How to Make a Silver or White Car Shiny

[_Cathy_]

Naks, I admire the dedication to the car Ma'am C4U kaya pala madami naiinlove sa inyo ha :naughty2: Hihihihi..

1. Okay, a wax is simply more of trying to make the car color's "pop". However, most of the beauty you see is the result of careful paint preparation.

2. The usual routine is to: Wash -> Clay -> (Correction Stage) -> (Cleaning stage) -> (Sealant/Wax/LSP stage). The difference between 3-step and 2-step exterior detailing is that 3-step uses compounding to remove swirls and scratches more aggressively while a 2-step detail uses a polish to lessen and reduce most swirls.

3. There's really no problem in simply waxing the car for protection. But since most detailers are pretty OC, we recommend going through the routine to make the most out of it.

4. A polish removes minor imperfections and evens out the surface area (lessens minor scratches, swirls, etc.) while a wax's main duty is to protect the vehicle all while improving the paint (ex. improve reflectivity, 'deeper' color, etc.).

5. As you're a girl, I'll try to relate this to makeup. Think of polishes as concealers and wax as the make-up. Cleaners is like..washing your face before applying makeup while claying is like a foundation primer. (No worries, I live in a family of 5 girls so yeah..)

6. I won't be recommending 915 because of the price it entails. It's a costs a hefty 50% more than the Collinite 845. If the paint's white or silver, carnauba's added "depth" isn't going anywhere on silver and white panels. For being newbie-friendly, I suggest you go for the Collinite 845 as a beginner.

7. I first suggest availing yourself of a 2-step detailing process at your suking detailer. Inquire about their products and their steps on how they do it to get a first-hand information on the detailing process. Plus, you get to see how they do it to boot!

8. Personally, I avail myself of claying and polish/compound services at my suking detailer on the premise that (1) I am lazy (2) I don't have a machine to do the job more efficiently.. and (3) yeah, laziness.

9. From a newbie-standpoint, you can say the Collinite 845 is kinda like a souped-up Nanoglos. They practically serve the same intention except the Nanoglos is for short-term use (its durability is short-lived usually a week versus the 845's two-month-long protection)

Thanks for the comprehensive reply! I also love the make up analogy. I am into make up din kasi

How much does it cost to get exterior detailing and how long does it take? Is there any good detailer at Makati or Paranaque? Maybe I could have my car detailed just once if the cost isn't too high.

I prefer to do the detailing myself because it would be cheaper for me to have my own stuff in the long run. I also find satisfaction in waxing my car myself as I subscribe to the saying na, "If you wan't it done well, do it yourself" hehe. Minsan kasi nahihiya ako pumuna so most of the time I am not happy with the result when done by others

Based on the feedback, I will just order the Collinite Liquid Insulator Wax #845 and applicator. So can I just go straight from washing the car then applying collinite 845?

I am thinking of buying Mothers 07240 California Gold Clay Bar System but is it safe for someone who absolutely has no experience on claying to DIY? Or is it something that I best let the professionals handle? I did damage my car's paint before (red) as I applied too much rubbing compound :hammer: My white car is extremely stained already.

Also, is a polish necessary? if so, what is a good brand? Liquid Glass LG-100 Ultimate Auto Polish/Finish is very popular on Amazon.

[stickers]

5. As you're a girl, I'll try to relate this to makeup. Think of polishes as concealers and wax as the make-up. Cleaners is like..washing your face before applying makeup while claying is like a foundation primer. (No worries, I live in a family of 5 girls so yeah..)

The best way a girl could relate about paint protection. :2thumbsup:

wash it properly first...

and i was like staring at this for a minute before i got my senses back. :naughty2:

Same with you C4U Nano-products lang din gamit ko and I think its a bit late now to shift to other products without getting a professional detailing first.

[_Cathy_]

Same with you C4U Nano-products lang din gamit ko and I think its a bit late now to shift to other products without getting a professional detailing first.

Oh why. So I can't just switch from microtex to collinite without getting professional detailing?

