I have a plan, need honest critique

[tlak]

This is my first post, grate place, and I am glad I found it

I did a lot of reading about detailing lately (here and elsewhere), but I have not done any serious job on any of my cars (washed at least once a week clan inside do windows condition leather wax my previous cars – but only with NuPolish). I have Graphite Pearl Honda Accord Coupe with almost no scratches (Has not been waxed yet). I am looking first for durability and than for looks J I DON’T want to add any scratches. Car needs to be CLEAN and protected, always was.

I have:

PC, Sonus DAS pads kit, Sonus Total Eclipse, Plexus Plastic Polish, Mequiar’s Deep Crystal Polish Step 2, Meguiar's NXT Car Wash, Mothers Instant Detailer, Mothers Clay, Sonus SFX Ultra-Fine Detailing Clay, Collinite’s 845 and 476, only 4 foam applicators and more than enough micro-fiber towels.



My plan:

1)Wash with dove (I don’t think I have any wax left but well…)

2)Clay

I have two clays which one would be better for first timer, also I don’t have any lubricant –should I go with dove or NXT water mixture? What ratio should I use?

3)Wash with NXT and dry

4)Mequiar’s Deep Crystal Polish Step 2

I want to use PC to apply polish, use micro-fiber towel to wipe off, it would be first time, which pad should I use DAS blue or green, Is it OK to use green since I'd like to save blue for wax application. Which speed should I use 4,5? Not many scratches should I use foam?

5)Wash with NXT and dry (do I need to wash at this point)

6)Apply Collinite’s 845 with PC wipe off by hand.

Which speed is good 2,3? Which pad - blue? Can I apply Collinite in sun – I read it needs to dry before removal? Apply on the whole car than wipe off? Or WOWO?

7)Wash with NXT and Dry (don't wash let it cure)

8)Apply Collinite’s 845 after 24 hrs



I have to do it right :hairpull , and this is grate place to get me on the right track.

thanks

 

[toml]

I don't have the Sonus pads, so I can't comment on pad selection. However, you really don't need to wash the car first with Dove. Your polishing will get rid of whatever wax is left on the car. I'd simply wash the car with the NXT Car Wash, rinse, clay using a small batch of NXT car wash in a spray bottle as lube, wash again with NXT, rinse, and dry.



For any kind of polishing by PC, use a speed of 4 to spread the polish around on the paint (no more than a 2' x 2' area). Then kick the speed up to 5-6 for the real work. You'll see a world of difference in PC speed between 5 and 6, so just experiment and find what you're comfortable with.



No need to do your step 5 (wash with NXT and dry) as your paint should already be squeaky clean after the polish.



The Collinite 845IW will definitely fit your durability requirement, and it'll look good too :xyxthumbs :xyxthumbs I'd use a speed of 4 on the PC (that's what I've used with CMW and UPP) but perhaps others who've applied IW by PC can chime in with their technique.



Don't wash the car (step 7) right after you've applied the wax (step 6). Wash the car before you do the 2nd coat of wax (step 8) so that you're not waxing over a dirty surface.



That should get you started ...

 

[tlak]

Thanks Toml



Is it ok to polish in the sun with 845 do I apply wax on whole car let it dry and than remove? I read that Mothers Instant Detailer or any detailer can be used, as a lub for claying, is it true? A lot of autopia forum members that use PC to apply the wax suggest low speed 2 or 3, I am still not sure about which pad to use :nervous2:





hm is it the right part of the forum to post questions like mine?

 

[Accumulator]

tlak- Welcome to Autopia!



Yeah, I'd skip the Dove and just use the NXT wash. The Mother's Instant Detailer should work with the Mother's clay and you'll probably find the green Sonus clay too mild for what you're doing anyhow (I'd get some of the proper Glyde lubricant for it).



Note that the Deep Crystal Step #2 is nonabrasive. No real point in using a speed higher than 3-4 since it won't be mechanically removing any marring anyhow (though it should hide a little of the finer stuff). If you want to use the Deep Crystal line I'd also use their Step #1 cleaner first; it'll remove any residue from the clay. It's nonabrasive too.



