Detailing Thread [For Newbies][continued 3]

[KrisKros]

unfortunately i can't make any major changes or addons to this house since we're just renting it til the land and house is done in 2013.

i guess i learned the hard way that you should be washing the car yourself rather than having someone else do it.
I don't have a rotary and won't be buying one anytime soon til we move into the new house. So...doing a 3step process by hand wouldn't be recommended? would i be better off having a shop do it for me?

[indiej]

you could try a small area then gauge from it if you can tackle the whole car. for sure it's tedious. but if you go panel by panel you just might find it fulfilling.

having it detailed is also a good option if you don't want to buy the polish needed.

[umi001]

I noticed that my car has swirl marks na..n some light scratches..i thik from having my car washed at car washes.
I want to get it detailed, maybe 3 step. then after that..i'll be the one to take care of my car nalang.

If i buy the products myself instead of going to a shop to do it...is it ok for me to do it even without a rotary? also..i dont have a garage/cover where my car is parked..just a car park. I just use a car cover sometimes to cover up the car.

You can do it by hand, but it'll take a lot more time, and you won't get results as good or as consistent as with a machine. To give you some idea of how long it'll take, it took me 30 minutes to do the trunk of a Lancer Itlog by hand, using Ultimate Compound and SwirlX. I managed to remove most of the swirls and some of the light scratches, but a few deeper swirls and a fair number of scratches were still on the finish; and I was using Lake Country orange and white hand applicators, which have more cut than the standard yellow foam applicator.

[cjv_justice]

I noticed that my car has swirl marks na..n some light scratches..i thik from having my car washed at car washes.
I want to get it detailed, maybe 3 step. then after that..i'll be the one to take care of my car nalang.

If i buy the products myself instead of going to a shop to do it...is it ok for me to do it even without a rotary? also..i dont have a garage/cover where my car is parked..just a car park. I just use a car cover sometimes to cover up the car.

that's absolutely fine sir. i also have the same set up as yours, car park only with no roof. may i just suggest you get rid of the car cover... it would just add small scratches to your paint with continuous use. I just use it if ever there's a storm and debris are just flying everywhere. My simple set-up for detailing would be pre-wax cleaner, NanoGlos then Collinite 915 every month. I use spray waxes every week after car wash. For claying the car I go to Big Berts every 3 or 4 months depending on the usage of the car.

[KrisKros]

Thanks everyone! great information.
I figure i'll save some money by detailing the car myself and be better satisfied.
I remember reading about someone who had a bunch of towels sewed together and put that over his car before putting a car cover..i was thinking of doing that as well.

This month I'll go out and start searching for some products.
For drying i'm looking into using a big MF towel to dry the car instead of a chamois.
Also looking into getting the Megs clay kit, the deep crystal polish, and deep crystal carnauba wax or collinite if i can find the cash
as for removing light swirl marks, Umi, i might try the products you mentioned.
anything that i might be missing? or suggestions

[jmpet626]

You can still bring it to the car wash if you have no time to wash your car yourself. Just bring your own Shampoo, Washmitt, Waffleweave towels and extra MF towels. You can instruct the car wash boy to use the 2 bucket method when washing your car and just give a generous tip to the car wash boy so next time when you come back he'll already know what to do.

[jhnkvn]

Actually, it depends on whether you have time to spare or not. There are weeks where I'm tight on the schedule so I just visit the car wash while I do my stuff on their customer lounge.

For me, I'll forego the Mother's Clay kit and simply clay quarterly at your suking car detailer. The clay kit is good for spot-on claying but if you'll be claying the whole car? Better for a pro to do it. Else you'll run out of QD lubricant quickly (Mother's Showtime). On the otherhand, you can always use the car shampoo as a QD. I simply shampoo the car once, rinse, and shampoo again. While it's properly lubricated, that's when I clay. I believe Big Berts does the same method.

As for the drying towel, I really recommend the Microtex. Probably one of my best buys.. really saves time in drying the car. I still need to purchase a Collinite. Hintay ko nalang promo ng Autobisyo ulit, the prices of retail 915 is prohibitively expensive. I'll stick with the weekly Nanoglos nalang since the weather's erratic.

[umi001]

Thanks everyone! great information.
I figure i'll save some money by detailing the car myself and be better satisfied.
I remember reading about someone who had a bunch of towels sewed together and put that over his car before putting a car cover..i was thinking of doing that as well.

