Doing it right this time

[carter840]

So a couple years ago I got some advice from your folks on here and tried to detail my car by hand. I did a good job with the waxes and LSP, but was unable to get any polishing accomplished (despite my hard work) by hand. This time I am going to do it right! I just bought a PC and am ready to tackle my 2006 Range Rover properly this time.



I have read the stickies and the walk-through on detailing and am pretty sure I know what to do, but I do have a few questions and could use your advice on a few concerns that are particular to my vehicle and its current condition.



For some background I have the following products (I'll do my best to name them properly):



Menzerna (all bought around 2008)-Polish, Polish II, Finishing Glaze, FMJ, Shampoo. Can I still use these older products?



Mother's-Clay, California Gold car wash, detail brush set, edgeless polishing cloth, ultra soft drying towel, Carnuba Wax



CCS Pads (6.5")- Yellow, Orange, White, Blue, Grey, some non CCS red pads (5")



My car has a few things that concern me.



1. The lower panels have tons or heavy caked on dirt, wax, oxidation and who knows what from driving through NYC often. I am worried that these contaminates will be hard to remove and may lead to contamination of may pads/towels/clay causing scratching in my paint in other areas.



2. I also have a bunch of deep scratches or nicks that are past the clear coat. Once I detail these will stick out. Is there a touch up paint people recommend? I have the "Buckingham Blue" color.



3. My PC came with a thick screw-on foam pad, some microfiber covers, and a lambs wool pad. I have not heard much about these products in the guides I've read should I be using them for anything?



4. I don't have space inside so this detail will occur outside. I know this is not optimal, but can I still get god/safe results if I do my best to minimize debris and direct sunlight?



Also here is my plan of attack



1. Wash with Menzerna Shampoo and a wash bucket (it has the dirt trap in the bottom). I will be using a micro fiber sponge with no seems, and a hose on hand for rinsing.



2. Clay the entire car with the mothers clay



3. Clean windows with Stoners spray glass cleaner, and then apply aquapel.



4. Wash again.



5. Polish- Start with Orange pad and Menzerna Polish II, use more abrasive polish if needed. (test spot first).



6. Apply Menzerna Final Finishing Glaze Gray or red pad?



7. Apply Menzerna FMJ (Full Molecular Jacket) Gray or red pad?



8. Apply Mother's Carnauba Wax with Red or Grey Pad?



I know this is a long post, but I am really nervous about this. I have invested a lot of money into the products for this and really want to get my car looking right.



Also if there is anything else I should buy to make this come out right/ much better I would be willing to spend a little more. Since this will likely take me 8+ hours it's worth another $30 if it will come out that much better.



Thanks in advance

 

[C. Charles Hahn]

1. The lower panels have tons or heavy caked on dirt, wax, oxidation and who knows what from driving through NYC often. I am worried that these contaminates will be hard to remove and may lead to contamination of may pads/towels/clay causing scratching in my paint in other areas.

Don't use your entire clay bar in those areas -- I'd split a full bar into thirds, and use one of those thirds for just the lower areas that have heavy contaminants. Then, just toss it out. Use a fresh piece of clay on the parts of the car that aren't as bad.

2. I also have a bunch of deep scratches or nicks that are past the clear coat. Once I detail these will stick out. Is there a touch up paint people recommend? I have the "Buckingham Blue" color.

Check out Langka or the Dr. Colorchip system, either should serve you well.

3. My PC came with a thick screw-on foam pad, some microfiber covers, and a lambs wool pad. I have not heard much about these products in the guides I've read should I be using them for anything?

You can use them to line your trash can but seriously, I'd hang on to them in case you ever have to do any metal polishing or working on an area where you know for certain you'll just be trashing the pad after you're done using it.

4. I don't have space inside so this detail will occur outside. I know this is not optimal, but can I still get god/safe results if I do my best to minimize debris and direct sunlight?

Hundreds of professional mobile detailers work successfully outdoors all the time. No worries.

 

[carter840]

Thanks for the reply. It seems like I am on the right track at least.



Can you folks give any insight into how hard the paint on the 06 Range Rover is? I tried searching, but most people seem to say the most important thing to know when detailing this car is to have a ladder (obvious, but not what I'm looking for).



Also what about these red pads I got? I really know nothing about pads so I am worried that I will use the wrong pads after polishing and induce scrathes. Is there a specific pad color at which the pads no longer "cut" paint?



I'm so excited to begin my detail, I'll have to wait until memorial day weekend though.



Also any products you feel I'm missing?

 

[carter840]

So from some of the reading I have been doing on here it seems that people are stressing the importance of getting the old wax off. Should I be using a specialized wash for this? Also should I add in a step after claying where I apply Klasse All-in-one?



Thanks