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  1. #1
    Clarkitect's Avatar
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    Blind Squirrel Hoping to Find a Nut

    Noob greetings to all you Autopians. Not sure where to begin, but came across Autopia after my wife and I came into possession of our third minivan. I know, I know, I hunted down a car detailing forum after picking up another kid hauler? However, this is the nicest vehicle we have had the pleasure to own, and I promised the wife since it was in such good shape we would try and keep it that way...which led me here.

    Then, I fell down the rabbit hole.

    So, I began compiling what I was learning and it was pretty haphazard at first. I kept poking around some more, started looking at product manufacturers, YouTube videos, and cross reference back to the Autopia forums. I began haphazardly throwing things in a shopping cart in the Autopia store until I started to see the total rack up. As an architect by trade, we put out books of specifications outlining the products to be used in a building. So I began putting together my own noob car detailing spec to help me think through all the process/product/accessory information I was drowning in. I put together my detail manual as a step-by-step process of how I would want to wash and detail the van, and the products and accessories to execute the job. I kept it open spec with three acceptable manufacturers: OPT, 3D, and Gyeon. Below is the spec I have put together after a couple weeks of doodling on my iPad, and was hoping I could get some further advice/instruction/criticism to even further refine what I have been able to cobble together (product pitfalls, process dos & don`ts, accessories to avoid or definitely get, etc.). It should be noted the "new" van is a 2018 Kia Sedona, under 10,000 miles. The paint is in great shape, and no noticeable swirling from my investigation. There are a few minor scratches on the hood and rear panels, but nothing earth shattering. I also have a spreadsheet that lists all the pricing found below to allow me to plug and chug some formulas to analyze and breakdown different pricing scenarios.

    WASH:

    1. Prepare a 5 gal bucket half full of water with 1oz of waterless car wash. Add a microfiber wash mitt/sponge to soak in the mixture while the rest of the setup is being completed.
    Product:
    Optimum No Rinse Wash & Shine (32oz) $16 ($0.50/oz)
    Optimum No Rinse Wash & Shine (1gal) $40 ($0.31/oz)
    3D Green Waterless (1gal) $32 ($0.25/oz)
    Gyeon Bathe (1L [33oz]) $25 ($0.75/oz)
    Gyeon Bathe Essence (400mL [13.5oz]) $23 ($1.70/oz [0.17 oz/wash=80 washes] ~$0.30/wash)

    Accessories:
    5gal bucket & grit guard $20
    Cyclone Microfiber Sponge $11

    2. Fill 2 Gallon compression sprayer with water and add 1oz of waterless. Pump up and set aside.
    Accessories:
    2gal compression sprayer $35

    3. Spray Power Clean on to wheels and tires as required with 1.5 IK Foam Sprayer. Leave to dwell for a few minutes and then agitate all areas of the wheel with brushes as necessary. Rinse wheels completely with ONR pressure sprayer.
    Product:
    Optimum Power Clean (1gal) $36 (2:1 [16oz/32 oz sprayer] $4.50/wash)
    3D Orange Degreaser (1gal) $26 (4:1 [8oz/32 oz Sprayer] $1.63/wash)
    Gyeon Bug & Grime (400mL [13.5oz]) $12 (Full Strength [~1/2 bottle/wash] $6/wash)

    Accessories:
    1.5 IK Foam Sprayer $31
    Mothers Tire, Wheel, & Well Brush Kit $18
    Grey Mini Miner 5-Pack (10x10) $6

    4. Spray car completely with compression sprayer, focusing special attention on any areas that are particularly dirty. Spray until the bottle is completely empty for this one, regardless of how long it takes.

    5. Wash car with mitt/sponge using slow, straight lines, making sure to rinse the microfiber mitt off in the bucket regularly. If everything above has been done previously, this should result in a fairly clean bucket afterwards.

    6. Dry with microfiber towel
    Accessories:
    (2) - Dry Me A River Waffle Weave Towel (20x40) $22 ($11/ea)
    (2) – Platinum Pluffle Hybrid Weave Towel (20x40) $30.50 ($15.25/ea)

    DECON:


    1. Rinse with Iron & Tar Remover (3D BDX, OPT Ferrex, GYEON Iron Remover, CarPro IronX), and Gyeon Q2M Tar and wipe off with microfiber towel
    Product:
    Optimum FerreX Iron Remover (17oz) $20 ($1.18/oz)
    3D BDX (24oz) $17 ($0.71/oz)
    CarPro IronX (500mL [17oz]) $20 ($1.18/oz)
    Gyeon Iron Remover (500mL [17oz]) $20 ($1.18/oz)
    Gyeon Tar (500mL [17oz]) $18 ($1.06/oz)

