Detailing Thread [For Newbies][ARCHIVED]

[theveed]

Vince: Meron kami 2 sets ng Klasse pa ata sa shop....

[patopig]

Hi again guys.

I noticed this morning that my car had two very light whitish scratches. I think they are scratches since having the car washed did not remove them...

Since my car's fairly new, I couldn't stop thinking about the scratches. Since I was in Festival Mall, I passed by Ace Hardware and I found that they were selling Microtex MF cloths and 3M scratch remover stuff (uhh is it wax?).

I bought a couple of Microtex Plush Cloths (pink ones) and thought really hard about buying the scratch remover. I ended up buying a sachet of 3M Super Duty Rubbing Compound.

Now that I got home, I started thinking if its safe to use the rubbing compound or I might end up doing more damage to my paint (since I read that these stuff have mild abrasives..)

I'm reading up on detailing it looks like a fun (and strenous) hobby!
I'm also thinking of buying other stuff and using them myself (since I need the exercise). Kindly critique my selection or suggest better stuff.

1. Megs Car shampoo
2. Megs NXT Tech Wax (Liquid) - This one attracts dust right?
3. Megs Quik Detailer

The only reason they are all megs is because I know where to source them (Tru Value near us). I'm open to suggestions for alternatives!
Peferably something (for the wax) easy to apply/use by hand.

I'm still thinking about getting the PPP and maybe also getting a Klasse set (since I've been reading its really good) but for now I'm just trying to get my foot in the door into learning detailing.

Thanks in advance again!

[impulzz]

Patopig,

if you're new at detailing..please AVOID using rubbing compound... one thing with compounds is that if you're not careful with it you can rub-off your clear coat even by hand compounding ... leaving you with a lighter colored patch (where the lite scratch used to be)...

as to your choice of maintenace products you've got a good combo...

[patopig]

Cripes! Good thing I asked around first! Thanks Impulzz.. I still can't get over those light scratches. Would Megs Scratch X or 3M scratch remover be safer (or just as dangerous)? Maybe I should try a cleaner wax first?

[chain]

these would be safer.. 3M is ok... alot like ScratchX. try to see and gauge the depth of the scratch. if you can feel it with your fingernail, chances are, that scratch is pretty deep already. hopefully, it didn't go all the way through the clearcoat. make sure to work in the product and, rewax the affected part afterwards.

personally, don't go for cleaner wax muna. just maintain your new ride (what you got is good already)

[patopig]

Thanks Dehadista! I bought ScratchX this afternoon and I tried using it on the light scratch after washing the affected area. (I tried feeling the scratch but I could not feel it with my fingers. I can just see it. Maybe its more of a stain than a scratch).

I realized ScratchX is really hard to remove. I applied just a little and let it dry for around 5 minutes and when I tried removing it with my MF, the haze wouldn't come off. I had really buff long and hard to remove it with the plush MF.

The "scratches" were still present but are not as visible as before. I could still see them if I look very closely. I guess it should do for now. I'll try using scratchX again after my next carwash.

True Value ran out of a lot of megs stuff.

I ended up buying a couple of sachets of 3M IHS and SC Liquid Wax. I was also looking for Megs Quick detailer but since they were out I also got the Zymol Detail (which was half the price of Megs Quik Detailer and came packaged with Zymol Cleaner wax) and the Zymol car wash.

Now I'm thinking what's the deal with the zymol stuff since they're really cheap. Are they any good? (YES I am an impulsive buyer).

Now I'm thinking of washing my car and applying 3M IHG then SCLW one of these days.

BTW, when is the time to use a cleaner wax anyway?

Thanks again in advance guys. Sorry ang kulit ko! I'm learning a lot here!

[groucho]

Now I'm thinking what's the deal with the zymol stuff since they're really cheap. Are they any good? (YES I am an impulsive buyer).

I don't know about the other Zymol products. But the Zymol Car Shampoo is pretty good. Also has a nice coconut scent.

[chain]

pra, don't let scratchx or 3M SR dry. upon applying, you work the product in. any excess product is then removed with a good quality MF. that's one of the reasons why you had difficulty in product removal. then, rewax that area.

as for QD's, try Eagle One. best bang for the buck. but if you have time, try to look for Megs #34 Final Inspection. You can get that by the gallon. tipid ka in the long run..

Now I'm thinking of washing my car and applying 3M IHG then SCLW one of these days.

one of the fun parts in detailing. you get to try out different combos. later on, you'll get to settle with the "look" that you'll prefer. after all, it all boils down to your own preference.

[chain]

BTW, when is the time to use a cleaner wax anyway?

