Car Care and Detailing Thread

[lewdog]

Others mentioned I should start this thread in my other thread. And while I won't have the new car for a while, I'd like to hear some thoughts and recommendations so I can have most of it on hand before the car shows up. My other thread had a lot of great posts in it and you guys have been a big help.

While black cars looks great clean, keeping it relatively clean in Phoenix might be the death of me. But I'll sure as shit give it my best shot.

I actually like cleaning and waxing our current cars but it's not like I am being meticulous about it. I've never had a car with rims either and I know those can get dirty quick. I've never owned a dark colored car and I've never had a car with leather. I plan to take really good care of this car and would like some tips on doing so. But I'm just a ****ing n00b.

I'll throw some links out from Amazon as I mention things.


Some of the things already on my list are:
1. Not sure if everyone recommends wool wash mitt over micorfiber here but many people I know do?
http://www.amazon.com/Mothers-Genuin...wool+wash+mitt

2. Grit guard and two wash buckets. One for rinse and one for soap/water.

http://www.amazon.com/Mothers-Genuin...wool+wash+mitt

3. Waffle Weave Drying towel. There are tons of towels out there but this seems to be able to take up a lot of water.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001Q8DMA0/...I21164SXVV1AWB

4. Car Wash

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0009IQXFO/...b_recs_2_title


Some mention that after washing you should use a paint cleanser before waxing. But wondering if washing then clay baring is sufficient prior to wax?

I've seen this P21S Paintwork Cleanser mentioned on a few reads. Looks like good use for water spots and swirls prior to waxing if needed. Not sure if you would do entire car first or just use it for bad spots before waxing?

http://www.amazon.com/P21S-12350B-Pa...twork+Cleanser


Also, a company called Zaino has great reviews and recommendations. They have a package that looks like it includes all products I'd need together including wash, polish, wax, leather and tire care.

http://www.zainostore.com/mm5/mercha...y_Code=prokits



I do not have a polisher and would need to get one of those as well but not sure where to start on that front.



Can't wait to see what you guys have tried and recommend.

[MIAdragon]

Originally Posted by lewdog

Interesting. Are you just talking about this simple type of product?

http://www.amazon.com/Nanoskin-AS-01...oskin+clay+pad

Yes this is the one I use http://www.detailing.com/store/nanos...Y-MaAvWy8P8HAQ

This is the IronX

http://www.autogeek.net/carpro-iron-x-cleaner.html

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by MIAdragon

Any new car should need not only clay but an IronX type product. Rail dust is a bitch get it out ASAP. That nano skin someone was talking about is a really good clay alternative. Lasts forever and if you drop it you just wash it off. Worth the investment imo.

Yep, Garry Dean told me about rail dust being a bitch.

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by lewdog

I've got a dual action polisher from Harbor Freight.

http://www.harborfreight.com/6-in-57...her-69924.html

And used 205 Mirror glaze which is light abrasive for light swirls and micro-marring.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=sr_1_2&sr=8-2


I bought these 3 pads but wasn't sure which one I should use.
http://www.harborfreight.com/6-in-Po...Pad-60309.html
http://www.harborfreight.com/6-in-co...pad-60311.html
http://www.harborfreight.com/6-in-fi...pad-60310.html


As I said, I just felt like I didn't know how much pressure to use, how long to hold it there, how much to put on pad, how to know if it was running too dry. My light in my garage sucks too so that made it harder as well.

you guys take a polisher that spins and press it onto your car and paint?

[KC native]

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

you guys take a polisher that spins and press it onto your car and paint?

Dual action polishers are almost completely idiot proof.

They spin but not in a perfect circle so they don't build up heat and burn through the paint.

Good pads, good polish, and a harbor freight dual action polisher will make your car look better than new if you get if before they get ****ed up.

[Indian Chief]

Originally Posted by KC native

Dual action polishers are almost completely idiot proof.

They spin but not in a perfect circle so they don't build up heat and burn through the paint.

Good pads, good polish, and a harbor freight dual action polisher will make your car look better than new if you get if before they get ****ed up.

Agree with everything KC native said. An orbital is where you can really go wrong if you don't know what you're doing. A DA is hard to screw up. That being said, I was concerned that I would do damage when I first got my Porter Cable DA so I practiced on an extra hood I had. It wasn't in great shape, but it was perfect for practice. If you have a beater that you aren't worried about screwing up give that a shot. I don't think you can really do any damage if you're careful, but it might give you some peace of mind.

