Detailing Newbies

[leoncupra2012]

Ive not long started out getting into this detailing malarky.

I hate doing interiors, but exteriors im pretty good with, currently learning the process of scratch and stonechip removal, ive learnt the basics of panel prep, de-tarring, de contamination, claying, machining with different pads/polishes, glazes, sealants and waxes, so if anyone wants any advice PM me or ask on here, ive just got my matt swirly looking silver cupra back up to a wet shine again, as a newbie myself, though im now confident with it all i know how it feels to be a newbie and ask a pro and then just get the piss taken out of you or shot down in flames for asking to them maybe daft stupid questions but to a newbie its serious, so ask away and if anyone needs a hand with anything and there local by all means give me a shout (east mids area), summers approaching and its all about shiny cars for summer time, most black cars after the winter salt and what not will be looking in a sorry state i imagine, time to get fresh !

Remember kids, dont use auto carwashes, and dont use £5 kurdish handwashes

Detailing world is a good site to use, cleanyoucar is also good for products

 

[Bannelltdi]

Wondering if you can help me actually, been on detailing world, and after a while I just get so confused with it all lol. The steps I've worked out (correct me if I'm wrong please) wash, clay, paint clean, polish (with no machine as can't afford one) then wax? But I've seen stuff about compounds and stuff, what is it all about please help!

Cheers, Bannell

 

[n_d_fox]

compounds are polishes with cut... they vary from light of heavy cut but these are only generally effective via machine.

When i complete a full detail on a car i do the following.

Rinse
Snow Foam (with strong APC and foam mix to strip any protection)
Rinse
Apply product to remove iron fillings (IronX, Wolfs Decon, AD Purple Rain).
Snow Foam again
Rinse
Apply product to remove tar (AS Tardis, AD Just the tonic)
Wipe down with MF cloth
Rinse
Wash 2 bucket method
Rinse
Clay while still wet with clay lube
Foam again
Rinse
Dry
Inspect paint
Test polish / pad combos
Machine paint to required level (could be single or 2 stage correction).

If i'm finishing with a wax i will then apply either a glaze (if i want a wet finish) or sealant (to lock in the polishing stage).
Then apply 2 layers of wax over a couple of hours.

If i'm finishing with a sealant like Zaino i will apply Z-AIO and then go though the Zaino system to apply the layers of product.

Some people consider paying a detailer £150 - £300 for a day or day and a halfs work a lot, doesnt actually look so bad when you type out whats involved. Considering the polishing stage can be upwards of 4 hours alone...

HTH, Nige

 

[Bannelltdi]

:O!!!! thats loads of different stages! what would you reccomend for me as i want the paint to be gleaming, but not be goin into that much hassle? i wouldn't mind spending a a fair few hours on the car, but just a few basic steps, abit like what i listed?

cheers

 

[G.P]

Wondering if you can help me actually, been on detailing world, and after a while I just get so confused with it all lol. The steps I've worked out (correct me if I'm wrong please) wash, clay, paint clean, polish (with no machine as can't afford one) then wax? But I've seen stuff about compounds and stuff, what is it all about please help!

Cheers, Bannell

Your right. No need to clay very oftern, all depends how clean you keep the car and how good your final wax/sealant is. I use Auto Finesse Rejunvinate as it's a cleaner & polish. But as I wash my car most weekends I normally have no need to use the polish very oftern and just top my sealant up, wax if you use wax as protection. All done by hand, as I don't want to use a machine. . .

As I understnd the different compound's are for the removal of scratches, some more abrasive than others, some fill the faint scratch's within the clear coat. Rejunv. does enough of this for the results I require. . .

 

[n_d_fox]

As above... you could cut that decontamination stage(s) down to just a foam, wash and then top up of sealant or wax for a monthly regime.

What i put above is what i do the first time i see a car thats getting a full detail

My car gets that lot every 6 months (minus the machining stages if it isnt needed).

 

[B1rdy]

Hi. Would you advise getting a Pressure washer & snow foam lance then as apposed to bucket n sponge? Does the snow foam really remove dirt n grime or is there still a lot of washing with a sponge to do?

 

[n_d_fox]

Snow foam was never designed to "clean" the car, it is only there to loosen the heavier dirt and remove traffic film / dust / light dirt.

The idea is that you reduce the effort from the washing stage (pressure applied to the paint) to reduce the risk of swirling, scratching or marring.

AutoBright Direct Magifoam is bloody marvellous though and does actually remove more than most foams do.