I need some Product recommendations and advice for a full scale exterior detail.

[SpazHairlip]

Product recommendations.



Ok, I'm going to do a first time detail of my car for an auto show next week. I've read all kinds of stuff on these boards and quite frankly there is too much of it in to many places. But I understand the steps and techniques and I plan to wash, clay, wash, clean, polish and wax. So here is what I’d like to ask of you. Please put down the name of the product you think would work best for each step. You can use my template as a guide. The car is a Torch Red 2005 Mustang GT Convertible with a Black top and graphite leather interior.



1st Wash: (What brand of soap)

1st Dry: I have a high quality leather chamois

Clay: (What brand of clay/lubricant should I get)

2nd Wash: (I assume same as the first)

2nd Dry: (Same chamois?)

Paint Cleaner: (What brand of cleaner and do I need an accelerant to dry? How many applications?)

Paint Polish: (What brand of polish and do I need an accelerant to dry? How many applications?)

Paint Wax: (What brand of wax and do I need an accelerant to dry? How many applications?)

 

[Way2SSlow]

Product recommendations.





1st Wash: (What brand of soap)

1st Dry: I have a high quality leather chamois

Clay: (What brand of clay/lubricant should I get)

2nd Wash: (I assume same as the first)

2nd Dry: (Same chamois?)

Paint Cleaner: (What brand of cleaner and do I need an accelerant to dry? How many applications?)

Paint Polish: (What brand of polish and do I need an accelerant to dry? How many applications?)

Paint Wax: (What brand of wax and do I need an accelerant to dry? How many applications?)

I dont know how fast you need all this stuff, so I'll try to list some OTC products as well as the mailorder stuff that I mainly use.



1. NXT wash (available OTC at Napa)

Clay: I really like the Adams Clay, but Clay Magic works well (available OTC at Autozone).

2nd Wash: I usually use Poorboys S&W, but you could just rewash or like many do, just say screw it, and carry on.

2nd dry: I dont see why the same chamois cant be used, provided it didnt pick up a bunch of nasty dirt and/or grit. Just look it over before you use it again,

Paint Cleaner: I have in my collection: Klasse AIO, Poorboys Pro Polish, Adam's Revive, and Megs Color X. All are available mail order, Color X is a darn good product and it's available OTC at Walmart and auto parts stores.

Polish: I use Adams Revive mixed with his scratch and swirl remover, or I use the Poorboys SSR line. I think that Mother's Power Polish may be a good OTC polish to try out.

Wax: Jury is out on wax. I have a TON of it. So it would depend on the car. I'd probably use either Poorboy's EX or Adams Butter wax topped with souveran on that car. If you are looking for a good OTC, I'd probably stick with something carnauba-like. Megs #26, NXT or Mothers Reflections and their top coat.



HTH. Dont forget to post pics.

 

[MorBid]

Your opening up yourself to alot of repsonses as everyone here will have different opinions on what is the best product in a given line. Having said that I'll throw this out there.



Washing: Meguairs Gold Class Car Shampoo and Conditioner (locally available, good lubrication while cleaning and rinses off well.



Drying: I used to use a Leather Chamois, and some times still do but the way to go now a days is with Microfiber (Waffle Weave) drying towels. They don't require the special maintenance routine, hold as much if not more water and don't "shed". You can wring them out or use at least two for the whole car



Clay: There are alot of options here, I used Clay Magic but there are some contenders I'm looking to try. After washing the car the first time, don't dry it off, put some more of the car soap/water on the panel again and then use your clay, followed by another rinse. Saves time



Paint Cleaner: Not sure what an "acclerant" is in this context (most paint cleaners are of the wipe on, wipe off type). I use the one from Pinnicale but not before polishing (most paint cleaners have fillers and gloss enhancing agents that will attempt to hide the swirls I want to polish out.)



I do use Paint Cleaners in between polishing the panels (detailing sessions) to take off the old wax and prior to applying LSP's after polishing if needed.



If I want to make sure the panels are free from wax before polishing I use a wax/grease remover like PrepSol or TOL's Prep-Wash



Polish: There are simply too many to say which is the best and the criteria for detemining which is the best rests with the person who is using it. However after just trying the Optimum Polish last night I'm for reccommending that. It's ease of use and long work time combined with the high gloss finish is enough to satisfy both the professional and the novice user.



