Car Washing/Detailing Help Seriously Needed!!!!

"ViperGuy21" (viperguy21)
08/23/2014 at 22:59 • Filed to: Car Care

I am planning on spending a while tomorrow after the F1 race washing and detailing my car. And I'm trying to figure out which of the following I should go get and use and in what order:

Meguir's Ultimate Compound

Meguir's Ultimate Polish

Meguiar's Smooth Surface Clay Kit

These are the products I already have, just not sure what order to use with the others:

Meguir's Soap(don't remember exactly which one)

Meguir's Ultimate Wax

Mother's Back to Black

I also have a generic buffer machine thing or whatever it's called, not the fancy Meguir's DA Power system, which I've never used before and would love some advice for that!

Thank you sooooo much for your help, I just really want to either waste my money/time, or mess up my car! I really appreciate your help!

Have a shiny DB9 Volante for your time...

DISCUSSION (14)

Jcarr > ViperGuy21
08/23/2014 at 23:10

It's been a while since I've clayed a car, but when I did it I did wash, clay, wash, wax.

ViperGuy21 > Jcarr
08/23/2014 at 23:17

Thanks! I appreciate it

hike > ViperGuy21
08/23/2014 at 23:18

I'm planning on doing a wash tomorrow after the race too. I usually just wash clay bar and wax. I do want to get a polishing tool at some point. Maybe for next summer.

Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. > ViperGuy21
08/23/2014 at 23:48

/drive clean has some pretty good tutorials, although I have yet to detail my cars...

Sn210 > ViperGuy21
08/23/2014 at 23:59

you probably won't need both compound AND polish. Polish usually takes out light scratches and swirls and compound is usually for heavy duty. Definitely get the clay.

I do a two-bucket wash, clay, polish, then wax.

ViperGuy21 > Sn210
08/24/2014 at 00:08

Ok, should I do the first two steps of the mother's polishing instead....?

http://www.mothers.com/02_products/07…

http://www.mothers.com/02_products/08…

AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > ViperGuy21
08/24/2014 at 00:10

How is your paint currently. You can probably get away with a wash and clay followed by a polish with a light cutting pad. If it is more swirled, you could try using a compound with a medium cutting pad on a test spot and take it from there depending on how much swirling is left. What buffer do you have?

ViperGuy21 > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
08/24/2014 at 00:19

It's never been detailed before, and is 10 years old. I'm not sure exactly which one. I think just a generic one my dad picked up one day a while back

AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > ViperGuy21
08/24/2014 at 00:26

Well in that case a nice thorough claying should be in order. Is it a DA or one of those large orbital buffers? The large orbital buffers can be quite difficult to use if you've never detailed before. They have forced rotation (I think?) so it could burn through some of the edges of your body panels if you aren't careful with them. If you're willing to spend a little bit of change Harbor Freight has a DA for about $50 before coupons and it's apparently pretty good. The compounds you listed should get the job done. If you are looking to buy compound I'd suggest the Meguiars M105 and M205 combo since they have more cut to them so it'll take less time and can be had for about the same price as the compound and polish you listed.

ViperGuy21 > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
08/24/2014 at 00:44

Thanks for the input! I'll have to look into the m105 and m205 some more, but don't think I'll be getting the da system very soon cause it's $50+$10 per compound/polish/wax kits

Mustafaluigi > ViperGuy21
08/24/2014 at 00:49

1. Wash first with Dawn dish soap as it pulls all the grease and wax off the car.

2. Clay entire car using soapy water as lubricant, forget the spray detailer, it just makes it so you have to wash the car down again to pull the detailer off.

3. Based on how bad your paint is do compound first then do polish, if it is decent then just polish. I recommend getting a Portal Cable 7424 or picking up the Megs DA as generic buffer machine sounds like a post coming tomorrow afternoon about how you burnt through your paint. If not get a bunch of microfiber towels or foam applicator pads and go to town by hand. DO NOT USED TERRY CLOTH. If you you are doing it by hand then skip the compound and just polish as you wont get the best finish anyway so save yourself the time and effort

4. Wash car quickly to pull off any remaining compound/polish from the car and to remove any oil. As other have mentioned, two bucket method with a proper wash mitt and dry with a microfiber towel or an air blower/electric leaf blower. This step can be skipped but when I am feeling extra anal about it I'll do this.

5. Wax car with Megs

6. Back to black any plastic that has faded, careful not to get it on your freshly waxed car.

7. Sit back and drink a beer.

ViperGuy21 > Mustafaluigi
08/24/2014 at 00:52

Great tips! Will definitely ref this tomorrow while washing.

But, #7 will have to wait a few years

Sn210 > ViperGuy21
08/24/2014 at 08:19

yeah you can - wash, clay, polish, glaze, wax

It's a lot of work but it will be work it !

Mustafaluigi > ViperGuy21
08/24/2014 at 11:52

Go out and buy a bottle of the Ultimate spray wax. After you do this detail, in regular weekly/whenever washes wash with the Megs Soap and after you dry, spray the car down the the spray wax to maintain the Ultimate Wax (Liquid or Paste). It just give the wax extended life and shine.