Newbie looking for some tips...

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Sigtastic

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Hey guys, I'm new to detailing and am looking for some tips/pointers. I am starting at the basics of simple washing and upkeep before I even think about using machines. Here is a little back story to set this up. I just recently purchased a black 2013 Honda Accord Sport, and being my first new car I want to keep this thing looking new and amazing for as long as I can. It is my daily driver and I commute to and from work. I am an airline pilot and sometimes in the future this car will sit in the back corner (alone) of an airport parking lot for days in a row. I just had my first trip where I left the car in the lot. I have to drive about 100 miles round trip to the airport so I smash a lot of bugs on the road.

Ok, to the meat. I have purchased a good number of products from AG to take care of my car. My current plan of action is to completely wash the car the morning after I get home. I am using a foam gun along with the two bucket method with a Wookie's Fist and two chinelles. I rinse, pre-soak with the foam gun, two bucket wash the car, rinse again, and towel dry. After its all finished I go back over with detailing spray. I've noticed some "swirls" or "spider webs" from when the dealership washed the car. Is there anything I can do short of using a machine or paying someone to get them out? They aren't bad at all, but they still annoy me. I can post pictures in the morning since the sun has pretty much vanished.

I guess my question is am I doing ok for basic upkeep of the paint? Would anyone else recommend anything else or additions to my routine? I am washing it once a week with the process described above. I'm also looking for tips for daily upkeep. Detail spraying the car every morning will get expensive and I'm not sure if it is overkill, not good for the car, or what? I am assuming a light dusting with a MF towel in the morning will suffice?

Just to let you know I am extremely OCD about this car, did I mention it is black? I want it to look like the day it left the factory even in 10 years.


Here is my arsenal that I've deployed so far:

Two bucket setup with grit guards
DoDo Juice Wookie
Two AG chinelle mits
Gilmour Foam Gun
Assortment of MF towels (all purchased from AG)
Duragloss #901
Pinnacle Crystal Mist Detail Spray
DP Waterless Wash (for road trips)

I also have a lot of Chemical Guys stuff I haven't tried yet. The fiance' is starting to get agitated with my growing collection.

I apologize for the length and if this is in the wrong spot, but I've been stalking this forum for a while and it seems like this is where the pros are so I thank you in advance.
 
Welcome. You'll find that a lot of us here are OCD as well.

I believe others do quick detail spray early in the day and daily to maintain the cleanliness of the car. (Exterior)

I have the Pinnacle Waterless wash concentrate. I believe that is the one you are referring to. From my calculations (might be wrong) it will give you 4,096 oz. or 32 gallons (give or take) that's a lot in my opinion. So if you have that then you should be good for a while.


As far as buying a machine. I believe you can remove the swirls by hand but have never attempted it. (So no comment there) i have 3 machines and looking to buy my 4th machine :)

Either way have fun and like I said before, welcome.

Art
 
Oh and not sure if you have these or are using them. Check out clay, sealants, carnauba waxes and or coatings. Good luck and I'll let others chime in.
 
hernandez.art13 said:
Oh and not sure if you have these or are using them. Check out clay, sealants, carnauba waxes and or coatings. Good luck and I'll let others chime in.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your quick responses!

I've been looking at these. How often should I use the clay and wax? Is this is a once a month type deal?
 
NP, and keep on learning.

Videos to check out on youtube:

Auto Geek
Larry AmmoNYC
MiracleDetails - Paul Dalton

Theres plenty more but that is a quick run through. Also I believe if you have any additional questions. Ask away here on Autogeek Online.

Good Luck!

Art
 
Sigtastic said:
Hey guys, I'm new to detailing and am looking for some tips/pointers. I am starting at the basics of simple washing and upkeep before I even think about using machines. Here is a little back story to set this up. I just recently purchased a black 2013 Honda Accord Sport, and being my first new car I want to keep this thing looking new and amazing for as long as I can. It is my daily driver and I commute to and from work. I am an airline pilot and sometimes in the future this car will sit in the back corner (alone) of an airport parking lot for days in a row. I just had my first trip where I left the car in the lot. I have to drive about 100 miles round trip to the airport so I smash a lot of bugs on the road.

Ok, to the meat. I have purchased a good number of products from AG to take care of my car. My current plan of action is to completely wash the car the morning after I get home. I am using a foam gun along with the two bucket method with a Wookie's Fist and two chinelles. I rinse, pre-soak with the foam gun, two bucket wash the car, rinse again, and towel dry. After its all finished I go back over with detailing spray. I've noticed some "swirls" or "spider webs" from when the dealership washed the car. Is there anything I can do short of using a machine or paying someone to get them out? They aren't bad at all, but they still annoy me. I can post pictures in the morning since the sun has pretty much vanished.

