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  1. #1
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    Detailing piece by piece?

    Hello AGO community,

    I recently joined this forum because I recently purchased my first "new" (certified used) car. I want to keep the car condition as nice as possible internally (engine) and externally (paint, trims, etc.) I live in an apartment that has a space to wash cars where I can hand wash my baby. But they don't have electrical outlet nearby.

    After reading Mike Phillip's post: Man vs. Machine, I decided that I'm gonna have to spend time detailing by hand. I know it's going to take a looooong time to detail the whole car. My question: is it possible to detail (wash, clay, compound, polish, sealant, wax) my car by hand panel by panel? For example: this Saturday I'm gonna do full detail cycle on the hood, next Saturday full cycle on the front bumper, next Saturday the fender, next the doors, next, rear bumper, etc. I realize it may take 4/5 weekends to fully detail the car.

    Has anyone done this? Any tips? Or any other alternative?

  2. #2
    Super Member cleanmycorolla's Avatar
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    Re: Detailing piece by piece?

    I'd just wait to get a polisher, but thats just me. It can be done but don't expect to use your arms for a month! :-)
    Back to the full-time grind.

  3. #3
    Super Member jamesboyy's Avatar
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    Re: Detailing piece by piece?

    I don't see why you cant just make sure after the compounding/polishing step be sure to protect your hard work by putting a sealant or wax, and removing any bird dropping as soon as possible

  4. #4
    Super Member Becciasm's Avatar
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    Re: Detailing piece by piece?

    Depending on your environment, it will save more time over the long run to wash and decon (clay, IX, etc) the entire vehicle - paint, glass, wheels - in one go, then step through your compounding/polishing steps when you can.

    Protect your surfaces with a sealant or wax in the mean time.

    Don't worry that the LSP will effect your polishing - if compounds can cut through clear coat, a few mm of sealant will not be any extra effort.

    You know then that your whole vehicle is clean, decontaminated, and ready for the next step.

    If you live in a nice area or keep the car garaged, you may only need to do a waterless wash or rinseless wash then on the areas you're looking to compound.

    But even if you do have to wash the entire vehicle, it'll be a quick wash, as you've already done the majority of the grunt work on the first detailing decon wash.

    I used to do my 'paint correction' similar to this way, prior to machine polishing.

    Quote Originally Posted by jamesboyy View Post
    I don't see why you cant just make sure after the compounding/polishing step be sure to protect your hard work by putting a sealant or wax, and removing any bird dropping as soon as possible
    what he said.
    I believe in becoming who I am (Translation: You learn everyday.)
    <-Bubba

  5. #5
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    Re: Detailing piece by piece?

    so let me get this... Based on what you guys said, I have this progression:

    Day 1: wash, clay, seal/wax
    Day 2: quick wash, compound/polish one panel, re-seal/wax that one panel
    Day 3: quick wash, compound/polish another panel, re-seal/wax that one panel.
    Repeat on each panel until the whole car is cleaned, decon-ed, and protected.

    Is that about the idea?

  6. #6
    Super Member cleanmycorolla's Avatar
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    Re: Detailing piece by piece?

    Quote Originally Posted by vleong2332 View Post
    so let me get this... Based on what you guys said, I have this progression:

    Day 1: wash, clay, seal/wax
    Day 2: quick wash, compound/polish one panel, re-seal/wax that one panel
    Day 3: quick wash, compound/polish another panel, re-seal/wax that one panel.
    Repeat on each panel until the whole car is cleaned, decon-ed, and protected.

    Is that about the idea?
    A good idea would be not compounding and polishing at all by hand and for now using a paint cleaner or an all in one like Meguiars White Wax. You could do the entire car in one day, clean, and wax with the Meguiars.
    Back to the full-time grind.

  7. #7
    Super Member HateSwirls's Avatar
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    Sure you can do it by hand.
    Yes it will take longer but you can make a big impact.

    Take your time working only a 16x16 area at a time.

    Products that would work for you.

    Meguiar's Ultimate Compound and Meguiar's 205 fine polish.

    Focus on one panel at at time, don't rush it and you'll be fine

    Good Luck!


    Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using AG Online
    cajundetailingbykevin.com
    vpcajun@gmail.com

  8. #8
    Regular Member Eric's Avatar
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    Re: Detailing piece by piece?

    I did my detailing by hand for a long time. I'll never do it again.

    Why not just go buy a polisher and be done with it? If money is an issue you could grab Harbor Freight's DA (I have it and it's great). For less than $100 you could have the DA, a good backing plate (factory one sucks) and some pads.

  9. #9
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    Re: Detailing piece by piece?

    1. Work a few hour of overtime

    2. Buy a DA at Harbor Freight

    3. Do one detail for a friend ($75)

    4. Buy a used PC7424

  10. #10
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    Re: Detailing piece by piece?

    Quote Originally Posted by Eric View Post
    I did my detailing by hand for a long time. I'll never do it again.

    Why not just go buy a polisher and be done with it? If money is an issue you could grab Harbor Freight's DA (I have it and it's great). For less than $100 you could have the DA, a good backing plate (factory one sucks) and some pads.
    He stated no electrical outlet nearby.

    How far is your apartment from where you park? Long extension cord may work.

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