Ask the Autogeek! Question & Answer Thread

[jcwouts]

Hello everyone, newb here. I just picked up a 2005 VW Jetta which had never been polished or waxed before. I live in Ontario Canada so the winters can be very harsh. I plan to store my car for the winter from here on in but Im looking to add some protection and get rid of some moderate swirls and a few 'semi-deep' scratches.

I've spent quite a few hours on various forums gathering some info(it's never ending!!). I just wanted some opinions on what I plan to do. It looks something like this:

1. Wash and dry (2 buckets)
2. Mother's clay bar
3. Wash again
4. Menzerna PO203 white pad to start/orange pad if swirls still there
5. Menzerna SIP w/ orange pad ONLY IF swirls are still there after step #4
6. Menzerna PO85 with a blue pad
7. Klasse AIO w/ white pad
8. Klasse SG (3 coats) w/ black pad
9. P21s with blue pad

I will be using a PC 7424XP with LC pads

I've heard a lot of good things about Menzerna and Klasse so that's why Im trying to incorporate them both.
If I used the AIO, would I be removing the PO85 that I have applied?
I also plan to use Chemical Guys 'Citrus Wash' to remove old wax (NXT 2.0 was applied about a month ago) before I begin the swirl removal process.

Any help/opinions anyone could give me would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers.....

[jason@autogeek]

Originally Posted by Seifer780

2003 Audi A4 Quattro. I'm trying to do a basic clean of the DASHBOARD, the DOORS and STEERING WHEEL to remove the grime that has been building up over the years. What is the best types of products to use in order to remove the dirt, and add some shine without getting that slick-to-the-touch greasy feel?

Listing some literal products would be GREAT so I can get some instead of trying to guess at "Would this be considered a soap or a detergent?" "Is the strength of this solution too strong?" etc.

One of my favorite combos for interior cleaning and protection without a shiny look or greasy feel is to clean first with DP Total Interior Cleaner and then protect the interior with 303 Aerospace Protectant.

DP Total Interior Cleaner

303 Aersospace Protectant

303 can be used on many interior surfaces such as vinyl, rubber and leather. For a specific leather conditioner, take a look at Wolfgang Leather Care Conditioner

[jason@autogeek]

Originally Posted by jcwouts

Hello everyone, newb here. I just picked up a 2005 VW Jetta which had never been polished or waxed before. I live in Ontario Canada so the winters can be very harsh. I plan to store my car for the winter from here on in but Im looking to add some protection and get rid of some moderate swirls and a few 'semi-deep' scratches.

I've spent quite a few hours on various forums gathering some info(it's never ending!!). I just wanted some opinions on what I plan to do. It looks something like this:

1. Wash and dry (2 buckets)
2. Mother's clay bar
3. Wash again
4. Menzerna PO203 white pad to start/orange pad if swirls still there
5. Menzerna SIP w/ orange pad ONLY IF swirls are still there after step #4
6. Menzerna PO85 with a blue pad
7. Klasse AIO w/ white pad
8. Klasse SG (3 coats) w/ black pad
9. P21s with blue pad

I will be using a PC 7424XP with LC pads

I've heard a lot of good things about Menzerna and Klasse so that's why Im trying to incorporate them both.
If I used the AIO, would I be removing the PO85 that I have applied?
I also plan to use Chemical Guys 'Citrus Wash' to remove old wax (NXT 2.0 was applied about a month ago) before I begin the swirl removal process.

Any help/opinions anyone could give me would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers.....

Is that PO85U or PO85RD? I would suggest the PO85RD. After you use the Klasse AIO none of the previous products will be left on the paint and that is a good thing since the AIO makes the best surface for the Klasse SG to bond to.

You have a good plan and the paint should look beautiful when you are finished. I would also do 2-3 layers of the P21S wax and go with the 100% carnauba version.

[jcwouts]

Thank you very much for the advice Jason. I plan to hopefully get it all done next weekend.

I have another question for you if you don't mind.

I'm also planning on doing my other car which is a '07 Blue Honda CR-V. I've read that some Honda paint is soft and some not. What polish do you think would be good in removing some light to moderate swirls without damaging the paint? Something preferably in the Menzerna or Poorboys lineup.

I've used some Poorboy's SSR 3, followed by SSR 2 and then SSR 1 on my '94 Accord and it came out quite nice. But just by looking at the paint the CR-V, it looks very delicate compared to my old Accord.

Thanks once again....

[Matt@Autogeek]

If the paint on the CR-V just has light / mild swirls, SSR2 or SSR2.5 will do the trick. No need for SSR3.

Either SSR2 followed by SSR1, or SSR2.5 followed by SSR1. Mess with different pad combos and try to find the least abrasive approach possible.

