Detailing Procedure

P

porterror

New member
This is on my 2002 Focus SVT (RED)

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Exterior

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1.) NXT Wash -> Dry

2.) Clay bar (Clay Magic Kit)

3.) Klasse All-in-one (Applied by hand)

4.) NXT Tech Wax

5.) #16



Windows + Head/Tail lights

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1.) Autoglym Glass Polish & Cleaner or Invisible glass (Suggestions?)

2.) Rain-X if i can find some around here

3.) Plexus Plastic Polish (Lights)



Wheels

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1.) NXT Tech Wax (Rims)

2.) Eagle One Tire-Wet (Wheels)



Interior

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1.) Sonüs Cockpit Detailer





Any suggestions on my procedure? I'd really like to purchase a PC soon, cause my arm is getting a work out!! Also, this is the first time doing the Exterior procedure, i'm not sure of waiting times between steps?
 
porterror said:
.......

Exterior

-------------------------------

1.) NXT Wash -> Dry

2.) Clay bar (Clay Magic Kit)

3.) Klasse All-in-one (Applied by hand)

4.) NXT Tech Wax

5.) #16

........Any suggestions on my procedure? I'd really like to purchase a PC soon, cause my arm is getting a work out!! Also, this is the first time doing the Exterior procedure, i'm not sure of waiting times between steps?
Click to expand...

To save some steps I like to clay using a clean solution of car wash soap before bothering to dry the car (wash>rinse>clay with car wash mix>rinse>dry).



You can go right to NXT after AIO. Wait 12-24 hours before applying another coat of NXT or #16. Same way with #16, wait a day between additional applications.



Apply #16 in a VERY THIN coat and you won't have any trouble removing it. Apply too thick and it may be difficult. I apply it so thin I have trouble seeing it on a light colored car. If applying by hand lightly swirl your foam applicator over the top of #16 and it will sort of liquefy, squeeze out any excess and apply it as thin as possible.



For windows I like IG, but there are lots of good cleaners available. My personal regimen for RainX is to clean the front windshield, apply RainX, then wash the car (just rinse the windshield). The rinse makes removing RainX a tad easier. I usually use Clearkote's Vanilla Moose on all other outside windows.



Everything else sounds good. A PC really does make things a lot easier and (IMO) more enjoyable, but with what you're doing your results by hand should look very good provided your paint doesn't have defects (swirls, marring, etc.) that would need to be polished out first.
 
Sounds good to me. I enjoy doing it by hand , so with a PC it might make it 10x better ;P . Also, what is this Clearokte Vanilla Moose? and is it better than IG for the windows? I really really liked 1Z Window Polish, thought it did an amazing job, but they dont' sell 1Z anymore. Is the Autoglym Glass Polish & Cleaner or IG at the same level as the 1Z?



Thanks.
 
Vanilla Moose isn't a glass cleaner, it's a wax/glaze (with minor cleaning abilities) that works well on paint, plastic, glass, chrome and rubber molding around windows. It's something you'd use before some waxes/sealers:



http://www.exceldetail.com/Excleproductswaxpolish.html



There are other threads on VM, and if you want to do a search you'll find a lot more info. I'll just say that I like it so well I bought a quart the last time a vendor had a sale. At this point I'd just keep it simple and go with your plan. After you get a PC and read some more you may want to experiment with different products.



I can't comment on Autoglym Glass Polish & Cleaner or 1Z, but IG has worked very well as a glass cleaner for me.
 
AG GP is a really good glass polish/cleaner. Has more bite than a usual glass cleaner though.



1Z products are generally good.



I have had good success polishing plastic with AG Paint Renovator & SRP. I wetsanded (1000/2000 grit) a matte TV frame to make its appearance more modern, then went over with the AG PR & SRP. Turned out shiny and reflective!!!
 
Doesn't your car need any polishing? If it doesn't, I don't really think you need PC that bad. It could save time in applying some of your products, but with no real polishes on the list most are just wipe on, wipe off.
 
I was going to use the Klasse-All-in-one for the polish before the waxing. I just tried the Invisible Glass on my windows today to give it a try and NO GOOD. Even though it said it doesn't streak, i had some streaks left over. I still can't find anything close to the 1Z Window Polish. Also the window polish was great at taking out wax that might have slipped on window after i do my wax. Hopefully the Autoglym glass polish is decent.
 
AIO wont remove swirls or scratches.



What Ben was saying, is if your car has a finish without defects, then you can use chemical cleaners, and sealers by hand.



The PC makes spreading and working in AIO easier, but it isnt mandatory.
 
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