so I will definitely get that.
Click to expand...

Hello. You won't use your polished to put your sealant or nuba on. I guess if you wanted to you could apply the sealant with a blue or red CCS pad, but I've always done it by hand using a yellow polyfoam pad from Pinnacle...they're like $1 a piece. Use the same type of pad for your nuba. There are some things you can buy in stores..like Meg's Gold Class car wash, Vroom drying towel from Target (it's yellow), Lexol leather cleaner and conditioner, clay kits, QDs. Stuff like compounds and polishes are better off bought here. There are always sales going on. If you're in FL, you get free shipping on orders over $95, and as a new member you get a new member discount. Also, check out the BOGO (buy one get one) page. There's usually good stuff on there. It seems like the Fuzion has been pretty popular since it's gone on sale.
 
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QD's? This is all a really big help. In just a couple hours on the site I feel like I am starting to make sense of a little bit of this stuff. A lot of the abbreviations are still confusing. I think I am going to make a trip to pep boys toady and see what I can find that sounds decent.
 
You can use some as a clay lube. If you have just washed your car and you get a bird bomb, use a QD to wipe it off. You can also use it while drying your car. There's other ways I'm sure.
 
Generally speaking it is best to use a QD from the same manufacture as the LSP you used. There are a lot of forum members that will use the same QD with another manufactures product and have results they like.

I use a QD after a wash and to get off bird bombs. I also use it to remove a light dust accumulation between washings.

LSP is the Last Step Process, a wax or a sealant.
 
If you are looking to shop local car quest and napa sell duragloss, if you can find a local paint and body supply store you can get Meguiars professional line. Walmart has a great deal on MF towels perfect for interiors and wheels, in the kitchen section they have a 2 pack of white waffle weave towels great for windows, KMart has Viking towls the yellow ones are great for drying, the glass towels are great, Lowes sells the Pro line grout sponge where the mops and stuff are, great for washing the car, if there is a camping or RV store you can probably find some QEW it is a rinseless wash like ONR it is great for everything from washing the outside of the car, to interior wipe downs and glass.
 
ok, so I know that I said I was going to get everything here, but I didn't. Here's what I ended up buying from my local Pep Boys.
-A black and decker polisher 7"(on sale for 49.99) & some foam bonnets
-mother's yellow clay w/california gold showtime instant detailer
-meguiars swirls X, for the black truck
-meguiars swirls remover 2.0 for the white truck
-mothers synwax
-mother's california gold carnuba wax
-armor all tire shine gel
-westley's tire cleaner
-a whole bunch of micro fiber towels
I know it's not what I said I was going to get, but I think it will do for now. Any opinions? How bad do you guys who are serious and know your stuff think I screwed up? LOL
 
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