Where do I even begin to start??

W

wmflyfisher

New member
Just bought a 2007 Silverado and I'm just starting out in the "detail" world. There is a TON of info on this site and I've been reading for days. Sometimes the wealth of information can be a bit overwhelming.

Just looking for a step by step for my particular situation. Paint is in great shape on this rig but there are a fair amount of water spots all over the paint and windows. I can almost "rub" the spots of with some pressure applied with my finger.

I plan on getting an orbital in the future. Where do I begin with this thing?? I can't afford to buy all the best items on the market. Really want to get the paint to where I can use the Ultima Paint Guard Plus or something similar (and easy to apply).

Any help would be great. I'll add closer pics of the paint tomorrow. BTW I love this truck!! I know it will look new with a little TLC.

DSC_1213.jpg
 
It as easy as this if you don't want to buy an orbital:
1. wash the car with Dawn dishwashing detergent
2. clay the car - get some quik detailer at the auto parts store for the clay lubricant
3. compound with meiguars ultimate compound to reduce the water marks
3. Get some ultima paint guard prep and use their applicator
4. then apply Ultima paint guard - two coats - 2-3 hours apart.

Step back and admire your work - wash it with ultima wash or Chem Guys glossworkz..

you may still have some water marks - when you can afford a orbital, get the megs MF system to get rid of them...
 
wmflyfisher said:
Just bought a 2007 Silverado and I'm just starting out in the "detail" world. There is a TON of info on this site and I've been reading for days. Sometimes the wealth of information can be a bit overwhelming.

Just looking for a step by step for my particular situation. Paint is in great shape on this rig but there are a fair amount of water spots all over the paint and windows. I can almost "rub" the spots of with some pressure applied with my finger.

I plan on getting an orbital in the future. Where do I begin with this thing?? I can't afford to buy all the best items on the market. Really want to get the paint to where I can use the Ultima Paint Guard Plus or something similar (and easy to apply).

Any help would be great. I'll add closer pics of the paint tomorrow. BTW I love this truck!! I know it will look new with a little TLC.

DSC_1213.jpg
Click to expand...

If you really want to get the paint looking great with minimal effort there are a couple of solutions.

Ultimately getting a random orbital dual-action polisher such as a Porter Cable 7242 XP or a dual-action forced rotation polisher such as a FLEX are going to make huge improvements in the paints condition and shine.

Prior to purchasing these (and getting the pads and abrasive polishes necessary) you can use something like this.

BLACKFIRE Total Polish N Seal- You can apply this by hand or with a dual-action polisher (when you step up). It will be more effective at cleaning the paint when you use a machine but until then it works really well by hand. Apply it to the paint, working a section at a time, until you complete the whole truck. It cleans, polishes, and protects the paint in one step. If you are dealing with water spots (vs. water etching which requires far more aggressive techniques) then you will make quick work of these too.

After using BFTPnS, you can top the paint with either Ultima or BLACKFIRE Crystal Seal. Crystal Seal is a similar product but uses polymers that will bond perfectly to the protection left behind by the previous step.

For a more detailed thread on Total Polish N Seal: http://www.autopiaforums.com/forums...re-total-polish-n-seal-brand-new-product.html

For a more detailed thread on Crystal Seal: http://www.autopiaforums.com/forums...blackfire-crystal-seal-brand-new-product.html

Prior to doing any step though, I would make sure to inspect the paint and clay first! http://www.autopiaforums.com/forums/product-guide-how/38093-blackfire-polyclay.html
 
Todd Helme said:
If you really want to get the paint looking great with minimal effort there are a couple of solutions.

Ultimately getting a random orbital dual-action polisher such as a Porter Cable 7242 XP or a dual-action forced rotation polisher such as a FLEX are going to make huge improvements in the paints condition and shine.

Prior to purchasing these (and getting the pads and abrasive polishes necessary) you can use something like this.

BLACKFIRE Total Polish N Seal- You can apply this by hand or with a dual-action polisher (when you step up). It will be more effective at cleaning the paint when you use a machine but until then it works really well by hand. Apply it to the paint, working a section at a time, until you complete the whole truck. It cleans, polishes, and protects the paint in one step. If you are dealing with water spots (vs. water etching which requires far more aggressive techniques) then you will make quick work of these too.

After using BFTPnS, you can top the paint with either Ultima or BLACKFIRE Crystal Seal. Crystal Seal is a similar product but uses polymers that will bond perfectly to the protection left behind by the previous step.

For a more detailed thread on Total Polish N Seal: http://www.autopiaforums.com/forums...re-total-polish-n-seal-brand-new-product.html

For a more detailed thread on Crystal Seal: http://www.autopiaforums.com/forums...blackfire-crystal-seal-brand-new-product.html

Prior to doing any step though, I would make sure to inspect the paint and clay first! http://www.autopiaforums.com/forums/product-guide-how/38093-blackfire-polyclay.html
Click to expand...