[CEE DOG]

Jason, a few questions. I have a 2008 red saturn sky (fabric top). It is in the garage 7 nights a week and about 4 days a week.
1.- I plan to clean and protect the top with Raggtop about every 3-4 months. Between those applications I will wash my car about once every 2-3 weeks. I keep it pretty clean. Between the 3-4 month intervals will I have any issues as far as accidentally washing off the protectant? Should I only vacum and rinse the top until its time to protect again?
Should I use my meguiars or ultima wash on it instead of the raggtop cleaner except for when I'm about to add protective spray.
2.-Do I need to purchase a brush for cleaning the top or is a microfiber rag fine?

Thank you for your help,
C

[KINGS FAN77]

Hey guys, first post here. I want to buy a pressure washer and I have been looking at a few different ones. I wanted to know what is the max psi I should use on a car without damaging the finish? It will be a gas powered one if that helps. Thanks.

[jason@autogeek]

Originally Posted by CEE DOG

Jason, a few questions. I have a 2008 red saturn sky (fabric top). It is in the garage 7 nights a week and about 4 days a week.
1.- I plan to clean and protect the top with Raggtop about every 3-4 months. Between those applications I will wash my car about once every 2-3 weeks. I keep it pretty clean. Between the 3-4 month intervals will I have any issues as far as accidentally washing off the protectant? Should I only vacum and rinse the top until its time to protect again?
Should I use my meguiars or ultima wash on it instead of the raggtop cleaner except for when I'm about to add protective spray.
2.-Do I need to purchase a brush for cleaning the top or is a microfiber rag fine?

Thank you for your help,
C

Hey Cee Dog!

If you use a ph balanced shampoo, you shouldn't have any problems with washing off the Raggtopp. Either the Meguiars of Ultima would be fine. It holds up very well. Of course, if it stays clean, you can also get by with a vac and rinse as well.

I use a Natural Tampico Brush for cleaning fabric tops.

[jason@autogeek]

Originally Posted by KINGS FAN77

Hey guys, first post here. I want to buy a pressure washer and I have been looking at a few different ones. I wanted to know what is the max psi I should use on a car without damaging the finish? It will be a gas powered one if that helps. Thanks.

Most of the Karcher electric pressure washers available for residential use are 1400-1850 psi and I prefer the ones in the 1500-1850 range. For a gas pressure washer, go with something 1800-2500 psi. You won't need to go any higher than that.

[killerGLI]

Okay, so today I detailed a Jag XJ, older body style. After using my PC with megs ultimate compound (i know i should get m105 and m205) with a 5.5 inch LC Orange pad, I noticed that not only was the hood still really really swirled, but that there were a lot of holograms on the trunk of the car. I was wondering what I could do to prevent this and understand why this happened? This was my first real business detail and the owner seemed to be getting antsy so i started rushing but still took my time polishing to make sure the polish broke down (or I thought it did). I didnt notice the holograms until I did a quick wipe with 50/50 simple green wipe down to get the oils off (was that a bad choice?). How do i prevent this on his wife's dark blue tahoe? luckily the xj was silver so you couldnt see them that well. HELP

[jason@autogeek]

Originally Posted by killerGLI

Okay, so today I detailed a Jag XJ, older body style. After using my PC with megs ultimate compound (i know i should get m105 and m205) with a 5.5 inch LC Orange pad, I noticed that not only was the hood still really really swirled, but that there were a lot of holograms on the trunk of the car. I was wondering what I could do to prevent this and understand why this happened? This was my first real business detail and the owner seemed to be getting antsy so i started rushing but still took my time polishing to make sure the polish broke down (or I thought it did). I didnt notice the holograms until I did a quick wipe with 50/50 simple green wipe down to get the oils off (was that a bad choice?). How do i prevent this on his wife's dark blue tahoe? luckily the xj was silver so you couldnt see them that well. HELP

Did you follow up afterwards with a finer polish and a polishing pad? That should have removed the holograms.

As far as why the holograms were there... What speed setting did you have the PC set at? Always concentrate on a small area at a time such as a 2x2 ft square section and inspect your work as you go so you can perfect your technique and dial in the right products before you proceed around the entire vehicle.

I do slow, overlapping passes first front to back and then left to right. Inspect the finish, adjust things as necessary and then proceed once things are looking good. I've never used the 50/50 mix that you used. Just make sure that what ever you use is labeled as paintwork safe. Menzerna Top Inspection is great choice.

[camaro95]

Hey guys, this is a great thread. I have some questions that I was hoping to get answered. Now I'm not trying to become a professional detailer here. I want to sell my car and I want it to look as good as possible. It's a 95 Camaro and it's in great condition minus two things:

The rims I bought for it look very dull (they are black) and I really need to get a great clean on them. 2nd is that my front bumper looks like the clear coat is cracking. It gives an ugly apperance to an otherwise remarkable car. When I bought this car, wow. It looked incredible.

Knowing nothing about detailing I've let it slip and I want to bring out the best for the next buyer.

Can you guys please help me?