So I've had my car for about 2 months now, and every weekend except one I have washed it, dried it thoroughly, waxed it, and cleaned the glass and interior. I haven't put anything on the tires, since whatever they used at the dealership still seems to be on the tires after I wash them. However, I would like to take the morning tomorrow and give it a good detail, turns out detailing is a good stress reliever. I don't have any budget for new products or cloths, and I do not own a buffer. Should I be waxing once a week? I have been hit by bird crap 5-6 times now, and removed it as quickly as I could, but they still all left dark spots on the paint. Also, what exactly is the Cleaner Wax used for? Thats what I used at first before I got the Carnauba wax. I'm looking for some guidelines as to how I should go about detailing tomorrow. The products I have to work with are the pics below, along with cotton towels and about 5 cheap microfiber cloths. Thanks!

 

Once a week is a little excessive. What I do is do a "dual LSP" (last step product, at this time mine is Meguiar's #21 synthetic sealant topped with S100 Carnauba paste wax) when I do my annual spring detail, then I do a panel at a time with the S100 when I wash it. In a few weeks time the protection is renewed. The S100 Carnauba topper is the "sacrificial layer". What I like about it is it is a hard paste was that goes on real easy and comes off real easy.


Bird bombs are highly acidic... they can etch into your paintwork rather quickly, especially on the vehicle's horizontal surfaces, where they tend to accumulate. Add a dark color like Kona Blue, where paint temps in the sun can reach 160+ degrees in the hot summer sun and it will damage your paintwork You have to get them off asap; don't let it them stay on too long. I carry a detailing kit in each of my vehicles... microfibers, quick detailer, glass cleaner, interior quick detailer, leather cleaning wipes, etc.

Cleaner wax contains mild abrasive to help remove stains and environmental damage from a vehicle.


You're going to need a lot more microfibers... if you have a Costco, BJ's Wholesale club or a Sam's Club near you, you can get a bundle of microfibers that are decent for about $15 to $20.

Do yourself a favor and go to www.autopia.org, www.autogeek.com, www.meguiars.com, www.detailedimage.com to find out proper techniques to detail your car. You've invested a signiifcant amount of money on a new Mustang, spend a few $$$ and protect that investment!

 

^ he said it all! Of course very broad topics but still valuable none the less. If you have any specific questions feel free to ask. I know MarcHarris and FromZto5 are very knowledgable guys about detailing and im learning from them. Shoot em a PM or maybe theyll hop on the forum. Hope to see fresh pics soon

 

Yea I try to get rid of the bird bombs as quickly as I can, but most of them have happened at night. What can I do with the product shown to maximize my detailing potential? Will spending a day using the cleaner wax and scratch-x help clean up the bird bomb spots and finishing off with a couple layers of carnauba wax be enough for a while, and use the spray detailer after washing for the next few weekends? Hopefully once I start my new job I'll be able to get some new MF cloths, I do have a BJs membership.

 

DaGonz is right on!

 

Kona.. Detailed Image has the "ask a pro" section where Marc Harris is a contributor. If you take the time to look through the articles by Marc, Todd Cooperider, Chad Raskovich and the other pro detailers there, the answers you seek will be found.

I go there for information and inspiration...

 

+1. Ive gone and checked it out a couple times but mostly ive been asking around on here. Either way there are plenty of sources and plenty of guys (and gals) to ask and any question surely will have an answer

 

I didn't know you checked out articles but it's nice to hear. If you ever have an idea for one or there's something you'd like covered that hasn't been - let me know

 

Thank you.. I did write an article about fire apparatus detailing back in 1992 for Firehouse Magazine, and I have been thinking about doing an updated one...there have been so many changes in detailing tools and products in the last 20 years!