Order of Detailing Steps

[willowcat11]

Hi All,

Has Mike Phillips written any articles on, or is there a general Norm, for the ORDER in which to do both Exterior and Interior Detail steps?

I have been searching the forums and haven't found one on that yet.

Thanks All!


Ray

[ajack6292]

I'm a relative rookie to AGO, but I'm also a little OCD so this is a topic that really appeals and I hope some of the real experts chime in.
This is for the traditional wash that I do every time. Other stuff needs cleaning or treating on a regular basis but not every time.
1. Vac the crud that accumulates in the hood and trunk to make it easier to dry - I park outside with lots of trees around
2. Wheel wells, then wheels and tires
3. Wash the body, squeegee and dry
4. Clean / dry door jambs, hood and trunk lids, gas cap
5. Dress tires
6. Exterior windows
7. Dust / wipe down interior, brush out buttons, vents, creases, etc.
8. Clean pedals
9. Interior windows
10. Vac
Then stand back and admire.
Oh, adult beverages on an a frequent basis throughout the process. :-)
Feed back please

[willowcat11]

Ajack6292, Thanks for that detailed layout man! Appreciate it a lot!

Have a great one Dude!


Ray

[dcjredline]

There are many many many posts on this. There is no real order you should follow. It is a preference, as far as outside first or inside first. You can do what ever you like or feels right to you.

Here is my "normal" routine

1. Engine & door jambs sprayed with degreaser and power washer
2. Wheels & Wheel wells
3. Exterior wash
4. Exterior decontamination
5. Interior cleaning + windows
6. Exterior paint conditioning (compound & polish, or AIO, or just wax)
7. Exterior windows
8. Dress all trim, tires, wheel wells.
9. QD door jambs
10. Final vacuum

[cardaddy]

....
3. Wash the body, squeegee and dry
....
Then stand back and admire.
Oh, adult beverages on an a frequent basis throughout the process. :-)
Feed back please

Multi step process.... check.

Adult beverages... check.

SQUEEGEE????!!! :eek:

Say it ain't so! :dunno:

[Desertnate]

Multi step process.... check.

Adult beverages... check.

SQUEEGEE????!!! :eek:

Say it ain't so! :dunno:

Yikes! Agree. I've seen swirls develop when I used an Absorber which is much softer than a squeegee. I can't imagine what that will do to the paint.

My process follows much along what everyone else does. The only variable is the interior. Based on the availability of daylight and outdoor temps I'll move the interior work to either the beginning or the end of the process.

[7PaintGuns]

I've been using a water blade coated with rain x for 10 years. Am I the only one who does interior first?

[MikeC78]

No. Interior first makes more sense to me.

[ajack6292]

I've been using a water blade coated with rain x for 10 years. Am I the only one who does interior first?

Yikes. It's a silicone waterblade, never again to be known as a squeegee.