All this hard work needs to be undone!

R

rodeo-clown

New member
Last week I spent a good 3 hours detailing my new black car.

The process was to wash, AIO, SG then wax. The car looks great. After waxing, I did notice that there were some water spots which were not removed. Today, I gave it a quick wash, and the water spots were still there...and now they're bugging me endlessly.

So the plan is to start fresh, this time with clay first up. Depending on clay availability here, I'm looking to get Mothers or Clay Magic.

Is there anything I need to do before claying the car? Should I apply a coat of AIO to help remove the wax?

Thanks for your help...hopefully this process does the trick.
 
Another Aussie and a Sydneyite at that! Welcome!!

Mothers or Clay magic ( blue ) are fine.
The following is a pretty good process to follow ( IMO ):

1. Wash ( and before rinsing off suds, clay the horizontal surfaces, give it another quick wash then rinse. If using QEW, then same process except QEW, clay, QEW then dry off ). Wash in a shaded area to minimise waterspots!!
2. Use a vinegar/water solution ( 50:50 ) to remove the waterspots. If they are stubborn, then maybe pick up a tube of Megs ScratchX ( light polish ). Available locally and works well by hand - just dont get too ambitious and try polishing large areas = very sore arm!
3. AIO
4. SG ( Id lay down 2 layers 24 hours apart )
5. Wax

Do a weekly upkeep of a wash and then give it a wax every 2 - 6 weeks, depending on when you think it needs it. Should last you until you are bored enough to try new stuff. Feel free to PM if you need any more info. And lastly, post up some pics!!
 
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First off, don't waste your AIO to start over. :nono

Sounds like you needed a pure polish for your prep work. AIO is a great product, but leaves protection behind. In my use of one-step products, there is a definitive curve over how well it will clean vs. how well it will protect. AIO protects better than it cleans.

A quality pure paint polish will clean much better than AIO and typically leave your surface better off. From there, I would suggest the combo you have already done.

Best of luck to you, and looking forward to some pictures.
 
Further to this, the most affected parts of the car are the roof, boot and hood, naturally as they are exposed to the rain the most. I also have a sunroof and although it looks spotless in day light, under fluorescent light I can also notice some water marks.

Should I be claying / polishing the window too?

Here's a pic under fluorescent lights. It's almost impossible to capture the watermarks on camera :(
 
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Update

So I receieved my products today and although I didn't have time to do the whole car, I had to try a bit...so I decided to do the boot (aka trunk).

Gave it a wash and clayed it.

Then I applied ScratchX and buffed, then applied some Reflections and buffed (all by hand).

After I was done I AIO'd and applied one layer of SG.

Half the boot after a wash and clay - notice the swirls!!!
37180587.jpg


This is the other half of the boot after a few coats of ScratchX and Reflections. No more watermarks (that I could see), however under a flood light I could still see a few scracthes.
37180588.jpg


Some pics are showing off the reflection of the boot outside. :)
37180589.jpg


37180590.jpg


Very happy with the results, considering it was all by hand. I think for the rest of the superficial scratches, I'll need to invest in a PC. I'll need to spend most of Saturday completing the other horizontal areas.
 
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