Your car maintenance regimen

[madkatz]

*four-rings: Step 1 is used for cleaning the paint prior to applying step 2 and 3, thats why its called pre-wax cleaner for mothers and paint cleaner for megs, what it does is clean the paint by using an ultra fine polish that will not scratch the paint and that doesn't really reduce clear coat to any significant level, its pretty much like a facial scrub for paint, what this does is it removes some light stains, sort of visually remedies not remove some scratches, and cleans the paint from older layers of wax, this makes the glaze and fillers do their job of properly filling scratches without covering and trapping dirt and grime inside the scratches

Step 2 of mothers is basically used to refine the paint to a higher gloss and also fill scratches and swirls giving you a better and uniform looking finish, megs step 2 also does the same, basically most step 2 usually just improve the gloss and clarity of paint so that its very glossy before you seal it with wax

[PSI]

*PSI: i see you're enjoying the discounts you got hahaha

HAHAHAHAH!! just saw tis today....namalagi or shall i say bumabad ako sa thred sa taas thats why.... YES i enjoyed the discount alright

still waiting for that sealant to come out....would like to slap my car with a double coat lang naman....pag tinopak....3 coats...HAHAHAHHA!

[four-rings]

*four-rings: Step 1 is used for cleaning the paint prior to applying step 2 and 3, thats why its called pre-wax cleaner for mothers and paint cleaner for megs, what it does is clean the paint by using an ultra fine polish that will not scratch the paint and that doesn't really reduce clear coat to any significant level, its pretty much like a facial scrub for paint, what this does is it removes some light stains, sort of visually remedies not remove some scratches, and cleans the paint from older layers of wax, this makes the glaze and fillers do their job of properly filling scratches without covering and trapping dirt and grime inside the scratches

Step 2 of mothers is basically used to refine the paint to a higher gloss and also fill scratches and swirls giving you a better and uniform looking finish, megs step 2 also does the same, basically most step 2 usually just improve the gloss and clarity of paint so that its very glossy before you seal it with wax

thanks for your reply madkatz! i really enjoy reading your replies to queries on detailing i've read somewhere that the 3step process of both mother's and meguiar's are both good and very similar products but the two brands differ in the respective step 2s. what do you think?

i also read somewhere here in tsikot that klasse and carlack68 are almost the same product. is this accurate?

thanks much

[EuroFD]

Hi four-rings. The new Meguiar's Ultimate Compound is like a combined Step 1 & 2 product already. I recently tried it on my car with a rotary buffing machine. I was very satisfied with the result.

But for those nasty scratch marks and entrenched water marks, I suggest your use Meguiar's M205 - a very aggressive compound that will clean and even out your paint finish in preparation for polishing. HTH

[madkatz]

Hi four-rings. The new Meguiar's Ultimate Compound is like a combined Step 1 & 2 product already. I recently tried it on my car with a rotary buffing machine. I was very satisfied with the result.

But for those nasty scratch marks and entrenched water marks, I suggest your use Meguiar's M205 - a very aggressive compound that will clean and even out your paint finish in preparation for polishing. HTH

Wow i think UC definitely cuts more than step 1 and 2 but yes i agree with the point that it can finish like a polish

maybe you mean't m105? m205 is the finishing polish, and UC and 105 are very similar products some people from other forums actually consider them to be already the same

[madkatz]

thanks for your reply madkatz! i really enjoy reading your replies to queries on detailing i've read somewhere that the 3step process of both mother's and meguiar's are both good and very similar products but the two brands differ in the respective step 2s. what do you think?

i also read somewhere here in tsikot that klasse and carlack68 are almost the same product. is this accurate?

thanks much

yes their step 2 differs in the sense that Moms Step 2 can fill swirls and light scratches, Megs step 2 polishes better, and yes carlack and klasse is the same, klasse is just branded and licensed to another person for the US market but they're pretty much the same

[four-rings]

thanks for the reply madkatz and eurofd. your inputs are very much appreciated.

[SebLucas]

Ms. Madkatz,

Sorry medyo OT pero saan po nakukuha yang training from Meguiars and Mothers? Dito po ba yan sa Pilipinas? Tapos since newbie lang talaga ako (first time owner), ano po ma i su suggest nyo na regimen para sa mga nag uumpisa pa lang matuto na maglinis ng sasakyan? Advisable po ba talaga yung sa Big Berts or Diamond Gloss?

Salamat po!

~Lucas

[madkatz]

Ms. Madkatz,

Sorry medyo OT pero saan po nakukuha yang training from Meguiars and Mothers? Dito po ba yan sa Pilipinas? Tapos since newbie lang talaga ako (first time owner), ano po ma i su suggest nyo na regimen para sa mga nag uumpisa pa lang matuto na maglinis ng sasakyan? Advisable po ba talaga yung sa Big Berts or Diamond Gloss?

Salamat po!

~Lucas

You get the training from mothers and meguiars if you avail of their basic detailing shop starter kit, its basically gallon sizes of different products thats used to start a full detailing business, me and my BF invested on both kits to avail of the training and yes its held here in the Philippines

For starters i recommend buying the basic things you need

Washing

1. Chenille Washmitt - Microtex one is recommended
2. Shampoo - any shampoo that won't strip wax, cheapest out there again is Microtex
3. Drying towel - again Microtex since their Chamois is used by most high end detailing shops BB to name one , or Elite which is used by enthusiasts since you can get a lot of water with just one pass
4. Tire Black - Microtex Tire Black or Red Carpet Tire Cream from BB, don't get the silicone and oil based ones like Rain Harry

Waxing

1. Wax - This can range from the expensive waxes, to collinite 915 one of my favorites around 2k per tin, down to the more economical and bang for the buck products like Turtle Wax Platinum, Microtex Nano Glos and Mothers Step 3 Liquid

2. Applicator Pad - Megs applicator pads is recommended but those from Micromagic those 4 pcs for 88 pesos is also great

3. Microfiber Buffing Towel - Again Microtex since they have world class MF towels, their towels can even compete with brands more than 2x or 3x their price, i recommend using Ultra Plush this is the best MF you can avail locally OTC that really doesn't scratch the paint

I would say BB optiguard is a great program and its also cheaper, but you can also do this by yourself, the initial investment though is a little high at 2.6k for the sealants 2 pcs combo but this would really last you a long long time

Another thing i would suggest you to do is to attend a detailing seminar, you can watch out at the Detailing Thread to see if there is one upcoming, or you can send a PM to member name PSI since he basically handles the seminars so you get updated on the schedules, when you attend you will really learn a lot of techniques on how to wash your car swirl free, the do's and don'ts and you can also try some of the products there even before you buy them from your favorite stores, this way you really know which product gives YOU and best results YOU think a certain products gives and did i mention that its totally FREE?? fellow members are there to teach you and help you learn detailing and they'll even share their products so its a nice thing to go to

[SebLucas]

Thank you Miss Madkatz. This has been very helpful. I'll definitely look out for the seminars that you mentioned. Last question though, what do you suggest I use to clean the tires and the rims?

Thanks again!