Car Detailing 101
#41
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Join Date: May 16, 2011
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Most car wash shampoos will do just fine. Just make sure to correctly dilute your shampoo to the manufacturers directions. Many shampoos dilute 128:1 AKA one ounce of shampoo per gallon of water it is to be diluted into. Some are 64:1, and others go all the way up to 1500:1 depending on how the shampoo was made and how concentrated it is.
#42
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Join Date: July 26, 2011
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Here are the items I bought
1 "Swissvax SE1054090 Wheel Cleaning Brush"
Automotive; $15.99
In Stock
Sold by: Amazon.com LLC
1 "Meguiar's Complete Car Care Kit"
Automotive; $40.00
In Stock
Sold by: Amazon.com LLC
1 "Carrand 40059AS Microfiber MAX Supreme Deep Pile Fiber Drying Towel - 6 sqaure ft."
Automotive; $10.73
In Stock
Sold by: Amazon.com LLC
1 "Meguiar's X2020 Supreme Shine Microfiber Cloths (Pack of 3)"
Automotive; $7.99
In Stock
Sold by: Amazon.com LLC
1 "Meguiar's X3080 EvenCoat Applicator - Pack of 2"
Automotive; $6.15
In Stock
Sold by: Amazon.com LLC
1 "Meguiar's G-9524 Hot Rims All Wheel Cleaner. 24 oz."
Automotive; $5.87
In Stock
Sold by: Amazon.com LLC
1 "EZ Detail Brush"
$21.95
In Stock
Sold by: Palm Beach Motoring Accessories
1 "Grit Guard Insert"
$6.95
In Stock
Sold by: Professional Car Care
1 "Grit Guard Insert"
$6.95
In Stock
Sold by: Professional Car Care
1 2pack griot wash mitt from a different site
will get 2 wash buckets from walmart
Now I need the best detailing process to maintain my car without scratching or losing color
1 "Swissvax SE1054090 Wheel Cleaning Brush"
Automotive; $15.99
In Stock
Sold by: Amazon.com LLC
1 "Meguiar's Complete Car Care Kit"
Automotive; $40.00
In Stock
Sold by: Amazon.com LLC
1 "Carrand 40059AS Microfiber MAX Supreme Deep Pile Fiber Drying Towel - 6 sqaure ft."
Automotive; $10.73
In Stock
Sold by: Amazon.com LLC
1 "Meguiar's X2020 Supreme Shine Microfiber Cloths (Pack of 3)"
Automotive; $7.99
In Stock
Sold by: Amazon.com LLC
1 "Meguiar's X3080 EvenCoat Applicator - Pack of 2"
Automotive; $6.15
In Stock
Sold by: Amazon.com LLC
1 "Meguiar's G-9524 Hot Rims All Wheel Cleaner. 24 oz."
Automotive; $5.87
In Stock
Sold by: Amazon.com LLC
1 "EZ Detail Brush"
$21.95
In Stock
Sold by: Palm Beach Motoring Accessories
1 "Grit Guard Insert"
$6.95
In Stock
Sold by: Professional Car Care
1 "Grit Guard Insert"
$6.95
In Stock
Sold by: Professional Car Care
1 2pack griot wash mitt from a different site
will get 2 wash buckets from walmart
Now I need the best detailing process to maintain my car without scratching or losing color
#43
I Have No Life
Thread Starter
That looks fine, sai. Now remember, all the best detailing equipment won't do you any good if you don't use them properly. Make you take your time and take great care not marr or swirl or scratch your paint during the wash and dry process....
#44
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^ +1
The wash process is the mist important part. Be in the shade if you can, make sure your mitt is properly lubed up with soap so nothing will drag across the paint, start from the roof and work your way down hitting the wheels last. I find that using vertical strokes (follow direction of airflow) helps because it lowers risj for swirl marks. Use long overlapping strokes. If you have something you can use as a pre-soak i found that helps too. I ise Ultima Waterless Wash+ but any waterless wash or quick detailer will do. Just tossin in my .2
The wash process is the mist important part. Be in the shade if you can, make sure your mitt is properly lubed up with soap so nothing will drag across the paint, start from the roof and work your way down hitting the wheels last. I find that using vertical strokes (follow direction of airflow) helps because it lowers risj for swirl marks. Use long overlapping strokes. If you have something you can use as a pre-soak i found that helps too. I ise Ultima Waterless Wash+ but any waterless wash or quick detailer will do. Just tossin in my .2
#45
I Have No Life
Thread Starter
^ +1
The wash process is the mist important part. Be in the shade if you can, make sure your mitt is properly lubed up with soap so nothing will drag across the paint, start from the roof and work your way down hitting the wheels last. I find that using vertical strokes (follow direction of airflow) helps because it lowers risj for swirl marks. Use long overlapping strokes. If you have something you can use as a pre-soak i found that helps too. I ise Ultima Waterless Wash+ but any waterless wash or quick detailer will do. Just tossin in my .2
The wash process is the mist important part. Be in the shade if you can, make sure your mitt is properly lubed up with soap so nothing will drag across the paint, start from the roof and work your way down hitting the wheels last. I find that using vertical strokes (follow direction of airflow) helps because it lowers risj for swirl marks. Use long overlapping strokes. If you have something you can use as a pre-soak i found that helps too. I ise Ultima Waterless Wash+ but any waterless wash or quick detailer will do. Just tossin in my .2
Presoak is good too depending on severity of dirt (if caked on) etc. I use a foam gun, both pressurized and hose versions. Good stuff.