This month I'll go out and start searching for some products.
For drying i'm looking into using a big MF towel to dry the car instead of a chamois.
Also looking into getting the Megs clay kit, the deep crystal polish, and deep crystal carnauba wax or collinite if i can find the cash
as for removing light swirl marks, Umi, i might try the products you mentioned.
anything that i might be missing? or suggestions

Hehe, misread your post - yes, it's easy enough to wash and protect your car yourself - you don't need a machine unless you're polishing to remove swirls and scratches. I'd get the Elite waffle-weave from Microtex for drying. As long as your paint is in good condition, the Deep Crystal polish, IMO, isn't necessary. I would definitely save up the money to get the Collinite - sure, it's a little more expensive, but you'll need to apply less often, since it lasts much longer than OTC waxes.

[KrisKros]

Actually, it depends on whether you have time to spare or not. There are weeks where I'm tight on the schedule so I just visit the car wash while I do my stuff on their customer lounge.

For me, I'll forego the Mother's Clay kit and simply clay quarterly at your suking car detailer. The clay kit is good for spot-on claying but if you'll be claying the whole car? Better for a pro to do it. Else you'll run out of QD lubricant quickly (Mother's Showtime). On the otherhand, you can always use the car shampoo as a QD. I simply shampoo the car once, rinse, and shampoo again. While it's properly lubricated, that's when I clay. I believe Big Berts does the same method.

As for the drying towel, I really recommend the Microtex. Probably one of my best buys.. really saves time in drying the car. I still need to purchase a Collinite. Hintay ko nalang promo ng Autobisyo ulit, the prices of retail 915 is prohibitively expensive. I'll stick with the weekly Nanoglos nalang since the weather's erratic.

You've got a point there about the clay kit, nice insight. Actually i've been looking for the microtex towel in my area but haven't found it, i guess i've got to wander farther. I have nanoglos actually..i got a free microtex kit when i got my car, when i have my car waxed i usually ask them to use my nanoglos.

Hehe, misread your post - yes, it's easy enough to wash and protect your car yourself - you don't need a machine unless you're polishing to remove swirls and scratches. I'd get the Elite waffle-weave from Microtex for drying. As long as your paint is in good condition, the Deep Crystal polish, IMO, isn't necessary. I would definitely save up the money to get the Collinite - sure, it's a little more expensive, but you'll need to apply less often, since it lasts much longer than OTC waxes.

I'll be on the lookout for the waffle-weave. Right now my paint isn't in good condition..there's swirls and tiny scratches..i'm looking to detail the car myself or have it detailed somewhere then i just maintain it nalang.

[batosai]

Hi sir,

I have a dilema here, if your in my shoes which of this will you buy for you step 2, OCW Collinte 915 or 476?

Here is my plan sana, Step 1 mother's carnuba cleaner wax, Step 2, the products mentioned above, then Step 3 will be OID..

Hayz,, hirap mag deicde especially mdyo pricey din ung mga products na yan..

[indiej]

tough choices. I pick OCW

[jmpet626]

Actually, it depends on whether you have time to spare or not. There are weeks where I'm tight on the schedule so I just visit the car wash while I do my stuff on their customer lounge.

For me, I'll forego the Mother's Clay kit and simply clay quarterly at your suking car detailer. The clay kit is good for spot-on claying but if you'll be claying the whole car? Better for a pro to do it. Else you'll run out of QD lubricant quickly (Mother's Showtime). On the otherhand, you can always use the car shampoo as a QD. I simply shampoo the car once, rinse, and shampoo again. While it's properly lubricated, that's when I clay. I believe Big Berts does the same method.

As for the drying towel, I really recommend the Microtex. Probably one of my best buys.. really saves time in drying the car. I still need to purchase a Collinite. Hintay ko nalang promo ng Autobisyo ulit, the prices of retail 915 is prohibitively expensive. I'll stick with the weekly Nanoglos nalang since the weather's erratic.

Don't use car shampoo as your lube it will degrade the clay. You can use optimum no rinse or DP Rinseless wash and gloss for a more economical product for your clay lube. IMO I don't like to bring my car to the car wash shops for claying since you don't know if they have already dropped the clay and they are just reusing it.

[umi001]

Hi sir,

I have a dilema here, if your in my shoes which of this will you buy for you step 2, OCW Collinte 915 or 476?

Here is my plan sana, Step 1 mother's carnuba cleaner wax, Step 2, the products mentioned above, then Step 3 will be OID..