    Accessories:
    Edgeless 300 Blue 10-pack (16x16) $14

    2. Clay mitt (Blackfire Clay Mitt) with lubricant (3D Final Touch, OPT ONR, Dodo Juice Born Slippy Clay Lube)
    Product
    Optimum No Rinse Wash & Shine (1gal) $40 ($0.31/oz [2oz/gal for lube] $0.62/clay)
    3D Final Touch (24oz) $8 ($0.33/oz [12oz/clay] $4.00/clay)
    Dodo Juice Born Slippy (250mL [8.45oz]) $14 (10:1 [35mL/350mL (1.2oz/clay)=7 clay] $2.00/clay)
    Gyeon Clay Lube (500mL [17oz]) $16 ($0.94/oz [12oz/clay] $11.30/clay)

    Accessories:
    Blackfire Clay Mitt $24
    Nanoskin AutoScrub Fine Grade Mitt $50

    3. Rinse

    POLISH:

    1. Correction (3D One Hybrid, OPT Hyper Compound) Orange or White LC CCS Pads (6 - 1 Hood, 1 Roof&Trunk, 2 ea side). Place used pads in a bucket of ONR to clean. Wipe with Microfiber cloth.
    Product:
    3D One Hybrid (16oz) $23 ($1.44/oz)
    OPT Hyper Compound (18oz) $30 ($1.67/oz)
    Gyeon Q2M Compound (120mL [4oz]) $14 ($3.50/oz)

    Accessories:
    Griots Garage 6-inch Random Orbital Polisher $150
    Dual Action Flexible 5-inch backing plate $18
    Lake Country 5.5-inch CCS Pads 6 Pack (White) $45
    Edgeless 300 Yellow 10-pack (16x16) $14

    2. Polish (3D One Hybrid, OPT Hyper Polish) Green or Blue LC CSS Pads (4 - 1 Hood, 1 Roof&Trunk, 1 ea side)
    Product:
    3D One Hybrid (16oz) Purchased
    OPT Hyper Polish (18oz) $25 ($1.39/oz)
    Gyeon Q2M Polish (120mL [4oz]) $14 ($3.50/oz)
    Accessories:
    Lake Country 5.5-inch CCS Pads 6 Pack (4-Blue & 2-Black) $45
    (4) - Edgeless 365 Microfiber Yellow (16x16) $10.60 ($2.65/ea)

    3. Finish (3D One Hybrid, OPT Finish) Black LC CCS Pads (2 - 1 ea side)
    Product:
    3D One Hybrid (16oz) Purchased
    OPT Finish Polish (8oz) $12 ($1.50/oz)
    Gyeon Q2 Primer (120mL [4oz]) $16 ($4.00/oz)

    Accessories:
    Lake Country 5.5-inch CCS Pads 6 Pack (4-Blue & 2-Black) Purchased
    Eagle Edgeless 350 5-pack Lavender (16x16) $20
    Blind Squirrel Hoping to Find a Nut-lc-ccs-agressionlevels.jpg

    4. Prep for sealant with microfiber (Gyeon Prep, OPT Paint Prep)
    Product:
    Gyeon Prep (500mL [17oz]) $16 ($0.94/oz)
    OPT Paint Prep (17oz) $13 ($0.76.oz)

    Accessories:
    Eagle Edgeless 350 5-pack Lavender (16x16) Purchased

    SEAL:

    1. Seal (3D Poxy, OPT Opt-Seal)

    Product:
    3D Poxy (16oz) $15 ($0.94/oz)
    OPT Opt-Seal (8oz) $25 ($3.13/oz)
    Accessories:
    Eagle Microfiber Detailing Applicator (3x5) $12 ($4/ea)
    Eagle Edgeless 500 5-pack Multi (16x16) $24
    OR

    1. Seal Systems (3D HD Nitro Seal, OPT Gloss-Coat, Gyeon Q2 Syncro)
    Product:
    3D HD Nitro Seal (KIT) $70
    OPT Gloss-Coat Paint Coating $60
    Gyeon Q2 Syncro (KIT) $180
    OR

    1. Super Seal
    Product:
    Kamikaze
    Miyabi 2x (300mL [10oz]) $120 ($12/oz)
    ISM Coat V2.0 (30mL [1oz]) $150 (lol)


    PolishAngel
    Glasscoat Cosmic V2 Coating 2x (50mL [1.7oz]) $70 ($41/oz)

