summer detailing and other Q's

M

Merzbow

New member
I have launched my detailling for this season and I don't do the whole slew of waxes and glazes and all that yet because I don't know enough about it. I will be basically washing, waxing, then washing again along with the wheels interrior blah blah blah.

Anyways, what is polish. I understand you are suposed to polish after you wax? This helps with the swirls and tiny hairline scratches correct? How do you use a polish?

Second, when you clay a car, does that make the paint any weaker? Can I wash, clay, wax, wash again and that's it or is there a special procedure I need to do after claying?

Third, I use a 100% cotton cloth to apply the wax and a circular pad to remove it, could someone tell me a good brand and kind of cloth to apply and one to remove? The ones I use now arn't the best and I don't know what ones work the best.
 
Lots of opinions as to best.
I think it was Jngrbrdman that said it's 90% process, 10% product.
That is so true.
You might want to read this for a lot of good information.
Don't run out and buy everything you hear about just yet.:)

Charles
 
Sounds like you're a little confused about the procedures.

You'd want to polish BEFORE you wax. Otherwise, you'd be removing the wax you just applied to the vehicle. You are correct that polishes help remove defects. Also, it sounds kind of overkill to wash, wax, wash. :dunno

You'd also want to clay BEFORE you polish (typically). You can wash after you clay, or during the washing process. Claying won't harm the finish in any way, but I would advise to polish afterwards (again, typically).

I would advise that if you're going to be applying and removing by hand, to apply polishes with the circular terry applicator & waxes with a yelloy foam applicator. Remove with a quality micro fiber towel.

I know these are cut & dry answers (short), but you might need to do a little more browsing around the forums and see what you can glean. There's a plethora of information on DC. When you have a more specific question, you'll get a lot more answers also.

Here is a basic outline:
Wash
Clay
Polish - this can be several steps
Glaze - if you so choose
Sealant/Wax - personal preference

Again, that's very basic.
 
That covered most of it thanks alot! I have been browsing for an hour or so each day just reading up on things.

So basically you wash, clay, polish, wax, then wash.

The reason I wash again after the wax, not so much as a wash but a rinse and dry, is because the wax leaves dust behind and I think it looks dumb.

So if anyone lives in Michigan can someone tell me a place to pick up all these applicator pads and cloths? The local autoparts store doesn't have a large variety to choose from.

Thanks for the feedback so soon!!!
 
Wal-Mart has a decent selection locally, as do some AutoZone, Advance, etc. What kind of wax are you using that dusts so bad? I used to have dust problems with some waxes, so I'm just curious. One way to defeat that is to get a wx that doesn't dust. :bigups

By the way, what kind of car do you have? Isn't VVTi something Toyota does? I know my new Tacoma has the VVTi engine. Again, just curious. :)
 
I use Eagle-1 polish and wax. It does great work but it dusts. I got this for free that's why I'm using it. I used to use Zymöl wax before and wasn't too impressed. I'm almost through the Eagle-1 so I'll be doing research on a new product to try soon :)

Yea VVT-i is Toyota. I drive a 2003 Pontiac Vibe :) My baby.

www.cardomain.com/id/merzbow if you're interested in seeing her.

Thanks again for the help.
 
Not quite my style, but it is a very nice looking vehicle. :) As long as your current product works for you, then that's all that matters. I'm sure you'll soon have more stuff than you can use like the rest of us. And you can't beat the price if it's free.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top