Questioning my process

[EBPcivicsi]

My normal process typically looks something like this:



Apply degreaser to engine

agitate

pressure wash

blow dry

dress

shut hood/start motor



apply degreaser to tire

apply acid to wheel

scrub tire and wheel well

pressure wash area

clean wheel with alkaline degreaser to neutralize the acid

rinse

move to next wheel well/wheel area on that side, repeat

open doors on that side

spray degreaser into jams

wipe with mitt

close doors almost all the way

spray bug and tar remover along bottom panels

wash lower panels of vehicle

rinse jams and bottom portion of the paint



move to the other side and repeat



I then dump the bucket and mix up another



wash entire vehicle

leave wet

clay

rewash if necessary

rinse

dry

blow out cracks crevices

dress wheel wells



I then start on the interior while the outside dries thoroughly

first I vac

then I clean all the vinyl starting with the front driver's side door

apply APC scrub crevices with denture brush

wipe with MF

move to the driver's door sill, apply APC, scrub wipe

applt APC to pedals

move to dash/steering wheel area

move to center console area

then driver's side rear area

then I work my way around the passenger side and repeat

while I am on the passenger side, I do the headliner area



I then move to the carpets

apply APC scrub wipe with towel/extract if necessary

one more vac over everything to remove loose debris/lint from cleaning





I then move the vehicle in, dust it off with duster if necessary

tape/mask

begin doing test spots

polish vehicle

apply LSP

while the LSP is setting up I clean interior windows

dress tires

remove LSP/inspect

clean exterior glass

open all doors, etc to wipe out excess dust polish

dress trim



Now I have been bothered lately, especially when doing heavy compounding with the rotary/wool pad with the amount of dust/excess polish that I have had to wipe out of *every* nook and cranny before applying my LSP.



I have always been a fan of washing the car, getting it dry, and KEEPING it dry. I do spend a lot of time blowing water out of molding, cracks, etc before I begin polishing. For this reason I have been against doing a wash down after buffing, but before LSP application.



With all of the dust that I have been wiping out lately, I started to question if I was delivering *the best* vehicle that I can deliver. Are there spots that I am missing that a wash would reach? Is there residual dust that later the customer finds? Would the car look better if I washed it down after buffing?



With all of these questions I began to consider a different approach. What if I got the car, did a QEW, did not touch the wheels and wheel wells (most of the cars that I detail need intensive cleaning in these areas, QEW would not touch it), clayed, then buffed the car until it was ready for LSP. I would then wash the car as normal (obviously I would use non-marring techniques). At this time I would address the wheels/tires, etc. I would then dry, blow out, continue detailing the interior giving the outside more time to dry. I would then apply the LSP after the interior was done.



Now I realize this may take a *little* longer, but IMO it would be worth it if it yielded superior results.



Anyone see any hitches or snags? I plan on trying this process soon, but was just wanted to throw it out there to get some feedback from you guys.



What say you autopians?

 

[zippymbr]

I did not see in the process that you do any taping.

 

[EBPcivicsi]

I did not see in the process that you do any taping.

I typically don't unless the car *really* calls for it. Case in point would be like a mini cooper or avalanche.



There are definitely different vehicles which call for different process, the above was meant to be a rough idea of my process. I adjust the process for "unique" cases, or as needed.

 

[Spilchy]

Ofcourse you're delivering the best vehicle you can!



I think ANOTHER wash post polishing would increase your detail time and can introduce marring. You'll have to take your time and be gentle with both washing AND drying. IMHO, a leaf blower routine (to remove a lot of dust) followed by a QD'ing job of the paint with a few plush MF's post polishing should suffice. You can QD the jambs and nooks and crannies AFTER the paint with a dedicated towel. I think this is faster and less potential for "damage" than washing and drying the car a second time.



Plus when you're all done and before delivery, a scrutiny of the car for any dust or smudges will be addressed anyway with a QD, so you shouldn't have any dust.



What bug & tar remover do you use? Is your APC in the door jambs the Costco 10:1 that you use in the interior?



From the pics you post with accurate lighting techniques, you're polishing is perfect-like! I think it's best to leave it at that. If it ain't broke don't fix it!

 

[stilez]

Regarding your question, here is what I think.





-The only product I ever get light dusting on is Menzerna Powergloss in which I use seldomly. Maybe its your product and not your process. Have you tried Menzerna FPII? How often are you using OCP?

-Removing the dust and excess residue does seem like a chore sometimes. I usually take S+W and hit the car real quick, head to toe, with it. I follow with a Waffle Weave and go to town. This takes under 10 minutes. If I'm using Zaino, I will substitute this with IPA cut 50/50.

-The air blower thing sounds cool but I think it lacks direct power. I use an air compressor gun when I detail at my house in NY. It takes everything off but polish residue and splatter. Still, this is one too many steps for me as well as extra luggage. I'd rather do one process.



In the end, I think it will suffice to hit the car with S+W or IPA (50/50) and a big WW or regular MF. Not only will it remove oils (better bonding), it cleans up easily most of the time, without any induced marring.



Hope this helps.

 

[White95Max]

I sometimes do wash the vehicle again after heavy polishing. With the SSRs, I usually only get dust in the form of sticky specs, rather than light dust that gets into every crack and crevice. I usually just have to go over some areas with QD to remove those.



If I were using a polish that often left a lot of dust in between panels, I'd rinse it well and wash the vehicle again.

 

[Accumulator]

I think ANOTHER wash post polishing would ... introduce marring. You'll have to take your time and be gentle with both washing AND drying.. If it ain't broke don't fix it!

