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Old 07-13-2011, 11:42 AM   #1
SubaruWrxFan
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Default First Detail...

Hi guys, I am thinking of doing my first detail this weekend and was wondering if anyone could provide me with some insight on methods you use. I usually just wash the car and spray wax afterwards but it's not the best. Also, I use microfiber cloth to dry the car and I'm noticing swirl marks from the cloth. So could you guys also share your drying methods. And do any of you use a squeegee to get the water off before drying?
-Thanks
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Old 07-13-2011, 12:22 PM   #2
SubieDugie
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In short you need to wash the car thoroughly, detail clay the whole car(glass as well can be clayed), you can wash it again to remove the claying film or give it a good wipe down with a microfiber and detaling spray(not wax), then apply and actual wax/sealant. Spray waxes are intended to boost the wax/sealant that is already there, for on there on they will not last more than a week. The best way to dry the car is with filtered air like from a Metro vac or a shop-vac. I would not use a squeegee on the car until you have clayed. This will help ensure that no particles of dirt break free under the squeegee and scratch the finish. Microfiber is great but you really need a mf towel that measures at least 16x24 inches so you aren't constantly wringing it out. A waffle-weave mf is best for drying. I can give more in depth details shortly. Just ask any thing I was vague on.
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Old 07-13-2011, 12:25 PM   #3
Dborne
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It could be your sponge. Make sure you use 2 buckets of water and soap. And squeegees in my opinion leave scratches. I use Mothers Back to Black on my plastics outside. Meguiars inside. Vacuum realllly good. Q-tips work really well with simple green inside the vents and in hard to reach cracks. And take your TIME, because its going to take TIME.
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Old 07-13-2011, 12:29 PM   #4
SubieDugie
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What other detailing products do you have; e.g. machine polisher, polishes, non spray wax/sealant. Where did you get your microfibers(mf) and what size are they? What is the condition of the car and what is your ultimate goal with it? Thanks this will help give you a detail plan for your car. Sorry I miss read your OP. Microfiber cloths in theory are non abrasive. That said the edges are usually the cause of any micro scratching/marring coming from the microfiber itself. So inspect any MF before using it on your vehicle. A CD test is used by some people to test MF's for scratch resistance. I would say 90% of the time swirls/scratches don't come from the wash mitts, sponges, microfibers, detailing clay, and applicators we use on our vehicles. Yet, the majority of the time it is dirt/contaminants on the vehicle that we didn't completely remove in the wash/decontamination steps. All it takes to start swirling the paint is micro particles to get trapped in the products/materials we use on the paint. That is why we use multiple buckets to wash a vehicle; some people use 3-4 bucket, not just the two bucket method. If you don't have multiple wash buckets then rinsing the wash mitt with the hose after everytime it touches the car is a great way to reduce the amount of dirt that gets in your wash water. This method used with a two bucket system is a great way to prevent swirls and gives me a warm and fuzzy.

Last edited by SubieDugie; 07-13-2011 at 02:00 PM. Reason: Miss read OP.
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Old 07-16-2011, 08:48 PM   #5
SubaruWrxFan
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Thanks for the reply it was very helpful. My ultimate goal with the car is to make it as clean as possible. Also, it's a 2010 so its in mint condition. I just bought a microfiber drying cloth today. Tomorrow I am going to wash and see how it turns out. Two more questions and that is should I wash the rims first then dry or vice versa. And how can I clean the dash/interior with around the house materials
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Old 07-16-2011, 09:39 PM   #6
furiouswrx
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I use a chamois absorber towel to dry the car - works better than microfiber towels.
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Old 07-16-2011, 11:27 PM   #7
axleon2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dborne View Post
It could be your sponge. Make sure you use 2 buckets of water and soap. And squeegees in my opinion leave scratches. I use Mothers Back to Black on my plastics outside. Meguiars inside. Vacuum realllly good. Q-tips work really well with simple green inside the vents and in hard to reach cracks. And take your TIME, because its going to take TIME.
Bing-O double bucket method people! Double buckets equal way less swirl marks.
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Old 07-17-2011, 02:28 PM   #8
SubaruWrxFan
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Wow! is all I can say for the help in this thread. Today, I got up very early to wash the inside and outside of car and to say the least, it looks spectacular. I'll post pics soon.
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Old 07-17-2011, 03:09 PM   #9
jxkim
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chamois has some negative properties so i stopped using it.

even worse is the squeegee.

microfiber towels are all you need for drying and more. if you think they are bad then go buy new ones. demote your old ones to less important jobs. They are not expensive and i use them for interior, windows, wheels, etc...

i use foam pads for application.

if you wanna get more into the detail... pick up a clay bar kit and a nice base wax. i use nxt 2.0 wax. easy to find and good for its price. you can use the spray wax between details like after a wash. if you say you have swirl marks you can do a polish/compound. for swirls a product like ultimate compound by hand will work nice. swirl-x is very light and hard to get results by hand. downside of UC is it might need to be followed up by a lighter polish, such as swirl-x. it really comes down to how much work and time do you wanna put into it. o yea i <3 meguiar products... obviously

Last edited by jxkim; 07-17-2011 at 03:16 PM.
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Old 07-19-2011, 11:10 AM   #10
ohtwo wagon
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^ good detailed methods.

1. Wash/Soap Down Car....Never place sponge on the ground!!
2. Claybar with Quick Detailer Spray as lubricant
3. Wipe Down and Dry
4. Apply Rubbing Compound to Scratches on the Car then buff
5. (Optional) Polish Compound (pre-wax step) then buff
6. Then Wax
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Old 07-19-2011, 02:44 PM   #11
New2011PlasmaBLV
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go to Adam's Polishes website and watch the entire video series to understand the intricacies of every step. Then watch them all over again.....as far as the products themselves, I am sure you will hear all about them once you look around. In a nutshell, they are awesome. The people who work for Adam are extremely helpful and are always available. Lastly, their forum is worth an arm and a leg....especially the Junkman corner....good luck!
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Old 07-20-2011, 03:58 AM   #12
kateviliams
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Old 07-20-2011, 11:32 AM   #13
SubaruWrxFan
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That video helps a lot! Thanks for the help guys. Very much appreciated
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Old 07-20-2011, 12:10 PM   #14
Dborne
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Before and afters?... Maybe?
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