#46
A Man Just Needs Some....
So I finally started some paint correcting yesterday. All day yesterday and only about half way done. I put a couple progress pics on the coast to coast thread but I'll try and do some type of little right up on this thread when I'm done. It's not easy at all but definitely worth it.
#47
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Originally Posted by AlsCobra
So I finally started some paint correcting yesterday. All day yesterday and only about half way done. I put a couple progress pics on the coast to coast thread but I'll try and do some type of little right up on this thread when I'm done. It's not easy at all but definitely worth it.
#48
I Have No Life
Thread Starter
So I finally started some paint correcting yesterday. All day yesterday and only about half way done. I put a couple progress pics on the coast to coast thread but I'll try and do some type of little right up on this thread when I'm done. It's not easy at all but definitely worth it.
#49
A Man Just Needs Some....
Yep. I just put up a couple pics on that thread. I have a pinnacle intermediate swirl kit that is just ok. I'm also using some meguires products that are actually saving me some time. Meg's ultimate compound, scratch 2.0, and ultimate polish. So I'm using about six different products right now. Lol.
#50
I Have No Life
Thread Starter
Yep. I just put up a couple pics on that thread. I have a pinnacle intermediate swirl kit that is just ok. I'm also using some meguires products that are actually saving me some time. Meg's ultimate compound, scratch 2.0, and ultimate polish. So I'm using about six different products right now. Lol.
and what polisher/machine did you use? Sorry, but I get all excited about detailing...esp hearing all about what other people are doing.
#51
A Man Just Needs Some....
Can't link it because I'm on the app but it is in the general mustang chat section. Mustang Coast to Coast from yesterday.
I bought the porter Cable 7424 XP with a pinnacle pad and chemical kit. I'll definitely post some pics and process descriptions here when I have a good bit of time.
I bought the porter Cable 7424 XP with a pinnacle pad and chemical kit. I'll definitely post some pics and process descriptions here when I have a good bit of time.
#52
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Originally Posted by FromZto5
Do you have a link to that thread, please?
and what polisher/machine did you use? Sorry, but I get all excited about detailing...esp hearing all about what other people are doing.
#53
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Join Date: May 16, 2011
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#55
A Man Just Needs Some....
Update. I have at least 10-12 hrs in it so far. Sheet metal done but not the bumpers. Perfection is unobtainable but much improvement. Truly I have a new found respect for professional detailers and I would recommend paying the pros to do it for you. NO its not worth it to DIY.
I'm really liking the results but I have saved no money and costed me a lot of time to do it myself. Not worth it IMO.
I'm really liking the results but I have saved no money and costed me a lot of time to do it myself. Not worth it IMO.
#56
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Update. I have at least 10-12 hrs in it so far. Sheet metal done but not the bumpers. Perfection is unobtainable but much improvement. Truly I have a new found respect for professional detailers and I would recommend paying the pros to do it for you. NO its not worth it to DIY.
I'm really liking the results but I have saved no money and costed me a lot of time to do it myself. Not worth it IMO.
I'm really liking the results but I have saved no money and costed me a lot of time to do it myself. Not worth it IMO.
#57
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Originally Posted by AlsCobra
Update. I have at least 10-12 hrs in it so far. Sheet metal done but not the bumpers. Perfection is unobtainable but much improvement. Truly I have a new found respect for professional detailers and I would recommend paying the pros to do it for you. NO its not worth it to DIY.
I'm really liking the results but I have saved no money and costed me a lot of time to do it myself. Not worth it IMO.
I'm really liking the results but I have saved no money and costed me a lot of time to do it myself. Not worth it IMO.
#58
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What do you do with decals and clear bras? No polishing and clay bar obviously but do you do everything else? I have some rubber marks on my clear bra from the track and I scratched it up trying to remove them.
#59
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You actually can polish clear-bras, but it should only be done by hand or with a DA polisher. You might not fully restore clarity, but it'll greatly improve the look for sure.
#60
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Originally Posted by 5 DOT 0
What do you do with decals and clear bras? No polishing and clay bar obviously but do you do everything else? I have some rubber marks on my clear bra from the track and I scratched it up trying to remove them.