I agree. Example of potential trouble: although it's not the huge issue for you that it is up north (think winter), cleaning the wheelwells can get all sorts of nasty crap everywhere. If that's gonna happen, I'd rather it occur before I do any polishing.

 

[EBPcivicsi]

Hmm, well I was thinking of washing *lightly* with MF to avoid any marring, but do realize there is the potential there to create it.



Seth, that is why I use OCW so frequently after my traditional LSP, just to make sure that everything is perfect. By that time, I have already QD'ed the door jams, gas tank, etc, as well applied and remove the LSP. This *really* gives me a chance to do a final inspection.



On the door jams, it just depends. I do use the costco APC quite a bit, but if the jams are nasty, I will use a stronger degreaser that I buy locally. For tar, I typically use a strong solvent such as 3M tar and wax remover.



Sean, I was just sent samples of the Menzerna last week from Gregcavi( THANKS!!!). I have tried them A LONG time ago with mixed results. I tried to play with it this weekend with a Miata, but I ran out of time to "experiment." I do use the OP sometimes, but frankly I get better results with the Meguiars 80's series. The dust that I get with those products is about the same as the optimum--it is typically from the pad loading and not the product dusting per se. Does that even make sense? I will try the FP-II again, but I seem to get a little dust no matter what product I use.



The use of wool pads *really* increses the dust, but I feel that this is offset by their ability to correct so fast.



I do use the blower quite a bit and feel that is *very* competent in removing a lot of the dust and wool fibers. I use the detachable blower from my 6.5 HP rigid.



I just want to always question what I am doing and scrutinize it. I fell like if I get complacent, then my results will show it. Thanks for indulging with me guys, and for the tips. :xyxthumbs

 

[EBPcivicsi]

I agree. Example of potential trouble: although it's not the huge issue for you that it is up north (think winter), cleaning the wheelwells can get all sorts of nasty crap everywhere. If that's gonna happen, I'd rather it occur before I do any polishing.

You know that *is* a good point. With QEW, you do not have the ability to "blast" dirt/grunge from underneath a molding. That dirt could then run out with water, post wash, and marr the finish upon drying OR while applying the LSP.



Hmm....

 

[Accumulator]

With QEW, you do not have the ability to "blast" dirt/grunge from underneath a molding. ....

And blasting said stuff out of the tight spots keeps it from holding moisture and causing problems down the road too. Trick is to do it without loosening things up too much (I dunno about using a pressure washer for this, for instance).

 

[EBPcivicsi]

And blasting said stuff out of the tight spots keeps it from holding moisture and causing problems down the road too. Trick is to do it without loosening things up too much (I dunno about using a pressure washer for this, for instance).

I typically do use a PW, especially on other peolpe's cars. My reasoning is that it will probably never be PW'ed again, and that the occasional "blasting" will do more good than harm. I also don't point the wand directly at the molding, I stand back and keep the wand about 12" from the area. Do you think using regular pressure from a hose would better?



On my own cars I don't worry about it too much because they are washed so frequently.

 

[Accumulator]

I typically do use a PW, especially on other peolpe's cars... Do you think using regular pressure from a hose would better?



On my own cars I don't worry about it too much because they are washed so frequently.

I sorta pontificated on this on another thread saying how I'd never use a PW...so this might sound contradictory I wouldn't worry about *you* doing it, carefully, in most cases. The important thing here is that it's *you* and *most* cases.



But #1, I once used a PW on a car and it somehow loosened some rubber moldings...created gaps that weren't there previously and wouldn't close up.



But #2, if you were to use one on my old Volvo (now residing in Memphis with my in-laws BTW, look for a robin's egg blue '84 wagon with big tires on stock wheels), you'd blow trim off it that might not go back on. No way you'd suspect it would happen until it was too late.



It's a calculated risk so, well, calculate the risk/benefit

 

[EBPcivicsi]

I sorta pontificated on this on another thread saying how I'd never use a PW...so this might sound contradictory I wouldn't worry about *you* doing it, carefully, in most cases. The important thing here is that it's *you* and *most* cases.



But #1, I once used a PW on a car and it somehow loosened some rubber moldings...created gaps that weren't there previously and wouldn't close up.



But #2, if you were to use one on my old Volvo (now residing in Memphis with my in-laws BTW, look for a robin's egg blue '84 wagon with big tires on stock wheels), you'd blow trim off it that might not go back on. No way you'd suspect it would happen until it was too late.



It's a calculated risk so, well, calculate the risk/benefit

I understand completely, thanks for the advice. I will make it apoint to check the moldings, mirrors, etc of older cars before I begin blasting.



I will look for the volvo, those big tires shouldn't be too hard to spot.



If you ever get to Memphis, please PM me, we'll do lunch, or dinner, or something.

 

[Accumulator]

If you ever get to Memphis, please PM me, we'll do lunch, or dinner, or something.

Yeah, that'd be good. I hardly ever get down there though, it's been years. I get along with my in-laws great, but it's a huge hassle for both of us to be out of town at the same time. Plus, my wife likes to stay with her family (and they expect that) while I'd rather stay some place like the Peabody But if/when I make it down you can count on seeing me.

 

[EBPcivicsi]

Yeah, that'd be good. I hardly ever get down there though, it's been years. I get along with my in-laws great, but it's a huge hassle for both of us to be out of town at the same time. Plus, my wife likes to stay with her family (and they expect that) while I'd rather stay some place like the Peabody But if/when I make it down you can count on seeing me.

I hear ya man, the Peabody is a *really* nice place to stay, can't really compare with staying at the inlaws.