[Indian Chief]

Also, start light and work your way up. If you don't see results, you can always go to a more aggressive pad or polish.

[Miles]

Originally Posted by lewdog

I've got a dual action polisher from Harbor Freight.

http://www.harborfreight.com/6-in-57...her-69924.html

And used 205 Mirror glaze which is light abrasive for light swirls and micro-marring.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=sr_1_2&sr=8-2


I bought these 3 pads but wasn't sure which one I should use.
http://www.harborfreight.com/6-in-Po...Pad-60309.html
http://www.harborfreight.com/6-in-co...pad-60311.html
http://www.harborfreight.com/6-in-fi...pad-60310.html


As I said, I just felt like I didn't know how much pressure to use, how long to hold it there, how much to put on pad, how to know if it was running too dry. My light in my garage sucks too so that made it harder as well.

Probably try that blue pad with the 205 which might not give you enough cut but place to start while are you get the hang of things. Usually if you are unsure use the least abrasive and move to stronger is a good rule of thumb.

Try without adding much extra pressure and see what results you get. If not good try putting down pressure with palm of your hand over top of polisher and working over a few times but remember to look if the disc is actually spinning since if not you are not doing anything any its just the safety of the dual action. If you are not sure its spinning mark a line on side of pad with sharpie. If it doesn't remove the marring try the orange pad and maybe a different product. Lot of very good videos from Mike Phillips at Autogeek on this. Doesn't take that long to get the hang of and with a dual action you can't really burn through the paint without something pretty abrasive.

Also might consider putting up a better overhead LED light in garage which is helpful when doing anything in your garage. Don't think they are expensive and particularly with a black car lets you know what you are doing. Otherwise, just get use an LED flashlight and use it to check your work.

[Miles]

Originally Posted by Indian Chief

Agree with everything KC native said. An orbital is where you can really go wrong if you don't know what you're doing. A DA is hard to screw up. That being said, I was concerned that I would do damage when I first got my Porter Cable DA so I practiced on an extra hood I had. It wasn't in great shape, but it was perfect for practice. If you have a beater that you aren't worried about screwing up give that a shot. I don't think you can really do any damage if you're careful, but it might give you some peace of mind.

Good suggestion for lewdog - wife's car to practice?

[Miles]

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

you guys take a polisher that spins and press it onto your car and paint?

Trying to get rid of micro marring or scratches without one is either a huge pain or not even possible. Agree with others that replied to you that dual action polishers are fairly idiot proof and easy to learn with. Not like orbital buffers were you need a pro or will destroy things.

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by Miles

Trying to get rid of micro marring or scratches without one is either a huge pain or not even possible. Agree with others that replied to you that dual action polishers are fairly idiot proof and easy to learn with. Not like orbital buffers were you need a pro or will destroy things.

So, its dual action or leave it to the professionals. Cool.

[lewdog]

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

So, its dual action or leave it to the professionals. Cool.

Were you trying to imply earlier that Gary didn't touch your car with a polisher? Because I guarantee he did.

[Miles]

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

So, its dual action or leave it to the professionals. Cool.

Pretty much my take and once you get better with a dual action you can do a lot of stuff the pros do and even the pros seem to often use the more powerful version of them as well.

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by lewdog

Were you trying to imply earlier that Gary didn't touch your car with a polisher? Because I guarantee he did.

No, I was talking about home use by the car owner.

I'm assuming anyone who is as anal about protecting the paint on a car as Garry Dean is, would never do or use anything to damage the paint.

[SAGA45]

Originally Posted by Dayze

wash
clay
polish
wax

in that order and your ride will look incredible. clay/polish etc is definitely worth the extra step and time.

Okay now I need a claying product, a dual-action polisher ..and polish, right?

Man...look...as you all can see Im a noob beyond a basic wash and rinse. But Im willing to go the extra mile for that "Got Daaaayum!" look to the car.

Any good tutorials for each of those steps?

[Miles]

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

No, I was talking about home use by the car owner.

I'm assuming anyone who is as anal about protecting the paint on a car as Garry Dean is, would never do or use anything to damage the paint.

Any orbitals or more powerful polishers don't necessarily damage the paint. Everything done to polish stuff out is abrading the clear coat in the since that they take off a super very small layer/make smooth. Orbitals or more powerful dual actions are stronger about taking stuff off and used by a skilled pro makes it faster for them and potential better results.

More simply polishing by machine used to be a pro only thing or you could really **** things up but since dual action polishers came out they can be used by dumbasses like us as home.