Trying to come up with a game plan.

[NoClue]

Hey guys and gals,
I am new here and new to "pampering" my cars. I have always washed and waxed my cars. Took pretty good care of them, or so I thought. After reading the boards here for a few weeks, I see that I have done a very poor job in caring for my vehicles. I bought a new Scion Tc in April of this year, has about 5,000 miles on it. My daily driver. Been thru the "swirl-omatic" about 8 times. I have waxed it with Maguire’s carnauba. That is the extent of my pampering. Unfortunately, I live in a condo, so I have to figure a way around the auto-wash. Haven’t figured that one out yet either. Any suggestions will be great. I have a few SMALL paint chips on the hood do to the highway construction that I travel daily. Have the swirls in the paint, a small scratch. Will post pics as I get time. So here is the game plan:

1) Some how some where, wash the car with a 2 bucket wash system using Pinnacle XMT Gel Shampoo & Conditioner and sheep skin glove/pad
2) Stoner Tarminator Bug and Tar Remover.
3) Clay car with Wolfgang Clay Combo
4) Fix Chips with Dr.Color chip.
5) Clean windows.
6) Clean wheels with Detailers Pro Series Wheel Cleaner using Daytona Speed Master.
7) Wax wheels with Wheel Wax.
8) Tape up plastic and seems with tape. I guess to protect??
9) Pinnacle Advanced Swirl Remover
10) Pinnacle Advanced Polish
11) Pinnacle Signature Series II
12) Figure out how to explain the time and money cost to wife.

So, any ideas, tips game changer??
Also, what do you think about the Meguiars DA polisher g110v2?


-Noclue

[NoClue]

Forgot to add a step for trim. Haven't really got a plan or product picked out for trim, Any suggestions would be great

[pickles]

Hey guys and gals,
I am new here and new to "pampering" my cars. I have always washed and waxed my cars. Took pretty good care of them, or so I thought. After reading the boards here for a few weeks, I see that I have done a very poor job in caring for my vehicles. I bought a new Scion Tc in April of this year, has about 5,000 miles on it. My daily driver. Been thru the "swirl-omatic" about 8 times. I have waxed it with Maguire’s carnauba. That is the extent of my pampering. Unfortunately, I live in a condo, so I have to figure a way around the auto-wash. Haven’t figured that one out yet either. Any suggestions will be great. I have a few SMALL paint chips on the hood do to the highway construction that I travel daily. Have the swirls in the paint, a small scratch. Will post pics as I get time. So here is the game plan:

1) Some how some where, wash the car with a 2 bucket wash system using Pinnacle XMT Gel Shampoo & Conditioner and sheep skin glove/pad
2) Stoner Tarminator Bug and Tar Remover.
3) Clay car with Wolfgang Clay Combo
4) Fix Chips with Dr.Color chip.
5) Clean windows.
6) Clean wheels with Detailers Pro Series Wheel Cleaner using Daytona Speed Master.
7) Wax wheels with Wheel Wax.
8) Tape up plastic and seems with tape. I guess to protect??
9) Pinnacle Advanced Swirl Remover
10) Pinnacle Advanced Polish
11) Pinnacle Signature Series II
12) Figure out how to explain the time and money cost to wife.

So, any ideas, tips game changer??
Also, what do you think about the Meguiars DA polisher g110v2?


-Noclue


#12 is easier if you do her car first

[mjlinane]

Clean wheels first if you are using a hose/pressure washer. Windows last.

You tape to protect AND to keep excess polish from getting into places you would need to clean later.

Might even consider rinseless washing. If you do, then wheels later in the process.

[cutter]

:welcome: to AGO!!!

A suggestion for getting around the car wash would be a water-less wash such as ONR or DP's Wash and Gloss.

Being bitten by the detailing "bug" doesn't have to be expensive, there are many products out there that do a great job and are fairly in-expensive. Read the boards, do thread searches, ask for advice, find the products that work for you and stay with them.

Good Luck with your Detailing and again, welcome to the Forum.

[Ryan R]

Welcome to the forum :)
You'll learn so much here.
As for getting away from the swirl on matics i suggest buying some ONR to go along with your two bucket method.
In the winter ill go to the do it yourselfer's and power wash the car in just the rinse setting. Then take home and wash as usual with the ONR or try some waterless wash products...just be sure to have lots of MF's

[NoClue]

Thank you very much for the warm welcome!

Some great tips!! Thanks

[Dugdug]

#12 is easier if you do her car first

That's why I test my products on her car!!! I hevent gotten any greif yet!!! lol

[BobbyG]

:welcome: To Autogeek Online! :props:

Everyone starts off as a beginner but with some reading, questions, and trial, error, and practice you'll be amazed how much you'll be able to do. After reading and understanding some of the basics, the more hands on your are the quicker you'll build your knowledge and gain experience.

This is "the" place to learn some of the finest ways to detail your car. There is a wealth of knowledge here for the beginner to the most advanced. A simple question is all that's needed to initiate helpful responses from members here and also Autogeek Professional Staff.

This link contains articles written by Mike Phillips and has allot of great reading within.

Articles by Mike Phillips (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-expert-featuring-mike-phillips/23722-articles-mike-phillips.html)

Basic steps in order are:


Wash
Clay
Paint Correction & Polish
Seal
Wax

Make detailing enjoyable and practice. Take your time and do not become overwhelmed. Just because there are a thousand product doesn't mean you have to use them all.

