NEWB the detailer

genes

New member
I have spent the last two days detailing two of my rides. Alot of work but they look just awesome. Thanks to a real nice guy at autopia, Jonw for helping a new guy along.



Now I am expanding into the daily rides and they won't be so forgiving. I live in Washington and my truck even has mold on it...

I have purchased quite an array of products but I have never used powered equipment on cars.



PC 7336

clay excel pads 2ea blue 1ea green 1ea black 2ea bonnets

all 6"



Krasse AIO SG

Megs # 6, 26, NXT tech wax, 16, 82, 83, and hyper wash.



One car is 85 fiero-red(good finish), 85 Chevy truck-oxidized red, 93 van-good paint but dirty seats.



I got the #82 because this was all there was for swirl marks and light scratches at the store. I figured the 83 would be for the oxidized monster.



1) when there is swirls or scratches do you just work this area and nothing else around it? Then you would just use a 4" pad?



2) if you have to use a ladder to get to the top of the roof then do you tape off the metal parts so the ladder wouldn't scratch the paint if it tipped?



3) I have already used the Krasse products. I wanted to go from a #6, to the NXT then finish with the 16 on the 85 Fiero. Sound good? I wanted to show my son his face in the door-ha.



4) Is it my imagination or is detailing a car more physically demanding than weightlifting?
 
1) Just polish the whole car, whether the swirls around the area are as severe or not. It'll at least restore some gloss.

2) Just don't put the ladder in a position to touch/ fall on the car :)

3) Keep in mind that NXT had mild cleaners, so anything you put underneath of it will be partially, if not wholly, removed.

4) Quite possibly.



BTW, I think you mean KLasse ;)
 
thanks for the reply. I could use some help on the selection of pads vs. wax-posisher. Would these pads work for swirl removal, and oxidation or should I go to a different grade or company?
 
genes said:
......I could use some help on the selection of pads vs. wax-posisher. Would these pads work for swirl removal, and oxidation or should I go to a different grade or company?

The pads from Excel are fine, but you may want to pick up at least one more green, an orange, and perhaps a yellow 'just in case' you need one. Here is a thread that describes the Propel pads and uses pretty well:



http://autopia.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=49338&highlight=propel
 
:welcome to Autopia Gene



Quote: Is it my imagination or is detailing a car more physically demanding than weightlifting?



Yes, as the â€Ëœrange of motionâ€â„¢ is more varied than weightlifting and it involves complex (combinations of ) movements

JonM
 
genes- Welcome to Autopia!



genes said:
1) when there is swirls or scratches do you just work this area and nothing else around it? Then you would just use a 4" pad?



Depends how the rest of the car looks. I do spot-correction with 4" pads when everything else is OK.



2) if you have to use a ladder to get to the top of the roof then do you tape off the metal parts so the ladder wouldn't scratch the paint if it tipped?



I don't with my work platform but it sure wouldn't be a bad idea.



3) I have already used the Krasse products. I wanted to go from a #6, to the NXT then finish with the 16 on the 85 Fiero. Sound good? I wanted to show my son his face in the door-ha.



If anything, I'd wonder if the NXT is worth doing. If the #6 preps things well enough (perhaps a big "if" IMO) then you might try just topping it with the #16. But why not use the Klasse instead?



4) Is it my imagination or is detailing a car more physically demanding than weightlifting?



Heh heh, guess that depends on how you lift ;) I don't find detailing all that demanding, but my workouts really are. Detailing is a lot of high-rep/low resistance motions and that's not how I lift.



The longer you detail the easier it gets (IMO), if only because you refine the process. But the longer you lift, the more demanding you have to keep making it to still make progress. For me, the workouts never get easier, only harder.



But note that TOGWT takes a completely different tack!



And yeah, any (reputable) brand of pads will be fine, but you always need more than you expect ;) and having a variety on hand is a good idea.
 
I like the finish I got with the Klasse, that's for sure. I wanted to use different products to see the difference that's all. Tonight starts the pc education.

Actually, the line about the physical difference was sort of a joke.

My motto is go heavy or go home.

But I do find the up/down side to side movements are alot different than I'm used to. BTW I have scoured the entire area of patrt stores around here and I cannot find any #80 at all...
 
genes said:
Actually, the line about the physical difference was sort of a joke.

My motto is go heavy or go home.

But I do find the up/down side to side movements are alot different than I'm used to. BTW I have scoured the entire area of patrt stores around here and I cannot find any #80 at all...



Heh heh, yeah, I figured you were sorta kidding about the difference, but sometimes doing the different movements can be a real eye-opener. Sounds like you and I have about the same workout style.



#80 *can* be hard to find. I ordered my last batch from Meguiar's.
 
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