Hi Everyone,
As a newbie myself, I have been searching through the forums and have come across a number of old threads that I think still have valuable information that every newbie could benefit from (
and may clear up some of the typical "newbie confusion" and help a little with the infamous "newbie information overload" syndrome
).
Perhaps this thread could become a sticky like the "Decoder Ring" thread and could be added to over time...?
Besides learning the basics of the process, one of my biggest questions is:
What are the gentlest products that will make my car look good now, but also maintain it for the long run so that it will still look good in another 20-30 years?
Here's what I found helpful in answering this question:
-Is there anything you would do different if you were looking to preserve your car versus make it as shiny as possible?:
good products for the long-term?
-Hazards of Over Polishing Paint:
Over Polishing Paint - Autopia.org
-Compounds, Polishes, and Glazes organized by cutting ability:
Seeking additions/corrections to abrasives list
-Validity of "Autopia's Abrasive Scale:"
Is there an Autopia "abrasive scale"?
-Chart of Manufacturer's cutting ability and foam pad choices:
Detailer's Product Charts
-Abrasives Levels of Meguair's Products:
question about meguiars products
-Polishes versus Glazes (Specific to Meguaiar's products):
Meguiar's and the glaze/polish confusion
Feel free to reply to this post with other threads you have found helpful, or provide great answers to FAQs (i.e., tips for black/dark cars, detailing machine basics, clear coat failure, oxidation, scratches, swirls, hand detailing techniques/products etc.). Please add a title or header above the threads for easier browsing in the future (I will also try to edit this post so that all the information can be accessed in the first post).
Thanks.
**Edit (Includes links through comment #27 on page 3):
The links are coming in! Thanks everyone!
Below, I've tried organizing them by category for easier searching (Some topics are included in more than one category):
The Basics (The Place to Start):
-Autopia Learning Library:
AUTOPIA LEARNING LIBRARY - Autopia.org
-Including "The Guide to Detailing:"
Guide to Detailing - Autopia.org
-And, The "Paint Clinic:"
Paint Clinic - Autopia.org
-As well as Articles and Videos:
Detailing Articles & Videos - Autopia.org Car Detailing videos - How to detail, polish and wax your Car Paint:
-The "Paint Clinic:"
Paint Clinic - Autopia.org
-The Clearcoat Failure Archive (great pictures of CC failure):
The Clearcoat Failure Photo Archive - Car Care Forums: Meguiar's Online
-How to Tell if You Have Clear Coat:
meguiars.com: FAQ - How can I tell if I have a clear coat finish?
-Oxidation Pictures:
Need Quick Replies! Oxidation Help! - Car Care Forums: Meguiar's Online
1998 Black Altima (image heavy) - Car Care Forums: Meguiar's Online
-Paint Workability (Hard versus Soft Paint):
Paint Workability - The Hardness or Softness of your car's paint - Car Care Forums: Meguiar's Online
-Soft Paint:
What is the meaning of soft paint? - Car Care Forums: Meguiar's Online
-How Much Paint are You Removing?:
How much paint are you removing. - Car Care Forums: Meguiar's Online
-Paint and Detailing with Diagrams:
Detailing basics - diagrams & dialog (long but worthwhile) - DetailCity.org - Auto Detailing Forum
-Which Method Removes More Paint?:
Wetsanding vs. Rotary vs. PC, what removes more paint? (The answer may shock you)
-Swirl Removal by Hand:
** Test - Swirl Removal By Hand ** - Autopia.org
-Chip repair...in three simple weeks!:
Chip repair...in three simple weeks! - Autopia.org
-A small "how-to" on chip repair/wetsanding (by Picus):
A small "how-to" on chip repair/wetsanding + spring cleaning (black G35) (56k = owie) - Autopia.org
-Method for fixing deep scratches and rock chips:
Method for fixing deep scratches and rock chips - bimmerfest - BMW Forums
-Removing Water Spots From Paint:
How To Remove Water Spots - Car Care Forums: Meguiar's Online
-Factory Paint Versus Re-paint:
what's the concensus=is factory paint superior to reconditioning one ? Techniques:
-Accumulator's Non-Marring Wash Technique:
Accumulator's Non-Marring Wash Technique
-Scottwax "how I wash cars" thread (contains current product list):
Since others are posting "how I wash cars" threads, here is mine - Autopia.org
-Little Tricks You've Learned:
the 'little tricks you've learned' thread
-Efficiency Tips:
http://www.autopia.org/forum/profess...ency-tips.html
-Straight Line Versus Circular Application:
Circles or Straight Lines? - Car Care Forums: Meguiar's Online
-How long should I leave X product (i.e., paint cleaner, polish, etc.) on before removing?:
Which products need to dry before removing? - Car Care Forums: Meguiar's Online
-Plastic Lighting Restoration (GSRstilez):
Plastic Lighting Restoration - A Guide to... - Autopia.org
-Applying Masking Tape (How to Tape Off a Car):
MASKING- Looking for the RIGHT way to do it - Car Care Forums: Meguiar's Online
-Removing Tape Residue:
oh no... masking tape residue stuck on plastic... Glass:
-Glass Cleaning Technique:
My Glass Cleaning Method
-Glass Cleaning (Waterspots):
Glass Cleaning
Especially post #12 (on page one) by TOGWT
-Detailing Glass:
Detailing Glass Carpet:
-Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning by GSRstilez:
Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning by GSRstilez - Autopia.org
-David Fermani's process for Manually Cleaning Carpets:
My Process for Manually Cleaning Carpets
-Carpet Cleaning Techniques and Extractor Discussion:
http://www.autopia.org/forum/profess...ips-using.html
Especially Comment #25 by Grouse here:
Just purchases a Mytee Lite II...any tips for using
-Shop Vac Tip:
More efficient vacuuming Leather:
--Note: I've been informed that some of these links may contain some wrong info. See comments #16 and #20 below. Update to follow...
