Please critique my detailing plan for this weekend.

I

imported_aharami

New member
I usually lurk a lot picking up bits and pieces of info as I read. Last year was my first year detailing my own car and I used AIO and SG (with the PC) and got some pretty good results. Well, I decided to bump it up a notch since AIO didnt remove all my swirls. SO here is my detailing plan for the weekend. Please let me know what you think. Oh and I have a flash red GTI

GTI_11.jpg




1. Wash car with car wash shampoo and Chenille Wash Pad

2. clay car (should I use clay lube or soapy water?)

3. wash car again

4. dry car

5. polish using Menzerna Final Polish 2 and PC with white polishing pad - buff off with MF towel

6. polish using Menzerna Final Polish 2 and PC with black finishing pad - buff off with MF towel

7. polish with AIO and PC with white or black pad (not sure which pad to use) - buff off with MF towel

8. Apply SG via hand

9. wait 2 - 3 hrs, have a couple beers, take a dip in the pool

10. buff off SG with MF towel



Next day

11. Apply SG again, wait 2-3 hrs, buff off with MF towel



That evening

12. Apply S100 via hand, doing one panel at a time, buffing off right away



Now I have a couple of questions regarding techniques.

a.) Whats more effective when claying? Clay Lube or soapy water?

b.) Not sure which pad to use with AIO after polishing with FP2. Is it ok to go back to white pad after using black pad or should I apply AIO with black pad after applying FP2 with black? As I understand, AIO is a milder polish/cleaner than FP2 so I wanna use AIO after FP2. Also I hear AIO and SG go hand in hand so I wanna use AIO right before SG.

c.) whats the verdict on SG? How long do I have to wait before buffing it off? Should I buff it off right away or should I wait some time for it to cure to the paint?

d.) how hard will it be to apply S100 over 2 coats of SG?

e.) any other tips/suggestions/criticisms welcome.



If I am doing something wrong, dont hesitate to correct me. Thanks
 
Whats more effective when claying? Clay Lube or soapy water?

I prefer a new bucket of soapy water over the clay lube.

Not sure which pad to use with AIO after polishing with FP2. Is it ok to go back to white pad after using black pad or should I apply AIO with black pad after applying FP2 with black? As I understand, AIO is a milder polish/cleaner than FP2 so I wanna use AIO after FP2. Also I hear AIO and SG go hand in hand so I wanna use AIO right before SG.

I have never used any "abrasive" polish (FP2) with the black pad before, I think that step is not needed. If marring still exists, use the polishing pad again before the AIO.

Whats the verdict on SG? How long do I have to wait before buffing it off? Should I buff it off right away or should I wait some time for it to cure to the paint?

Again, "my" favorite way is buff on/buff off !!! Do 1 panel at a time and as soon as you are done applying... Wipe it off.

How hard will it be to apply S100 over 2 coats of SG?

Extremely easy and well worth it !!!



Nice car ya have there BTW. Have fun and be sure to post pics !!
 
I have used only the white and orange pads with FP2. I suppose you could up the speed on PC and apply no pressure on round 2 of FP2 (if it's needed). I don't think polishes work very well with the black pads. I use the black pads for glazing and sealants. Sounds like your plan is pretty good.



I have used both car soap and clay lube during clay use. I prefer the clay lube which keeps the clay from drying out in storage. Either way you look at it you're either paying for lube or more clay which probably comes out the same cost wise. I think it's Black Magic lube I use - it cleans off really nicely and not needing another wash when using car soap.



Everyones routine is a little different. This board goves you so many ideas. I try to use a new idea on each detail to see what works better for me.
 
aharami- Welcome to Autopia!



A few thoughts-



The FPII might be too mild if you have any real imperfections to remove. Removing swirls is harder than most people think and FPII is *very* mild. IMO you won't see any benefit from using it with the black finishing pad, but try a spot and see it it looks better to you. Expect to do more than one pass with the FPII/white at any rate.



People use either pad with the AIO. I'd probably just skip the black pad altogether and use the white pad for both the FPII and the AIO.



Don't expect the AIO to remove *any* marring. Get it as good as you can with the FPII.



Sometimes clay will dissolve/get mushy and ineffective when using wash solution as lube, so keep an eye on how it's going. I do it both ways, but IMO the dedicated clay lube is best.



I like to let the KSG set up as long as possible before buffing it off, sometimes overnight. But yeah, plenty of people wipe it off right away. No way to overemphasize how thin you should apply it. If you can see it on the paint you probably used too much. Fog the surface with your breath to a) make the KSG more visible when buffing it off, and b) make it easier to buff off.
 
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