New to forums and a few questions

[SiliconX]

***Sorry about the length, kind of got carried away

Greetings to everyone, I noted that the message board welcome said to post in the "Introductions forum" but I can't seem to locate it. My apologies if I missed it lol

I've never really cared about what my car looked like, since I always drove beaters but I recently bought the car I always wanted, a Civic Si (Picture ). Love it to death and i've found that I really love trying to get it looking as good as possible. The AG Site was mentioned on the Clubsi.com forums and i'm amazed at the detail work done by everyone, look forward to learning alot. My head already aches after reading god knows how many tip pages lol

Previous detail work on my car has consisted of washing with Meguiar's Gold Class with a Simoniz plush wash mitt (yuck, things last like 2 washes) and drying with the Meg's super suede drying towel. Then hitting it with Meg's Quik Wax (which I can't seem to find on the AG site). But i'm quickly realizing it's only doing a decent job. I'm EXTREMELY careful with the care of my towels and mitts, so the finish is still in good condition.

At the recommendation of a detailing post on the Clubsi forums, I went out and bought a bunch of stuff. Here's what I have (not including all the foam pads, microfibre cloths for buffing, etc):

- Meguiar's Gold Class shampoo
- Mothers California Gold clay bar system
- Meguiar's #7 (Show Car Glaze)
- Mothers California Gold Pure Carnauba Wax (Paste)
- Meguiar's NXT Tech Wax (Paste)

So what I was told to do was wash the car, dry it. Then hit it with the clay bar, then the Meg's #7. Then a layer of the Mothers Carnauba and then finish it off with the NXT. Now reading about curing and certain brands/types of waxes, etc. this isn't the ideal way to shine it up. Unfortunately, I threw out the receipts, so I can't return any of this stuff, but I would REALLY appreciate suggestions on the best way to use what I have (and let me know if something I have isn't what I should use in the 'system' I described above).

Also, I have to basically do this in one sitting. Being winter here, I don't have the luxury of waiting extended periods of time between layers. Is it CRUCIAL I wait certain periods of time? I don't have a garage, but luckily, the company I work for has a wash bay in a climate-controlled underground parkade with dust filtration. I'm free to use it anytime off-hours, but I can't leave my car there.

Also, the front end of my car is covered with the 3M invisible front end protector plastic film. Can I just wax/glaze this like normal? Should I clay it or could that damage it? I don't have an orbital buffer (yet), all by hand. It's next on my list of things to buy off AG (just bought a couple ultimate guzzlers, a bunch of cobra ultra plush microfibre cloths, some sheepskin wash mitts and a couple bottles of the Pinnacle MF detergent).

Thanks for reading, and I appreciate any input you guys have.

[XterraOverload]

In your case I would wash clay wash use a selant like p boys ex-p or dp surface sheild then wax. The products you have are fine there are better out their and AG sell most of them but what you have now is fine.
NOw if it's not a brand new car I would order something like XMT 2 or 3 and polish after you clay and wash.
After all this the selant will have you winterized until spring maybe put a cote of NXT wax on it during winter if you get a warm day or two.

[ryandamartini]

So what I was told to do was wash the car, dry it. Then hit it with the clay bar, then the Meg's #7. Then a layer of the Mothers Carnauba and then finish it off with the NXT. Now reading about curing and certain brands/types of waxes, etc. this isn't the ideal way to shine it up. Unfortunately, I threw out the receipts, so I can't return any of this stuff, but I would REALLY appreciate suggestions on the best way to use what I have (and let me know if something I have isn't what I should use in the 'system' I described above).

Ok first bear with me, as I post my newb 101 guide :

Random orbits on the Porter Cable refer to the number of simulated hand motions the polisher produces per minute. From 1k to 6k.

And I know you have been recomended some products, and are all very good choices! I concur to definately go with the Porter Cable. It is an amazing investment for your vehicle, and you will know it when you can ask for a nice resale value.

Forgive me, Im just going to reiterate some things maybe but here it goes:

Washing/Drying:
I CANNOT EMPHASIZE ENOUGh how important proper washinga nd drying is to maintain a swirl free finish.
For this, you want a proper wash mit and drying towel. For a washmit, I recommend the Schmitt. It is a soft foam with a scrubber for lower areas. It can be machine washed, and Justin can personally tell you of its excellence!
http://autogeek.net/shmitt.html

And for drying look at the Cobra Guzzler! By far, the best drying towel I have set eyes on. It is 28" x 54" and will dry your beautiful SI streak free everytime. I suggest grabing one while its on sale!
http://autogeek.net/waffle-weave-drying-towel.html

I recommend you pick up the necessary proper washing and drying tools first. This is the biggest cause of surface imperfections and only YOU or someone you know who is a detailer on these boards wash your car!