-Proper Leather Care:
Proper Leather Care
-Leather Treatment Clinic:
My leather treatment clinic - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)
-Leatherique Product Review:
Product Review: Leatherique Leather System Metal:
-Aluminum:
Taking aluminum to autopian standard?
-Best Metal Polish:
Best metal polish?
-Emblems:
How to clean emblems Products:
-Advice on Searching for "Best Products":
Ever get tired of these "What's the best product or products threads?"
-Scottwax "how I wash cars" thread (contains current product list):
Since others are posting "how I wash cars" threads, here is mine - Autopia.org
-GSRstilez's Hall of Fame Products (aka My Favorites) - v.2k5:
GSRstilez’s Hall of Fame Products (aka My Favorites) - v.2k4 - Autopia.org
-Top Products (Various):
Detail Throwdown: List your top products...
-Member Picks-- If You Could Only Have One Product (in each care category):
Suppose you could only have one of each product...
-Member Product Collection Photos:
Post Pics of Your Detailing Supplies Here!
-How to use Zaino (with comments by Sal Zaino):
How to use Zaino (with comments by Sal Zaino) - Autopia.org
-Zaino Z5 Pro vs. Zaino Z2 Pro - thoughts & images:
Zaino Z5 Pro vs. Zaino Z2 Pro - thoughts & images - Autopia.org
-Meguiar's #7, by Mike Phillips:
Meguiar's #7, by Mike Phillips
-Best Pure (Paint) Polish?:
Best Pure Polish?
-Best Metal Polish:
Best metal polish?
-Carpet Cleaning Techniques and Extractor Discussion:
http://www.autopia.org/forum/profess...ips-using.html
-Leatherique Product Review:
Product Review: Leatherique Leather System Machine Detailing:
-Where and What to Tape:
Where/What to Tape?
-Applying Masking Tape (How to Tape Off a Car):
MASKING- Looking for the RIGHT way to do it - Car Care Forums: Meguiar's Online
-Which Method Removes More Paint?:
Wetsanding vs. Rotary vs. PC, what removes more paint? (The answer may shock you)
-A guide to rotary polishing..........including the Zenith Point Rotary Technique:buffer:
A guide to rotary polishing - Autopia.org
-Rotary Polishing Guide by Dave KG:
http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/foru...ypolishing.pdf
-DA Polishing Guide by Dave KG
http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/foru...apolishing.pdf
-Some "how to"s; how to use #83, the
Menzernas, and how to make the PC do rotary work:
Some "how to"s; how to use #83, the Menzernas, and how to make the PC do rotary work - Autopia.org
-Menzerna polish “break down” stages part II by blkyukon:
Polish break down stages - Autopia.org After Detail Clean-Up:
-Removing Tape Residue:
oh no... masking tape residue stuck on plastic...
-Caring for detailing towels, pads, etc.:
Thoughts and Insights
-Towel and Applicator Care:
Towel & Applicator Care
-Supply Organization:
How do you organize products? Words of Encouragement and Advice:
-All you Need is Technique and Patience:
Technique and patience
-Worst Mistakes:
what's the worst mistake you've made while detailing?
-Car Washing Horror Stories:
Car Washing Horror Stories
-Craziest Detailing "Advice":
Craziest detailing "advise" you have heard...
-Detailing Misconceptions:
Most commonly encountered detailing misinformation??
Helpful Threads For Newbies 
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