Going to detail my car first time this summer, what should I use/do etc?

M

motobuild

New member
I am sorry for posting this, but I tried the search and between the Acronyms, and just not knowing what to search for I came short.



Ok I have a 2001 VW Jetta white in Colour. The Car is parked outside in the winters (dont have a garage, but will soon) but on a + side the car is hardley Ever driven in the winters (BTW I live in Alaska, brrrr).



Anyways, I have a Porter Cable 7663 that I JUST picked up today (had a lowes gift card, needed somthing), I am going to go pick up a velcro backing plate and some foam pads on Friday. And I am going to do this chore on Saturday. I also have some S100 SEPC (correct on the acronym?) and some S100 wax.



I do have ALOT of road grime on my car (mainly on the doors and fenders). So this is what I was planning on doing. Wash the car first. The clay the car, then I have been recomended to use WD40 if I have any really caked on parts). Then use the S100 SEPC via the Porter Cable. Then the S100 wax.



Now I hate to say it, but during the winter the car doesnt get washed nearly as much as it should (I mean its freaking freazing out ya know) and waxing? Maybe Once during the winter if I am lucky enough to use a garage.



So if anyone recomends anything that I should use in Addition to, and how to use it, that would be great. (Also it would be great if it is a product that I should be able to pick up locally, I can get 3m and Pro Meguiers products easy.
 
Tusin said:
I do have ALOT of road grime on my car (mainly on the doors and fenders). So this is what I was planning on doing. Wash the car first. The clay the car, then I have been recomended to use WD40 if I have any really caked on parts).
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I'm pretty new to this Autopian world, too ... but HOLD OFF ON THE WD40!!!!:scared Why do you think you need it? I suspect we can recommend some safer/gentler products.
 
Ok, still listening;).



The main reason I posted this is because if I need to go buy a polish or somthing else I need to do it Friday Morning (Place is closed on Saturday).
 
Hang tight, Tusin. Most of the sane Autopians are asleep now. (Time zones and all that, y'know.) I'm sure you'll get good advice tomorrow.



Meanwhile, have you downloaded and read the Autopia e-book? Get it at the bottom of the Autopia homepage. :xyxthumbs
 
Sounds like you are on the right track with a wash, and clay. The SEPC will be a good clenser and light glaze and the S100 will protect. Prior to the S100 products, if your car has swirls, you might want to pick up a swirl mark remover like Megs #9 or 3M SMR, etc. and use a cutting pad.



Michael
 
Yeh I do have some swirls (Cant really see them because the car is white). But ok this is what I am thinking now. Wash, Clay, Wash, S100 SPEC put on with the PC and a Yellow Meguirs Pad (just easy to get), then some SMR or Megs #9 put on with the PC using the Red Megs Pad? And then top it all with some S100 wax.



How does this sound?
 
You know about the 2- (or 3-) bucket wash method, right? Pick up a good carwash. Check out the recent Member Poll on that subject to see some of the favorites.



Have you read up on claying? Lots of indepth info here, including one Autopia Member Article and about 1.214gazillion threads. ClayMagic and Mothers are readily available in Walmart, Autozone, etc.



I can't comment at all on swirl removal or pads; haven't taken the "PC plunge" yet.



This spring, after I clayed the (neglected and oxidized) Benz I used some Meguiar's #7 by hand and was really impressed.



You're lucky to have S100; it's gettting rave reviews here ... as you've probably noticed already.



Also, you may want to browse thru the Detailing Product Reviews forum. It has lots of indepth discussion of specific products. Good tips and recommendations also turn up in the Member Polls.



And remember ... before and after pics! :up
 
I think you should reverse the order of the SMR and SEPC



1. Wash

2. Clay (wash again if needed)

3. SMR

4. SEPC

5. S100



Michael
 
Ok yeh after doing some more searching I am going to flip the SPEC and the SMR. But what about the Pads? Should I use the "red megs" cutting pad for the SMR? And the yellow "polishing" pad for the SPEC?
 
rightlane said:
You need a polymer sealant!!!!
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Yeah, I agree. For long-lasting protection, I'd recommend it. And I'm very happy with Zaino on my white car. But take a look at his initial post, rightlane; he hopes to get products locally so he can do the work this weekend -- as in tomorrow. So Zaino (or the other usual suspects) will probably have to come later.
 
Hmmm ok.



Shoot I am about to walk out the door to buy this stuff in about a half an hour, just trying to determine which pads to use for what.
 
Tusin said:
Ok yeh after doing some more searching I am going to flip the SPEC and the SMR. But what about the Pads? Should I use the "red megs" cutting pad for the SMR? And the yellow "polishing" pad for the SPEC?
Click to expand...

You can use either the cutting or polishing pad with SMR, it depends on how bad the swirls are. I'd suggest using the polishing pad for the SEPC.



As rightlane recommended, you might want to use a sealant for next winter if it doesn't get washed/waxed regularly, it will be a more durable protectant. But since you have the S100 stuff already, it should be fine for the summer/fall.



Michael
 
Yeh I think I am just going to get some more Polishing pads, the swirls are not THAT bad, and like I have read, its always better to use less abarsive them more (I will probably just pickup a red pad to to add it to my arsenal).



And yeh, I will look into a sealent before this next winter. Wish I would have done it last fall, ohhhh well.
 
Ok cant get SMR Localy (well I can get the one for dark colours, but I have a white car). But I can get almost any Meg products. So then #9?
 
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