    2. Wax (OPT Wax, FK 1000)
    Product:
    OPT Car Wax (17 oz) $15 ($0.88/oz)
    3D Cherry Wax (16 oz) $19 ($1.19)
    Finish Kare 1000P Hi-Temp Paste Wax (15oz) $18 ($1.20/oz)

    Accessories:
    Eagle Edgeless 500 5-pack Multi (16x16) Purchased
    OR

    2. Super Wax
    Product:
    Kamikaze Infinity Wax $150 (lol)
    PolishAngel Rapid Waxx (500mL [17oz]) $45 ($2.65/oz)

    3. Finish Coat (3D Final Touch, OPT Instant Detailer)
    Product:
    3D Final Touch (24oz) $8 ($0.33/oz)
    OPT Instant Detailer (17 oz) $10 ($0.59/oz)

    Accessories:
    Everest Ultra Plush 1100 3-pack (16x16) $22
    OR

    3. Super Finish Coat
    Product:
    Kamikaze Overcoat (100mL [3.4oz]) $50 ($14.70/oz)
    PolishAngel Glasscoat Cosmic Spritz (200mL [6.75oz]) $75($11.11/oz)

    After running through some scenarios in my spreadsheet, I have developed a poor man`s starter wash/wax only package, a "preferred" package for wash/decon/polish, and a separate breakdown for the different sealer options (ranked good, better, best or maybe more apt as economic, expensive, and ludicrous). I think I can get the wife convinced to go with the poor man wash/wax package to start, keep the van washed often, and begin to add to this with the rest of my "preferred" package, and then perhaps moving on up into ludicrous territory. Always open to suggestions, if anyone has gotten this far down the page.

    Wash/Wax only Package $67:
    -Gyeon Bathe Essence
    -3D Orange Degreaser
    -Finish Care 1000P Wax
    Equip/Accessories: $201
    TOTAL: $268

    Preferred Package $140:
    WASH:
    -Gyeon Bathe Essence
    -3D Orange Degreaser
    DECON:
    -Gyeon Iron Remover
    -Gyeon Tar
    -DODO Juice Born Slippy
    POLISH:
    -3D One Hybrid
    -Gyeon Prep
    Equip/Accessories: $483
    TOTAL: $623

    Preferred Package + Seal Packages:
    OPT: $225
    Gyeon Q2 Syncro: $320
    PolishAngel: $330
    Kamikaze: $610
    Equip/Accessories: $483
    GRAND TOTALS:
    OPT: $708
    PolishAngel: $813
    Kamikaze: $1,093

    Blind Squirrel Hoping to Find a Nut-wash.jpg
    Blind Squirrel Hoping to Find a Nut-decon.jpg
    Blind Squirrel Hoping to Find a Nut-polish.jpg
    Blind Squirrel Hoping to Find a Nut-sealer.jpg
    Blind Squirrel Hoping to Find a Nut-totals-product.jpg
    Blind Squirrel Hoping to Find a Nut-totals-grand.jpg
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Blind Squirrel Hoping to Find a Nut-lc-ccs-agressionlevels.jpg   Blind Squirrel Hoping to Find a Nut-wash.jpg   Blind Squirrel Hoping to Find a Nut-decon.jpg   Blind Squirrel Hoping to Find a Nut-polish.jpg   Blind Squirrel Hoping to Find a Nut-sealer.jpg  

    Blind Squirrel Hoping to Find a Nut-totals-product.jpg   Blind Squirrel Hoping to Find a Nut-totals-grand.jpg  
    Thanks Stokdgs, JRW67 thanked for this post

  2. #2
    AMG Classic Car Detailing Old Pirate's Avatar
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    Re: Blind Squirrel Hoping to Find a Nut

    Still reading your work there, you should be working at Autopia! Awesome spreadsheet
    AutopiaForums is the place to be.
    Remember to Shop Autopia-CarCare.com for your Detailing Needs!
    Likes Liz@Autopia liked this post

  3. #3
    DETAILED TODAY? PA DETAILER's Avatar
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    Re: Blind Squirrel Hoping to Find a Nut

    My brain hurts.
    2018 Chevy Colorado ZR2
    www.autiopia.org

  4. #4
    AMG Classic Car Detailing Old Pirate's Avatar
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    Re: Blind Squirrel Hoping to Find a Nut

    To the OP, have you look into Poorboys and Chemical Guys products in the Autopia Car Care Store? Great products and great prices to boot. I have some of my products in gallons to save money and they work very well on one`s vehicle. take a look....
    AutopiaForums is the place to be.
    Remember to Shop Autopia-CarCare.com for your Detailing Needs!

