Final Inquiries Before I Detail: How'm I Doin' ??

[HondaMan]

Well, tomorrow's the big day...gonna finally use some of my detailing stuff.

I think I have absorbed enough not to make any mistakes, but let me know if I'm doing all the 2ndary stuff right, like proper care and use of the sponges, sprays, and MF's. I've listed the specific questions where I couldn't track down answers from websites or Q&A's here at DC.

OK, here's my guidelines for tomorrow morning:

(1) Wash car with 4* UAW Shampoo. Rinse with hose water, dry with drying MF towel.

(2) Clay with clay bar and clay spritz. QUESTION 1: When finished, do I go onto Step 3 or wipe down with another MF, or use any spray to remove residue? Someone mentioned using 50/50 spray for SSR's removal, not sure if it applies here).

(3) SSR1 by hand or PC (I may skip this step only because MY car is only 6 weeks old. I'll do this step for cars in future weeks I work on). QUESTION 2: I understand that 50/50 isopropyl is the way to get this off, forget about MF toweling, right?

(4) Klasse AIO. QUESTION 3: I'm told to wipe it on and off very quickly. If I apply with a MF applicator, do I wipe it with a MF towel? If I wipe it on and then off, how's it supposed to coat the car?

(5) UPP -- QUESTION 4: Does applying by PC have any benefits over hand? After applying, buff with a MF towel.

BTW, I'm using AIO this time because I figure I may be time constrained since I will probably be going very slow. In the future, Step (4) might be 2 steps: Poorboys PP and EX-P. Question 5: Both applied by hand or by PC? And do I use a MF towel after applying each to the car before going onto the next step(s) -- EX-P after PP, UPP after EX-P ?

Thanks for all the help guys. Sorry for the attention to newcomer detail but I just want to make sure I use these things right, even if there's little chance I'll screw up the car.

I think I have the Big Picture OK -- it's just changing MF towels, applicators, and pads and then putting them away or cleaning them and all the other steps that is driving my mind a bit nuts. It's alot to absorb in 3 weeks. I'm hoping to do an exterior and interior cleaning (not a pro detailing, but a 90-95% job) in about 4-6 hours. I figure I might need more time, only because I'll probably be reading all the bottles and my computer screen and printouts during the detailing. So I might be going very slow.

I'm gonna try and take some pics, especially AFTER. My car doesn't look too bad right now BEFORE -- again, it's only 6 weeks old. The other cars I work on will have more dramatic changes (hopefully!).

 

[Woob]

Welcome! 3 Weeks to do research is worthwhile! :dcrules

1) You can go to step 3, or just to make sure use the clay spritz (QD i assume) to make sure the bulk of the residue is gone (there shouldnt be chunks, just streaks

2) Alcohol water will take away the fillers / oils, but I remember SSR1 not having any so no need to do so. (Ssr makes a very nice surface to work on

3) AIO can be used on/off fast or slow, you can even wait for it to haze on the entire car, its ridiculously easy. AIO is a chemical cleaner, but it does leave an acrylic layer good for UPP. don't get particular, it just cleans and sets a perfect surface for UPP

4) I like my PC, sorry its just to dang easy! I would do 1 PC layer than layer by hand for more protection and of course look, but PC all the way for me

5) PP - EX-p - I would use PC for PP, its liquidy but u can work it way easier if u use to much with a PC. EX-P either hand or PC (pc for me, I love it) You can try UPP after EX-P layers, but I would think it wouldn't bond nicely

Use your MF alot, they are safe. Make sure to clean em/ care correctly. Change for each polish / wax stage. Hope I could help! :bigups

PS get before shots! it makes detailing funner

 

[HondaMan]

Thanks Woob....will get some shots B/A, not sure if I have a digital camera or if I have to take regular shots, scan, and then upload. Will try and borrow a digital camera and then figure out a way to get 'em onto the PC and then here.

 

[awd330]

Well, tomorrow's the big day...gonna finally use some of my detailing stuff.

I think I have absorbed enough not to make any mistakes, but let me know if I'm doing all the 2ndary stuff right, like proper care and use of the sponges, sprays, and MF's. I've listed the specific questions where I couldn't track down answers from websites or Q&A's here at DC.

OK, here's my guidelines for tomorrow morning:

(1) Wash car with 4* UAW Shampoo. Rinse with hose water, dry with drying MF towel.

