My first detail

[SGM]

Hello, everyone. First off, I just wanna say thanks to all the people who provide the great info that's on this site. Before coming here, my idea of a full detail was a good wash/dry and shiny coating of wax. Now I know this to be minimal at best.



Some time in the next month, I plan on doing my first full exterior detail on my 06 Steel Gray Metallic STi. I've had the car for about 8 months now and besides the weekly wash/dry, have done nothing to improve the look of the paint. After coming to this site and reading up on micro marring, I have finally started to notice these imperfections on the paint under direct sunlight and it is starting to bother me. So, I've decided to spend tons of money on tons of products and get the car shining and scratch free again! :spot



Basically, I would like some input on the process I plan on going about and some product advice.



I plan on starting some time in the evening, maybe around 5 or 6 and working through the night, possibly into early afternoon of the next day (if it takes that long). Here is my process in order:



Wash

p21s wheel gel for wheels and old mother's clay bar for caked in bd

TAW in the wells.

ONR

TAW to remove any contaminants, wax, or sealant on paint

autoglym for glass

Meg NXT metal polish for exhaust tip



Clay

Sonus green w/ mother's clay lube



Polish & Paint Cleaning

Edge 2000 Wave orange on PC w/ IP

Edge 2000 Wave blue on PC w/ FP

Edge 2000 Wave white on PC w/ GEPC



LSP

Either a couple coatings of UPGP or 845



Well, there it is. A few questions I have are is the ONR needed if I'm going to use the TAW? Also, will layering UPGP or 845 over GEPC cause any issues? Anyone have a preference between UPGP or 845? I'm looking for a decent shine (doesn't have to be the best) and, above all else, durability and longevity. Final question is in regards to lighting. Reading around, it seems halogen is a good choice. Anyone have any recommendations on a product? I was looking at the Designers Edge 2 1000watt light w/ tripod on amazon. Thanks a million for any input you guys can offer. When I get off work, I'll post some pictures of the state of my swirlies so you can better judge my polishing pad/product choices. :thx



Here are some pics of my swirl status:

 

[SGM]

bump w/ pics. any help would be most appreciated. :heelclick

 

[Holden_C04]

Hello, everyone. First off, I just wanna say thanks to all the people who provide the great info that's on this site. Before coming here, my idea of a full detail was a good wash/dry and shiny coating of wax. Now I know this to be minimal at best.

Autopia is in existence primarily to support enthusiast detailers, so it is great to see someone kick the habit of using wax to fill defects, rather than remove them using polish.

Some time in the next month, I plan on doing my first full exterior detail on my 06 Steel Gray Metallic STi. I've had the car for about 8 months now and besides the weekly wash/dry, have done nothing to improve the look of the paint. After coming to this site and reading up on micro marring, I have finally started to notice these imperfections on the paint under direct sunlight and it is starting to bother me. So, I've decided to spend tons of money on tons of products and get the car shining and scratch free again! :spot

Good thinking!

I plan on starting some time in the evening, maybe around 5 or 6 and working through the night, possibly into early afternoon of the next day (if it takes that long).

Why put your body through that much stress? Why not get up around 8 or 9 in the morning on a Saturday and put in your 8 hours?

Wash

p21s wheel gel for wheels and old mother's clay bar for caked in bd

TAW in the wells.

ONR

TAW to remove any contaminants, wax, or sealant on paint

autoglym for glass

Meg NXT metal polish for exhaust tip

Clay

Sonus green w/ mother's clay lube



Polish & Paint Cleaning

Edge 2000 Wave orange on PC w/ IP

Edge 2000 Wave blue on PC w/ FP

Edge 2000 Wave white on PC w/ GEPC



LSP

Either a couple coatings of UPGP or 845

This is fine. The ONR is probably not necessary if you're doing a thorough TAW wash.

Will layering UPGP or 845 over GEPC cause any issues?

No. If anything, GEPC will add to the gloss.

Final question is in regards to lighting. Reading around, it seems halogen is a good choice. Anyone have any recommendations on a product? I was looking at the Designers Edge 2 1000watt light w/ tripod on amazon.

Sounds like a great choice. However, it might be more convenient to pick up a set at your local Home Depot or Lowes.

It looks as though you have your work cut out for you. The best advice I can give you is that you have to be patient. Don't worry if you don't get every single little defect out. That will come with time. Just focus on improving your skills and technique. Here's a great PC tutorial on Youtube:







YouTube - Car detailing with the Porter Cable 7424 7336

 

[SGM]

Thanks for the response, Holden. The reason I plan on starting so late is because I am a night shift worker, so even on off nights, I usually stay up until 5-6 in the morning. I don't mind staying awake for several extra hours past that to get the finish I desire. :woot2:

 

[Patek14]

What is TAW? I did not see it listed on the acronym decoder.

 

[SGM]

p21s Total Auto Wash.