Just got a lot of car cleaning stuff, need help where to start

[jam3s121]

I have a 99.5 Volcano Black Audi A4.

About 3 months ago it was rear ended. I just got it repaired, a oem used fender, hood were painted my cars color, got new headlights I purchased myself and the bumper was repaired and respray. They also blended passenger side door (the affected area).

The paint looks GREAT without direct sun light, in the sunlight I am looking at some pretty light swirls though which BAFFLES me because I just got the car painted...my heart kinda dropped when I noticed this but its not nearly as bad as the paint was. Previously my hood had some serious holograms and the fender that was replaced had a large dent in it.

Anyways my birthday was a few days ago and my girlfriend got me this kit Meguiar's Ultimate Car Care Kit : Amazon.com : Automotive (http://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-Ultimate-Car-Care-Kit/dp/B005A2R628/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1353793902&sr=8-2&keywords=ultimate+meguiars+kit) It seems pretty good, I already have a meguiars clay kit in my house that I had to use after I got my car back because it had massive overspray on the windshield and one of the fenders. I already had some good tire gel and wheel cleaner too so overall I got pretty much everything I need.


I previously used to spend about 2 hours washing my car trying to make sure I never induced any swirls.. I bought the car used obivoulsy with 120k miles so it wasn't perfect. I used two buckets, a microfiber mit and a nice big microfiber drying towel. I usually just used meguiars ultimate quik wax (which smells GREAT). Hit up the tires/wheels with cleaner and sprayed them with a protectant and it would hold up for about 3 weeks until my next wash.


I currently don't own a DA polisher but I am really thinking about getting one (a porter cable or similar offering nothing over $200).

Should I think about trying some other swirl products prior to using ultimate compound? Maybe something from another company? Around here I only find meguiars in stores so I have no clue whats out there but I see this site has a lot of great stuff to order.


some other questions

1. I live on a dirt road, if it rains my car gets dirty pretty quick and unfornately my house has to be connected inside the house so its a hassle to run the house into my house then outside to even start cleaning the car. Are there any good rinseless washes that don't cause swirls and scratches? I am really afraid about making it worse because I believe using quik detailer between washes like the bottle says has added some extra swirls for me.. I used it once or twice after rain because I wanted my car to look nice and it definitely make it shine.. with more swirls.

2. Are there any good ways to clean wheel wells/fender liners? I don't have time really to jack the car up and take each wheel out and no access to a pressure washer.. maybe some kind of brush and strong apc?


here is what my car looks like, it actually looks good in this picture but theres no sun shinning on the swirls
http://i.imgur.com/6lHUe.jpg

[Paul_no_Longer_uses_this_account]

The first thing I would recommend is reading Mike’s book, The Art of Detailing. I would then invest in a DA polisher, it will save you a lot of work. I have both Griots 6 & 3 inch polisher and I’m pleased with both and I think AG is running a special if you preorder the 3rd generation Griots. I have just started using Griots waterless spray on wash and I really like it. I’m sure the other waterless system AG offer are just as good. There is a big difference between waterless systems and detail spray and go ahead and order it by the gallon. I find myself using this stuff all the time. My experience with the products AG offer is limited but I have been using XMT Pinnacle products and I think I’ve gotten good result.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-expert-featuring-mike-phillips/54547-new-polishing-please-help.html
And finally take my advice with a grain of salt because I’m a newbie to all this stuff.

[BobbyG]

Living on a dirt road and owning a black car are what I call a challenging proposition..

As long as the finish isn't too dirty a rinseless wash is a great way to go. Personally, I like DP Rinseless Wash & Gloss. I like to mix it with hot water in especially during the winter months. Hot water dissolves contaminates quicker, warms the panel, and keeps my hands warm......and it also makes drying quicker and easier.

For wheel wells I use a long handled brush and use the same soap and water solution you'd use if you were washing the car.

The products your girlfriend bought you are very nice and will help you keep your car in great shape!


Mike Phillips has written some amazing articles that will help you get started by hand...

Polishing Paint by Hand

Foam Applicator Pads at Autogeek.net (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/auto-detailing-tools-accessories/32004-foam-applicator-pads-autogeek-net.html)

Priming your pad when working by hand (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/tricks-tips-techniques/36178-priming-your-pad-when-working-hand.html)

Removing Scratches By Hand (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/auto-detailing-101/31475-removing-scratches-hand.html)

How to use a hand applied abrasive polish or paint cleaner by hand (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-articles/26612-how-use-hand-applied-abrasive-polish-paint-cleaner-hand.html)

How To Remove Paint Transfer (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-articles/28170-how-remove-paint-transfer.html)

How to clay, clean and wax paint by hand with Pinnacle Paintwork Cleansing Lotion and Pinnacle Signature Series II Carnauba Paste Wax (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-articles/25218-how-clay-clean-wax-paint-hand-pinnacle-signature-series-ii.html)

1-Step versus 3-Step Process by Hand (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/hot-topics-frequently-asked-questions/20573-1-step-vs-3-step-process-hand.html)

Man versus Machine (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/faq/20257-man-versus-machine.html)

[ihaveacamaro]

You have two hours until the deal is gone, but if you see this, JUMP on it!

$200 on sale right now until 11 AM Porter Cable 5.5 x 7/8 Inch CCS Foam Pad Kit, buffing pads, foam pads, Porter Cable dual action polisher (http://www.autogeek.net/poca55x78inc.html)

[jam3s121]

Thanks for the replies, if I had the money for the PC kit right now I would buy it.. sadly I don't until janurary was thinking a tax return gift for myself.


I think If I have time I might try to clean up the car sometime this week, maybe just do a single panel.

When I do this I want to
clay the car/panel
tape a spot
prime my pad
use UC by hand to remove any swirls I can
use the meguiars polish
use the wax

are the polish/wax just simply apply, and then dry off?

I am hoping to get a DA soon though, it seems like if I do I'll need some orange pads, the pad conditioner, etc.

Should I possibly try a ligher compound then UC first though?

[ShinyRex]

I worked by hand for 2 years before I jumped to a DA. Mainly because my parking area didn't have power outlets so I had to wait until I moved. One of my favorite purchases was the Wolfgang Polishing pal kit.

You want some nice foam pads for your polishing steps, working by hand it is easy to use too much pressure on the finger tips. The polishing pal helps to make sure you are applying even pressure.

I made several mistakes when I started off one was assuming I couldn't use UC with a MF cloth and cause damage. So be careful and take is slow. You shouldn't have that issue using foam and following Mike's advice.

Meguiars makes great stuff and are my go to products when I need something OTC but as you delve further down this road you will notice that there are a lot of great products out there but some are a better value than others, especially when you buy in bulk or break down your cost per ounce e.g. Ultima WW+

Good luck and enjoy!

[ShinyRex]

Should I possibly try a ligher compound then UC first though?

It never hurts to go lighter first. Your kit has ultimate polish, so that is an option. Although the oils in it may mask some of your swirls leading you to believe you have removed them so make sure to read up on IPA wipe downs to check your work.

Working by hand is tedious and even on soft paints it is a struggle to see a difference, so don't give up easily;)

[jam3s121]

I know what you mean about the ultimate polish, whenever I wax my car with ultimate quik spray wax a very noticeable scratch on the roof of the car is completely gone for a week.. then it starts to show again.


and yes I see some great products constantly being recommended that aren't available OTC I'm trying to take a look at and possibly get.

thanks for info!