Wax: Not going to reccommend anything here as there are just too many good ones, for a car show I would use a carnauba as opposed to a syntheic.



HTH

 

[2clean4u]

WASH: Dawn Wash- This will remove any wax or glaze the dealer might have put on



CLAY: Blue Magic, mothers, Griots, Zaino, etc...they all work



WASH: You can dawn wash again or use a soap like P21s, pinnacle, griots, Zaino, Megs Gold class or what ever you have. Use what ever you have laying around. Dont have to use a expensive soap because you have no wax on the car yet.



POLISH: This depends on what kind of shape the paint is in. Start with the least apprasive, if you still have swirls or other imperfections go to a more apprasive polish until the finish is perfect. Some of my favorites is Poorboys, 1Z, 3M MG but ther are others.



WAX: Since this is for a car show you are looking for looks and you have a red mustang I personally would go with about 2 coats of Souveran, or s100 or Megs #26. Some people get great results using Poorboys EX or VM then a topper. But remember to do the little things like having clean wheel wells, clean tires, clean windows etc.. because you could have the best paint job in the world but if you have dirty wheels or wheel wells or windows it will just take away from the looks.





Good luck and let us know how you do.



And post pics

 

[jtbalogh]

Good topic. I was always wondering about the time needed between each step above too. If time is needed, maybe that is why SpazHairlip was thinking about an accelerant.



Is wiping off the residue of a product really off before we apply the next product. I never see it off, just seeing residue pushed around. Maybe washing will guarentee it is clean again for the next product?



Thanks.

 

[MorBid]

I use Dupont's Final Klean after polishing or I have a Sealant from my local Autobody supplier that has cleaners in it and leaves the panel squeaky clean.



IMHO, if your working under sufficent lighting, you can tell when there is still residue on the panels, even if it's trace amounts.

 

[SpazHairlip]

WASH: Dawn Wash- This will remove any wax or glaze the dealer might have put on

That won't hurt the paint correct?

POLISH: This depends on what kind of shape the paint is in. Start with the least apprasive, if you still have swirls or other imperfections go to a more apprasive polish until the finish is perfect. Some of my favorites is Poorboys, 1Z, 3M MG but ther are others.

It's a brand new car, so the paint is pretty good. On the hood, there looks like there is one odd white colored or strange reflection. I'm not sure what it is, sometimes I can see it, sometimes I can't. It looks like a bead of water ran across the small area but it's not a water mark, it's odd.

WAX: Since this is for a car show you are looking for looks and you have a red mustang I personally would go with about 2 coats of Souveran, or s100 or Megs #26. Some people get great results using Poorboys EX or VM then a topper. But remember to do the little things like having clean wheel wells, clean tires, clean windows etc.. because you could have the best paint job in the world but if you have dirty wheels or wheel wells or windows it will just take away from the looks.

I've heard people mention a top coat, what is that exactly? Is it another brand of wax that goes over the wax you put down?



As far as the accelerant, I was reading on the site here that when you use some Zaino product you need an accelerant or it takes like 6 hours for it to dry. I think it was the paint cleaner or polish that was being talked about.

Good luck and let us know how you do.



And post pics

I'm going to do it this Saturday, I figure I can wash and dry it outside, and then to all the other work in the garage.



Car shot is the 24th.

 

[drewski59]

That won't hurt the paint correct?

No, a rare Dawn wash won't really do any damage. Just don't make a habit of it.

I've heard people mention a top coat, what is that exactly? Is it another brand of wax that goes over the wax you put down?

Top coats are usually discussed for sealants. Some people prefer to use a carnauba over a sealant, to get the best of both worlds.

As far as the accelerant, I was reading on the site here that when you use some Zaino product you need an accelerant or it takes like 6 hours for it to dry. I think it was the paint cleaner or polish that was being talked about.

Zaino is the only brand that has an accelerant that I know of. It can only be used with the Zaino system. If you're interested, do some reading at www.zainostore.com









And IMO, for a car show I don't even know if I'd use a wax. Just use a glaze. Produces a better finish, just at the expense of protection. Clearkote's Vanilla Moose Wax or a Meguiars glaze would work for this purpose.



Good luck! :spot