Detailing process documented

That's a pretty comprehensive list. For me I don't really look at evaluating the surface on any cars to speak of...All my details get washed, clayed, swirls removed, polished, glazed and wax / sealed or both.

Why are you taping off the car polishing then pressuring washing the car again?

Seems like its over kill to me.
 
Beemerboy said:
That's a pretty comprehensive list. For me I don't really look at evaluating the surface on any cars to speak of...All my details get washed, clayed, swirls removed, polished, glazed and wax / sealed or both.

Why are you taping off the car polishing then pressuring washing the car again?

Seems like its over kill to me.
Click to expand...


I always make a mess when I polish with a rotary, so I wash the car again after. The dust and splatter is too much to remove with a QD.
 
Beemerboy said:
That's a pretty comprehensive list. For me I don't really look at evaluating the surface on any cars to speak of...All my details get washed, clayed, swirls removed, polished, glazed and wax / sealed or both.

Why are you taping off the car polishing then pressuring washing the car again?

Seems like its over kill to me.
Click to expand...

I'm guessing you must not be a rotary user, or at least not often. Taping off the trim is mandatory unless you're really brave, or planning to miss about an inch at the edges of the panels. I learned that the hard way after I burned a trim piece around the back window of a vehicle (lucky for me it was MY vehicle and not a customer's!)

I would say pressure washing could be a problem; considering that you could re-induce swirls/marring with that. I suppose it does work, though.
 
jsatek said:
I always make a mess when I polish with a rotary, so I wash the car again after. The dust and splatter is too much to remove with a QD.
Click to expand...

I got it!!! that takes practice to keep the sling down....maybe some S&W would be in order its what I use....I leave the splatter on the windows and other parts until I'm done with the rotary...It use to be hard for me to leave it there but now I don't touch it until I'm ready to go to PC or hand applications, that saves time....without compromising the quality of the job.
 
I have never seen someone polish a car with a rotary and keep the car clean enough to wax right after.

What do you do with all of the polish that gets in the jambs - QD it out?
Eleminating the WASH 2 step would be nice, but the car gets way to dirty from polish to proceed. Ill take pictures next time around to demonstrate.
 
jsatek said:
I have never seen someone polish a car with a rotary and keep the car clean enough to wax right after.

What do you do with all of the polish that gets in the jambs - QD it out?
Eleminating the WASH 2 step would be nice, but the car gets way to dirty from polish to proceed. Ill take pictures next time around to demonstrate.
Click to expand...

The polish, swirl remover I leave in the jambs and cracks until I'm ready to go to hand process or there abouts....I use S&W to then remove that extra product if necessary....Using a rotary is and keeping sling down is an art form, I seem to be OK at it, but that's not saying that once done I have to clean the windows, jambs and the likes....I've never felt that I had to wash the car again....I guess that could be a personal preference.....I'm not passing judgement on it
 
Beemerboy said:
Using a rotary is and keeping sling down is an art form, I seem to be OK at it, but that's not saying that once done I have to clean the windows, jambs and the likes....I've never felt that I had to wash the car again....I guess that could be a personal preference.....I'm not passing judgement on it
Click to expand...

I'm in the same boat. I get a little sling on the windshield but nothing that needs another wash.

As for the document- who is this intended for? Future reference for you, for a newbie, or just everyone? It'll need some work if you're looking to post it for people to view. There are hundreds of products that could be used in substitute of the ones you listed. From the way you list your was procedure, after the first rinse the water may dry while you are cleaning the wheels and cause water spots. #11 in the wash air is spelled incorrectly.
1. Evalute surface condition (Using Rotary, Edge 2000 pads, and SSR
series chemicals) Do we evaluate the paint using these or are we polishing with these? Just some few ideas and suggestions tat you may want to think of because right now it may be a little misleading for a newbie. However, if this is for you to hang up in the garage for reference, it's a good list. Sorry if I took it a little far- just reviewing and commenting :)
 
This is what I did on Tuesday to my wife's train station car. These are the chemicals I am using and when in the process. This is a baseline to follow this years changes.

I am not slinging polish all over the walls of the garage! Where some would QD a car, I powerwashed it.

I evaluated the paint so I didnt use to harsh of a polish and pad combo. Some panels needed different SSR due to deeper scratches.

Only the lower body was cleaned at that point. The water spots are addressed since the car was again wet and dried after the wheels were cleaned in case of any wheel acid overspray on the lower body.

What are the 100's of chemical choices? I have Menzerna, Zymol, and 3M also for paint conditioning.
 
I'd like to introduce the PC after the rotaty polishing, but I cant get any decent results out of the PC and dont have the time or interest to figure it out anymore. The rotary is good enough.
 
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