I guess my question is am I doing ok for basic upkeep of the paint? Would anyone else recommend anything else or additions to my routine? I am washing it once a week with the process described above. I'm also looking for tips for daily upkeep. Detail spraying the car every morning will get expensive and I'm not sure if it is overkill, not good for the car, or what? I am assuming a light dusting with a MF towel in the morning will suffice?

Just to let you know I am extremely OCD about this car, did I mention it is black? I want it to look like the day it left the factory even in 10 years.


Here is my arsenal that I've deployed so far:

Two bucket setup with grit guards
DoDo Juice Wookie
Two AG chinelle mits
Gilmour Foam Gun
Assortment of MF towels (all purchased from AG)
Duragloss #901
Pinnacle Crystal Mist Detail Spray
DP Waterless Wash (for road trips)

I also have a lot of Chemical Guys stuff I haven't tried yet. The fiance' is starting to get agitated with my growing collection.

I apologize for the length and if this is in the wrong spot, but I've been stalking this forum for a while and it seems like this is where the pros are so I thank you in advance.
Click to expand...


First off welcome to the forum happy to have you!

Now on to your issues at hand,

So you have a black car? Mistake number one!

Just kidding! Black is a great car but it will be your worst enemy as it shows everything so having the right routine with the right products and the most important the right technique will help you keep you car looking its best.

You have a great selection of tools for your paint and the foam gun it one one them. Now, where most scratches occur is in the drying process so being smart and drying right with the righ tools will reduce the chance.

Some great ways to dry is first before you touch the drying towel, which should be a quality MF waffle weave towel you want to pool or sheet the water off the paint. This will give you less water to worry about. Now you can go totally touch less and blow dry the car with a leaf blower but if you don't do this then drying with a towel is the next option. WHen drying with a towel patting or blotting the paint will decrease the chances of scratches since you won't be dragging the towel across the paint.


You said yo have some swirls? Well certainly you can remove them by hand but do you really want to? More than likely not its more of a pain than its worth. Do yourself a favor and get a polisher. If money is an issues you can pick up the Harbor Freight DA for about 50 bucks not too bad. If you do go that way you will need a better backing plate than what they give you.

If you want to spend a bit more you can go with a Griot Garage DA polisher. This a great choice for anyone new to polishing that needs to do some swirl removing. If you want to make it easy AG offer plenty of kits that give you pads polishes and a machine of course.

You will want to clay you paint to remove an above surface contaminants that will surely be there. As for you question how often to clay well you need to judge this on a case by case or month by month bases. Check your paint when your washing and see if you feel anything. If you do you can clay it but if you doing weekly washes and regular maintenance then you should have to do it often.

As for how often to wax well if your going with a sealant which will give you 4-6 months of protect then you will be fine. If you using quick detailers and spray waxes after washes to keep up the protection then you will will be fine. You can also top a sealant with a carnuba wax for added protection. Carnuba waxes will last about one month.

Ok I think I hit everything.

Some article to check out:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/off-topic/38689-what-condition-paint-your-vehicles.html

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum.../43190-gloss-starts-first-smooth-surface.html

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...-will-brand-x-car-wax-paint-sealant-last.html

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...car-garage-video-how-pick-right-polisher.html

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...r-remove-light-dust-fingerprints-smudges.html

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...remove-above-surface-bonded-contaminants.html

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...le-7424xp-g110v2-griot-s-garage-polisher.html
 
Wow Evan, thank you! These are great sources! I just watched a video on the baggie test for claying. I initially had no intention of going further than a regular wash, but I've been bitten by this bug! As hernandez said, I'll keep learning and perfecting. I've had a blast so far and this is such an awesome community!

I think I'm going to do the first clay/wax session by hand to get a feel for what I'm really doing for the paint then I will definitely pick up a polisher!
 
hernandez.art13 said:
Welcome. You'll find that a lot of us here are OCD as well.
Click to expand...

+1

Most of our significant others can't understand the need for regular deliveries from Autogeek and others.

My two cents, If you're not interested in an orbital polisher at this time (don't worry, that will becoming soon!), the Klasse twins are a great first step to protecting your paint, and learning how to work a paint protection system. These won't correct the paint, however, will minimize the effects of scratches, swirls, etc. as well, the results are usually well worth the effort.

From a fellow owner of a back car.
 
Here is my 2nd wash of all time. Foam gun, two bucket method w/ guards, three mitts, blow dry, Pinnacle Crystal Mist detail spray to finish her off. Foamed and washed with DG 901, used my foam shampoo sample for the first wash. I'm still learning, but man this is fun. I went ahead and did my brother's car after mine.

Still working the fiance' for a porter cable to get out the nasty dealership installed swirls, but still looks great from 10 feet away.

Wash_2.jpg
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