A cleaner wax is basically a quick all-in-one product. so that means there are trade-offs on this. If you have time, a defined 3 step process (paint cleaning, polishing and sealing) would definitely give better results. tapos maintenance na lang...

hehe had to look in the previous posts pa... anyway, for cleaner waxes, personally, monthly ako kung maglalagay nun if ever.. pero, I'd prefer a well defined 3 step process instead of a ALL-in-One Product. (with exception to Klasse....hehehe) as for brands, there's Megs, Moms's and Eagle One.... all good choices pagdating sa cleaner wax

[zechs]

*patopig
im also thinking of buying the zymol package (auto wash, cleaner wax and detailer)..since my car is already neglected (well, some of the panels lang naman..hehe) hopefully the cleaner wax can do its job well. i cant find any 3M FR, any shop that carries this product? handyman and ace wala eh..

also, is carnauba wax good for a white car? im thinking of getting this instead of a regular wax kasi eh (if this is any good).

[ILuvDetailing]

also, is carnauba wax good for a white car? im thinking of getting this instead of a regular wax kasi eh (if this is any good).

For a white car, a cleaner wax will be your best friend, if you have time contraints. You can top off with a good carnuba wax (Mothers, Megs are good choices)

You might want to try the citrus shampoo of Big Berts, bang for the buck talaga, for around 400 petot you get a gallon worth. Good for around half a year.

[patopig]

Haha. Wierd. Before I read Dehadista's post, I tried scratch X on another panel. Since I also let it dry, I had a hard time removing it again. What I did was to try a small amount of the Zymol cleaner wax and it quickly helped remove the dried up scratchX. It also gave a good (not great) to the panel.

I guess you are right, part of the fun is trying different combos. I'll look for the Eagle One QD after I use up the Zymol. I tried the Zymol QD on a panel with some caked up (but not yet really sticking into the paint) dust and it worked well.

I'll try the 3m combo and give you guys an update on my "training"..

BTW, I realized 2 plush microtex towels are not going to be enough (specially if I use the other one for drying) for working on the whole car. I guess I'll buy the thinner ones for wax application.

As for the 3M FR, I'm not familiar with this. In True Value, they have the IHG, SCLW, SR and Car Shampoo (and other interior, wheel detailing stuff.)

Thanks again guys!

[chain]

stick with the IHG muna.. you won't need the FR yet...

BTW, you're gonna need lots of MF's. (In fact, I have two unopened plastic bags of them...) some of those towels are gonna be moved to wheel duty, interior and other misc areas later on.. And you're gonna love QD's.. lots of applications for this.

try to get some good foam applicators too to go along with your MF's.

[ILuvDetailing]

Dehadista: The 3M Perfect-It show car Liquid Wax is kinda hard to remove even I apply thin coats, also its hard to apply thin coats cuz its kinda thick and it doesn't "flow" like a Mothers wax. Even if I use a ROP, its still kinda hard to apply.

[patopig]

Dehadista: Okidoki! Will concentrate on IHG! Thanks again for all the tips.

I'm also planning on keeping the Zymol QD in my car's trunk so I could use it whenever I need it. I was just wondering, do I really need to wash the car before using QD?

[zechs]

where can i get the foam applicators? this is different from sponge right? in applying IHG is a foam applicator the best way to go?

have to pm the bigberts staff if they have any available citrus shampoo. daming cars nung friday, didnt bother to drop by na lang..hopefully tomorrow i can drop by and buy some of that shampoo..

*patopig
how did you apply your zymol cleaner wax? in one straight line ba? or circular motion? ok ba siya? by the way, whats the color of your ride nga pala?

[ILuvDetailing]

I was just wondering, do I really need to wash the car before using QD?

As long as its not soaked with dirt (e.g. dusty car that gets wet, hope you get the picture).

[ILuvDetailing]

where can i get the foam applicators? this is different from sponge right? in applying IHG is a foam applicator the best way to go?

I got mine at Hans Shangrila, got the Megs Applicators. Yup its different from from a sponge. Yup its the right tool for applying wax by hand.

[chain]

ILD: hehe madali kc gamitin ang Mother's.. anyway, daming factors kasi.. you can try to spritz some QD on the car's surface and on the pad to prep it. this makes wax application easier. BTW, if the car is properly prepped, mas madali yung application din.

patopig: Nope..try to get the Cal Duster and use it before QD. However, if its really dirty and may dirt "film" na on your ride, Using a QD in this situation can be really risky. What some people do is that they QD after washing the car. Lubricates enough and lessens marring during the drying process too.

[zechs]

ild, does it cost much? hehe