Beginning Detailer process look over

H

Harper55987

New member
First post here after scouring the forums for awhile. Finally decided to take the plunge and start doing everything myself!

Used to be proud I only used the self-service car washes and blotted with microfibers when drying but I'm hoping to really step up my game.



Equipment/Tools I have:

Misc -- Fat Max bag for managing detailing equipment

Polish/Finisher -- Blackfire Wet Diamond All Finish Paint Protection 16 Oz

Moderate Swirl Remover/Compound -- 3M 39009 Perfect-It Foam Polishing Pad Glaze-Dark - 16 fl. oz.

Cutting Compound -- Megs 105

Brushes -- Tire brush, carpet brush, 2 detail brushes, lots of tooth brushes

Wheel Cleaner -- Sonax Wheel Cleaner and Bleche Wite

Tire Dressing -- FOrever Black Tire Gel

Leather Cleaner -- Leather Master Soft Cleaner

Interior Trim -- Meguiar's Quik Interior Detailer Cleaner, 16.oz

Tool -- Porter Cable Random Orbital w hook and loop backing plate

Pads -- Meguiar's 6.5-Inch Soft Buff Foam Finishing/Polishing/Rubbing. 2 of each kind so 6 total

Clay -- Chemical Guys clay and lube

Tape -- 3M Masking Tape

Mitts -- Meg's Microfiber Mitt

Glass -- Invisible Glass

Various -- Meg's Ultimate Compound, PLstiX, ScratchX

Towels -- 25 - 50 Microfiber Towels (dad does wholesale importing on microfiber towels so I have a large source)



What else am I needing or missing? The only thing I can really pick out that may come in handy is:

Meg's APC

Quick Detailer?

An actual washing solution. I will be doing the two bucket as where I live I think my car will get to much dirt week to week to do rinseless.

Grit Guard

2, 5 gallon buckets

Terry Clothes for Leather?







Otherwise I plan on claying my car once every 3 months or so, 2 bucket wash but if I can get away with it I think I'll follow the Garry Dean method. use the 105 for repairing my current owner and dealership swirls initially. Then maintain with the 3M compound and my finish.



Any input is appreciated. I've tried to research and read as best I can but there is a lot more to real detailing then I thought
 
I really recommend ONR as a clay bar line and maintenence car wash. It's much more cost effective than other clay bar lubes and is great at washing in between major washes.
 
Is this just typically watered down then to use as a clay lube? Otherwise ONR was what I was planning on as it seems to be very highly recommended.
 
I'm not sure, but I don't think you will have to clay your car that often. Here in Utah, once, maybe twice a year that's pushing it. Having some APC and QD comes in handy, especially the QD. I did not see a LSP?
 
I have no idea on the claying. I'm sure your estimate is closer to mine. I have plans only to clay as needed with the plastic bag check.

My LSP I had thought was the Blackfire Wet Diamond. What is the difference between this and a LSP?



What's a good bang for buck quick detailer I can use?
 
Harper55987- I'd *absolutely* replace the 3M 39009 with something like 3D's Polish or Speed. Not hating on 3M, used their stuff for ages, but there are *MUCH* better products available today.



Plus, I'd either switch the polisher or the pads; 6.5" pads on a PC are too big for effective, or at least for *efficient* correction.



Make sure the Meguiar's MF mitt is soft enough, and when using it, be sure to watch that it doesn't retain (abrasive) contamination.



I would *NOT* cheap out on the shampoo (and I did for years until I wised up). I use Griot's exclusively, but Optimum's shampoo or DuraGloss's are good too. No way would I use anything less than Meguiar's Gold Class, and I won't use that on anything I care about.



Oh, and Welcome to Autopia!
 
When you buy ONR it will have the dilution ratios on the bottle for wash, clay and QD.



I'm not saying you're going to be claying it often, just that if you get yourself a gallon of ONR it's going to be great because it will last you a very long time and it's more than adequate as a clay lube, QD and maintenance wash. When I say maintenance wash I don't mean for an ONR wash to replace washing with a good shampoo completely. When really dirty by all means use a good quality shampoo, but when your car is dusty or just not really that dirty ONR is a perfect solution.



Not to mention it is, IMO, one of the best glass cleaners and interior cleaners out there.



It's not something you HAVE to buy obviously, but with a list that big I think it's a glaring omission.



The other thing I thing you're missing is exterior trim cleaner and protectant. To be completely honest I would get rid of the Meg's quik interior detailer and go with 303 Aerospace protectant on the interior and exterior.
 
Harper55987--Welcome to Autopia!!!



If you haven't used the PC yet try to return it and pick up a Griots Garage Polisher (I think Advance Auto has them for $85 special on their website). IMO it can't be beat for the week end detailer--most powerful of all the standard DA's (really tough to stop rotation with a 5" backing plate and 5.5" pads) and has a lifetime warranty.



Also, I've read allot of posts complaining about the Megs MF mitt retaining grit and causing marring. Take a look at the Carpro Sheepskin mitt in the Carpro section of this forum--for $20 I don't think it can be beat.



