Please help a Newbie

[gnfanatic]

Hey guys, I am a new member to this forum. I have noticed that you guys are very knowledgable in this field and get along quite well! Well,I need your help. I am new to DETAILING cars, I dont trust anyone with my GN so i rather do it myself. I have a 86 Buick Grand National with a new 3 coat paint job that dosnt have a clear coat on it. It is a shiny paint, great job but has swirls all over it and road tar and crap on the bottom.ALso the windows have streaks and water spots on it. Can you help me with what to START with and what to END with. I am going to the auto paint supply store today. They have alot of commerical stuff. Just ,all I ask is that you be easy with me, please get into details. I dont understand certain names you guys use, like BF?
I really apprecite your help.
Thanks!
Ralph

[FNG]

I just started posting yesterday too. From some of my searches, this came up. I think some acronyms are not listed in there. I dont know if I would try any polishes because your paint my come off with no clear coat. I know mine did. I have a 91 S10 pickup that I detailed a few months ago. You can see what I used in this thread. When I was washing, claying, prepping, polishing, and waxing the hood, paint came off. I mean it really came off. I threw away my applicators and towels because it felt rough and I didnt want to use them again. Right now, I dont have to worry about that anymore after I applied the wax. Feels really smooth now and paint doesnt come off. HTH.

Neglected 1991 Chevy S10

Autopia Forum Terms and Abbreviations
by Greg Heumann and Rich Kolbush
Edited by Mark Brustowicz

303
303 Aerospace Protectant

ABC
AutoInts ABC 3 step paint decontamination wash system

AG
AutoGlym

AFAIK
As Far As I Know

AIO
Klasse All In One

ARO
Amazing Roll Off

AZ
AutoZone

BA
Black Again

BCS
P21S Bodywork Conditioning Shampoo

BF
BlackFire detailing product

BM
BlackMagic products

CB
Clay Bar

CD
California Duster

CM
Pinnacle Crystal Mist detailing spray

CMA
Classic Motoring Accessories

CP
Eimann Fabrik Clear Pearl detail spray

CT
Cotton Towel

CW
Cleaner Wax

CWB
California Water Blade

DC
Digital Camera

EF
Eimann Fabrik brand

EFBO
Eimann Fabrik Black Opal

EFCC
Eimann Fabrik Carpet Cleaner

EFCP
Eimann Fabrik Clear Pearl instant detailer

EFCV
Eimann Fabrik Clear Vision

EFHI
Eimann Fabrik High Intensity cleaner

EFPW
Eimann Fabrik Power Wash shampoo

EFSR
Eimann Fabrik Spot Remover

EFTR
Eimann Fabrik Tar Remover

EO
Eagle One

EOSR
Eagle One Scratch Remover

FB
Forever Black

FI
Meguiars Final Inspection Quick Detailer

FI-II
3M Finesse IT line usually means their white finishing compound but there is also a rubbing compound

