What am I doing wrong?

matthiasj

matthiasj

New member
I thought I'd let you guys tell me what I should improve on. If I get a PC and get good with it, i might start detailing on the side. Heres what I do when i wash my car:

I use the 2 bucket method (1 wash, 1 rinse, no grid guard)

First I clean my wheel wells, tires, rims, under my side skirts, exhaust tips, and gas tank cover with 3 gallons of water, and 2 oz. of Meguires Rich Suds Car Wash. (Just 1 bucket for now) I use Simple Green on the tires and wheel wells, and exhaust and gas tank cover, a semi-soft brush on tires/wheel wells/and gas tank cover, and microfiber rag on exhaust, and rims and it gets everything clean. I then fill 2 new buckets 1 with 4gal. of water, and 4oz. of Meguires Deep Crystal Car Wash. I wash from the top down, with a Microfiber wash sponge, washing the cracks, and glass and plastic pieces with a seperate Microfiber rag. I rinse my rags often, and once i'm done washing, i dry with an Absorber, and use MEguires High Gloss tire shine on tires, and Mothers Mag and Alumn. polish on my tips.

As for waxing, the farthest i've got is Claymagic's claybar, and Meguires 3-step by hand. It turned out good, but its wearing off, that the swirls are starting to come back.

A PC is in the near future, along with some good products and pads, i'm really not sure where to start, i've been reading and reading but wanted to get some first hand info.

Thanks
Matt

Here's a pic of the day after my clay and wax if it helps:
SideShot3.jpg
 
It looks good, but a picture doesn't always tell the whole story. Your process sounds fine. The reason that the swirls are "re-appearing" has more to do with the oils/fillers in the wax you used wearing away more than anything I would guess. Sounds like you need to do a full polish routine - SMR's included - to get the finish in tip-top shape and you'll be good to go.
 
I'm not familiar with the Megs 3-step products but I'm sure you can equate them to make-up .... the results are good but temporary.

Surface prep is everything & you're starting off the right way by washing carefully & claying to remove surface contaminants but only polishing (Poorboy's SSR's & Menzerna products are excellent) will correct surface defects.
 
Wash
Clay
Wash
SSR2 (with PC)
SSR1 (with PC)

what do i do next? i want something that's really gonna bring out the color and shine.
 
matthiasj said:
Wash
Clay
Wash
SSR2 (with PC)
SSR1 (with PC)

what do i do next? i want something that's really gonna bring out the color and shine.
Click to expand...


Instead of ssr2 - get ssr2.5 - you'll need it.

After ssr 1, you can use a sealant or a wax or both for best results.

wash
clay
ssr 2.5
ssr 1
ex
natty's

here is an example, although I used ex-p here. Hope it helps.

113_1312.jpg


113_1324.jpg
 
You guys are great, soon i'm going to invest into some car cleaing stuff.

What would i need to detail my own car, and maybe a couple others for practice?

Wash - Meguiar's Deep Crystal
Clay - Claymagic
PB SSR2.5
PB SSR1
PB Natty
PB Ex

i'd need a PC, the right pads, plenty of MF...would this get my started? I'd like to eventually start my own buisness :D
 
that will start you just fine, but consider tire shine and many of the other stuff Poorboys sell.

If you will start your own business, order gallon sizes. You would save tons of $$$$ m2c
 
matthiasj said:
You guys are great, soon i'm going to invest into some car cleaing stuff.

What would i need to detail my own car, and maybe a couple others for practice?

Wash - Meguiar's Deep Crystal
Clay - Claymagic
PB SSR2.5
PB SSR1
PB Natty
PB Ex

i'd need a PC, the right pads, plenty of MF...would this get my started? I'd like to eventually start my own buisness :D
Click to expand...

Is it just me....or is the order of EX/Natty's backwards? I always thought you couldn't top a carnuba with a sealant....or does the fact that EX HAS carnuba allow this? :confused: :dunno
 
EX has a little carnauba in it, EX-P is a pure sealant. They are both equally good, just used for a different look really I think. :)
 
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