(2) Clay with clay bar and clay spritz. QUESTION 1: When finished, do I go onto Step 3 or wipe down with another MF, or use any spray to remove residue? Someone mentioned using 50/50 spray for SSR's removal, not sure if it applies here).

(3) SSR1 by hand or PC (I may skip this step only because MY car is only 6 weeks old. I'll do this step for cars in future weeks I work on). QUESTION 2: I understand that 50/50 isopropyl is the way to get this off, forget about MF toweling, right?

(4) Klasse AIO. QUESTION 3: I'm told to wipe it on and off very quickly. If I apply with a MF applicator, do I wipe it with a MF towel? If I wipe it on and then off, how's it supposed to coat the car?

(5) UPP -- QUESTION 4: Does applying by PC have any benefits over hand? After applying, buff with a MF towel.

BTW, I'm using AIO this time because I figure I may be time constrained since I will probably be going very slow. In the future, Step (4) might be 2 steps: Poorboys PP and EX-P. Question 5: Both applied by hand or by PC? And do I use a MF towel after applying each to the car before going onto the next step(s) -- EX-P after PP, UPP after EX-P ?

Thanks for all the help guys. Sorry for the attention to newcomer detail but I just want to make sure I use these things right, even if there's little chance I'll screw up the car.

I think I have the Big Picture OK -- it's just changing MF towels, applicators, and pads and then putting them away or cleaning them and all the other steps that is driving my mind a bit nuts. It's alot to absorb in 3 weeks. I'm hoping to do an exterior and interior cleaning (not a pro detailing, but a 90-95% job) in about 4-6 hours. I figure I might need more time, only because I'll probably be reading all the bottles and my computer screen and printouts during the detailing. So I might be going very slow.

I'm gonna try and take some pics, especially AFTER. My car doesn't look too bad right now BEFORE -- again, it's only 6 weeks old. The other cars I work on will have more dramatic changes (hopefully!).

1. Sounds about right.

2. I prefer to re-wash after claying, but many people will just carefully wipe the lube off with a microfiber towel. In either case, polishing should remove any leftover residue.

3. SSR1 should be wiped off with a microfiber towel. The 50/50 isopropyl alcohol/water mixture is a general recommendation for removing traces of oils and fillers that remain after polishing. SSR1 does not have oils or fillers.

4. When using AIO, it seems best to do 1-2 panels at a time. Apply to one large panel (hood) or two small panels (fenders), then wipe off with a microfiber towel. Leaving it on longer will make it more difficult to remove.

5. Applying UPP by PC will allow you to spread the product more thinly and evenly. I actually seem to use less UPP by PC than by hand. Apply to the whole car, wait 15-45 minutes, then wipe off. If you plan to layer more than 1 coat, then apply subsequent coats by hand.

PP and EX-P apply well by PC. For PP, apply using a polishing pad (use much less of this product than you think you need), wait for it to completely dry, then wipe off with a MF towel. For EX-P, apply using a finishing pad, wait 45 minutes, then wipe off with a MF towel.

Don't be discouraged if your initial results prove to be a little frustrating. 3 weeks is barely enough time to learn the most basic of detailing techniques. There are people on this forum who have been detailing for 30 years and are still learning new tricks. The good news is that you seem to have purchased some very high quality products. This will make your learning process that much easier. Good luck!

 

[freedre]

awd is right - it takes time and practice to become really good. What I would suggest is that you come and work on my car for a couple of weekends until you get the hang of it. Just kidding (sort of).

My first attempt was with the 'Klasse twins' and I didn't have very good luck and was quite discouraged; I got lots of good advice and support from the DC communitey tho, so I kept at it. After I switched to PB's, things got much easier. However, having said that, Klasse gets pretty good reviews, and I am a rookie.

IMHO, claying is the most important step to remove 'sharp' type contaminants (from new cars, this is usually 'rail dust'). IMO, if you don't get this stuff off, you just drag it around on your next steps. A lot of it can be 'metallic' and damage your paint (at least that's what I think). So, clay, clay, clay. If you can still feel anything, clay it again. Also, you can use soapy water as a lubricant for the clay instead of the spritz - the results will be the same (you will notice how much it grabs and drags without enough lube)

It sounds to me like you are on track and you will be happy with the results.

If not, you are still welcome to practice on my car.