How to prep car?

I

iQuABoB

New member
Hey guys i am 16, im from toronto and just wanted to say hello since i just joined the forums...



I just bought a car yesterday with my own hard earned money and i want to keep it in good shape. Its a 1992 Safire Blue 240sx, the paint is still pretty good!!!



I want to know what i will have to do to prep it for winter...

How do i strip any wax or whatever that is on there right now?

I want to do that so i can protect it and make it shine with Zaino or maybe something less expensive just for the winter...

If someone could please explain what the process would be to protect with Zaino and how to protect my car from the evil winter... id appreciate it...



I searched but did not find just wut i was looking for

Thanks for the help guys =)
 
The search button will become you friend in trying to figure everything out.



Buy (or minimally) download DavidB ebook. The free version doesn't allow access to all the chapters. It's a great first start.

http://autopia-carcare.com/ -- Autopia Guide to detailing.



Winter prep - It's a bit cold right now so that will limit how much you able to do. Do you have a garage?



The general procedure is:



Wash (car wash shampoo)

Clay (auto clay)

Polish (Swirl Mark Remover, then a Fine Cut Polish if the SMR isn't cutting enough)

Sealant (Zaino, Klasse (us Canadian's that's a problem)

Wax (optional) (Z100, No. 26 etc.)



If you can swallow it, get a Porter Cable Dual Action polisher (Model 7424). Excellent machine. Canadian Tire (CT) sells it for about $230. Much much better than hand application of polishes and SMR. The US has much better prices and Coastal is having a really good sale so look into that and you might be able to get for about $30-50 cheaper than CT.



Use the search feature for the following terms and that will help you out.



Clay

2 wash bucket method

Microfiber

JTintern

Paksak

Hand polish

Zanio application

Klasse application

removing swirls

Dawn (yes it is the dish washing detergent)

wind flow

303 Vinylex

plastic polish

Meguiars Dual Action polish or otherwise known as DACP

Finesse or FI2

SMR (otherwise known as swirl mark remover)

FCRC (otherwise known as fine cut rubbing compound)

Perfect IT

Meguiars

Blackfire

Zaino

Pinnacle

Blitz

S100

wax report

Plexus

ZFX



With regards to where to get products.

303 - Zellars

Zanio - Barber's Chair at Square One or Erin Mill Shopping Center

Pads for the PC - Cmax

Meguiar's or 3M product - Cmax

Klasse - still no luck finding it locally but there are people who ship it to Canada.



There's a few of us here from TO and GTA. I'm from Mississauga actually. Feel free to ask but there is a tonne of information in the archives already. Make to search and get familiar with the "Autopian" principle of detailing.... it'll take you a few weeks to month to get up to speed and then you'll be hooked like the rest of us :bounce



Get yourself if you can:

1 - Porter Cable DA, Velcro backing plate and Meguiar's pads (2-7000 and 2-8000 and a 9000).

2 - 10+ Microfiber towels for JT or Paksak

3 - Meguiars DACP, No. 9 v2.0

4 - Zaino Z5/Z2/ZFX

5 - S100 wax (harley dealer on Front)

6 - 303 at Zeller's or Vinylex at a Horse Riding Place

7 - Zaino Clay



- Granted that may set you back $500 bucks but hey, you spent thousands already, what's a few hundred more ;)



Paco
 
you guys are right, the temperature is going to make it hard for me to really detail the car...



for now could i just wash it, and use some NuFinish or something to at least protect it for the winter?



thanks for all the other tips, i work at canadian tire, so i know about the polisher... anyways... wuts a quick cheap fix to just protect the car for now? i only have about $30 left cause i spend just about all my money on my new baby...
 
With $30, I think you're limited to getting a good car wash and a cleaner wax. I would suggest that since you work at Canadian Tire, to get Mother's California Gold Car Shampoo, and Meguiar's Gold Class wax. That should tide you over until the spring, when you will have more cash.
 
Wouldn't the NuFinnish do some cleaning and protect a lot longer than Meguiar's Gold Class? I've never tried it myself, but from what I've read here....



On the other hand, how do you get that stuff off again in Spring?
 
Good point, Linda. In this case I think something like NuFinish is fine. It has a strong solvent cleaner in it to remove some oxidation and surface crud. Plus it does have an OK sealant ability that will hold up decently over the winter. I see it all the time for about $5 so it's plenty cheap.



What I'd do is wash with dishwasing detergent (whatever's in the house because it just doesn't matter), spring for a detailing clay kit if you can afford it, after claying slap on two coats of NuFinish and call it a detail job for now.



Over the winter wash the car when you can and save $$ for the good stuff. Maybe you can order some stuff and get it at the employee price (if you get a discount). Order the Autopia Guide to Detailing, print it out and read it all winter. By spring you'll be a detailing expert.
 
For $30 bucks,



QEW (quick and easy wash) - do a search here for it. I think I may have found a local source. Can't remember the name off hand. Sounds like a very good solution for not using too much water. Especially after you rinse your car at a wand wash. or

Eagle One Wet



Meguiars No. 9 v2.0 - get the surface prep'd for Zaino.



I'll lend you some Zaino Z5/ZFX - enough for 1-2 coats.



That should get you through the winter.



How's that sound?



Paco
 
If i use NuFinish how will i get it off in the spring?



My other option i guess is to buy some wash, swirl remover/polish, and borrow some zaino from paco :D



Is it possible to polish and zaino the car by hand and have it come out looking nice, or is a polisher necessary?
 