I wouldn't apply the wax or the polish in the sun. But I'd sure inspect the vehicle in the sun before applying the wax to make sure it's the way you want it. I haven't used the 845 much (preferring the 476S) so I'll let somebody else comment on how long to let it set up. But put it on *thin*. Use your softest pad (blue) to apply wax. I use speed 4 for wax application but you could go slower.



And yeah, the Autopia University forum is the right place for this Q :xyxthumbs

 

[tlak]

Thanks Accumulator

Should I apply Deep Crystal by hand, I have only one blue pad, do you think green would be ok for polish. Is there a lot of residue after clay - just don;t know what to expect. When you apply wax do you cover whole car and wipe or go in sections. I have 476 its a paste so I was thinking it may be a little difficult to do as a first time. Also, do you let 476 dry?

thanks good tips

 

[Accumulator]

Should I apply Deep Crystal by hand?

Yeah, it should go fine/easy by hand as long as you don't use too much. Just follow the directions on the bottle (except I'd use foam to apply and MF to remove).

Is there a lot of residue after clay - just don;t know what to expect.

Depends, I don't get much but others do. If you're not experienced with claying I'd plan on having some residue to deal with, better safe than sorry.

When you apply wax do you cover whole car and wipe or go in sections. I have 476 its a paste so I was thinking it may be a little difficult to do as a first time. Also, do you let 476 dry?

I apply 476S to maybe three panels and then go back and remove from the first one. Apply to a few more and then remove another, etc. etc. *DO NOT* put it on thick or it can be a pain to buff off!! No way to over-emphasize that. It dries pretty much before I buff it off but it's not like I let it set up while I apply to the whole vehicle either. I'd say it's *almost* dry when I buff it off, so close that most would say "it's dry". If you let it set up too long it can be tough to buff off too. Sorta a fine line, but try the panel-by-panel approach and you should be OK if you put it on thin. The 845 Insulator Wax isn't nearly as finicky, BTW. But put *it* on thin too.

 

[tlak]

Thanks again Accumulator

Don't want to sound like a broken record, would it make sense to use green pad (or pad which came with PC :idea ) with polish?

I think I will go with hand application but I may try PC as well (wanna save blue for wax)

I have Sonus Enhance Polish (got it free - when I bought bunch of stuff here) is it equivalent to Mequiar’s Deep Crystal Polish Step 2?



:hide: Accumulator = car battery or collector???

 

[Accumulator]

Don't want to sound like a broken record, would it make sense to use green pad (or pad which came with PC :idea ) with polish? ..I have Sonus Enhance Polish (got it free - when I bought bunch of stuff here) is it equivalent to Mequiar’s Deep Crystal Polish Step 2?

I won't be of much help this time as a) I'm not familiar with the Sonus pads, and b) not familiar with the Sonue Enhance either.



But I would *NOT* use the pad that comes with the PC for anything automotive related. I'd either pitch it or use it for something around the house like your shower doors. It's not soft enough for automotive paint.

Accumulator = car battery or collector???

Heh heh, haven't heard the "car battery?" one before



"Accumulator" comes from- Oft-asked Q: "Do you collect cars?" Answer: "Nah, I just accumulate them".

 

[tlak]

Thanks Accumulator

You mention about Step #1 paint cleaner after claying, would use of it be for cleaning clay residue and/or just for additional paint cleaning. I am guessing it would do both in this situation. I planned my detailing over next weekend and I can't find Step 1 in any of local stores any alternative - something available at AutoZone, pepboys.

Thanks again Accumulator



P.S. Can anyone comment on my Sonus green use with polish in my situation?

 

[Accumulator]

You mention about Step #1 paint cleaner after claying, would use of it be for cleaning clay residue and/or just for additional paint cleaning. I am guessing it would do both in this situation. I planned my detailing over next weekend and I can't find Step 1 in any of local stores any alternative - something available at AutoZone, pepboys.

