About to try detailing on friend's miata

[zergling]

I'm about to do my first "detailing", and my friend was willing to let me try it out on his '89 Miata. His paint really reflects the age of his car, most of it was really dull and discolored red, but there are parts that still show some hints of shine (parts that were covered in bra in the past).

Here's what I plan to do:

NXT Car Wash
Smooth Surface Claybar
Show Car Glaze (this is #7 Polish, correct?)
NXT Tech Wax 2.0

Some questions:
1) Are there any things that I should check out first, to make sure I don't ruin his car?
2) Do I need to dry the car before claybar?
3) Do I need to do anything in between claybar and polish, and polish and wax?

Thanks everyone!

[Opticon]

if it were me i would wash the car, buff the entire car using 3M perfect II swirl mark remover, then wax.

[NitrousG35]

From the sounds of it, this paint really needs a good polishing before any waxing. It probably is oxidized as well has having scratches and swirls. Ideally, it should probably be done with a rotary machine and then hit it with a random orbital. I am not sure claybar will do much if the paint is as described.

[zergling]

hmmm...might be a bad idea for a newb like me....(not to mention I was planning to do this by hand....)

The objective of this was really for me to try the products and to get an idea on how much work it takes....

Hmm, should I take pics first and post it up here to get more opinions?

[NitrousG35]

Originally Posted by zergling

hmmm...might be a bad idea for a newb like me....(not to mention I was planning to do this by hand....)

The objective of this was really for me to try the products and to get an idea on how much work it takes....

Hmm, should I take pics first and post it up here to get more opinions?

Post pics maybe before you start. Rasky or I can take a look at the paint condition. If the objective is just to try out products only, then go for it. I thought you were detailing your friend's car, so that is why I suggested the polishing. If you just want to test products out, I would go ahead and do as you suggested.

[ImTheVoiceOfGod]

Originally Posted by zergling

1) Are there any things that I should check out first, to make sure I don't ruin his car?

Like how? Its already a Miata!

[RaskyR1]

Originally Posted by zergling

I'm about to do my first "detailing", and my friend was willing to let me try it out on his '89 Miata. His paint really reflects the age of his car, most of it was really dull and discolored red, but there are parts that still show some hints of shine (parts that were covered in bra in the past).

Here's what I plan to do:

NXT Car Wash
Smooth Surface Claybar
Show Car Glaze (this is #7 Polish, correct?)
NXT Tech Wax 2.0

Some questions:
1) Are there any things that I should check out first, to make sure I don't ruin his car?
2) Do I need to dry the car before claybar?
3) Do I need to do anything in between claybar and polish, and polish and wax?

Thanks everyone!

If you're going to be working by hand I would get either ScratchX or Deep Crystal Step 1 and then do the following steps.

-NXT Car Wash
-Smooth Surface Claybar
-ScratchX or DC1
-Show Car Glaze (this is #7 Polish, correct?) it's a pure polish (does not remove scatches or oxidation, it adds depth gloss and beauty)
-NXT Tech Wax 2.0

Go to youtube a search how to apply ScratchX. It's a lot of working detailing a car by hand and will likely take you most of the day.

Post pics if you can.


Rasky

[zergling]

Originally Posted by ImTheVoiceOfGod

Like how? Its already a Miata!

LOL!

Originally Posted by RaskyR1

If you're going to be working by hand I would get either ScratchX or Deep Crystal Step 1 and then do the following steps.
Rasky

Thanks RaskyR1. I actually have ScratchX for my car's cobwebs

I'll talk to my friend and see if I can get pictures of his car's paint before deciding if I can actually make a difference on it. Thanks everyone!

[RaskyR1]

Originally Posted by zergling

LOL!



Thanks RaskyR1. I actually have ScratchX for my car's cobwebs

I'll talk to my friend and see if I can get pictures of his car's paint before deciding if I can actually make a difference on it. Thanks everyone!

Anytime! If you are looking to do some details for friends or even money on the side a polisher like the PC would be a wise investment. It would save you a LOT of time, yeild better resluts, and you will still be able to use your arms the next day.

[audibleforce]

Originally Posted by RaskyR1

Anytime! If you are looking to do some details for friends or even money on the side a polisher like the PC would be a wise investment. It would save you a LOT of time, yeild better resluts, and you will still be able to use your arms the next day.

I can agree with that. I detailed my car this weekend and did the car wash, clay bar, cleaner polish and wax and man were my arms soar the next day.

[zergling]

Originally Posted by RaskyR1

Anytime! If you are looking to do some details for friends or even money on the side a polisher like the PC would be a wise investment. It would save you a LOT of time, yeild better resluts, and you will still be able to use your arms the next day.

Originally Posted by audibleforce

I can agree with that. I detailed my car this weekend and did the car wash, clay bar, cleaner polish and wax and man were my arms soar the next day.

Thanks, I'm quite sure I will get a PC in the near future....I just haven't done enough research on which one to get.....

thanks again!

Now, a recommendation for a newb-friendly PC would be appreciated

[RaskyR1]

Originally Posted by zergling

Thanks, I'm quite sure I will get a PC in the near future....I just haven't enough research on which one to get.....

thanks again!

Now, a recommendation for a newb-friendly PC would be appreciated

PC 7424/G100/G110/UDM are all VERY similar so I say go with which ever one is cheapest. Most important would be to buy the training DVD which features Mike Phillips of Meguiars. Well worth the $25

Auto Detailing Training DVD

G110 at ADS $149
Meguiars G110 Polisher

[zergling]

Originally Posted by RaskyR1

PC 7424/G100/G110/UDM are all VERY similar so I say go with which ever one is cheapest. Most important would be to buy the training DVD which features Mike Phillips of Meguiars. Well worth the $25

Auto Detailing Training DVD

G110 at ADS $149
Meguiars G110 Polisher

wohoo! Rasky just saved me several hours worth of reading gots to love online forums thanks again!