First real detail job

Bobcat

Bobcat

New member
OK, I'm 47 and untill I started reading here and other fine sites, thought I knew a bit about car care. Well, I didn't and I want to thank ya'll for all the insights. I just finished my 3 month old RAV4 with flint mica paint. It had a coat of NXT that I applied a week after I got it. Saturday, 94 degrees, high humidity, carrying 44 lbs of extra fat, this old boy went to work. I used WG - wash, clay, polish, and sealer. Applied the polish and sealer with a PC. I used Wheel Wax on the stock sport rims, that was the only product that was a pain. It went on thick no matter how I tried for it not to, dried instantly into concrete and added an extra hour to my work. I cleaned the tires with Joy and a spay of 409 - scubbed, then air dried, 303 protectant applied with a spronge. Now, what did I learn: that screw-on handle on the PC, leave it in the box! NEVER lift the PC until you turn it off!, micro fiber towels are better than anything I've ever used, I will create an exercise video called Sweating the Details! The results are great, I can't believe how much better it looks. I have so much more pride of ownership now. Thanks everyone!
 
Junebug...

Great email... you have me by 14 years.. but man am I out of shape... Im an IT guy by trade and sit on my arse all day....
When I detail my cars (just started REALLY doing it this summer).. Im sore for a long time.. Shoulders, legs, fingers, etc.... And I also sweat my butt off as well.... I think its good excersize.. but I just have to remember that my shoulder hurts the next day because of the detailing.. and not because Im having a heart attack! :-)
How about some pics?
 
That PC can sling a pad farther than you thought possible, eh? I, and many others, have been through the same thing. I work under the same conditions with the same, ahem, padding but I've got ten years on you........"sweating the details" is WELL understood!!!!

It's sure nice once you've got it down to have a car that's better looking than when you bought it.
 
Now I'm faced with a bit of a quandry, my wife likes the look of my RAV4 and would like me to do her Sienna. It's in good shape, has a coat of NXT on her and gets washed weekly. She wants that real wet look that I've been told only comes from a carnuba wax. So, can I use my WG products and method and put the wax over the sealer or use the wax instead of the sealer. I'm inclined to believe it should go over it and I'd hate to lose the protection the sealer adds. What do ya'll think? BTW the color is that deep burgandy.
 
Use the Wolfgang sealant but wait 24 hours to apply the wax. Keep the car dry during that time for best results. I prefer the look of the Wolfgang wihout a wax topper but you can decide that for yourself.
 
RTexasF said:
Use the Wolfgang sealant but wait 24 hours to apply the wax. Keep the car dry during that time for best results. I prefer the look of the Wolfgang wihout a wax topper but you can decide that for yourself.
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I agree!! I would apply 2 coats of WG to assure even coverage (12 hours apart from each other) and after the second coat has cured you can top with the wax if you wish. But like Texas said, you may want to go topless. :)
 
Can I apply another coat of WG sealer after a wash job? This would be a week from the original work.
 
Junebug said:
Can I apply another coat of WG sealer after a wash job? This would be a week from the original work.
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YES
If you want to make that burgundy darker try MEG.# 26 My wife drives a burgundy explorer and last fall I put Mothers FX on it then topped it with #26 it looked much better than the FX
 
Lol. Boy it's hell to get old and out of shape and your car suffers too!,Lol. All togeather now....Lift that sponge, wash that car, spread that wax........Mike
 
RTexasF said:
That PC can sling a pad farther than you thought possible, eh? I, and many others, have been through the same thing. I work under the same conditions with the same, ahem, padding but I've got ten years on you........"sweating the details" is WELL understood!!!!

It's sure nice once you've got it down to have a car that's better looking than when you bought it.
Click to expand...


Yes a PC can, but a rotary wins the Pad toss competition!! :bubba
 
June

Welcome to the wonderful world of detailing...your hands and back will never be the same:cool:


On the rims next time use some QD spray to help removing the residue...spray on and then wipe off...it helps to soften up the wax residue and it comes off very quickly...another tip for you
 
Thanks Beemer! One other thing I've learned is - there is so much more to learn about this stuff. Anybody that thinks they can understand it all in a few weeks is nuts. I wish every company would sell a video on their products, showing how they should be used and all. I guess I could hang out at various detail shops till I get chased off!
 
Welcome to the world of detailing its hard and even harder as you get older we have many gentlman here who detail daily,biweekly etc i give a big congrats to all, and the results you truly produce.

I like to give another gentlemen who works a full time job out of state and details for his friends in his spare time. Most know who he his.
A Big Congrrats to you gentlemen who work hard to acheive the perfect finish:bigups
 
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