Want to Detail My Cars But Don't Want to Spend A lot Of Time? Help!

[integlspwr]

Greetings Everyone,

I currently live in western New york and our winters are harsh here. Spring is around the corner and I wanted to detail my car and my partners truck.

I already have a Clay Mitt coming in and already have CG Mr.Pink, and CG Hybrid V7 but I wanted to know what products that are Easy On, Easy off and doesn't take a lot of Time.

Some suggestions I got after using the Clay Mitt was Opti Seal then after that, The Optimum Car wax. Is there any other products I can add to detail both of our cars in-between the products already listed?

Both cars are Silver and I do not have a Orbital machine to apply any product, so this would have to be done all by hand so thats why I was looking for something that goes on and off very easy.

I would like great durability but I know I won't get it without some elbow grease.

Send those suggestions on what I can add to the already listed products above to get the car / truck detailed.

Thanks Again Everyone!

Any help is greatly appricated.

 

[mdgrwl]

If you dont want to "polish" a car with a DA polishing machine, you can 'deep clean' your paint with Klasse AIO by hand. Seal it after taht with your choice of sealant - should take 2-3 hours tops.

 

[VISITOR]

machine polishing is necessary to get the paint as near perfect as possible if that matters to you. if you don't have time or the effort to do it, maybe a fellow member can do it for you...

 

[VP Mark]

Just wash, clay, and seal with Opti-Seal. 1-2 hours a car and you are done.

Sometimes we greatly over complicate this detailing stuff. It is only complicated if you are looking for a show room style finish.

 

[c8n]

It's all about what your expectations are and the condition of the cars you will be working on.
If you want a showcar finish... you will need to invest in some proper tools and I should add that not everyone is looking for a showcar finish. Detailing products have come a long way but the application method could make a night and day difference.... unless that is you have 24 inch pythons like Hulk Hogan.

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

Here's a real simple plan of attack...

KISS = Keep it Simple Simon

1. Wash & dry
2. Use a quality one-step cleaner/wax by hand. Only apply to paint, don't get it on black plastic trim.
3. Done.

Optional
Dress tires
Clean inside of glass
Vacuum


And welcome to AGO!

 

[allenk4]

"I wanted to detail my car and my partners truck"

I thought Lawyers made a lot of money?

Just take it to a Pro Detailer.

 

[integlspwr]

Thanks everyone for the quick responses.

I do like the KISS plan of attack but also don't mind putting in a little more effort than that, But I'm not looking to do a 7-10 hour job of color correction on the paint etc either. =)

2-3 hours max is realistically what I don't mind putting into each car. 3 hours on the truck for that's a 2001 Chevy 2500HD and 2hrs for my car cause its a little 2001 Acura Integra.

Not really looking for a show car finish, because these are our daily drivers. What finish I am going for is just nice, deep, wet Gloss, that have some durability and don't mind doing it every 2-3 months. Both cars are not garaged or covered so its exposed to the elements 24/7.

Thanks again everyone!

 

[integlspwr]

"I wanted to detail my car and my partners truck"

I thought Lawyers made a lot of money?

Just take it to a Pro Detailer.

I got some quotes around here and my car would be about $160 and the truck at least $220, but that's for interior also. So we are looking almost $400 for both cars. I think we can save a quiet a bit of money doing it our selves some.

I actually have all the interior cleaning products like carpet cleaner, brushes, and bissel little green clean machine etc.

 

[JSou]

I think Mike's plan is best.

Either save money or save time. Not sure which one you want more.

 

[integlspwr]

I think Mike's plan is best.

Either save money or save time. Not sure which one you want more.

I think I agree.

I'll just Wash, Clay Mitt, Opti seal, Optimum Wax, then finish it off with the Hybrid V7. How does that sound?

 

[JSou]

Sounds like a good plan to me. Post some pics!

P.S. I use to work on many integras in my early teens.

 

[ZeroSP]

I think I agree.

I'll just Wash, Clay Mitt, Opti seal, Optimum Wax, then finish it off with the Hybrid V7. How does that sound?

May I suggest you finish off with Opt Instant Detailer instead? It comes by concentrate so you dilute into more usable one, more bang for buck. It serves it purpose as a QD. Since you are already going Opti Seal as base, and OCW as top layer wax why not?