Thanks Todd!! That polish n seal is what I'm talking bout! Seems like a no brainer. When the weather warms up I will give it a shot and see.
 
I can understand completely how you feel about detailing. There is so much on the market as to who's product would be best whether its over the counter or online. If I read your nick name correct your into fly fishing, I felt the same being overwhelmed went I recently went into a large fishing store for some simple items.

Here's my take on your truck, if you are going to start out on a shoe string budget. I've been a fan of Poorboys World products for a long time, why? Because they produce great results by hand or with a machine. They are very user friendly from beginners to professionals. Can be used in and out of sun, and most important they won't break the bank.

I wouldn't use dish washing soap to wash the truck but as a one time wash it would be OK. Why? Dish soap cuts oils, and a lot of car care products have oils in them, so you are removing the protection. Get yourself some good car wash soap OTC Megs is a decent brand or you could order some from PB (its the one I use) they are designed to clean without removing the protection.

Second cleaning the paint. Megs and Mothers both have clay kits OTC, that would be ideal for getting the paint clean, its easy and there are tons of threads here on how to and videos on uTube.

Polishing to remove minor swirls, this will be the hardest part by hand, but the good news is the color of your truck, doesn't show them as much as a darker color would. Poorboys has a polish with carnuba and polish with sealant. These are called AIO ( all in one) application. Means that they correct to paint and add protection at the same time. The P-w-C has been my go to for jobs like yours for over 10 years. The process is very important in getting good results. Work in 12x12 inch areas, using cotton applicator ( cotton gets much better bite on the paint) This also gives you a lot better control over the product. Remember that a dime size amount working that into the paint until it disappears, this means the polish has broken down and done its work.

As a finial step I would go with a sealant over wax, sealants are man made highly durable and have great shine. This is a hand application and very easy to do. You can also layer this for additional shine and durability

Here is a list of what I have described above for shopping. I hope this has helped in debugging this detail product and care. Feel free to ask any more question on product and process, happy to help!

OTC
Megs or Mother clay kit

Poorboys World
Super Slick & Suds car was soap
Polish with Carnunba or Sealant ( both are excellent)
Sealant EX-P its a pure sealant
 
The world of detailing can be overwhelming at times, thankfully this forum has plenty of knowledgeable and helpful people to make things a bit more simple and clear cut! I would follow the advice that others have already laid out in this thread, but for more information about processes and technique the Autopia storefront has an excellent series of detailing articles you can work through at your own pace.

Car Detailing How To Information
 
Excellent excellent info boys. Just what I need. I might just wait til I get an orbital to begin. Heck the PC is only like $100 bucks. I can manage that.

Does anybody have any tips for using the orbital and not getting wax in the grooves and all over trim or plastic. I'm OCD and it seems like that would be a challenge.
 
wmflyfisher said:
Excellent excellent info boys. Just what I need. I might just wait til I get an orbital to begin. Heck the PC is only like $100 bucks. I can manage that.

Does anybody have any tips for using the orbital and not getting wax in the grooves and all over trim or plastic. I'm OCD and it seems like that would be a challenge.
Click to expand...

Keep in mind that you will need more pads than those that come with a kit. That's the single biggest mistake I've seen.....not enough pads or the wrong ones for the job.

Masking off is the best way to keep product out of spots where you don't want it. One width does not do all, get the sizes you'll need.

http://www.autopia-carcare.com/3m-masking-tape-03431.html
 
wmflyfisher said:
Does anybody have any tips for using the orbital and not getting wax in the grooves and all over trim or plastic. I'm OCD and it seems like that would be a challenge.
Click to expand...

You'll want to tape up all of the trim and plastic as polish can often cause staining or discolor - as can certain kinds of wax/sealants. I like using the blue "painters tape". I've tried Meguiar's detailing tape but I find it not nearly as good (doesn't like to stay on as well when polishing around it). I've seen paint shops use the yellow stuff (can't remember who makes it) and that's really good as well.
 
Once again, this is why I like ultima or any of the Wipe on products - no crap to get anywhere in the grooves or on your black trim. I'll never use another buff off product in my life as I always do a miserable job with a Q tip....also, 20 buck bottle has got to do about a hundred cars....( a guess, but you use virtually none)
 
glen e said:
Once again, this is why I like ultima or any of the Wipe on products - no crap to get anywhere in the grooves or on your black trim. I'll never use another buff off product in my life as I always do a miserable job with a Q tip....also, 20 buck bottle has got to do about a hundred cars....( a guess, but you use virtually none)
Click to expand...

That's true for the LSP glen but when one needs to machine polish or compound masking off is generally required for at least some areas.
 
understood...but I was replying to this from him, which implies LSP wax;

Does anybody have any tips for using the orbital and not getting wax in the grooves and all over trim or plastic. I'm OCD and it seems like that would be a challenge.
 
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