First Time Detail for Me - `94 BMW 530i - How is my Plan?

[Fetch]

Hi all,

I have a black `94 530i that needs a full detailing. I`ve decided I`m going to do it myself with the help of this great site.





The steps I plan to take are (with some questions!):



1. Wash with dish soap

2. Clay

3. [Do I wash the car here?]

4. Polisher (Because of all the swirls in the paint)

5. [Do I wash the car here?]

6. Synthetic sealant

7. Wax





I`m at college right now, so it will be a week before I can do this, just wanted to check my procedure out here first. I`ll be sure to post follow up pictures and maybe questions!

[JasonD]

First, welcome to Autopia!! You will find more than enough info here to get you headed in the right direction.



If you haven`t done so already, take a few minutes and read David Bynon`s Guide To Detailing. http://autopia.org/forum/guide-detailing/ That guide alone should answer a lot of your questions.



Before we get into anything else, there`s no need for washing a car with dish soap. Use car wash shampoo only.



Some people re-wash their cars after claying, but most don`t. It`s purely up to you, and how messy you leave the car after claying, and no, you don`t need to wash the car again after polishing.



The biggest piece of advice I can give you at this time, is to take your time before you go anywhere near your car, to truly understand the process of automotive detailing. There is a lot more to this than just wax on wax off. Before you ask any questions about what products to use, you should already have a full understanding of the process because it is THE most important part of a detail, not the products.



Good luck, and most of all, have fun!!

[stiffdogg06]

Take your time, be patience. It will take some time to get use to the way the products break down and other factors



Most of all, HAVE FUN! Detailing should be fun and make you smile after each day!



Also, what are you trying to get out of the detailing? Looks? Durability? Both?



Good Luck!:dance



- Andy

[Fetch]

JDookie: Thanks for the link & info about washing, that helps a lot!



stiffdogg06: This is going to be really fun for me!, I`m looking for both looks and durability ;)

[stiffdogg06]

Waxes give you a nice wet look but again lack in the durability departmant.



Sealants give you a nice look and better durability.



Insulator wax #845 by collinite is often recommend on here for durability. It lasts awhile, looks good and is cheap.



Jeff Werkstatt product are used around here a lot, by me also; and they give amazing results! Just be careful with Arcylic Jett and Acrylic Jett trigger as they are very hard to remove if u apply too much.



In the detailing world, LESS IS MORE!:dance



Just search around and use the search button and I wouldn`t be surprised if you don`t find all your answers that way!



Once again, good luck bud!:bigups