Mother of all detailing threads...Warning 56K!

[inyong1988]

Originally Posted by Doppler Bob

My buddy used it on one of my doors one day... it wasn't too bad. Nice shine out of it, but didn't do diddly for scratches.

just tried on my car, all i can say is, this thing is amazing.

[jomasoccer9]

subscribed!
Great info.
Nice pics.

[SiliconX]

Originally Posted by NitrousG35

Hey Silicon, thanks for the extra info. I appreciate you taking the time to add to the info I posted. Hopefully, people will be able to make good decisions about how to detail their cars. One thing that I might add is that I posted things that people usually can buy at any Auto parts store, Wal Mart, Target or the like. There are specialty items like the Poorboy's, Wolfgang, etc. that need to be purchased online. I have a lot of commercially available stuff and I have lots of the more expensive, exotic stuff as well.

We all have our favorites when it comes to waxes, polishes and sealants as well as applicators and towels. The main thing is to use good, quality products and learn how to properly apply them. Thanks again for helping out the community here on 8th Gen!

Yeap. And I wholeheartedly recommend that that is exactly where people start. They're great products, and will do a great job in preserving and enhancing the finish of your car. OTC stuff like Meguiar's, Mothers, Turtle Wax will do a great job.

But I do also recommend that people who are serious or semi-serious about car detailing do some legwork and look into the boutique products like Wolfgang, Pinnacle, Duragloss and the like. I mean, $85 for a small cannister of Pinnacle Souveran Wax? That's alot of money, and I never would've splurged for that if I hadn't seen the results for myself.

Much like many other endeavors, start small, and learn. And then research, and learn some more. Ask for opinions and help, and learn some more. I'm hardly a detailer on the same level as Rasky, but I enjoy it. And I can't agree more with the last line of your post. Do a bit of legwork, and do alot of reading. And NEVER be afraid to ask for opinions and help. That's how I learned.

Another thing I would like to add: proper care of your products goes a long way. Take care of your MF cloths. Keep your waxes, sealants, etc stored at recommended temperatures. Keep your mitts separated and wash them with recommended procedures. Even the cheapest stuff will outperform super expensive stuff when the former are cared for more than the latter.

[NitrousG35]

Originally Posted by SiliconX

Yeap. And I wholeheartedly recommend that that is exactly where people start. They're great products, and will do a great job in preserving and enhancing the finish of your car. OTC stuff like Meguiar's, Mothers, Turtle Wax will do a great job.

But I do also recommend that people who are serious or semi-serious about car detailing do some legwork and look into the boutique products like Wolfgang, Pinnacle, Duragloss and the like. I mean, $85 for a small cannister of Pinnacle Souveran Wax? That's alot of money, and I never would've splurged for that if I hadn't seen the results for myself.

Much like many other endeavors, start small, and learn. And then research, and learn some more. Ask for opinions and help, and learn some more. I'm hardly a detailer on the same level as Rasky, but I enjoy it. And I can't agree more with the last line of your post. Do a bit of legwork, and do alot of reading. And NEVER be afraid to ask for opinions and help. That's how I learned.

Another thing I would like to add: proper care of your products goes a long way. Take care of your MF cloths. Keep your waxes, sealants, etc stored at recommended temperatures. Keep your mitts separated and wash them with recommended procedures. Even the cheapest stuff will outperform super expensive stuff when the former are cared for more than the latter.

Good points all. I too use the more expensive stuff. You should see Natty's Poorboy's Blue on a dark color. As for sealants, Jet Seal is expensive, but simply the best for shine and protection. Even better than Wolfgang.

As you also said, it is important to take care of the supplies you have and store and clean them properly. All my stuff was inside all winter. My mf towels are washed at a warm temperature and dried at a low temperature. There are special detergents like Chemical Guys that you can use to wash the towels too.

Detailing a car is really just being methodical and careful and knowing which products to use in any given situation.

[darkrom]

Nitrous G35 let me just say I hate you simply because of your name lol. It reminds me of the turbo or supercharged G35 that smoked me on the street. We were under a tunnel and he just came flying up to me. I gave him a fairly good run till I hit the rev limiter and just hung my head in shame. He woulda smoked me anyway. Just wanted to let you know that your name makes me cringe.

I got no real problem with you though just wanted to share my story :)

[NitrousG35]

Originally Posted by darkrom

Nitrous G35 let me just say I hate you simply because of your name lol. It reminds me of the turbo or supercharged G35 that smoked me on the street. We were under a tunnel and he just came flying up to me. I gave him a fairly good run till I hit the rev limiter and just hung my head in shame. He woulda smoked me anyway. Just wanted to let you know that your name makes me cringe.

I got no real problem with you though just wanted to share my story :)

Too funny. LOL. Yes, my G would walk my Si, although I think off the line, the Si might actually get the jump on the G. If you had a turbo or S/C on your Si, I think it would be a different game.

[RaskyR1]

Nice write up Bill!



I will only add this...

Bill and a few others have listed many excellent waxes/sealants that you can use on your car, some are low in price and some are very high in price. I say figure out what is most important to you in a wax and then narrow it down to a few of them. (Ease of use, durability, depth, gloss, feel...)

The only way to tell which wax works best for you is to do side by side comparisons. Tape off multiple sections of a hood and use a different wax for each section. This is the only true way to tell which wax is best for you because you can't accurately compare how waxes look when their not side by side. Examine each section in different lighting conditions and also see how each hold up after a few weeks. In the end you should know which wax you like.

Basically, without a side by side comparison your mind can trick you into thinking some new wax is better because it has been hyped up by people that say it is? Not to say that people are wrong when they claim such things but did they actually base these claims on actual comparisons??? See my point?