Yeah, I'd expect it to do both, just a general "getting it even cleaner" sort of thing.



I'm not to helpful with OTC stuff as I order almost everything I use online. I'm surprised you can't find the Step #1 stuff though as I *do* see that in our local autoparts store. Not sure about alternatives, sorry. Something that sounds the same from Mother's would be a good option, but I dunno beyond that.



If you're planning for next week you could probably order something and have it in time. See what others recommend too...

 

[tlak]

To be honest I just checked two stores for it...including the one I got step 2 :think:

How do you apply paint cleaner is it liquid or paste. I read that Meguiars Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner is strictly chemical cleaner, so is it wowo type of procedure? Use foam applicator or PC and MF to wipe off?

:grinno:

 

[toml]

To be honest I just checked two stores for it...including the one I got step 2 :think:

How do you apply paint cleaner is it liquid or paste. I read that Meguiars Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner is strictly chemical cleaner, so is it wowo type of procedure? Use foam applicator or PC and MF to wipe off?

:grinno:

If you're committed to going the Meguiar's Deep Crystal route, you should call a couple more auto stores. You're bound to run into one that is able to get it if they don't have it on hand. You might also want to check Walmart, Target, and KMart if you have them in your area.



After a quick look at their website, it also looks like Mothers (another readily available OTC product) has a similar 3 step system. Their California Gold pre-wax cleaner seems to do the same thing as Meg's Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner, so you might want to try that if you can't find the Meg's Paint Cleaner.



In terms of procedure, you might also want to ask your question on the Meguiar's forum. Not saying that someone here can't answer your question ... but the Meg's forum is specifically about Meg's products.

 

[tlak]

Thanks for the tip toml

I just found some info on Meg's forum regarding cleaner application, wowo with soft foam applicator or MF I don't think it needs to be worked in.

:grinno:

 

[tlak]

My plan (revised):

1) Wash with NXT

2) Clay with Mothers Clay and Mothers Instant Detailer as a lubricant (use fair amount) - wipe of with MF

3) Mequiar Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner Step 1 apply with soft foam pad and wipe of with MF use WOWO method (use PC ? hm don't have enough pads )

4) Mequiar’s Deep Crystal Polish Step 2 - use PC with green Sonus DAS Pad (spray pad twice with detailer ) speed 3 to 4 wipe of with MF do 2x2 area at the time left to right up and down till polish is gone.

5) Apply Collinite’s 845 - use PC with blue Sonus DAS Pad speed 2 to 3, wipe off by hand

cover 3 car panels with wax and than wipe of one (same application method as polishing)

After 24h

7) Wash with NXT and Dry

8)Apply Collinite’s 845 as #5

9) Have a cold one or two



I'm gonna do it on Saturday it should be about 78 and sunny (too hot?) so I will do it in the garage (out of direct sun), any other suggestions. I'm still not sure about PC (speeds and all that - read a lot but.....) and I hope it will not be difficult. What I read it looks like Meg’s (step 1 and 2) products is wipe on wipe off application and they don’t need to dray.

 

[tlak]

:woohoo:

sorry

:woohoo:

anyone?

 

[tlak]

I did it :clap:

It took me form 7:45 to 2:30 - I thought it would take longer for as I am first timer.

What I noticed while doing it:



1) Wash with NXT - no problem her I think I am expert by now

2) Clay with Mothers Clay and Mothers Instant Detailer as a lubricant, wipe of with MF

I used half of the bottle of the lub on the whole car, also I divided clay in half afraid of dropping it, which I did working on the front bumper - last section. Half of the clay bar is sufficient to work with. Detailer is a good lub, and clay is easy to work with. I never clayed before, my car is 1 year old daily derived and garaged, clay was really dirty and I had to work it to expose fresh clay very often. I had no residue after the clay at all. Did I overdo on lub - is there such a thing?

3) Mequiar Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner Step 1 apply with soft foam pad and wipe of with MF use WOWO method. Easy just make user area is in the shade. (I really did not see any difference after using it - but I did it any way).

