Spinoff: What is your detailing routine?

"mkbruin, Atlas VP" (mkbruin) 09/30/2013 at 11:16 • Filed to: None

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Last week my wife backed into a plastic garbage can, leaving a 5ft reminder down the side of our owned-since-new 2009 Santa Fe.

As I took a look over the car this past weekend, I realized the interior is showroom, but the exterior is neglected. Its still in good condition, but is in dire need of some love.

I need to give it a good wash, definitely clay bar, and follow up with a long-lasting last step product. Random research led me to find Collinite as a highly recommended product, and I think that's the route in going to take.

What is your detailing routines? How often, what steps, what products, etc....

ddavidn > mkbruin, Atlas VP 09/30/2013 at 11:24

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At least yours didn't back the front end into a carport post. It would be sad if that ruined the otherwise perfect body of a nice Subaru...

Not that I'm bitter. Sorry for the micro-rant.

Squid > mkbruin, Atlas VP 09/30/2013 at 11:25

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If you want long lasting go for NuFinish. To keep up protection from waxing you need to be able to wax the car at least monthly. NuFinish is actually reported to have a long lasting protection.

Personally I've stayed with Meguires products. They are relatively cheap and available at any parts store. Plus the Ultimate wax smells good and leaves a good shine, but it is about a monthly product as far as I can tell.

Party-vi > mkbruin, Atlas VP 09/30/2013 at 11:39

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I wash once a month and clay/polish/wax once every 2-3 months. The interior gets attention as necessary.

I'll start with cleaning the wheels, and use a two-bucket system for the car. After washing I use a clay bar on the car (excluding the side skirts because I'm fat and lazy), wash again, apply polish compound to doors and fenders (usually where the most scratched are located) and then I seal it with wax.

Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney > mkbruin, Atlas VP 09/30/2013 at 11:48

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Every time:

1. Wash (two-bucket system, filtered water)

2. Meguiar's Speed Glaze #80 applied by Porter-Cable DA

3. Meguiar's Hi-Tech Yellow Wax #26 applied by Porter-Cable DA

Sometimes I'll clay bar the big surfaces (hood, tops of fenders, trunk, roof), but if I'm going to cut it at all I generally skip it because I don't have the patience for claying.

Once a year or so, or depending on the condition of the paint, I'll start with Meguiar's Speed Cut to pull swirls/scratches out of the paint, then continue with speed glaze and hi-tech yellow wax.

Loping Camshaft > mkbruin, Atlas VP 09/30/2013 at 12:26

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First, I suggest checking out Larry Kosilla's videos on /Drive Clean and his own videos on his YouTube channel . Literally hours of excellent info done in ways anybody can understand. It will also let you see how deep the rabbit hole goes and how far you want to take things.

As far as last step products, I have heard Collinite lasts a long while. But I can also recommend Blackfire Wet Diamond and Menzerna Power Lock. In any case, apply 2 coats to ensure every inch covered. Most of the products I have are Poorboy's World, Chemical Guys, and some Meguires stuff. Have LOTS of good, clean, microfiber towels, they are the best thing ever.

Ideally, my routine goes like this:

Spray with foam sprayer

While foam runs, do wheels and tires

Use small boar's hair brush for small detailed areas (badges, grill etc)

Rinse all. Wash by 2 bucket method with wool mitt

Dry with waffle-weave towels and/or leaf blower if polishing

Clay

Correction step 1: depending on how bad scratches are, usually just a medium abrasive

Correction step 2: light abrasive/finishing polish (both steps done with Makitia rotary buffer)

Wipe down with IPA (isopropyl alcohol) not the beer, that's for later

If really going for ultimate shine, use a glaze. Also helps LSP application and helps it last longer

2 coats of polymer sealant I use BFWD and have Menzerna for when that runs out, mainly to try something different

Sealant also works wonders for outside windows. No more Rain-X

2 coats of wax (if going for ultimate shine)

While either wax or sealant is drying, do trim with 303 Aerospace Protectant which also works great on interior (DON'T use ArmorAll, not even once)

Occasionally I wipe the engine area down by hand, but only using Meguire's Degreaser

For tires, I use Optimum Opti-Bond and it works great without being TOO shiny. Just make sure it'snot petroleum based, as those can fling onto your paint

For interior, I vacuum, wipe contact areas down with degreaser (steering wheel, shifter, etc) then wipe it all down with 303. Windows I use Stoner's but it's probably not the best.

Obviously several steps can be skipped if it's just a daily driver and not very special. I go through the steps even though my car is most definitely not special so that when I do get that E46 M3, I'll have it looking perfect.

Ferrero1911 > mkbruin, Atlas VP 10/01/2013 at 16:01

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A little late to the party, but here goes. I use Collinite 915 on my car and I love it. I get a deep shine and it works great on my black car. I'm not sure that it would be the best for you because I wouldn't call it long-lasting. I wax my car every 6 months and keep it very clean all the time. The last wax I did didn't last the whole 6 months, and I think it's because the car was dirty for the last 2 months. If I parked outside or went through automatic car washes I think I would be waxing every 3 months.

I can't really speak for other Collinite products, but that's been my experience with the 915.

Ferrero1911 > Party-vi 10/01/2013 at 16:05

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Why do you wash after you clay? I just go straight from clay to wax.

Party-vi > Ferrero1911 10/01/2013 at 16:29

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To pick up any clay residue and to grab what I missed on the first wash :3