I love this quote by Mike phillips!


"Find something you like and use it often"

If you like it, then you obviously like how it applies and removes and it looks good in your eyes, if you use it often your car's paint will always look new because it's only when paint is neglected that it goes down hill

[NitrousG35]

Originally Posted by RaskyR1

Nice write up Bill!



I will only add this...

Bill and a few others have listed many excellent waxes/sealants that you can use on your car, some are low in price and some are very high in price. I say figure out what is most important to you in a wax and then narrow it down to a few of them. (Ease of use, durability, depth, gloss, feel...)

The only way to tell which wax works best for you is to do side by side comparisons. Tape off multiple sections of a hood and use a different wax for each section. This is the only true way to tell which wax is best for you because you can't accurately compare how waxes look when their not side by side. Examine each section in different lighting conditions and also see how each hold up after a few weeks. In the end you should know which wax you like.

Basically, without a side by side comparison your mind can trick you into thinking some new wax is better because it has been hyped up by people that say it is? Not to say that people are wrong when they claim such things but did they actually base these claims on actual comparisons??? See my point?



I love this quote by Mike phillips!


"Find something you like and use it often"

If you like it, then you obviously like how it applies and removes and it looks good in your eyes, if you use it often your car's paint will always look new because it's only when paint is neglected that it goes down hill

So true Chad. I kind of have my favorites that I use frequently. Once in a while, I will try out a new product just to see if there any differences, but generally, I always return back to the tried and true products as they deliver the results I want.

Wax is kind of like your favorite beverage. What is champagne to one person is pee-water to another. I feel that both Meguiar's and Mother's make products that are not only good for the average person, but can also produce a show car finish as well.

The exotic stuff is fun to try out and some of it really gives incredible results.

I want to make a pitch for your meet in June at your place because we will be able to see side by side comparisons of various products. As you said, the only real way to test products is to mask off areas and do a side by side comparison. We need to look at the depth, the shine, the smoothness, the clarity and overall enhancement to the paint.

Chad, I would appreciate if you would add products that you highly recommend starting with polishes, then sealants and waxes. Also, if you could add anything regarding towels to use, applicators etc. it would be great!

[inyong1988]

is it bad to wax/sealant the car right after clay bar?

[asndragonboii]

Originally Posted by inyong1988

is it bad to wax/sealant the car right after clay bar?

No it's not bad. You can polish it if you want, after clay, before wax.

[NitrousG35]

Originally Posted by inyong1988

is it bad to wax/sealant the car right after clay bar?

First day I got my car, I clayed, glazed, waxed and sealed. Took me and VQ Power a few hours, but oh boy, did it ever look good when finished. You want to seal and wax right away because the clay has properly prepared the surface. You don't want any dust or contaminants on the paint.

[inyong1988]

Originally Posted by NitrousG35

First day I got my car, I clayed, glazed, waxed and sealed. Took me and VQ Power a few hours, but oh boy, did it ever look good when finished. You want to seal and wax right away because the clay has properly prepared the surface. You don't want any dust or contaminants on the paint.

sounds good,
so is this the correct progress?
1. wash
2. dry
3. clay
4. paint cleaner
5. polish
6. wax
7. sealant.

[NitrousG35]

Originally Posted by inyong1988

sounds good,
so is this the correct progress?
1. wash
2. dry
3. clay
4. paint cleaner
5. polish
6. wax
7. sealant.

Reverse steps six and seven. Seal first, then wax. You won't believe how good your car will look after you are done. If you have a dark color, I would highly suggest using Meguiar's Mirror Glaze #7 to bring out depth in the paint. Use before sealant and wax.

[inyong1988]

Originally Posted by NitrousG35

Reverse steps six and seven. Seal first, then wax. You won't believe how good your car will look after you are done. If you have a dark color, I would highly suggest using Meguiar's Mirror Glaze #7 to bring out depth in the paint. Use before sealant and wax.

amazing which i can rep you!
well, I do have a dark paint for myself.
heres my car after wash then wax. nothing serious. but def. will try your steps following week.Thanks again.

[NitrousG35]

Originally Posted by inyong1988

amazing which i can rep you!
well, I do have a dark paint for myself.
heres my car after wash then wax. nothing serious. but def. will try your steps following week.Thanks again.

Bro, your car is gorgeous. Absolutely beautiful. I love NHBP FG2's. They have almost a stealth fighter look to them, all mean and nasty and hunkered down, ready to pounce on its next victim. Please post up when you have done all your steps. I am anxious to see how things turn out.

[RaskyR1]

Originally Posted by inyong1988

is it bad to wax/sealant the car right after clay bar?

lol, you asked the same question on like 3 threads.

[inyong1988]

Originally Posted by NitrousG35

Bro, your car is gorgeous. Absolutely beautiful. I love NHBP FG2's. They have almost a stealth fighter look to them, all mean and nasty and hunkered down, ready to pounce on its next victim. Please post up when you have done all your steps. I am anxious to see how things turn out.

Thank you for your positive comment bro.
yup, I just placed my ordered on glaze and wolfgang sealant. so we'll see how it goes. Thanks again for great DIY.

[inyong1988]

Originally Posted by RaskyR1

lol, you asked the same question on like 3 threads.

yeah I was in rush to know cuz I was actually doing the clay bar. but I got the answer now

[trickyazn]

nitrousg35, first of all i truely adore the effort you put into washing your car's.. the pictures seems like its great but i believe in person itd be amazing.

btw how do you wash your towel's/mitts? Ive read around that putting it in the washer and not using any detergent but it comes out all faded and feels like 75% of the softness is gone and almost totally faded in color.. any advice in keeping them looking/feeling like new?