Newbie Autopian questions

K

knowell

New member
I've been lurking the forums for the past week since I discovered the site and I've already picked up some good tips but somehow I still have some questions left unanswered.



First is; are there any alternative for ONR? Like can I use a small amount of normal car soap/shampoo but diluted into water?



I understand that for drying the car, it's understandable that I should use a different set of MF for the main body of the car and to that of the wheels. Is 3 MF for the body of the car and 2 for the wheels enough? Also for applying LSP or QD, can I use the MF that I used in drying the car or should I use a different set?



Lastly, I bought one of these in our local autoshop: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B002Q5B3BM/ref=redir_mdp_mobile/180-0415565-6412354



Can I use this in drying my car or this should be just strictly used for applying QD/LSP?
 
Not really--ONR has polymers that encapsulate the grit to help keep it away from the finish.





Size of the MF and if you blow dry (if doing a conventional wash) first determines how many you will need.



A large waffle weave drying towel is usually enough to do an entire car. With ONR you don't blow dry and usually need 2 MFs(depending on size) -- one for initial wipe and one for secondary wipe. Keep drying MFs and LSP MFs separate. A foam or MF pad would work best for applying Sealants or Wax then a few MFs (not the same as for drying) for removing the haze.



Not familiar with these--looks like a Waffle Weave for drying. Target has some nice MFs at a reasonable cost. You can never have too many.
 
I'll bite and help out the newbie. In most cases you don't need a ton of junk, with mf towels you need 3 little cubbies or those plastic contaners. Put your drying and glass microfibers in one, last stage polishing and buffing mf in another, and interior/door jamb/genral purpose in the final. The general purpose mf can be those bulk generic ones. For drying get some big ones at chemicalguys.com they have a sale now. Same for lsp and buffing/wax removal. Boom, your mf needs are done. Put the dirty ones in their own labeled paper bags if you aren't going to wash right away to keep separated.



get some good All Purpose Cleaner or APC, dilute it 4:1 for heavy cleaning, and look up other dilutions to use for glass and interiors. You don't need special glass cleaners or interior cleaners. Read barry theals post "money wasted.rant".



the pros don't buy every litle thing out there. Start simple, like M205 and a carnauba wax, if you need more correction get some 105, etc. Put the money in tools, like a flex orbital, metro vac, etc.
 
Thanks for the replies guys, I guess I'll be getting more MFs since I only have 6 at my disposal with the biggest as 40x40 only. I'm still looking for that big MF towel or at least a plush Terry towel that I can use for drying the entire car. Qatar isn't a good place for newbie detailers as the source of materials needed are very scarce. :(
 
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