OK...this spring I'll be using my PC for the first time. I have seven cars that I hope to detail within the next two months (my own and family cars). I'll start with my cars, since those are the ones that I have access to right away. What I'm looking for are product recommendations and application process (product/pad/speed for each step). I have read through the forums and tutorials, but I'm still debating what the best process would be. At the end of the post I will put what I have put together for a process. I'm going to start with exterior details, then do my interiors after. Sorry that this is such a long post...thanks for the help!
The first car I want to detail is a black 2001 PT Cruiser that I just got from a car auction. This car has never been detailed that I can tell. It has a ton of small scratches (nothing that catches the finger nail though), and swirling all over. It also has one little rust spot next to the rear hatch handle. That area I plan to clean and knock off any loose paint. I will then prime it, and follow this tutorial to cover the chip http://autopia.org/forum/showthread.php?t=43937
The second car I want to detail is a red 1995 Mustang that I've had for a number of years, but has never been properly detailed. This car has one scratch that is about 5 inches long and catches the finger (keyed while I was at the hospital). I will most likely have to have this repaired by a body shop (if anyone has suggestions on how I could do it, let me know). The car has two areas that were touched up and the paint sits higher than the rest of the paint. I plan to use 2000 grit paper to smooth those areas level, and will touch up the smaller chips and also smooth those level (I tried Langka, but it didn't work at all). The car has terrible swirling, etched water on the hood and trunk, and the windows are etched severely as well (all etching was like that when I got the car...it's in a garage 95% of the time since I bought it). I want to get this car in as good of shape as possible, as it was a gift from my grandfather, and I don't plan on letting it go. I will be having the rear bumper repainted this spring, because there are cracks in the paint. The windows will be difficult, but there are a number of threads with suggestions on what to try (I've done the vinegar, clay, and a few other mixtures with no success). I want this to look as wet as possible when I'm done detailing it.
Products I Have:
Meg's #80
Meg's #83
Meg's #26 liquid
Meg's Deep Crystal Cleaner (#2)
Meg's #7 glaze
Sonus clay
Sonus pad kit
Meg’s wash
Lot's of MF towels
Products I've Considered Buying (but don't know if they are better than what I have):
SSR 3
SSR 2.5
SSR 2
Natty Blue (heard it's great for dark paint)
What I Need:
Wax: number 16 or Natty's Blue
What I've Thought for a Process:
Meg's Wash
Sonus Clay
Meg's Wash
Meg’s Deep Crystal paint cleaner @ 4,000 (Pad???)
Meg’s 83 on yellow @ 3,000
Meg’s 83 on yellow @ 6,000
Meg’s 80 on white @ 4,000
Meg’s 80 on white @ 6,000
Meg’s 26 on blue @ 4,000
Microfiber bonnet @ 3,000
TOP COAT????
The first car I want to detail is a black 2001 PT Cruiser that I just got from a car auction. This car has never been detailed that I can tell. It has a ton of small scratches (nothing that catches the finger nail though), and swirling all over. It also has one little rust spot next to the rear hatch handle. That area I plan to clean and knock off any loose paint. I will then prime it, and follow this tutorial to cover the chip http://autopia.org/forum/showthread.php?t=43937
The second car I want to detail is a red 1995 Mustang that I've had for a number of years, but has never been properly detailed. This car has one scratch that is about 5 inches long and catches the finger (keyed while I was at the hospital). I will most likely have to have this repaired by a body shop (if anyone has suggestions on how I could do it, let me know). The car has two areas that were touched up and the paint sits higher than the rest of the paint. I plan to use 2000 grit paper to smooth those areas level, and will touch up the smaller chips and also smooth those level (I tried Langka, but it didn't work at all). The car has terrible swirling, etched water on the hood and trunk, and the windows are etched severely as well (all etching was like that when I got the car...it's in a garage 95% of the time since I bought it). I want to get this car in as good of shape as possible, as it was a gift from my grandfather, and I don't plan on letting it go. I will be having the rear bumper repainted this spring, because there are cracks in the paint. The windows will be difficult, but there are a number of threads with suggestions on what to try (I've done the vinegar, clay, and a few other mixtures with no success). I want this to look as wet as possible when I'm done detailing it.
Products I Have:
Meg's #80
Meg's #83
Meg's #26 liquid
Meg's Deep Crystal Cleaner (#2)
Meg's #7 glaze
Sonus clay
Sonus pad kit
Meg’s wash
Lot's of MF towels
Products I've Considered Buying (but don't know if they are better than what I have):
SSR 3
SSR 2.5
SSR 2
Natty Blue (heard it's great for dark paint)
What I Need:
Wax: number 16 or Natty's Blue
What I've Thought for a Process:
Meg's Wash
Sonus Clay
Meg's Wash
Meg’s Deep Crystal paint cleaner @ 4,000 (Pad???)
Meg’s 83 on yellow @ 3,000
Meg’s 83 on yellow @ 6,000
Meg’s 80 on white @ 4,000
Meg’s 80 on white @ 6,000
Meg’s 26 on blue @ 4,000
Microfiber bonnet @ 3,000
TOP COAT????