Hayz,, hirap mag deicde especially mdyo pricey din ung mga products na yan..

I'd go for OCW as well - if only for the ease of use. It won't last as long as the other two, but it'll only take you all of ten minutes to apply another layer. You can even apply while drying the car - do a first pass with your WW MF to pick up most of the water, spray on the OCW, then wipe with a second MF to spread the wax and also to fully dry the car.

[umi001]

Don't use car shampoo as your lube it will degrade the clay. You can use optimum no rinse or DP Rinseless wash and gloss for a more economical product for your clay lube. IMO I don't like to bring my car to the car wash shops for claying since you don't know if they have already dropped the clay and they are just reusing it.

Yep, the surfactants in your car shampoo will degrade the plasticizers used in most clays. I've read that the non-Clay Magic clay (those illegal to sell in the US, like the poly-clays from Riccardo and Optimum, as well as some clays such as those sold in the UK by Bilt Hamber, AutoBrite, and some Dodo Juice Clays), don't break down even when used with car soap; not planning on testing mine though .

Add as well that they'll wash the car both before and possibly after claying; and unfortunately, the wash procedure of most car washes (even the more popular ones) just aren't up to par with regards to minimizing swirls and marring in your finish. So you might get marring from clay that's been used too long or being applied to aggressively, and you'll also get more swirls and scratches from improper car washing techniques.

[KrisKros]

Hello guys
I just wanted to share my detailing equipment, maybe there's something i can add?

Microtex Shampoo
NanoGlos
NanoSliq
Meguiar's Carnauba Wax Step 3
Microtex MF towels for buffing
Microtex Wax applicator
Microtex Elite towel (for drying)
Microtex Duster
MF wash mit

For my swirls, I hope nanoglos and nanosliq can temporarily hide it until I can get my hands on SwirlX.
I don't have a glaze..what glaze would you all recommend? or do i even need a glaze at this point?
Thanks guys!

[Ginnova]

I suggest you get some durable wax like collinite or maybe a sealant.

[umi001]

Hello guys
I just wanted to share my detailing equipment, maybe there's something i can add?

Microtex Shampoo
NanoGlos
NanoSliq
Meguiar's Carnauba Wax Step 3
Microtex MF towels for buffing
Microtex Wax applicator
Microtex Elite towel (for drying)
Microtex Duster
MF wash mit

For my swirls, I hope nanoglos and nanosliq can temporarily hide it until I can get my hands on SwirlX.
I don't have a glaze..what glaze would you all recommend? or do i even need a glaze at this point?
Thanks guys!

I'd get a second applicator - dedicate an applicator per LSP, so you don't have cross-applicator contamination. Also a second washmitt, for use on lower panels. How are you planning on washing the wheels and wheel wells? You can use the NanoGlos in place of a glaze - so you'd wash>apply NanoGlos>let cure for 8 hours>wash or QD/duster any dust>apply Meg's Step 3>let cure for 8 hours>apply NanoSliq (this can also be left until the next wash).

[KrisKros]

I'd get a second applicator - dedicate an applicator per LSP, so you don't have cross-applicator contamination. Also a second washmitt, for use on lower panels. How are you planning on washing the wheels and wheel wells? You can use the NanoGlos in place of a glaze - so you'd wash>apply NanoGlos>let cure for 8 hours>wash or QD/duster any dust>apply Meg's Step 3>let cure for 8 hours>apply NanoSliq (this can also be left until the next wash).

Oops forgot to include gear for the wheels n wheel wells. I've got a big sponge for that and a scrub w/ bristles.
I have an older washmit and another wax applicator that came with my microtex kit.
I washed the car today and applied the nanoglos. It's silky smooth and has lots of depth. Will apply Step 3 when the sun starts going down. Thanks for the tips!

I suggest you get some durable wax like collinite or maybe a sealant.

I've been meaning to get my hands on the collinite...maybe next month when i have more budget for my detailing kit hehe. I think it might be helpful since my car is always outside in my car port w/out a garage cover.

[KrisKros]

The clouds cleared for a while and so I thought i'd take a stab at cleaning the car.
W/ a layer of nanoglos

[smsmssp]

The clouds cleared for a while and so I thought i'd take a stab at cleaning the car.
W/ a layer of nanoglos

Wow! Ang galing! Hindi ko kaagad nakita yung kotse. Akala ko simpleng pathway lang.

Ano sasakyan mo?