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[nivraarvin]

Oh why. So I can't just switch from microtex to collinite without getting professional detailing?

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Actually, pwede. You just need to prep the paint first. If you don't have time to prep the paint, just get a wax that contain cleaners and polishes.

[stickers]

Actually, pwede. You just need to prep the paint first. If you don't have time to prep the paint, just get a wax that contain cleaners and polishes.

This is what I meant, I mean you cant just change wax kasi you need to clay it pa, which is better done by professionals than first time DIYers like me.

[MonteroGLSV]

sir tanong ko lang po saan po nakakabili ng collinite? I'm using meguire's products po kasi which is better po. TIA.white din po kasi car ko.

Actually, pwede. You just need to prep the paint first. If you don't have time to prep the paint, just get a wax that contain cleaners and polishes.

[_Cathy_]

Actually, pwede. You just need to prep the paint first. If you don't have time to prep the paint, just get a wax that contain cleaners and polishes.

This is what I meant, I mean you cant just change wax kasi you need to clay it pa, which is better done by professionals than first time DIYers like me.

So from nano I can switch to collinite agad? I am not sure if collinite has cleaners. Or pa clay ko muna sa detailer?

Bakit nga ba kailangan clay pag switch brand?

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[nivraarvin]

So from nano I can switch to collinite agad? I am not sure if collinite has cleaners. Or pa clay ko muna sa detailer?

Bakit nga ba kailangan clay pag switch brand?

Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk 4 Beta

Meron pre wax cleaner ang Collinite, pero it will be easier kung clay nalang with joy dishwashing solution as your lubricant. Never use joy except for stripping old wax.

Try to feel your paint using your fingers, pag magaspang, you need to clay.

sir tanong ko lang po saan po nakakabili ng collinite? I'm using meguire's products po kasi which is better po. TIA.white din po kasi car ko.

May sellers online. Bigberts din ata meron.

[jhnkvn]

Thanks for the comprehensive reply! I also love the make up analogy. I am into make up din kasi

How much does it cost to get exterior detailing and how long does it take? Is there any good detailer at Makati or Paranaque? Maybe I could have my car detailed just once if the cost isn't too high.

I prefer to do the detailing myself because it would be cheaper for me to have my own stuff in the long run. I also find satisfaction in waxing my car myself as I subscribe to the saying na, "If you wan't it done well, do it yourself" hehe. Minsan kasi nahihiya ako pumuna so most of the time I am not happy with the result when done by others

Based on the feedback, I will just order the Collinite Liquid Insulator Wax #845 and applicator. So can I just go straight from washing the car then applying collinite 845?

I am thinking of buying Mothers 07240 California Gold Clay Bar System but is it safe for someone who absolutely has no experience on claying to DIY? Or is it something that I best let the professionals handle? I did damage my car's paint before (red) as I applied too much rubbing compound :hammer: My white car is extremely stained already.

Also, is a polish necessary? if so, what is a good brand? Liquid Glass LG-100 Ultimate Auto Polish/Finish is very popular on Amazon.

Always remember that detailing services is where most of a detailer's profits comes in so it's where most of the patong is. Exterior detailing usually comes in "steps" and is simply explained as:

Step 1: Cleaner + Wax/Sealant
Step 2: Polish + Cleaner + Wax/Sealant
Step 3: Compound + Cleaner + Wax/Sealant

The difference between Step 2 and Step 3 is the amount of abrasion it will do to level your clear coat. For example, if you have a deep enough scratch.. a polish won't conceal it that much but a compound will. In my previous post, I liken it to a concealer.. and it functions very much the same. Do you have flawless skin or do you have a large ugly acne problem?

Prices range from Php1,500 to 2,500 usually for Step 2 detailing while Step 3 may go from Php2,000 to Php3,500. Big Berts charges Php2,300 for theirs while my favorite detailer, Bluemile, charges me around Php1,500 for it pre-discount. I usually clay at Big Berts (it's cheap there) while I do my Step 2 at Bluemile (it's cheaper there).

