Newbie Project - Detailing Black 07 Land Rover LR3

[penguinrover]

Hi guys,

This is my second post aside from the introduction section and glad to have stumbled over to you guys. Been reading the forum for the better part of several days. I have owned my black 07 Black LR3 for 2 years. With my job I have rarely had the time to wash by hand. Sadly this means the car has seen its times through both brush and brushless washes.:bash: Recently got the Meguiar's Kit as a gift which has inspired my detailing spirit.

Sadly that means I have a SUV covered in cob-webbing when viewed in direct sunlight. (Does look beautiful in the shade still though). I live in warm Southeastern climate with direct sun exposure 8 hours/day, and often get multitudes of bugs on weekend drives.

Here is what I have thus far through just gifts, purchases, and borrowed items (I am willing to scale up if necessary):

Meg:
Gold Class Car Wash Shampoo and Conditioner
Gold Class Liquid Wax
Gold Class Endurance High Gloss Gel
Quik Detailer
Quik Interior Detailer
2 Clay Bars
PlastX
ScratchX
Hot Shine Tire Spray

Lexol Leather Cleaner
Lexol leather Conditioner
Lexol Vinylx

About 20 cheap MF towels
1 Foam applicator
2 MF applicators

Tomorrow, I am going to just go with the stuff I have because the car desperately needs cleaning. Wash/Dry, Clay, and Wax.

However, I want to start preparing appropriately for the future detail a few months down the road. My goals / questions are:

1) Budget - trying to do it as reasonable as possible. But willing to spend potentially for good product and outcome. I understand some of the products I have may be useless and need upgrading.

2) Recommendations - seems like the next step would be to advance to polishing. Is hand polishing completely useless. DA seems like the way to go? I've just heard so many horror stories from the old rotary units on black vehicles when done by amateurs.

3) Question - I have Akebono ceramic pads. Read that some of the non-water based tire/wheel cleaners can render them ineffective. Anyone else heard that?

4) Bugs - Pinnacle sponge with regular wash? Or any other favorites. Maybe ONR to remove immediately after impact?

Hope the thread wasn't too long. Thank you in advance for your replies and I look forward to the process with everyone. Some pics attached. Will try to get more in sunlight tomorrow.

[mjlinane]

1. None of the products you list are bad. Lexol Leather Conditioner and Vinylex can be replaced with Megs QID.

2. There are places where only hand polishing will do but you will get better results (and be easier on your body) with a mechanical polisher.

3. IDK

4. I a pinch, dab your finger in your shampoo, apply (straight) to bug residue and let dwell a couple of minutes. Should wash off. I've recently been spraying with a waterless before washing.

[NYCLR3]

I had the same car and the same look. That thing swirled like crazy. There are some posts of mine going back and forth with Mike Phillips regarding the car. As many will say, I was never able to acomplish by hand what a machine would. That car needed a machine. I traded it in, but I really should have purchased the GG for that car.

[penguinrover]

Thanks for the quick replies! NYCLR3, I'll be sure to search your posts and go back and do my reading. Yes it swirls like crazy but I'm hanging on to it for now!

[BobbyG]

1. Depending on how defect free you're trying to achieve I think adding something like Meguiar's DA Microfiber Correction kit and a polisher would be a great investment. The kit below contains everything you need to get you started in the right direction.
I prefer to put my own package together.


Porter Cable 7424xp (http://www.autogeek.net/porter-cable-7424xp.html)
Meguiar's DA Microfiber Correction Kit (http://www.autogeek.net/da-microfiber-starter-kit-5in.html)

2. See Above


3. I have ceramic pads on my cars and never have had any issues with all the products I use. To be honest, I'd find it hard to believe a manufacture of a wheel cleaning product would formulate something for sale that would compromise the brakes on any car or truck.



4. Stoner Tarminator works great...


Here's some great information that will help you if you need it.


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)



Basic steps in order are:


Wash
Clay
Paint Correction & Polish
Seal
Wax

Your other products are OK for now but I'd recommend a sealant vs. the protection you currently have...

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)

[feds27]

I think you're almost set. I noticed you have Scratch X. If you have version 2.0 then I think you can use that as your compound and then followup with Meguiars Ultimate Polish (I noticed you didn't have this).

Two useful charts:

Aggressiveness Order for New Consumer Products - This will surprise you! (http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?28407-Aggressiveness-Order-for-New-Consumer-Products-This-will-surprise-you)!

Autogeek Swirl Removers & Compounds Comparison Chart (http://www.auto-geek.net/charts/wax-cut-chart-master.htm)