  5. #5
    AMG Classic Car Detailing Old Pirate's Avatar
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    Re: Blind Squirrel Hoping to Find a Nut

    BTW.....Welcome to Autopia Forums
    AutopiaForums is the place to be.
    Remember to Shop Autopia-CarCare.com for your Detailing Needs!

  6. #6
    rlmccarty2000's Avatar
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    Re: Blind Squirrel Hoping to Find a Nut

    Sweet Jesus I though I over analyzed stuff! Welcome to Autopia! If there was a question in there I missed it. I could say a few things but I will just say toss out the Opti-Seal. Besides over the top of Opti-Coat, Opti-Seal is not very durable at all.

    I might have missed it but there will be times when a waterless wash will not be enough and you will have to go with soap and water. Even on a coated vehicle.

    Remember this is supposed to be fun and enjoy yourself. For me half the fun is trying new products.
    Likes Oneheadlite liked this post

  7. #7

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    Re: Blind Squirrel Hoping to Find a Nut

    PA Detailer. I LMAO when I read your post. Welcome clarkitect. You will get a lot of good opinions on what products to use on your van. Is the van garaged. Is it a daily driver. Polish with GG6,after Decon and clay, just enough to get satisfactory results. Don’t want to take too much clearcoat off. Keep a good slick coat of wax or sealant on it, or coating, if you go that route, and you’ll be good to go

  8. #8
    BudgetPlan1's Avatar
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    Re: Blind Squirrel Hoping to Find a Nut

    Quote Originally Posted by rlmccarty2000 View Post
    Remember this is supposed to be fun and enjoy yourself. For me half the fun is trying new products.
    Yes, you`re missing the point of The Rabbit Hole; only the most basic of research needs to be done before diving in blindly, banging your credit card along the side walls as you plummet towards the bottom before thinking "Seemed like a good idea at the time..."

    Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk
    Thanks BadgerRivFan thanked for this post

  9. #9

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    Re: Blind Squirrel Hoping to Find a Nut

    Quote Originally Posted by BudgetPlan1 View Post
    Yes, you`re missing the point of The Rabbit Hole; only the most basic of research needs to be done before diving in blindly, banging your credit card along the side walls as you plummet towards the bottom before thinking "Seemed like a good idea at the time..."

    Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk
    Lol......!


    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
    Likes JRW67 liked this post

  10. #10

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    Re: Blind Squirrel Hoping to Find a Nut

    If Autopia ever gives us homework I am copying off of you sir.


    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

  11. #11
    Hooked For Life Bill D's Avatar
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    Re: Blind Squirrel Hoping to Find a Nut

    This ought to be published into a formal manual. Terrific spreadsheets!
    Treat it like it`s the only one in the world.

  12. #12
    Clarkitect's Avatar
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    Re: Blind Squirrel Hoping to Find a Nut

    Much of this exercise was done over a few weeks logging items into a running note on my iPad as I continued to learn about all the steps of truly detailing a vehicle. I had to put it all down to remember it all. Just needed a place to regurgitate it all. That’s the biggest issue right now is syphoning through all the many products. Understand a lot of this is personal taste and car being applied to and the look desired. I do want products that work and be smart about my money. Have no brand loyalty to anything, that’s why I opened up to hear as many opinions as possible before going through my “Christmas money.”
    Likes Stokdgs, SWETM liked this post

  13. #13
    Hooked For Life Bill D's Avatar
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    Re: Blind Squirrel Hoping to Find a Nut

    You’ve found the ultimate place, Autopia, to find out which products suit your needs. Happy researching!
    Treat it like it`s the only one in the world.

  14. #14
    Clarkitect's Avatar
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    Re: Blind Squirrel Hoping to Find a Nut

    Van is garaged, is a suburban daily driver as my wife tooles about town running errands, transporting kids, and the occasional cross country road trip. As the rule requires I have the jalopy that daily drives into the city. The plan is to use my car as a guinea pig.

  15. #15
    Clarkitect's Avatar
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    Re: Blind Squirrel Hoping to Find a Nut

    Quote Originally Posted by BudgetPlan1 View Post
    Yes, you`re missing the point of The Rabbit Hole; only the most basic of research needs to be done before diving in blindly, banging your credit card along the side walls as you plummet towards the bottom before thinking "Seemed like a good idea at the time..."
    I just don’t do blindly; however, cleaning a car is relaxing for me— something to unwind.
    Likes Stokdgs, BudgetPlan1, SWETM liked this post

 

 
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