HI
Eimann Fabrik High Intensity Cleaner

HIC
Eimann Fabrik High Intensity Cleaner

HG
Hand Glaze

HT
Hi-Temp Products

HTYW
Meguiars Hi Tech Yellow Wax

IA
Isopropyl Rubbing Alcohol

IG
Stoner’s Invisible Glass

IHG
3M Imperial Hand Glaze

IMHO
In my humble opinion

IMO
In My Opinion

ISO
Isopropyl Rubbing Alcohol

ISA
Isopropyl Rubbing Alcohol

KSBF
Koala Soft Buffing Towel

KSG
Klasse Sealant Glaze

LG
Liquid Glass

LOL
Laughing out loud

LV
Lexol Vinylex

Meguiar's #1
Medium Cut Cleaner

Meguiar's #2
Fine Cut Cleaner

Meguiar's #3
Machine Glaze

Meguiar's #4
Heavy Cut Cleaner

Meguiar's #5
New Car Glaze

Meguiar's #6
Cleaner/Wax

Meguiar's #7
Show Car Glaze

Meguiar's #9
Swirl remover 2.0

Meguiar's #16
Professional Paste Wax

Meguiar's #20
Polymer Sealant

Meguiar's #26
Hi Tech Yellow Wax

Meguiar's #34
Final Inspection

Meguiar's #36
Hi-Tech Cleaner

Meguiar's #39
Heavy Duty Vinyl Cleaner

Meguiar's #40
Vinyl & Rubber Cleaner/Conditioner

Meguiar's #60
Hi Tech wash

Meguiar's #62
Car Wash Shampoo and Conditioner

Meguiar's #66
Quick Detailer

Meguiar's BSPHP
Body Shop Professional Hand Polish

Meguiar's BSPSFP
Body Shop Professional Swirl Free Polish

Meguiar's DACP
Dual Action Cleaner/Polish

MF
Microfiber or Microfiber Towel

MG
Meguiars Mirror Glaze product line

MGC
Meguiars Gold Class product

MSLT
Stoner’s More Shine Less Time spray

MT
Microfiber Towel

MW
Machine wax

ND
Never Dull Metal Polishing Wads

OB
Orbital Buffer

OG
One Grand Products

OGBW
One Grand Blitz Wax

OGOHG
One Grand Omega Hand Glaze

OGSO
One Grand Show Off Instant Detailer

P21S
A brand of Detailing Products

PB
Pep Boys

PBS
Pinnacle Bodywork Shampoo

PC
Porter Cable Orbital Buffer

PCL
P21S Paintwork Cleansing Lotion

PCW
P21S Paste Car Wax

PI3
3M Perfect it 3

PI II
3M Perfect It 2

PITA
Pain in the a$$

PPCL
Pinnacle Paint Cleaning Lotion

PPG
Pinnacle Paste Glaze

PS
Pinnacle Souveran

PW+
Eimann Fabrik Power Wash +

QD
Quick Detailer also Meguiar's brand name for their Deep Crystal line detail spay.

QW
Meguiars Quick Wax

ROB
Random Orbital Buffer

RV
Fieldcrest Royal Velvet Cotton Towel

ROTFLMAO
Rolling On The Floor, Laughing My A$$ Off

SCW
3M Perfect It Show Car Wax

SG
Klasse Sealant Glaze

SIG
Stoners Invisible Glass

SM2.0
Meguiar's #9 Swirl Remover 2

SMR
Swirl Mark Remover Usually refers to 3M Swirl Mark Remover

SS
Saddle Soap

SSB
Stoner Speed Bead

TS
Tire Swipe foam pad

TW
Turtle Wax products

UV
Ultraviolet Light a harmful and slowly damages skin, paint and automotive interiors

VNB
Vac n Blow Vacuum

WM
Wash Mitt

WS
Water Sprite towel

WWB
P21S Windshield Wash Booster

YMMV
Your Mileage May Vary

Z
Zaino

Z1
Zaino Show Car Polish LOK PreCleaner and Gloss Enhancer

Z2
Zaino Show Car Polish for Clear Coated Finishes

Z3
Zaino Show Car Polish for Regular Paint

Z5
Zaino Polish for Swirl Marks & Fine Scratches

Z6
Zaino Ultra Clean Gloss Enhancer Spray

Z7
Zaino Show Car Wash

Z9
Zaino Leather Soft Spray Cleaner

Z10
Zaino Leather in a Bottle Treatment and Conditioner

Z12
Zaino Clear View Glass Polish

Z14
Zaino Plastic Magic Cleaner & Polish

Z16
Zaino Perfect Tire Gloss

Z18
Zaino ClayBar

ZFX
Zaino Flash Cure Accelerator Additive For Z2, Z3, Z5

[theveed]

Hi and welcome to the forum...

My best suggestion would be to download the Autopia Guide to Detailing ebook first, most basic issues are discussed there.

Then try to visit the Articles section of the forum for some great info...

There are a lot of Detailing Tips in www.properautocare.com as well.

[mrdetailer]

That 's a tall order. My paint supply detailer carries 3M and Meguiars products. Please also understand my personal bias. I have a Red Mazda -- conventional paint and I found that the non-carnauba products seem take off a layer of paint. The applicator really gets red even over a relatively small area. I don't have as much of problem if I stick with conventional polishes and Carnauba paste waxes.

First Wash with Dawn, or other non-moisturizing dish soap. Removes grease well.

Second stage -- Surface Prep. 3M Wax and Tar Remover, Kleen Strip Surface Prep, 3M also has a non volitile one that works well if you keep it on slightly longer.

Third Stage -- Clay Bar. Clay Magic, Mothers, Meguiars. (I prefer Kits with a lubricant, but you can get a pint bottle, put on 2 tablespoons of car wash liquid and fill the rest with water. many, like it better. Make sure that the clay is the Most Mild -- non-abrasive type. I always clay before using any abrasive products listed below to avoid adding swirl marks.

Fourth Stage -- Oxidation Removers. If you have water spots and fairly severe swirls I would recommend 3M Cleaner Wax -- Medium Oxidation remover. I was able to get out swirls and waterspots that even a fine cut cleaner couldn't get out. If they are mild then try the 3M Cleaner Wax -- Fine Oxidation remover, 3M Finesse It II or Meguiars Clear Coat Body Scrub. If you still have swirls try 3M Swirl Mark Remover or Meguiars #9 Swirl Mark Remover.

I would use the wax remover again if the oxidation is removed with the Cleaner Waxes, or apply a real wax a few weeks later. The cleaner waxes don't last long at all.