Opti Seal you would only need to reapply once every 3 months. Wax once a month although OCW can last longer than that but hey, refreshing it once a month isn't that expensive either. While OID is your weekly to top up after washing.

 

[HateSwirls]

With all the talk on another thread about Collinite 845 Insulator Wax I'd say give it a try, cheaper than a paint sealant and holds up better than any wax that I ever used and it only cost $18.00, it will last about six months.

Like Mike said keep it simple but for me I don't know what simple is. Lol

If I were you I'd do the following.

First, do you own a DA?

Two bucket wash
Clay
Polishing using Meguiar's 205 Ultra Fine Polish, very easy and quick to complete, start out with a black finishing pad and work up to a white pad if need be.
Then apply a good coat of wax or sealant, I think you'll love the 845.

That's it, with this you should see much Improvement

 

[integlspwr]

May I suggest you finish off with Opt Instant Detailer instead? It comes by concentrate so you dilute into more usable one, more bang for buck. It serves it purpose as a QD. Since you are already going Opti Seal as base, and OCW as top layer wax why not?

Opti Seal you would only need to reapply once every 3 months. Wax once a month although OCW can last longer than that but hey, refreshing it once a month isn't that expensive either. While OID is your weekly to top up after washing.

Ya i can get the Opti QD no problem. I guess the question is now, where is the cheapest place to get all the productS?

Suggestions?

 

[Blackthorn One]

I think I agree.

I'll just Wash, Clay Mitt, Opti seal, Optimum Wax, then finish it off with the Hybrid V7. How does that sound?

I would go with wash, clay mitt, Poli-Seal (sealant with one polish in it ) for the first couple times you do the cars, then use Opti Seal after those two times as maintenance. Just use poli seal when you want to remove some scratches, during your application. After a few times, ie after a few every 2 or 3 every 3 month applications with little extra effort,it should be very nice. I would probably stop after opti seal, and not bother with wax, unless I wanted a bit of improvement in looks.
I would then use Opti Bond or Tuf Shine on the tires and rubber.

That's my idea of keeping it simple with as little thought and work as possible.

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

Thanks everyone for the quick responses.

I do like the KISS plan of attack

2-3 hours max is realistically what I don't mind putting into each car.

A really good hand wash job takes about an hours. I documented this with screenshot pictures taken on my iPhone with pictures of the truck I washed and a picture of the water hose after I was finished using it and put it away.

I did this truck in 4 hours and worked as fast as humanly possible...

High quality production detailing by Mike Phillips


I took a screen shot showing the time I started to wash and the products I used.

Here's a screenshot showing the time I finished including rinsing out all my tools, buckets, putting away all my wash tools and also putting away the water hose.

This article I wrote to document what I did, how I did it and how long it took is seriously worth taking a read-through.

High quality production detailing by Mike Phillips


Before

After

Except I used about a $400.00 high quality German tool to speed up the polishing step.

If I had to do it all by hand it would have taken another 2-3 hours working as fast as I can and I'm pretty good at this stuff.

Take a person that's not good or at least not experienced with GREAT hand skills to "touch" clearcoat paint systems without jacking them up and it's going to take a lot longer and the results might be what you call sub-par.

 

[HateSwirls]

A really good hand wash job takes about an hours. I documented this with screenshot pictures taken on my iPhone with pictures of the truck I washed and a picture of the water hose after I was finished using it and put it away.

I did this truck in 4 hours and worked as fast as humanly possible...

High quality production detailing by Mike Phillips


I took a screen shot showing the time I started to wash and the products I used.

Here's a screenshot showing the time I finished including rinsing out all my tools, buckets, putting away all my wash tools and also putting away the water hose.

This article I wrote to document what I did, how I did it and how long it took is seriously worth taking a read-through.

High quality production detailing by Mike Phillips


Before

After

Except I used about a $400.00 high quality German tool to speed up the polishing step.

If I had to do it all by hand it would have taken another 2-3 hours working as fast as I can and I'm pretty good at this stuff.

Take a person that's not good or at least not experienced with GREAT hand skills to "touch" clearcoat paint systems without jacking them up and it's going to take a lot longer and the results might be what you call sub-par.

Dang it Mike, you sure got this one dark black:dblthumb2: