BF WD passes the "white" test on Ford GT...

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I'm worried that some of the visiting newbies are/will get disillusioned because they aren't getting the results they're after.



I just want to stress, and I'm sure many of you think the same way, that just because you have all the right products, does not mean you will have a perfect finish.



Products are just one part of the equation. If you gave an inexperienced detailer the full line of Pinnacle, and another seasoned detailer the Turtle Wax line of products, I'm sure the experienced detailers' ride would look better.



Another factor is what you're using to achieve results. Don't buy Klasse/Pinnacle/Zaino, then raid your wifes/girlfriends/mothers linen closet and grab some towels. Spend the money on quality microfiber or cotton towels. Be sure to have more than enough to complete the job. There is the temptation to try to get more out of a towel than it can give. We all have an idea when our towel is too dirty to be effective.



So please don't get bummed if you've dropped $150 on supplies and aren't getting the results you see and hear on this board. Results come from technique and patience!
 
I would say that the five most important assets to a good detailer are as follows in order: knoledge, experience, love of detailing, right tools, patience. I've seen a car washed and waxed with some cheap tutle wax stuff by a guy who wanted results and had never done it before, and the paint looked good...i was stunned...now it surly wasnt up to my standards but it looded better than one might think. I totally agree....read ALOT, find the best products with your knoledge, then use em! Dont have a set standard or just go through the paces, experament (which is much less dangerous if you have knoledge) and see what gives you the best results. Also, be open to suggestions and new products. In a while you'll be a pro. I can't wait to ge to te point where i can look at a car and say that looks as good as it possibly can...im not there yet and might never get there, but the journey is sure fun. -Brad
 
Beau,



Thanks for the words of encouragement! You are right, sometimes us newbies think we should have the perfect finish, when the key is that we are making progress to that end!



As always thanks for your advice.
 
Beau,



Wise words. Expectations can be a dangerous thing. And just because you have the tools doesn't mean you're a carpenter.



I'm pretty confident that the boutique products will improve the looks of my ride, just based on how much better it already looks after doing paint prep/glaze/wax with mediocre products. Also, there are things I'm *not* going to try, for instance, fixing that 1-inch long key scratch that's been touched up but never had the paint levelled. I'm not comfortable putting a sanding block on my finish quite yet - may never be, no matter how easy the article here on Autopia makes it sound (great articles, btw, davidB. I'm just a chicken).



That said - I can't wait to try out the clay/AIO/SG treatment on the Lexus. Will post pics. I just need for it to rain so it can get nice and dirty for the "before" ;)



Bottom line - it takes love & patience, like most things worthwhile.



Andy
 
Beau,

I would have to agree. There are no <em class='bbc'> real [/i] short-cuts in detailing. Sure, some new quick waxes and high-tech polymer sealants may sound like a miracle, but they just make the step eaiser...

And most importantly, take your time and have fun.

~bw
 
Hook,

I am very envious of your LS400! I just have the Fisher Price "My First Lexus", aka ES300;-)

Here is a pic; 1995, 65,000 miles. Mothers Clay Bar, Klasse All-In-One, Klasse Sealant Glaze, One Grand Blitz Wax, One Grand Show-Off.

mylex1.jpg
 
You can't rush <strong class='bbc'>quality...[/b] I am a clean car fanatic and have been detailing for a while. I can detail a vehicle faster only because of having the proper tools, experience and technique. It's little things, like taping off plastic and rubber mouldings before buffing and waxing, using plastic trash bags to cover the tires and wheel to keep them clean while buffing, <strong class='bbc'><em class='bbc'>following the instructions on the labels of the products you are using, [/i][/b]caring for your equipment and enjoying the detailing experience.

Thers is an old saying..you can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear...but it is possible can take a neglected car and bring it back to life!

Beau...nice car!
 
I just spent a good portion of my weekend working on the Jetta with clay, SMR, AIO/SGx4, and Blitz. Does my car look fabulous... Yes it does but it is far from perfect. Every detailing attempt is an opportunity for me to learn more about my finish and what it lacks. For example, I now know when sun light flares off of parts of my trunk lid, I have some noticeable swirls and scratches. This tells me I need to focus on learning more about paint prep work and develop more patience in applying Finesse it, SMR or AIO. Learning and growing like this is the best part of the whole process!



It wouldn't be as much fun if the car was absolutely perfect... what would I do next weekend ;)?
 
Couldn't agree more. When I started I was using all the wrong products, towels that scratched and so on. The advice I got on the forum from books, yourself, Brad B., Don, DK, and so many others really helped. It is a learning experience that takes times and quality products to master.
 
I have been frequenting this forum now for a few weeks and have learned a great deal of information. But until you actually use your knowledge and apply what you have been reading, you won't know. Wolfsburg makes a great point that you learn everytime you detail and then you keep on asking more questions. I can't wait to Zaino when my new car gets in. Thanks for the great info and happy detailing!
 
Gonzo: great idea on using garbage bags over the wheels when buffing. Anyone else do this? Any downsides?



Beau: Your car looks great! Good photo, too - the "star" of light coming off the corner of the bumper makes it look like a pro shot. The Lexus is new to me, it's been a dream car for me and I lucked into a great deal. It's a 1997 with 56,000 miles, paint's in pretty good shape, interior is excellent. And that blue color...what can I say, even now when I know it can be better (the baggie-over-the-fingertips test says it needs to be clayed - badly) it still is gorgeous in almost any light.



Within the next week or so I'm going to do the clay/AIO/Sg treatment, then let Tim critique my handiwork. He has a dig camara, too, so then maybe I can post some pics.



regards,

Andy
 
I tape off platic/rubber trim moldings before polishing and waxing...works better than applying the dressing first. -Brad
 
Nice Ti Silver BMW..Detailed one of the same color but 2000 and a coupe.

Here are some pics, DK "clear corners" rock!

http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=1483180&a=12829986&p=47944050&Sequence=0
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=1483180&a=12829986&p=47944048&Sequence=0
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=1483180&a=12829986&p=47944052&Sequence=0
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=1483180&a=12829986&p=47944047&Sequence=0
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=1483180&a=12829986&p=47944046&Sequence=0

beau.. Totally agree with your post. Learning, patience, and reading, reading, reading autopia is the key to success. It took me two years to learn about detailing in general and will take me a lot more time to perfect the techniques to perfectly applying different car care products.
 
good wide, sticky masking tape...some isn't sticky enough and will fall off itf you hit it with your buffer, but sme other tapes like duct are too sticky. -brad h
 
Beau,

You are correct in assuming that us newbies will get disillusioned. As in anything a person wishes to accomplish, it takes time and practice. We all start out as newbies, but through experience we can become weekend professionals. The one thing needed is guidance, and I believe that folks like you and Don provide that on this forum. Many of us would never try using Klasse,3M, or other high-end products if it were not for your posts. While I am not experienced in using these products, my 28+ years of maintaining cars will come in handy. I've always prided myself on keeping my cars looking their best. Now, I want to reach that next level of detailing. With the sound advice, and products, on Autopia, I can at least strive to make it happen.



Tschus
 
Just to add my two cents....I am still relatively new at all of this, but the one thing I have learned is to give yourself plenty of time to do the job right. I have a Tahoe and in the beginning, would always rush to finish in time (whatever job it was) and it would never look as good as I would have liked. May sound obvious to most on this site, but the job always looks better when I am not rushed. Thanks all for the great advice!
 
Beau is right on the money. My wife thinks I am often crazy for spending so much time on a "car". Over time however, she has appreciated the results I have achieved on her 2001 Mustang.



One thing you do need is time. I have spent many Saturday afternoons cleaning my wheels, washing the car, and then...RUSH< RUSH...got to get the tires dressed, got to dress the trim around the windows....got to put one coat of Rain-X on all windows..know the wife is waiting to go out to dinner etc..



I wised up. I now wash once per week. Then when I really need to do a polishing/sealing/detailing job, I set up a date in advance.



Say I pick a Saturday to detail. Fri night I wash the car thoroughly,dry it and park it in the garage. Then early Saturday morning, say around 7 am, I begin working with the Porter Cable with a polish, wait a few hours, apply the AIO with porter cable, again wait a few hours, then apply the SG, and continue to layer on SG as the afternoon progresses.



This allows me time to really work and not RUSH. I can work out swirls, polish, and then seal in, all the while allowing plenty of time for the layers to cure in between. I have also found I enjoy the job so much more when I have time to grab a beer or two, and really "get into" the job.



Again, don't know how many married folks are on this board, but I find that letting the "other half" know when I want to plan my "day of detailing" helps me have time, reduces the "nagging", and produces a better finish.



Most of you folks probably already do this type of thing..but for those of you out there with spouses who don't understand the joy you get from detailing. This type of thing might increase your time to work, and reduce the "earful" you receive from your spouse about your hobby.





Who knows, you might even get your spouse to "catch the fever"?!





SJ
 
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