beginner, all the steps to detailing?

[jtap]

ok, after reading a bunch of threads, and seeing all the products, i never knew there are so much to washing a car.... but now i'm not so ignorant...but i still have ways to go.....

so what are the steps from a to z to detailing the car...from the outside to inside, to the engine and the products needed......i hear glaze, sealents, wax and etc...i never knew there were so many things...

i'm getting a wax that in another post someone mentioned and getting a cyclone because i'm knew and not ready for a circular
so the steps would be


wash the car, dry the car, ???


whats also a good engine steamer or is high water pressure good? wouldnt that go into the plugs or electrical parts? also a list of supplies would be helpful, from towls to water ever else....i'm kinda on a budget and the cyclone is using about half and i still need room for a steamer or maybe that is not important thanks

[dewalt17]

if u check there was a video link, this guy shows ya of course he gets 10k a wash

[YUNVme]

I also think some step by step, product by product, inside and out detailing info would be great. I’ve been experimenting with the PC i.e. pads, products, which order but if someone could shed some insight to this it could save me and others time and money.

Thanks,

Don

[FloridaNative]

For me personally, I always start on the inside. I thoroughly vacuum the interrior and the rugs and then I use 1 part Woolite to 10 parts water and a regular cellulose kitchen sponge (without the scrubby part) and wash all the vinyl parts in the car with the damp sponge. Then I rinse it with plain water and then dry it with a MF towel and then apply my protectant. (303, Pinnacle and DP would be among my choices). I apply the protectant to all the vinyl pieces at one time and then go back where I began and buff it off with a clean MF towel. After this I examine the carpet and floor mats. If they are dirty, I use my Hoover steam vac steam vac to clean them. If there are any stains I use either Oxy clean to treat the spot or Kids n' pets and then agitate it a bit with a nylon bristled brush ( I use the ones for cleaning fingernails not too stiff and not too soft) and let it sit for a minute or two and then spray clean water on the area and use my steam vac to suck up the water. After the interior is clean I move onto the outside.

There are plenty of links on those topics so I'll just include them instead of re-hashing what's already been said so well.

I would do the engine cleaning before moving onto the paint and I will give you Justin's tips on engine detailing.
Engine detailing

And for the exterior detailing there are plenty of links, but I found that Neothin really discussed it in full detail in his paper he did for college so I'll give you that link.
Examplefication paper or process paper 3 pages.

You have to scroll down a bit to read Neothin's comments but it is a very good read.

Other than that I would recommend that you use the search feature at the top of the screen to search what topics interest you. You can also go to "archives" at the bottom right hand corner of the screen and see all the topics listed from all the forums. Just click on whatever link strikes your fancy and it will take you automatically to that thread. As far as products go I think it would be easier for us to make recommendations if you tell us the look that you are going for deep and wet- carnauba wax, glossy and reflective- sealants just to give you a "for example". Everybody's idea of beauty and the perfect finish is different and paint color and type also plays a role in product selection. I suggest you read the links. Ask yourself what it is you want to achieve and then come back and ask questions. We will be better able to help you if you have something more specific in mind. Happy reading.

[GearHead_1]

In a nutshell the complete list of detailing steps is determined by the overall condition of the car and more specifically the paint. What one detailer believes is the works may just be getting started for another. A good example of this is simply many detailers don't clean engines, others do. It also depends upon what tools one has available. Random or Orbital buffer, vacuum or hot water cleaner in the interior, pressure washer or foam gun. The list can be long and the real answer is what ever it takes to put the end product where you need it to be. There may be some that will put together a "comprehensive" list that gives you an idea of what to do but that information is available here in the archived posts. You can do a lot of reading to help get you there but some things you just have to try. I know that this isn't the kind of post that you probably wanted to read but I believe it to be reality and virtually any list you get is going to be a short list.

David Byron is a well respected detailer/businessman. He put together a manual that covers detailing pretty thoroughly but doesn't go overboard. I think this manual is in the neighborhood of about 60 pages that's why I say most lists will end up being the short set of instruction.