New from SoCal

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oakview

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My name is Dave, live in Southern California, and am not a pro detailer - just a homeowner who cares about his car and truck. Both vehicles live outside all year and are driven daily. After purchasing the truck (2012 Ford F-150 with a Snugtop shell) in January, I realized I would need to be more efficient at maintaining the acres of paint between both vehicles. I found Autogeeks while researching an easier way to just to wax the vehicles. Needless to say it was a real eye opener after reading the myriad of posts here. Ended up purchasing a Griot's Garage DA Kit, Detail Pro Paint Sealant and Collinite 845. All seem to be easy enough for a rookie like me to use and durable enough to withstand the sun, heat and cold (We freeze in winter and summer is often over 100 deg.). Now I need to learn the best way to wash and dry, and what to use before polishing, sealing and topping with the wax. Great group of folks here and any suggestions are welcome.
 
:welcome: To Autogeek Online Dave!!

Southern California huh, freeze during the winter and summer temps over 100 degrees, it sounds like you live here in Southern New England!!

Wash

Any quality wash mixed according to directions will suffice. For the most part everyones uses a buckets with grit guards. One bucket contains the washing solution and the other clean water for rinsing your wash media before re-soaping.

I like Duragloss 901 car wash concentrate. It works very well and is reasonably priced.

Clay

Once the finish has been thoroughly washed the next step of to clay each panel using a suitable lubricant to remove any particular contaminates that have become embedded in the paint.

I use Meguiar's clay but there are several out there that work equally well and won't break your wallet.

This link contains articles written by Mike Phillips and has allot of great reading within.

Articles by Mike Phillips

Basic steps in order are:

  • Wash
  • Clay
  • Paint Correction & Polish
  • Seal
  • Wax
Here's some great information that will help you if you need it.

Polishes

Sealants

Wax


One of my favorites

Take your time and make detailing enjoyable. :props:
 
Thanks Bobby! Lots of helpful information in those links. :)

Question: I have a Karcher pressure washer, this model, that I have been using to wash both vehicles. I use a pressure washer safe auto soap first, then rinse using the lowest pressure tip (white). Is this OK?:dunno:

Reason I ask is I don't see pressure washers mentioned very often in the posts I've read. It seems to do a good job but would a hand wash be more desirable before detailing the paint?
 
Welcome Dave, Bobby has given you some good info.

:xyxthumbs:
 
oakview said:
My name is Dave, live in Southern California, and am not a pro detailer - just a homeowner who cares about his car and truck.
Click to expand...

Hi Dave,

Welcome to Autogeek Online! :welcome:

I'm a transplant from SoCal too, Apple Valley, specifically but before that Oregon...


oakview said:
I found Autogeeks while researching an easier way to just to wax the vehicles. Needless to say it was a real eye opener after reading the myriad of posts here.
Click to expand...

That means we're doing our job and we have a ton of GREAT forum members...

oakview said:
Ended up purchasing
Click to expand...

That's the side-effect kicking in.... :laughing:




Roll Call - What's your real first name?


:xyxthumbs:
 
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