4) Mequiar’s Deep Crystal Polish Step 2 - use PC with blue Sonus DAS Pad (spray pad twice with detailer) speed 2 to 3, application - wipe off with Sonus DAS Buffing Bonnet over green pad speed 4 to 5. Polishing got off tiny scratches I had. I was working on small area at the time because polish was drying out farley fast. By far polish was the longest process.

5) Apply Collinite’s 845 - use PC with Sonus Final Finish (SFX-3) speed 2 to 3, wipe off with PC Sonus DAS Buffing Bonnet over green pad speed 3 to 4. No problems with wax drying out I applied whole side of the car with clay than wiped off. PC worked grate for that one wax was really even and wipe off was really fast. Waxing took me about 45 minutes. I used lass than inch from the bottle - is it a lot or not enough?



I am going to put second coat of wax on Monday after washing the car with nxt.

I rally did not know what to expect; the whole process was lengthy but needed and not difficult at all. I never used PC before and I did not have any problems with it at all - EASY and worth the investment. I like wax application with PC. I think it is very essential to work in the shadow, I did claying and paint cleaning outside than I had to move to garage since I lost shade. Temperature was about 80 and not mush of humidity.



I am very happy with my first detailing job, I realize that it was not perfect and my car was in grate shape from the beginning no many scratches.

Sorry for lond post, I hope it could be halpful for begginers like I.



Also I ended up having some "haze?" I don't know how to describe it I guess some unevenness in reflection shadow on the hood. I think it is wax related so maybe I can fix it tomorrow - any ideas?



Thank

 

[Accumulator]

The "haze" might just be excess/uneven wax. You could try washing the area and see if that gets rid of it and/or try a QD. Worst-case you'll have to use the Deep Crystal #1 and #2 again to clean and re-prep the area and then apply a *thin* coat of wax.



It sounds like you did things right. You probably used more wax than you needed to but it doesn't sound excessive.

 

[tlak]

Thanks Accumulator

I was not able to apply second coat of wax after 24hrs, next chance I will have to do it, would be almost week after first layer. Any problems with that?

I got read of some of the haze with QD and MF by hand

I would like to try 426 before winter maybe in 3 months or so should I go with all of the steps or just wash it and wax?

I don't drive much, car is garaged, and I was under impression that polishing should not be done more that necessary.

Thank again I think without pointers I got from both of you it work would be more difficult.

:woohoo:

 

[toml]

Thanks Accumulator

I was not able to apply second coat of wax after 24hrs, next chance I will have to do it, would be almost week after first layer. Any problems with that?

I got read of some of the haze with QD and MF by hand

I would like to try 426 before winter maybe in 3 months or so should I go with all of the steps or just wash it and wax?

I don't drive much, car is garaged, and I was under impression that polishing should not be done more that necessary.

Thank again I think without pointers I got from both of you it work would be more difficult.

:woohoo:

I don't want to steal Accumulator's reply, but there's no problem with applying a second coat of wax a week after the first. We can only fit in detailing where we can! Just make sure that you wash and dry the car first before applying the 2nd coat



You're right in that polishing shouldn't be done more than is necessary as you want to keep as much clearcoat as possible. In terms of the 476S, you could apply it on top of what you already have. Or, given that Accumulator said that your cleaner and polish were really mild, you could use your cleaner or polish to strip what you have on the car and apply the 476S to a fresh surface. A quick perusal of the Megs forum leads me to believe that you could use the Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner often and it wouldn't thin out your clearcoat because it's so mild. Probably same thing with the polish. In terms of which one to use to strip the wax, I don't know as I've never used those products ... I use AIO, VM, or RMG.



In terms of switching to 476S for the winter, you might want to read up on this thread about Collinite waxes and their differences.

 

[tlak]

thanks toml

I just did second application of 845, looks grate.

Haze which I had after first application washed off and I think haze after second wax will as well. Beating is GREAT :shocked :drool: :bow 845

I have some photos to show, but it seams that we have limit as far as size - understandable. I am not sure hot to go around it :help:



thanks





PS got the photos