Want to get more into detailing--need advice

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RJS5689

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I always used to wash, claybar and wax my cars myself. Recently I've been having it professionally done, though. I'd really like to get back into doing my own detail work and have been reading as much as I can online. All I can say is, wow I'm overwhelmed! There are so many different products, pads and techniques that I just don't know where to start! My process will go something like this:

Step 1: Wash & Dry--this is an easy step.

Step 2: Clay bar--again, this is an easy one for me as I've done it plenty.

Step 3: Polish--here's where I'm getting confused. I've never done a polish myself (I do own an orbital buffer, though). There seem to be tons upon tons of different polishes. Some are abrasive compounds, others are heavy cutting polishes, some are fine cutting polishes and then you have your finishing polishes. WTF where do I begin ?! There also seems to be a ton of pad options, ranging from super aggressive to ultra fine. Again, what's a good choice here? I'm assuming there's a good combination of two polishes to use? Like a cutting polish one a moderately aggressive pad first, then a finishing polish on a fine pad second? Anyone who can give me some polishing advise I'd greatly appreciate it, because right now I'm overwhelmed with so many polish+pad options!

Step 4: Glaze--I'm told this is pretty optional. Thoughts? I've never used a glaze myself.

Step 5: Sealant--Any advice on a good sealant to use? Again, this is not something I've done myself.

Step 6: Wax--I'm a creature of habit and Meguiars Tech Wax 2.0 has always served me well, but I'm open to advice here as well.

Thanks, guys (and gals)!
 
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RJS5689 said:
Step 1: Wash & Dry--this is an easy step. OK

Step 2: Clay bar--again, this is an easy one for me as I've done it plenty. OK

Step 3: Polish--here's where I'm getting confused. I've never done a polish myself (I do own an orbital buffer, though). There seem to be tons upon tons of different polishes. Some are abrasive compounds, others are heavy cutting polishes, some are fine cutting polishes and then you have your finishing polishes. WTF where do I begin ?! There also seems to be a ton of pad options, ranging from super aggressive to ultra fine. Again, what's a good choice here? I'm assuming there's a good combination of two polishes to use? Like a cutting polish one a moderately aggressive pad first, then a finishing polish on a fine pad second? Anyone who can give me some polishing advise I'd greatly appreciate it, because right now I'm overwhelmed with so many polish+pad options!

My best advise is to start slow, purchase intelligently and focus on one person's approaches and norms with the intent to copy their approach. Certainly, you can call AGO and I am sure someone can set you on a good path.

Where you need to start is to provide a view as to the types of vehicles you would be working on? Will you run the gamut of old and new or just focus on taking care of your vehicles? The more information you provide the more likely you will receive more focused advice and recommendations.

Step 4: Glaze--I'm told this is pretty optional. Thoughts? I've never used a glaze myself. Some people have used glazes for show cars and as a temporary remediation approach until such a time that a full correction can be performed.

Step 5: Sealant--Any advice on a good sealant to use? Again, this is not something I've done myself. If you don't mind dealing with long cure times then Blackfire and Wolfgang sealants are tops. If you are completely opposite then a spray sealant would be the trend in thought, or a sealant that wouldn't need any cure time. Bear in mind though that durability expectations need to be factored into account as the longer the cure time, the likelihood that you will receive better durability increases.

Step 6: Wax--I'm a creature of habit and Meguiars Tech Wax 2.0 has always served me well, but I'm open to advice here as well. Techwax is a Wax that also has cleaners. So if by chance you are using a sealant, you will be removing the sealant as you apply this wax. In all likelihood, you would be mixing the sealant and wax. Worst case here is reduced durability and streaking would be evident.

Thanks, guys (and gals)!
Click to expand...
 
same here.. never been a fan of glaze

what type of orbital buffer? a griot garage 6" or even the megs DA polisher is very affordable.

what youll need for polishing:
Dual action/random orbital
MF towels
cutting pad
compound
polishing pad
polish
IPA
sealant/wax

now it is your turn once again to research all those i just mentioned. there is more than enough info if you google about what you need/process.
 