For Makati detailers, the more well-known ones are Hillsborough Detailers. Their Step 2 is also known as their "Quick Paint Makeover" I believe and costs around Php1,800-2,000. My favorite detailer near the area is Antricks Detailing in Petron, Filmore while I was still attending DLSU before. Sadly, I can't remember their price-list na but knowing myself, I don't fall for expensive pricing schemes.

And yes, you may go from washing your car to applying Collinite #845. It isn't a "full detail" but it works well enough if you're more concerned about protection rather than shine/gloss (which is achieved by having a good paint preparation). Remember to apply the stuff thinly.. think: barely visible.

I will not recommend DIY claying since claying is usually done just once a year. The Mother's Gold Clay Bar package is good as long as you have the discipline to use it all. More often than not, people won't consume the entire thing. The two clay bars included is enough to clay 6 small cars (6 years on an annual use basis) or 4 medium cars if you're quite wasteful. The reason why I do not recommend to newbies is that if they accidentally clay an asphalt residue.. it'll stick to the clay and you'll scratch the paint or you might also pickup small rocks which will do the same.

Tip: If you do buy it and run out of Mothers Showtime as a lubricant for the clay, you can clay while using the car shampoo as an alternative lubricant. So that's wash -> rinse -> wash -> clay -> wash.

A polish is only needed when you need to level the paint to remove light scratches such as swirl marks. Doing it properly will effectively remove the scratches (remove.. not only hide it in the case of a glaze). However, as it still has abrasives, proper application is still necessary.

[jhnkvn]

This is what I meant, I mean you cant just change wax kasi you need to clay it pa, which is better done by professionals than first time DIYers like me.

You can change waxes from Nanoglos/Nanosliq to Collinite. Remember that a wax or sealant's primary duty is to protect the paint. I'm thinking of an appropriate analogy but my brain isn't functioning well 3:48 in the morning

sir tanong ko lang po saan po nakakabili ng collinite? I'm using meguire's products po kasi which is better po. TIA.white din po kasi car ko.

Jerome of Autobisyo (near Southwoods) is the distributor of Collinite products locally. You can easily acquire one just by searching Collinite in sulit.. the wsc211 seller there is Will of Bluemile and Big Berts does not sell them (if memory serves right)

So from nano I can switch to collinite agad? I am not sure if collinite has cleaners. Or pa clay ko muna sa detailer?

Bakit nga ba kailangan clay pag switch brand?

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Yes. Collinite #845 is pure liquid wax and does not have any cleaners on it. Collinite #840 is their dedicated cleaner while their #SS126 is their cleaner-wax (AIO).

Try to feel your paint using your fingers, pag magaspang, you need to clay.

It's much easier to "feel" your paint if you insert your hand in a plastic bag then glide it over the paint. This way, your touch mechanism is more sensitive to the imperfections and is a more accurate representation of it ;)

Also remember to feel the hood rather than the lower side panels of the car. Why? Well, your lower body panels are susceptible to asphalt. I usually clay bi-annually but asphalt removal.. hell... I do it almost every month thanks to rampant post-election road renovations

--

For most people, here's what I recommend:

1) Haven't been to a detailer yet? Car's more than 1 year old?
- Clay. Step 2/3 detail. Then maintain the wax on your own to save up on costs.

2) Car's fresh out of the CASA?
- Step 1 detail then DIY maintain or if not, just wax it.

3) Car's heavily abused, always under the sun, haven't been detailed?
- Hoping that the paint's still "alive", Clay, Step 3 and a roof please.

If anybody wants to ask me, here's my regimen: A yearly Step 3 compounding detailing session, a thrice-yearly Step 2 polishing session, an a bi-annual claying session. Wax? Well.. usually 90 days after the detailing sessions. When to wash the car? Only when I can't stand how dirty it is. Asphalt removal? Almost twice-a-week thanks to stupid Quezon Ave. renovations.

Once you buy the products and start paying for labor (well, I am lazy most of the time), costs per year significantly goes down thanks to your "investment".