Claying:
about: http://autogeek.net/clbaandlu.html

My picks:
http://autogeek.net/piulpoclkit.html
http://autogeek.net/wg8000.html



Wax and Sealants:
Now there is a difference here. Waxes are pastes and liquids consisting of either a Carnuba base [natural wax] or a synthetic polymer base [synthetic]. Waxes tend to give the best look of deph and shimmering out of the two, but do not last that long as far as protection is concerned.

This is why alot of people use both! Sealants form a hard layer on your clearcoat to protect your paint. They give a more reflective look to your paint and a very wet look. How do you combine these great elements you ask? Well you use them both. I prefer to lay down a layer of sealant, let it cure for a while and then put a layer of my favorite Carnuba wax on there.

My favorite sealants for a brighter colored car like yours would be the Wolfgang Sealant or Duragloss #105. The WOlfgang would edge out here to me as it gives off a nice glow for a sealant and provides outstanding protection.

My favorite waxes for bright colors as a topper to go on top of the sealant would be Pinnacle Signature Series II or Souveran. Both are excellent, however while Souveran provides deph and wetness, the Signature Series II provides a POP that I havent seen in another wax for brighter metallic hues. However we are going for looks and protection so I will be commenting on Collinite products to top the Wolffgang sealant.

For your car: Going the route of a sealant for protection, Duragloss #105 topped with Duragloss Aquawax looks fantastic on red. Another great sealant option is WolfGang Deep Gloss Paint Sealant, which gives the looks of a carnuba wax with the protection of a sealant. Topping with Collinite #845 Insullator wax will give you awesome durability and looks throughout the winter.

Polishing:
As far as polishing goes, the Porter Cable 7424 is a great tool. WHile similar to many orbital polishers, it is more powerful than most around. The PC can do astounding corrective work once trained up on it and it a good investment. I suggest you look at the videos on this page as they might help you asess the damage and what polishes you will need on your beauty. http://autogeek.net/xmt.html

As far as pad choices go, I know the price is a little steep for the whole set, but go for the full set of Edge2k pads. They are doublesided, so basically 2 in one on each pad. This kit gives you some pad care products, the pads, and buffing bonnetts to take off waxes, along with the edge adapter. An EXCELLENT deal! http://autogeek.net/foam-polishing-kit.html

Welcome to car OCD, and we hope you enjoy your ride! Dont be shy to PM any one of out members for some help if you need it!


Heres some results on my camry after I learned about XMT3, this was done on a yellow pad.

POLISHING RESULTS


A single pass of the XMT polish:


A single pass of the XMT polish:


Finished:

[XterraOverload]

Thats such a good little guide!!!!!!!!!

[ryandamartini]

Originally Posted by XterraOverload

Thats such a good little guide!!!!!!!!!

thanks Im going to be restructuring it soon. Make it easier to edit to tailor to peoples needs.

[Grimm]

I have another suggestion for the washing that often gets left out; and that is to use a two bucket method. Have the soap in one bucket, and rinse water in the second bucket. Then what I've been doing is to wash one panel at a time (ie: the door), washing the top half of the panel with one side of the mitt, and then the bottom section with the other side. Then dunk the mitt in the rinse water and work it around to get the dirt out and wring it out. That will keep the soap bucket cleaner from dirt so it hopefully stays out of the mitt when you go to the next panel.

We haven't had much sun to inspect good, but it seems to be working pretty well.

[Truls]

Nice car CiliconX, and nice guide ryandamartini

If you folow upp on ryandemartin`s guide CiliconX, i think your Civic will be awesome. red cars get hot when detailed...mmmm, signature series II has just been purcased by me, hear its suposed to be one of the best.

I to have a red car, and i bought the porter cable, to help keeping it shine, and this is a great tool.

Just read thru some of the post from the guys that have this for a living, and you se that the XMT series, the schmitt, EDGE and PC is highly preferd detailing tools, also to all "pros" light

"and only YOU or someoen you know who is a detailer on these boards wash your car! "

WISE words

[ryandamartini]

Originally Posted by Grimm

I have another suggestion for the washing that often gets left out; and that is to use a two bucket method. Have the soap in one bucket, and rinse water in the second bucket. Then what I've been doing is to wash one panel at a time (ie: the door), washing the top half of the panel with one side of the mitt, and then the bottom section with the other side. Then dunk the mitt in the rinse water and work it around to get the dirt out and wring it out. That will keep the soap bucket cleaner from dirt so it hopefully stays out of the mitt when you go to the next panel.

We haven't had much sun to inspect good, but it seems to be working pretty well.

its a part of my next version. its a pet project of mine.

[supercharged]

Originally Posted by XterraOverload

Thats such a good little guide!!!!!!!!!

Sure is

[SiliconX]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I ordered the WG sealer and the Collinite #845 so i'll wait until they get here to do a proper detail.

Hopefully i've been a good boy this year and Santa will bring me a PC 7424