Fifth Stage -- Polishes and Glazes. Meguiars Dual Action Cleaner and Polish is good. I personally love 3M Glaze and Swirl Remover for Dark Cars (machine only). Meguiars #7 Show Car Glaze and 3M Imperial Machine Glaze. If your are using a hand glaze I recommend 3M Imperial Hand Glaze. I even use it with a buffer on some vehicles.

Sixth Stage -- Waxes. Like I mentioned the mildest treatment for my conventional paint is a paste Carnauba.

From personal experience 3M Perfect It Show Car Paste is excellent if you put on 3 layers about 3--4 weeks apart. It will not last more than 4-6 weeks with one coat. This is the wax that I always use on vehicles that I do for relatives and friends. The treatment listed above has lasted up to 9 months if garaged, 4-5 of outside in the elements, including snow. Perfect-It is easy to apply and remove if you wet the applicator then squeeze dry before applying, and work in areas small enough not to let it get too hard. Good clear reflections and great depth. I do not recommend mixing this with topcoats of other waxes. Put on another coat of the same for an incredible shine. I've gotten over 50 applications from a can.

P21S is also excellant, although if you can get some S100 for the next month it is less expensive and is the same formula until the old stock runs out. Goes on like butter, and is removed easily before it completely dries. As far, looks only P21S has better clarity of reflections than 3M Perfect-It Show Car Paste, and on a black car it will look very deep. Durability 4-6 weeks for one coat. 6--10 weeks with a second coat applied 3-4 weeks later. Contnainer is half the size for about $25.00

Meguiars #26 Paste is also good. Under 10 dollars. A bit harder to apply and remove. Excellent wet look, Reflections are slightly less clear. Overall a good product that I've used for years.

While I don't have experience, I also understand the Blitz One Grand, and Collinite are very good paste waxes.

This summer on my red car I had 3MPerfect-It Show Car Paste Wax on the hood. P21S on the Roof and Meguiars #26 on the trunk. We then had over 23 days of 100+ heat. After 4 weeks the #26 and P21S were shot, while 2 coats of Perfect-It Show Car Paste was still looking good and beading well at 8 weeks. Didn't happen on my white car. That lasted longer on all of the waxes. All of the waxes were much longer lasting on the dark vehicle once the temperature cooled down a bit. All three have held up well through 5 weeks of rain that we've had this fall.


Hope this helps.

[gnfanatic]

Thanks for the quick response guys! I have been reading the detailing book and it gave me alot of helpful hints.
mrdetailer. thanks man, quick question. you posted "Surface Prep. 3M Wax and Tar Remover, Kleen Strip Surface Prep". do I use BOTH or either/or? any other tips? I am going to go by your stages, sounds like alot of freaking work! what should I use to apply these products? %100 cotton towel? pad?
thanks!
Ralph

[theveed]

Next thing you know, you'll have like 5 bottles of wax, 10 bottles of polish, a drawer full of MF, etc etc...

Welcome to our world...

[mrdetailer]

Originally posted by gnfanatic
Thanks for the quick response guys! I have been reading the detailing book and it gave me alot of helpful hints.
mrdetailer. thanks man, quick question. you posted "Surface Prep. 3M Wax and Tar Remover, Kleen Strip Surface Prep". do I use BOTH or either/or? any other tips? I am going to go by your stages, sounds like alot of freaking work! what should I use to apply these products? %100 cotton towel? pad?
thanks!
Ralph

No, on the strippers I would use either, but not both.

Yes the first time is a lot of freaking work. After the big stuff is done I generally remove the wax, use the clay bar -- glaze and wax twice a year. (Takes about 3 hours.) I just wax if the surface still feels smooth as glass. The Oxidation removers and swirl mark removers are only used when needed. Not often once it is prepared well.

And Yes you can do it by hand, but but swirl removal, oxidation removal and glazing and polishing are much faster if a buffer is used.

[gnfanatic]

Thanks guys, sounds great! cant wait to do it this week. Wondering if you can help me with something else. My girls 2002 ford focus was keyed the other night. it went through the paint and is about 2 ft long. No crease to the metal. This is what I was thinking of doing by reading the forums.
get touchup paint and use a toothpick to put it on very carefully. let it dry completely.
then use langka to make it smooth and some 2000 grit paper.
do a nice polish and wax.
what do you think? will it work?
thansk guys!
Ralph

[theveed]

im not trying to discourage you or anything, but touching paint chips is a lot easier than keyed scratches... at least in my experience... especially with vertical surfaces...

one thing is for sure, better hit that ASAP, coz if it stays unprimed and unpainted, it'll start rusting...

im sure the other guys can help you out here.