Newbie Needing Advice

M

MTomlinson07

New member
I have a Black 2001 Dodge Ram with some swirl marks and stuck on dirt on the flat areas, here is what I am thinking about doing:



Dawn Wash

Clay Bar

Medallion Premiuim Paint Cleaner

#9 Swirl Remover

#26 Hi-Tech Wax



Would this be a good choice?, I will be applying everything by hand. Any suggestions would be appreciated, because I am new to this.
 
What do you mean by "stuck on dirt"? What have you tried washing it with so far?



And why "Dawn wash"? Do you have some wax on it that needs to be removed?



If you haven't clayed before, you're definitely due for that. Mothers and ClayMagic are both very effective and readily available at places like Pep Boys and AutoZone (even WalMart).



As for MPPC and #9, I'll let the pros tackle that one.
 
I was going to dawn wash it because I have been waxing it with Gold Class about once a week , by stuck on dirt I mean stuff like tree sap and other contaminants that don't come off with a regular wash. I have been washing it at the quarter car wash because I am a college student and don't have any access to a hose where I live, I was planning on doing this when I go home for winter break in 10 days :)
 

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Ah ... that kind of "stuck-on stuff." You need to clay this puppy. Have you ever clayed before? Mothers and ClayMagic are both quite effective and readily available (AutoZone,PepBoys, WalMart, etc.)



And, yeah, if you've been waxing that often, it probably does make sense to start with a Dawn wash.



After you wash, then clay, if there's still some "stuff" on the finish, you might want a paint cleaner like S100 SEC or Meguiars.



If you click on the "Learn" icon at the top of the page, you'll find lots of good, basic guidance written by Autopia's own Mayor.
 
Yes I have clayed before, I worked at a car dealership as a new car detailer in high school, we used car brite products there and I still have some car brite clay, are car brite products any good?
 
I have not tried Car Brite clay. Nevertheless, it is probably ok. Just make sure you use a lubricant on the surface.
 
adrianko43 said:
i wish i could get a job at a car dealership detailing cars.
Click to expand...



It wasn't hard to get a job detailing cars at a dealership, I got a job there along with two other friends, you don't have to have any experience, they just make you work with an exprienced detailer for the first two weeks or so, plus you get to drive all the new cars. Just call around to all the dealerships around you and ask if they are hiring in the "Pre-Delivery Department" or if they are hiring "Porters" Good Luck!
 
I was 17 when I worked at the dealership, it really just depends on the dealership, I worked at a Ford dealership and you only had to be 16 to work there, but my friend worked at a Cadillac dealership and you had to be 18 to work there.
 
$8.25 an hour but you worked up to 40 hours a week and the salesman would pay you up to $50 to wash their personal cars. Not bad for a high school job.
 
I use Car Brite products and just bought a Gray clay bar today for $27 and it will last, the Mercedes dealer here use their products so I trust them. They have a great polisher called Laser Brite and a great clean up wax called snappy shine. It is great to get product in bulk.
 
AutoNova said:
I use Car Brite products and just bought a Gray clay bar today for $27 and it will last, the Mercedes dealer here use their products so I trust them. They have a great polisher called Laser Brite and a great clean up wax called snappy shine. It is great to get product in bulk.
Click to expand...

AutoNova, you might want to do a bit more reading and price-comparing here. I've used three excellent clays, and none of them cost anywhere near the $27 you paid. :scared



Also, sorry to burst your bubble but ... I think a bit more reading may show you that a lot of serious car-fanatics have found that dealerships don't know beans about serious detailing. Do a bit more reading on the AU forum, or do a search on "new + car + prep" and you'll probably find lots of informative threads.



Never heard of "Car Brite" or "Laser Brite" myself. Hopefully, other veterans will pipe in on this thread.
 
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