How To Detail Your Brand New Car by Mike Phillips

[Mike Phillips]

Only thing missing is claying, polishing if needed and coating the glass.

I guess I'm not sure the context of your above statement.

In the FIRST post of my article I wrote this...



So after getting your brand new car, or your new-to-you used car home, here's what you do.

1. Wash and dry.
2. Inspect the paint with your sense of touch and visually in bright, overhead sunlight.
3. Iron X paint and wheels - Then re-wash to remove the Iron X residues off the paint and wheels.
4. Clay - If needed. Your inspection will tell you.
5. Polish - If needed. Your inspection will tell you.
6. Apply either a Car Wax or a Paint Sealant

[Cman8]

Hey mike,
I just got my new car getting delivered sometime this month. Do you suggest if everything is well with the paint to just go with the Detailer’s Paint, Wheel & Glass Coating Complete Kit if everything looks good? or should I do the original steps and go with the kit after a wax or sealant?

[Mike Phillips]

Sorry I just now found this post....

Hey mike,
I just got my new car getting delivered sometime this month.

Do you suggest if everything is well with the paint to just go with the Detailer’s Paint, Wheel & Glass Coating Complete Kit if everything looks good?

Yes.

If it passes the baggie test and you don't see any swirls keep it simple and use the kit.

Here's at least two cars that I did not clay or polish but went right to the cleansing polish before coating them. (after wiping them clean of course).



Cleaned & Coated in 3 Hours - 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee




How to detail a 2014 Corvette Stingray

or should I do the original steps and go with the kit after a wax or sealant?

If you don't need to mechanically decontaminate then don't. If there are no visible swirls you don't have to but my experience is a fine cut polish applied by machine to even a new finish will 100% for sure maximize gloss and clarity.

The chemically strip and coat.

The wax and sealants would only be applied after the coating, not before.

[Mike Phillips]

For everyone reading this, even if you have a brand new car it could still have iron contaminants....

The only way to know is by using an iron remover. Keep in mind that ideally you want to use an iron remover BUT you don't actually want to discover iron particles.

It's kind of like car insurance. You want to have it but you never want to use it.


Tip for Iron X users - Rinse well to avoid molding drip

[Larry S]

Mike, when you say maybe use a fine cut polish. What would be some examples of that? Wolfgang finishing glaze? what else? Black label cleansing polish? I have a new white 2014 Fiat 500L.


Thanks,
Larry

[Mike Phillips]

Mike, when you say maybe use a fine cut polish. What would be some examples of that?

Wolfgang finishing glaze? what else?

Here's a few fine cut polishes off the top of my head...


Menzerna 3000, 4000

Meguiar's M205

Optimum Finish

Sonax Nano Polish

Pinnacle Advanced Finishing Polish

Blackfire SRC Finishing Polish

Mother's Finishing Polish

Rupes Keramik Fine Cut Polish (I like how they put the cut level right on the front label, it's as though they read my how-to book when they labeled their products)

Black label cleansing polish?

That product has the word "polish" in the name but it's non-abrasive. It's purpose is to remove the polishing oils off the paint from products like listed above as well as other things.

I have a new white 2014 Fiat 500L.

Cool. We'll throw it in the back of my truck and call it a spare...


Just kidding.... cool car. We buffed a white Fiat 500 out down here last summer.


Video and Pictures: 2012 Fiat 500 - Chemical Guys Show Car Makeover

[Larry S]

Thanks for the response Mike. I have the new 4 Door model, not so small as the 500.
Larry

[RAMRebel]

I have question on the Iron-X, is it safe to let run over the badges and fender flares etc? I have read you are not supposed to let it dry, and to rinse all the trim well to avoid residual streaking. Just wondering if it is necessary to mask off the trim somehow? Thoughts?

[RAMRebel]

Also, another question. What is the proper method to detail the brand new engine? I've looked at the how to threads on detailing engines, and they are really great! However what is a good plan of attack (and what to use) for the brand new engine?

[Mike Phillips]

I have question on the Iron-X, is it safe to let run over the badges and fender flares etc? I have read you are not supposed to let it dry, and to rinse all the trim well to avoid residual streaking. Just wondering if it is necessary to mask off the trim somehow? Thoughts?

I have pretty much sprayed Iron X on just about everything and then before it can dry I've either agitated or rinsed and so far no problems.