Thanks for such helpful replies, everyone! I have some cheap, no-name random orbit buffer, but I plan to pick up either a Griot 6" or Porter Cable 7424xp.

The vehicle I'll mostly be working on is my daily driver, a 2011 Mazda Miata in black metallic. Living in New York means I unfortunately have to street park the vehicle in the elements and drive it in the snow, so keeping my pain as protected as possible is very important to me.

I will certainly read up on the above products to try and find pairings that work well for me. I assume having a black vehicle means I should avoid some of the overly aggressive products, to prevent swirling and other damage?
 
it depends how bad your paint is.. if its heavily swirled out than youll need an aggressive method to correct it.. heavy compound and fine polish
 
Welcome to AG, RJS. If I were you (which I was at one point) I'd read and read. You will get familiar with the guys that frequent the forum and you will also hear good advice that seems to repeat itself. That black Miata could look really good. It just takes a little knowledge and patience. Good luck!
 
Not to thread jack but i noticed a couple people mentioning they're not fans of glazes. Can you explain why? I haven't had any recent experience. Only experience i had with a glaze was when i was a lot younger and many moons ago and i would put a couple dots of wax and a couple dots of glaze on an applicator and apply on car. I remember it giving really good results.
 
I ordered up a new DA buffer and am looking forward to its arrival. I also plan to use Lake Country pads given the excellent reviews I've read.

I'm trying to decide which products will work best on my vehicle's paint. It was professionally compounded a few months ago, but I can still see some light swirl marks in the paint. I'm thinking of starting with a light cutting polish on a light cutting pad, followed by a finishing polish on a softer finishing pad. I just need to decide which products will suit me best.
 
RJS5689 said:
The vehicle I'll mostly be working on is my daily driver, a 2011 Mazda Miata in black metallic.
Click to expand...

Welcome to AGO! :D

That Mazda black mica is fairly hard, I have two Mazda 3 wagons (customer with Mazdaspeed version, and son in law with plain version) that I've worked with.

If you want to use over the counter stuff, get Meguiar's Ultimate Compound, Ultimate Polish, and Ultimate Liquid Wax. (UC, UP, ULW) They will serve you very VERY well. ;) Want a better sealant than ULW, then get some Megs 21 2.0. You can top it with ULW if you want (after 8~12 hours) or for serious 'pop' you can grab some Megs #26 yellow wax (either paste or liquid). Megs 26 has one of the highest ratings out there for accurate color, reflectivity and depth.

As for pads, you will need AT LEAST A DOZEN. Even with the Miata! May not need anything more than orange, but you'll need at least 3 of them, say 4 whites, 2~3 blues, 2~3 blacks. Wouldn't do without the orange and whites as they'll end up being your 'workhorses' for more paints than you think. Thing about the softer pads is once you use one for applying stuff like sealants, (ULW or M21 for instance) you'll want to ALWAYS use it for that. So keeping that in mind, you'll need an extra pad just to keep as your applicator down the road. Some guys still like applying sealants by hand but I find I get it on better, thinner, more even, with less risk of scratching, and with a LOT LESS TIME when I put it on by machine. Of course ymmv...... :dunno:

Now you want to try another "system" the Megs microfiber correction system is a very good deal overall. For the price you get a bottle of D300 Correction Compound and D301 Finishing Wax, 2 of each pad (cutting and finishing), plus a backing plate that engineered to work with their Velcro backing system (which is critical with microfiber pads). And.... they throw in a Megs apron. ;) Grab that system with a price match and/or a 20% off sale and you are getting a total steal there.

I've used both of the above 'systems' on Mazda black mica and know they work. Of course I've also used 83, 101, 105, 151 and 205. Once it's in good shape you'll likely not even need something as aggressive as 151 (only sold in gallons). Not hard to keep that paint in awesome shape with just an occasional hit with UP then top it off with a sealant.

Now if you want to go with AG brands that's a totally different situation. Might start opening the wallet there as it gets deep in a hurry. :eek:
(Ask my wife!!!) Im the MAN
 
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