Until now, I've just been a gas station car washer as I've never really had a vehicle I felt was worthy of detailing so this is all new to me. I've been watching videos and reading the how-tos but I wanted to run this by you guys see if I'm on the right track.
I have a new car on order and I told the dealership to NOT wash it once it arrives. So I 'should' have a dirty car to drive home in.
From the information I've gathered this is what I think I should do...
1) Wash (using 2 bucket method)
2) Blot dry with chammys
3) Clay
4) Paint sealer
5) Wax
I don't have any supplies so I'm thinking of purchasing the following:
-2x grit guards
-wash mit
-chamois
-Pinnacle - Complete Detailing Wax & Cleaning kit
-16 oz. Wolfgang Deep Gloss Paint Sealant 3.0
I plan to do a practice run on my wife's Explorer just to get my process down and learn how to clay before cutting lose on my new ride. Let me know what you think.
Thanks,
Kiotie
Kiotie,
First, welcome to the detailing fan club! :laughing: Regarding your products and process, overall it's a decent start but with some exceptions...
- While your car will be new, it may not be in perfect shape. If your wife's Explorer has just had washes and is even a few years old, it probably needs care - polishing with a polisher and decent polishes. A PC, a few LC pads, and some good polishes (I like Menzerna) are probably good investments.
- I think the Pinnacle kit is costly and has a lot of things you can live without. For example...
-- A decent car wash like Zaino Z7 or CG washes make a great, cheap clay lubricant.
-- Souverän wax is supposed to be a decent wax, but it's a wax. Do you want a wax? I've been using selants for years. I use Zaino Z2 and Z5, and am trying out UPGP. They last much longer than wax and still give a great look (IMO).
-- You will need much more than two MF towels. You'll need some MFs for removing polish, some for QD, and some for drying your car. PakShak and AG have some good ones. PakShak is high quality and less expensive, but ordering supplies and tools from AG can save you shipping costs. (Make sure you use a coupon code to get free shipping or 10% off.)
- I strongly recommend a
Merino wool wash mitt, auto wash mitt, sheepskin wash mitt. I've used all sort of towels, rags, microfiber mitts, and wool mitts. This is by far the best. It cleans well, is controllable, doesn't mar your paint, and is easy to clean and care for.
- Do NOT use a chamois. I've had many real and fake chamois's. They dry out, are hard to keep clean, and don't suck up much water. Get a one or two good quality waffle weave (WW) drying towels like a Cobra Guzzler or a PakShak waffle weave towel. I have both. The quality is the same, but the PakShak is about 2/3's the cost of the Guzzler.
- Get some good WW glass towels. I have six and probably use at least 3 per week to clean my windows.
- For a sealant, you might want to try Zaino sealants or Ultima Paint Guard Plus (UPGP). Check out Corey's (CeeDog) "Best Of" web page for a list of reviews of his recommended products:
Best Of - AUTO DETAILING AND CAR CARE PRODUCT SPECIALIST. Without exception, he is the best reviewer on this or any forum. He is thorough and rigorous in his reviews.
- For plastic and tire coatings, try CarPro PERL and UTTG. I've used PERL on my tires and they look awesome. I just got the UTTG and will be using on trim in the next two weeks. (I got them based on Corey's reviews.)
I hope this helps.
Regards,
Dan.