Good news, my neighbour will let me use his garage... it is heated because he does lots of work there during the winter...



That means i wont have to wait till spring to do everything...

For now im gonna get:



- Meguiars Gift Pack for $35... too hard to resist...

- Soft Gel Wash

- Liquid Gold Class wax

- Quick Detailer

- Hot Rims Wheel Cleaner

- Endurance Tire Gel

- Meguiars No. 9 Mirror Glaze Swirl Remover

- Zaino or Meguiars No.20 Polymer Sealent



With all that i should be set... my neighbour is a cool guy with an '86 5.0L in great shape and said he will help me clean up my car over the holidays! So this is the order i will be cleaning my exterior... correct me if its out of line...



1. Wash

2. Clean Wheels

3. Clean Tires

3. Swirl Remover

4. Wax OR Sealent?



After i apply the sealent, or wax... i should be able to just wash and dry my car without having to reapply the wax or sealent correct? Then use the quick detailer to make it shine?



I dont know if what ive said is right, so please correct me... in the spring i will have some more cash and will get some more expensive products... but for now, this should be good... Anyways just let me know if my strategy is gonna work...
 
iQuABoB said:
Good news, my neighbour will let me use his garage... it is heated because he does lots of work there during the winter...



That means i wont have to wait till spring to do everything...

For now im gonna get:



- Meguiars Gift Pack for $35... too hard to resist...

- Soft Gel Wash

- Liquid Gold Class wax

- Quick Detailer

- Hot Rims Wheel Cleaner

- Endurance Tire Gel

- Meguiars No. 9 Mirror Glaze Swirl Remover

- Zaino or Meguiars No.20 Polymer Sealent



You can get all this stuff for $30? Wow, I guess the employee discount at CA tire is pretty good!



With all that i should be set... my neighbour is a cool guy with an '86 5.0L in great shape and said he will help me clean up my car over the holidays! So this is the order i will be cleaning my exterior... correct me if its out of line...



1. Wash

2. Clean Wheels

3. Clean Tires

3. Swirl Remover

4. Wax OR Sealent?



You sure you don't have another $10 somewhere for detailing clay? It removes all the surface crud you feel when you rub your hand on the paint. Makes detailing easier.



After i apply the sealent, or wax... i should be able to just wash and dry my car without having to reapply the wax or sealent correct? Then use the quick detailer to make it shine?



Well, wash when the car is dirty and needs it. QD between washes to keep the car looking sharp. QD is used to remove light dust, fingerprints, brake dust from wheels, etc. For example, I washed my car on Saturday and QD'ed today. No rain or dirt messed up my car. Just a little dust and light grub from expressway driving. QD is ideal for this kind of light surface cleaning.



I dont know if what ive said is right, so please correct me... in the spring i will have some more cash and will get some more expensive products... but for now, this should be good... Anyways just let me know if my strategy is gonna work...



It's all good. Don't stress it. Just do what you can for now and learn how to use all those products correctly. If you're new to detailing then "how" to use products is a lot more important than "what" products you use.
Click to expand...
 
the swirl remover and sealent are not included in the package... but the package is still not a bad deal...



i guess i should go for a claybar too, which kind is good?



thanks very much for all the help guys!
 
The only kind I have seen at Canadian Tire is Mother's, in a kit (check that all three parts are in the box). The Mother's is excellent. I hope you get a good discount.
 
If you only have $30, have you thought about just getting some clay (the Meguiar's is about the cheapest at $10 and comes with a QD, even though the clay is pretty soft), some car wash shampoo, and some #20. The #20 should get you through the winter just fine. You can save up for the spring to do a more complete detail if you want.
 
It just depends on the level of quality you looking to achieve. For someone who will wash there car every few months, wax once a year and not pay great atttention, than it's actually a decent product.



For an Autopian and someone wants there vehicle to looks it best or very good, it's not a way to go.



It's quite abrasive. Don't polish out very well.



Hand polish does work but does take a tremendous effort. Especially the first time out when the finish isn't up to a high standard. After you have the scratches and swirls out, touching up slight micro marring, spiderwebbing, light swirls by hand on a small area can be done effectively by hand. That's not to say you can't do the whole vehicle. It will just take much longer. If you plan on doing the whole car by hand, then I would suggest working in stages...



Session 1: Roof (clay, polish, wax/seal)

Session 2: hood (clay, polish, wax/seal)

Session 3: front panels (clay, polish, wax/seal)

Session 4: rear panels and trunk (clay, polish, wax/seal)

Session 5: side panels (clay, polish, wax/seal)



That way, you're not exhausted and in just about a months time. You would have completed you whole car.



Darn I wish I had a CT discount :)



I have a good $300 plus in CT money just itching to be used. :bounce



Have fun and don't spend too much time here... it's becomes quite addictive!



Paco
 
its not that great, we only get 10% off regular priced items... but now we get 20% off everything on sale or not, cause its christmas time!!! :) I'm gonna buy lots of stuff to keep my car clean... all i have around here is some upholstery cleaner... so i have to go buy all my stuff...



besides the detailing products, what other stuff do i need

like cloths, towels, brushes, etc... to clean my car?
 
Try to get yourself some 100% cotton terry towels or some microfiber applicators/towels for product application and removal.



Also, I got a tire brush and a wheel brush (stiff bristles, but soft material), each was $2.99 at Autozone. Not a bad deal and a great way to keep your wheels looking great with your HOT Wheels.
 
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