Hello,
I have been a passive forum reader for very long, so I decided to register to ask some question. I am a complete n00b, but have gone through several articles here from Mike Phillips on how to use a DA Polisher, steps for proper detailing, etc.
However, I still have a few questions that I hope to get answered before I start my summer detailing project for my daily driver - a black Altima!
1) I have some very stubborn paint transfer. I removed most of it by following several techniques that are listed on the forum in different threads. However, there are some that just refuse to go away. This is on the front bumper which hit a cement post while backing up - the white paint transfer looks horrible. I have tried:
3) Once done, I plan to start the full detail project with the following.. Please suggest if this is a good plan. I prefer OTC or locally available stuff generally, since this is a daily driver and will get dirty again really fast.
a) How do I remove the paint transfer I described above?
b) For the bumper scrapes - good plan? Any suggestions?
c) At what stage do people use cleaner waxes? I have some cleaner/AIO and was not sure if that is done after claying or after polishing.
d) For polishing, is SwirlX good enough, or do I need to go buy Megs UP? I saw the aggressiveness chart somewhere, and they both seem mild enough for correcting and aggressive enough for removing swirls. I am looking for something in single-step here rather than using a compound followed by polish.
e) For detailing the daily driver - good plan? I will likely detail only once or twice a year since it is difficult to find time for it while working as a software engineer full-time
I have been a passive forum reader for very long, so I decided to register to ask some question. I am a complete n00b, but have gone through several articles here from Mike Phillips on how to use a DA Polisher, steps for proper detailing, etc.
However, I still have a few questions that I hope to get answered before I start my summer detailing project for my daily driver - a black Altima!
1) I have some very stubborn paint transfer. I removed most of it by following several techniques that are listed on the forum in different threads. However, there are some that just refuse to go away. This is on the front bumper which hit a cement post while backing up - the white paint transfer looks horrible. I have tried:
(a) Using Isoprophyl Alcohol mixed with water to remove - this removed everything but these few stubborn transfer.
(b) Vinegar spilled on a sponge applicator rubbed against the area. I let it settle down for few minutes before rinsing with water and wiping the area - the transfer remained.
(c) Someone in one of the threads here suggested using non-chlorinated brake cleaner - no dice with that either!
(d) Bought Meguiar's SwirlX from walmart & rubbed it with hand against the area with moderate pressure.. still no dice!
(e) Rubbed some lacquer thinner against the spot - the stain did not budge.
2) There are some thin scratches, deep scratches, and rock chips introduced by above. Since this is a bumper, I plan to use a polishing pad with PC 7424XP (speed 5) and Meguiar's UC to go over the area. This should remove most of the small scratches. For deeper scratches and rock chips, I plan to apply several layers of OEM touch-up paint & let it dry for several weeks. I will use the Langka blob eliminator on the chips after that. I checked with the Nissan dealer, and he said that the touch up paint bottle already has some clear coat mixed in, so I do not need to buy and apply it separately, esprecially for scratches. Does this sound like a decent plan? Again, I have searched the forum threads, and it seems that people recommend not sanding bumpers or using cutting pads on it since they are made of plastic and it is easy to remove paint from it. If I *have* to sand some of the rock chips, I might use a 3000 grit on the pencil eraser head.(b) Vinegar spilled on a sponge applicator rubbed against the area. I let it settle down for few minutes before rinsing with water and wiping the area - the transfer remained.
(c) Someone in one of the threads here suggested using non-chlorinated brake cleaner - no dice with that either!
(d) Bought Meguiar's SwirlX from walmart & rubbed it with hand against the area with moderate pressure.. still no dice!
(e) Rubbed some lacquer thinner against the spot - the stain did not budge.
3) Once done, I plan to start the full detail project with the following.. Please suggest if this is a good plan. I prefer OTC or locally available stuff generally, since this is a daily driver and will get dirty again really fast.
Wash/Dry: ONR v3, MF Mitt, and Viking WW towel
Clay: Mothers mild clay available OTC at walmart (this is a fairly new car, so I am quite sure mild will be enough for now) and ONR QD strength as lubricant. I see lots of streaking when I wash my car with ONR, and I read another past thread where someone else had a similar issue. People suggested that it is likely something that the dealer did to the car before selling, and claying will help remove it..
Polish: Meguiar's SwirlX (or should I use Meguiar's Ultimate Polish)? PC 7424XP with speed 4
Seal: Collonite 845 Insulator Wax (I read the epic thread on how to use this, and it seems it comes highly recommended by people here. My local detailer had some in stock so I purchased a bottle from him for $15)
Wax: Undecided.. probably Mother's Brazillian Carnuba Wax Liquid
Questions:Clay: Mothers mild clay available OTC at walmart (this is a fairly new car, so I am quite sure mild will be enough for now) and ONR QD strength as lubricant. I see lots of streaking when I wash my car with ONR, and I read another past thread where someone else had a similar issue. People suggested that it is likely something that the dealer did to the car before selling, and claying will help remove it..
Polish: Meguiar's SwirlX (or should I use Meguiar's Ultimate Polish)? PC 7424XP with speed 4
Seal: Collonite 845 Insulator Wax (I read the epic thread on how to use this, and it seems it comes highly recommended by people here. My local detailer had some in stock so I purchased a bottle from him for $15)
Wax: Undecided.. probably Mother's Brazillian Carnuba Wax Liquid
a) How do I remove the paint transfer I described above?
b) For the bumper scrapes - good plan? Any suggestions?
c) At what stage do people use cleaner waxes? I have some cleaner/AIO and was not sure if that is done after claying or after polishing.
d) For polishing, is SwirlX good enough, or do I need to go buy Megs UP? I saw the aggressiveness chart somewhere, and they both seem mild enough for correcting and aggressive enough for removing swirls. I am looking for something in single-step here rather than using a compound followed by polish.
e) For detailing the daily driver - good plan? I will likely detail only once or twice a year since it is difficult to find time for it while working as a software engineer full-time
