New Car - Detailing Newbie - Forum Newbie - Questions

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robnmarvel

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Hello All! I'm new to detailing and new to these Forums, which are a treasure trove of great information! I purchased a new 2021 Acura TLX in March (it probably sat on the Dealer's lot a few months prior) and have assembled a small starter arsenal of tools to get her off to a good start:

  • Porter-Cable 7424XP
  • NEIKO 30266A 5" Backing Pad
  • Lake Country 3" Backing Pad
  • Chemical Guys HEX_3KIT_5 5.5" (Orange, White, Black)
  • Lake Country 3.5 Inch CCS Pads (White, Blue Black)
  • Chemical Guys Light Duty Clay Bar and Luber Kit
  • Meguiar's G19220 Ultimate Polish
  • Meguiar's G210516 Ultimate Liquid Wax
  • LOTS of new microfiber towels

The car has no noticeable paint defects. Since she's not garaged and subject to the elements, I want to get her cleaned up and protected. Due to the horrendous NC pollen in March - May, I haven't been able to do so until now. I have some questions:

  1. Is claying overkill for such a new car? Should I just do a light polish and wax? I'm thinking that given all the pollen and other contaminants she's been exposed to, an initial light claying seems like a good idea?
  2. After claying and wiping off, can I go straight to polishing? (I know some people wash again after claying.)
  3. After polishing and wiping off, can I go straight to waxing?

Any suggestions and advice to help me get started will be appreciated!

Rob

View attachment 73720
 
robnmarvel said:
Hello All! I'm new to detailing and new to these Forums, which are a treasure trove of great information!
Click to expand...


Welcome to AutogeekOnline! :welcome:



robnmarvel said:
I have some questions:

Is claying overkill for such a new car? Should I just do a light polish and wax? I'm thinking that given all the pollen and other contaminants she's been exposed to, an initial light claying seems like a good idea?
Click to expand...

After washing and drying the car, do the Baggie Test

The Baggie Test as seen on Competition Ready TV with AJ and Mike Phillips

watermark.php






robnmarvel said:
After claying and wiping off, can I go straight to polishing? (I know some people wash again after claying.)
Click to expand...

Just go straight to polishing.


robnmarvel said:
After polishing and wiping off, can I go straight to waxing?
Click to expand...

Yes.



robnmarvel said:
Any suggestions and advice to help me get started will be appreciated!

Rob
Click to expand...


Watch this video - it will show you EVERYTHING you want and need to know and do.


How to do Automotive Exterior Detailing - Autogeek - YouTube


:)
 
Thanks very much, Mike. I will do the “baggy test” and check out the video.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Fairly common. Many are on a train from the port so they pick up rail dust. Then there’s time sitting on lots, being on ships, etc. there’s lots of opportunities for them to pick up things before you drive it off the lot.
 
robnmarvel said:
My 2021 Acura TLX (built 10/2020) failed the baggy test.

How common is this for new cars?
Click to expand...


Common. :dunno:


Whatever is in the air over the car and lands on the car - if not removed can and will bond to the paint to the point that it will not simply wash off. Thus the reason we all use detailing clay.


I've always meant to take a picture of this HUGE FIELD behind one of the local car dealerships. In this field you see hundreds of new cars. They are parked their until cars already on the front lot or in the showroom are sold then they are rotated to the front for sale.

BUT - until they are moved up front the sit in this huge field out back. There's a railroad nearby, lots of car traffic, (exhaust soot and brake dust), and just down the road a ways is some kind of mineral quarry, might be cement related?


My guess is all these cars will need to be clayed after a thorough washing. AND... a lot of car dealerships operate like this. Somewhere near to them they have an overflow area where incoming new cars are parked and staged until needed. Until then they get plenty of UV rays from the sun, rain and air-borne fallout/pollution. It's how the system works.



So probably none of us on this forum are surprised that a brand new car fails the baggie test and needs to be clayed.


:)
 
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