Detailing Steps

[yscty]

Hello All - I am new to this detailing stuff as i have always had the detailer guy at my job hook me up. Although now I no longer work at the same place and am gonna start tackling this my self.



I will start out by stating that I have a 2004 Nissan Titan Galaxy Black and it does have some swirly marks. So my question is what are the best products I can use? I have debated getting zaino but if I do what products do I need and which order do I use them. I guess this would go for whatever brand I use. Sorry for the "newbie" questions but heck I`m new............





Thanks in advance

[yscty]

Anyone???



I need some direction....

[imported_smprince1]

The best direction I could give you is to read, read, read.... you will learn a lot by reading this forum.



IMO, there is no `best` product line .... most work as advertised if applied using the proper technique. Try some, find what works best for you.



Basically, the order is to correct and then protect.



To correct the swirls, you will need to apply a polish with some abbrasives. This can be done by hand or machine, with better results usually achieved by machine and it is also less labor intensive. For newbies, that machine would be a Porter Cable polisher, or commonly called a PC.



After the paint finish has been polished to correct any swirls or marring, you`ll want to protect that paint with a Last Step Product (LSP). This can be a synthetic sealant or natural carnauba wax.



Of course, that is just the paint. There are also processes for wheels, tires, chrome, plastic/rubber trim, glass, etc. etc. etc.



Those are the VERY BASICS ... but like I would suggest you can learn much more by reading as much as you can.



Got your direction now????

[imported_smprince1]

This is also a good tutorial ....



http://autopia.org/forum/guide-detailing/80238-introduction-detailing.html

[imported_JoshVette]

I agree, to remove swirls you will need a rotary, but if you`ve not experience, use a Porter Cable first. I would not attempt to use a rotary by yourself or you run a great risk of damaging the paint.



You will need a good compound like Menzerna or 3M, the PC and a few different levels of pads, LC orange, white and black.



After correcting what you can, use I would go with the Zaino Z5 a couple times and enjoy the results for the next 6-9 months.



Also 2 bucket washing is something you need to learn to perfect, ecspecially with a black vehicle and Nissan is know for very soft clear coats so it will mare and swirl easily.



Josh

[yscty]

Thanks for the info guys!!! Okay I will be doing this by hand as I don`t have a PC and probably will not get one yet. If I use say Zaino, what products do I need to purchase from the wash, to the clay and so forth. I am a "Newbie" and a little slow at this stuff so all the info helps.........

[doc-rice]

`It sounds like you might need to spend some time reading up on the basics before you tackle this because each step is dependent on the other. Before I did my first post on this site yesterday, I spent several months reading and searching through this (and other) sites. Here are some places you can try:\r\n\r\nhttp://autopia.org/forum/guide-detailing/\r\nhttp://paintcare-n-detailing.com/\r\nhttp://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acatalog/guides.html\r\nhttp://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7598756069207401372&q=showcar\r\nhttp://www.autogeek.net/\r\nhttp://danase.com/index.html\r\nhttp://www.detailersdomain.com/\r\nhttp://www.properautocare.com/\r\nhttp://topoftheline.com/\r\n\r\nIf you\`re not going to use a PC, then it\`s probably going to take a lot more physical work to do any paint correction (swirl removal). From what I know, Zaino\`s only (real) polish product is Z-PC Fusion as Z-5 PRO only temporarily hides very minor swirls (after many, many layers). Great product line I hear, as most in this forum will testify. I just ordered quite a few of their products too, although I\`ve already done some paint correction on my car a few weeks ago.\r\n\r\nTONS of info on this site. Be prepared to spend some quality reading / searching time as the ideas and product choices can be overwhelming at the beginning. There is no magic bullet product that\`s the best out of everything. Results of the combination of any set of products is ultimately subjective to the end user.\r\n\r\nIf you want to stick with Zaino (great starting point, but there are so many other good options out there), Z-7 for the wash, Z-18 for clay, and you may need to consider between ZFX / Z-5 / Z-2 / ZAIO, etc.. But to know what to get between those, you need to understand the overall process and how each product fits into the big picture.`

[zingyginger]

The thread that smprince1 gave you should provide plenty of info. If you feel like doing more reading, the thread below gives even more product recommendations from one of the all-stars on this forum, scottwax:



http://autopia.org/forum/car-detailing/85532-since-others-posting-how-i-wash-cars-threads-here-mine.html

[box3876]

[quote name=`smprince1`]The best direction I could give you is to read, read, read.... you will learn a lot by reading this forum.





He is 100% correct as I did much reading here and learned more than I thought I ever would. Everyone here steered me in the right direction when I had a question and I was able to get my 03 Ford truck looking brand new based on the info here and the products I read about here. The truck was never polished or waxed until I did it a couple weeks ago. This forum is time well spent.

[doc-rice]

It sounds like you might need to spend some time reading up on the basics before you tackle this because each step is dependent on the other. Before I did my first post on this site yesterday, I spent several months reading and searching through this (and other) sites.



If you`re not going to use a PC, then it`s probably going to take a lot more physical work to do any paint correction (swirl removal). From what I know, Zaino`s only (real) polish product is Z-PC Fusion as Z-5 PRO only temporarily hides very minor swirls (after many, many layers). Great product line I hear, as many in this forum will testify. I just ordered quite a few of their products too, although I`ve already done some paint correction on my car a few weeks ago.



TONS of info on this site. Be prepared to spend some quality reading / searching time as the ideas and product choices can be overwhelming at the beginning. There is no magic bullet product that`s the best out of everything. Results of the combination of any set of products is ultimately subjective to the end user.



If you want to stick with Zaino (great starting point, but there are so many other good options out there), use Z-7 for the wash, Z-18 for clay, and you may need to consider between ZFX / Z-5 / Z-2 / ZAIO, etc.. But to know what to get between those, you need to understand the overall process and how each product fits into the big picture.