You might want to take a look at the posts throughout this forum regarding HD Polish and HD Cut--very easy to work with -- long working times, no dust, no heavy oils left behind to remove.
 
brownbob06 said:
The other thing I thing you're missing is exterior trim cleaner and protectant. To be completely honest I would get rid of the Meg's quik interior detailer and go with 303 Aerospace protectant on the interior and exterior.
Click to expand...





Different take here: I'm a *huge* fan of the Meg's IQD for interiors, it's about all I ever use. For exterior trim I'd LSP it and/or use ValuGard's Fast Finish.



Not slamming the 303, but mine just sits on the shelf unused.
 
Accumulator said:
Different take here: I'm a *huge* fan of the Meg's IQD for interiors, it's about all I ever use. For exterior trim I'd LSP it and/or use ValuGard's Fast Finish.



Not slamming the 303, but mine just sits on the shelf unused.
Click to expand...



I was really sold on the 303 after coming over from OTC products. When I have full details (interior and exterior with speed) I usually have my brother do the interior then follow me up after I use speed and finish everything with trim protectant and do the windows right behind me. When I got the 303 he told me he wanted me to keep getting that because it's the best stuff I had ever gotten for him.



If you're not using your 303 shoot me a PM and I'll buy what you have of it! :D



Honestly OP, in case you can't tell, some people like some things while others like others. Best bet is to try stuff out, don't go buying gallons of stuff right off the bat because you never know if you'll want to try a different product instead.



Your best bet is to follow Accumulator's suggestions since you already have the LSP and Meg's IQD. If you don't like the way either of them work on trim then try a more dedicated product.



And welcome to the money pit of trying new products that is detailing!
 
brownbob06 said:
..If you're not using your 303 shoot me a PM and I'll buy what you have of it! :D
Click to expand...



Heh heh, think I'll just hold onto it as I *do* occasionally use it for the wiring conduits in my Audi doorjambs. At the rate I use it that one bottle oughta last me the rest of this lifetime!



As such products go, it *is* very good stuff.
 
Thanks so much for all the input!

From all your input I think I'll "add":

1. 5.5" Uber pads. set of 5

2. 6" Backing Plate. I may as well try to utilize the 6.5" pads if I can since they are purchased. previously I was trying to fit 5" to 6.5" pads and I know this would fail now. May as well get 2 backing and correct pads

3. I think I will try the 105/205 combo as I already have 50% of it and have read good things. I'll still try the 3M and see how it goes. This may be purchased now or later since I already have the 3M. I'll see the shopping cart total ;)

4. Can you provide a link to a good shampoo? I had thought a rinseless wash could replace a shampoo. I found this one but am not sure if it is correct: Optimum Car Wash 128 oz.?

5. I think I'll stay with the meg's QID since it is already purchased. Once i've recovered from my initial investment maybe I'll start the sampling product phase hehe

6. I"ll take a look at the sheepskin. $20 is a small investment compared to hours of PC work if it marrs the paint.

7. Exterior Trim I'll start with just my LSP. I think more product will hurt me at this point when I am still learning

That should cover additional product!!



On the HD Cut and Polish, is this a "one step" swirl corrector? On these products I never fully knew where these fell in the detailing process. I seemed to see 3 buckets where these were used:

1. Professional shops where a client wanted a one-step paint correction and didn't want a full detail

2. An experienced detailer who was bored with their current products and wanted to try something new

3. A new detailer who wants to get in for the smallest amount out of picket and these products kind of cover a lot of the cutting,swirl mark, LSP, etc products in to just a few.

Opti-Coat seems to fall in to these same buckets as well.



What am I missing?

Thanks for the warm welcome!!
 
The HD "one step" product would be HD Speed. I usually use Speed on customers vehicles and my own because it saves a step (waxes and polishes.) HD speed is a polish, so it will get rid of light swirls, but if you want full correction you'll need more than a one step polish.



After reading your post it seems that you're under the impression that HD Cut and Polish is one product. It's not, HD Cut is one product and HD Polish is another product.



If you already have the LSP and QID I would retract my previous suggestion and do exactly what you're doing.
 
Thanks so much for the help. I think I'll stick with what I have now

What is a proper use of the opti-coat. Is this a sort of "super" sealant. I see a lot of tests done on it for longevity and resistance. Not so much for its depth and shine
 
I guess you could call it a "super sealant." It's a permanent coating, similar to a second layer of clear coat. Go on over to retailers domain and the description is really in depth. Basically you want your paint as close to perfect as possible before applying it. It doesn't mask anything, just seals in what's already there.
 
Harper55987 said:
4. Can you provide a link to a good shampoo? I had thought a rinseless wash could replace a shampoo. I found this one but am not sure if it is correct: Optimum Car Wash 128 oz.?
Click to expand...



This link to the AutoGeek store has their shampoo offerings, including the Griot's, Optimum, and Duragloss: Car Wash Products, Car wash soap, car wash shampoo, car wash brush



Some people do replace conventional washing with rinseless ones, such as Optimum's No Rinse or Garry Dean's Infinite Use Detail Juice (which I prefer).
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top