Detailing a car or truck for the first time "correctly" can be a little intimidating especially if you've been browsing the exterior products page! :laughing:
Look at detailing as a series or an order of specific processes...
Starting Off
Everyone starts off as a beginner but with some reading, questions, and trial, error, and practice you'll be amazed how much you'll be able to do. After reading and understanding some of the basics, the more hands on, the quicker you'll build your knowledge and gain experience.
This link will take you to some fabulous articles written by Mike Phillips.
Articles by Mike Phillips
Basic steps in order are:
- Wash
- Clay
- Paint Correction & Polish
- Seal
- Wax
Wash - Performing a regular wash using warm water and your favorite car wash if a great place to begin. This will dissolve and remove contamination making the finish ready for claying. Use a small brush and clean around trim, emblems, and those hard to clean areas.
Clay - Claying is the next important step in this process. Always use plenty of lubricant and work on one section at a time to ensure it's clean and smooth before moving on..
Compound & Polish - Using progressively finer compounds and polishes remove minor scratches and swirls from the finish by abrading or mechanically removing them. These products also remove stains, grime, and oxidation leaving it bright and revived.
Work a 2' X 2' section of a panel at a time ensuring that your satisfied with the results before moving on to the next section...
Sealant & Wax
Sealants are man made or a "synthetic wax", Sealants actually cross-link and bond to the finish. Sealants have come a long way over the past 10 years or so and will actually rival some of the finest waxes and far exceed waxes durability.
Wax is a more natural product typically containing various grades of carnauba. Rather than bond, waxes sit on top of the finish. Waxes typically give the finish a warmer glow and a deeper wet shine.
If used together, sealants should be applied to a freshly polished finish, allowed to cure, and wax as the final step.
Make detailing enjoyable and practice. Take your time and do not become overwhelmed. Just because there are a thousand products doesn't mean you have to use them all. [FONT="]
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Polisher [FONT="]
[/FONT]A dual action polisher is one of the most valuable detailing investments you'll ever make. A dual action polisher will result in a more consistent and uniform results in much less time than performing the same work by hand.
The
Porter Cable 7424xp
Here's some great information by
Mike Phillips that will help you.
Compounds & Polishes
This chart will give you some insight to what compounds and products are available and what level of defect they'll remove...
Foam Pads
Yellow Cutting Foam - Use this pad to apply compounds or polishes to remove severe oxidation, swirls, and scratches. It is the most aggressive and should only be used on oxidized and older finishes. Always follow this pad with an orange or white pad and a fine polish to refine the paint until it is smooth.
Orange Light Cutting Foam - Firm, high density foam for scratch and defect removal. Use this pad with polishes and swirl removers. It’s an all-around pad that will work on most light to moderate imperfections.
White Polishing Foam - Less dense foam formula for the application of waxes, micro-fine polishes and sealants. This pad has very light cutting power so it’s perfect for pre-wax cleaners.
Gray Finishing Foam Pad - Composition is firm enough to withstand added pressure during final finishing to remove buffer swirls. It has no cut and will apply thin, even coats of waxes, sealants, and glazes.
Blue Finessing Foam – Pad has soft composition for applying glaze, finishing polish, sealants, and liquid waxes. Flat pad provides full contact with paint surface to minimize the pressure applied by the user.
Red Ultra-soft Wax/Sealant Foam - This soft, imported foam is ideal for applying the final coat of wax or sealant. The foam works especially well when applying liquid waxes or sealants because it is firm enough to keep the majority of the product on the paint, rather than soaking it up. The red foam has no cut or cleaning ability.
there just so much out there and its all so confusing, you just like posted a gate way drug here hahaha. #YOU DA MAN