Pick one product from each category from the steps above.

Plan your attack! :props:

There are a number of ways to skin a cat and since detailing is as much an art as it is a science, formulate a plan that works well for you...

Set realistic expectations. Trying to achieve a show quality finish on a daily driver can be difficult and somewhat disappointing if not achieved. It's also a ton of work...

This is how I approach a full detail from a high level.



Full interior
Wheels and wheel wells

Thorough washing
No Treatments

Engine Compartment

Thorough washing
Blow dry
Plastic & rubber treatment

Full Exterior

Thorough washing
Clay
Paint correct
Seal
Wax
Trim
Wheels and Tires
Windows



Do you have a polisher or are you thinking about getting one? I hope the answer is yes in order to produce consistent results in a reasonable amount of time.


Sectional Pass With a DA Polisher (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/show-car-garage-how-videos/24074-show-car-garage-video-how-do-section-pass-when-machine-polishing-da-polisher.html)
Removing Swirls (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/tricks-tips-techniques/20021-definitive-how-article-removing-swirls-scratches-water-spots-using-porter-cable-7424xp-g110v2-griot-s-garage-polisher.html)
DA Trouble Shooting Guide (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/auto-detailing-101/37769-da-polisher-trouble-shooting-guide.html)
Waxing With a DA Polisher (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/pinnacle-wax/28651-how-machine-apply-wax-using-da-polisher.html)

I prefer to put my own package together.


Porter Cable 7424xp (http://www.autogeek.net/porter-cable-7424xp.html)
Lake Country Backing Plate (http://www.autogeek.net/lc43125.html)
Lake Country Flat Pads (http://www.autogeek.net/lake-country-beveled-pad-kit.html)


Polishes


Menzerna Bundle (http://www.autogeek.net/menzerna-polish-bundle3.html)
Meguiar's M105 (http://www.autogeek.net/meguiars-105-compound-8oz.html)
Meguiar's M205 (http://www.autogeek.net/meguiars-205-polish-8oz.html)

Sealants


Menzerna Power Lock (http://www.autogeek.net/menzerna-power-lock-sealant.html)
Prima Hydro Sealant (http://www.autogeek.net/prima-hydro-seal.html)
Four Star Sealant (http://www.autogeek.net/four-star-ultimate-paint-protection.html)
Blackfire Wet Diamond Sealant (http://www.autogeek.net/blackfire-wet-diamond-sealant.html)
Klasse High Gloss Sealant (http://www.autogeek.net/klashiggloss.html)
Ultima Paint Guard Plus (http://www.autogeek.net/ultima-paint-guard-plus.html)

Wax


Wax (http://www.autogeek.net/carnauba-wax.html)
Wolfgang Fuzion (http://www.autogeek.net/wolfgang-fuzion-wax-sample.html)
Dodo Juice Supernatural (http://www.autogeek.net/natural-carnauba-wax-200.html)
Pinnacle Souveran (http://www.autogeek.net/pinsouvwax.html)
Blackfire Midnight Sun (http://www.autopia-carcare.com/blackfire-midnight-sun-wax.html)


One of my favorites


Collinite 845 (http://www.autogeek.net/collinite-insulator-wax-845.html)

[dad07]

ONR may be a good option for you as others have mentioned.

for the trim I suggest UTTG.

as far as the megs da its a great machine and will make easier work of those swirls you mention.

[embolism]

couple other tips:

Dr. Colour chip recommends that you do your corrections before application, or wait 30 days for the product to cure, & 7 days before waxing. The product works better on darker colours but if you are expecting a seamless repair like you would get from wetsanding then you will be disappointed. I can't speak to lighter or metallic colours but on dark colours it will pass the 8 foot test :)

you don't need a specific wheel wax for your rims. If you get a sealant, it can be put on your rims too. Any durable wax will do as well (but not the expensive carnubas). I use collinite 845 to help keep brake dust from building up. I think I'll opticoat them once they are off for the winter.

[Mike Phillips]

Looks like a good plan so far...

Not having a place to wash your car is a hassle. When I moved from Oregon to California a few years ago I lived in a Condo and they had a place for residents to wash their cars in the back of the complex, just a parking space and a water hose but that's all I needed to keep my Milk Truck washed up. Maybe double check to see if there's a possibility?


As for the wife... just remember the simple rule... wash and wax her car first... be sure to vacuum the interior and clean the windows too... should be smooth sailing if you keep that up....


We've got a fresh stock of the Meguiar's G110v2 in and have been using them anytime we use DA Polishers on our weekly projects without a hitch. We don't use their 7" Softbuff pads, they'll work no arguments there but it's much easier for ANY of the DA Polishers to maintain pad rotation using thin, 5.5" pads. Plus "NEW" cars have lots of thin panels and smaller pads fit new cars better than larger cars as it's always a "Good Best Practice" to not buff on a body line.

This was the first time Glen, the owner of this beautiful 1954 Ford F-100 had ever used a machine to polish the paint on his truck and we started him out on the Meguiar's G110v2

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1290/54Ford92.jpg


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1290/54Ford75.jpg



We finished the paint off on the above project using the Pinnacle Advanced Finishing Polish followed by Pinnacle Signature Series II and the results pretty much speak for themselves....



http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1290/54Ford108.jpg


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1290/54Ford109.jpg


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1290/54Ford149.jpg




:xyxthumbs:

[shoeless89]

UTTG for the trim FTW