Detaling Questions!!! Please help!

[hamann325i]

Hi guys, i have a question. I have some MEguiars Color-X and Some Gold class Car wax, what order should I apply them in, and how many coats each. Also, are there polishes i can put on after I lay down the other coats? Since its getting nicer Out i want a VERY SHINY BMW! Pleasse help. thanks

[Mark_In_PA]

the first thing you should do is wash the car, this gets all of the crap off but im sure you knew that. next get a claybar and it will make a smooth surface and remove the shit you cant see. wash it again to get all the residue off. next you want to put a coat of glaze one to fill in some of those swirls and scratches. put on a coat of polish then finish off with a wax. the polish will help deepen the shine and the wax will seal everything up. i did this on my 325i and the results are good. i use meguiars deep crystal wash, wax and polish. get some microfibers too. plan on spending 5-6 hours doing this.

[hamann325i]

thanks for the help man. next sunny day ill do this

[Mark_In_PA]

heres another tip. some people like to use dawn on their first wash, this strips the wax off and leaves you with a fresh base to work with. if you do choose to go this way, make sure you wash the claybar off with regular car wash soap. also if you want a deeper shine then get a buffer.

[TOGWT]

Quote: heres another tip. some people like to use dawn on their first wash, this strips the wax off and leaves you with a fresh base to work with. if you do choose to go this way, make sure you wash the claybar off with regular car wash soap. also if you want a deeper shine then get a buffer.



~ One man’s opinion / observations ~

Sorry man I was with you until the ‘Dawn’ advice.
Washing-up liquids should not be used on vehicles bodywork as their concentrated detergent and usually high sodium / high alkaline detergent soaps content will remove polish / wax and dry out the protective oils from the paint film, rubber and vinyl surfaces, and cause the clear coat to fail.

They will emulsify, breakdown and leach out oils naturally found in your paint, and also any oils you have applied in the way of a polish or glaze. Generally avoid the use of household cleaning products for automotive detailing as they are formulated for an entirely different type of cleaning.

I agree 100% on the buffer though


~ Hope this helps ~

Knowledge unshared is experience wasted
justadumbarchitect / so I question everything/ Jon

[bimmerdawg]

Is it neccessary to re-wash after claying?? I have clayed my car a couple times and there is no residue after the claying. THen again, I took a very long time and did small sections at a time making sure I wiped up the excess lube.

[exceldetail]

Originally Posted by Mark_In_PA

the first thing you should do is wash the car, this gets all of the crap off but im sure you knew that. next get a claybar and it will make a smooth surface and remove the shit you cant see. wash it again to get all the residue off. next you want to put a coat of glaze one to fill in some of those swirls and scratches. put on a coat of polish then finish off with a wax. the polish will help deepen the shine and the wax will seal everything up. i did this on my 325i and the results are good. i use meguiars deep crystal wash, wax and polish. get some microfibers too. plan on spending 5-6 hours doing this.

My first post but im a detailing fanatic.....As for using a glaze and then polish, bad idea, the polish will remove the glaze and then you have wasted all the effort and product.....You spoke of Gold Class and NXT, both Polymer products, you would be better off doing as Mark said, wash, and then clay. Then use a polish, either the Deep Crystal or Mothers would be ideal, for a maintenance polish. If you have swirls are scratches, you may need something a little more aggressive, like Meg's # 80. Glazes are a good idea, but often are wasted when a consumer user a cleaner/wax. Microfibers are the only way to go, make sure you spend a few $ and buy quality polishing cloths. Take one of those AOL CD's you get in the mail, and after you have purchased a microfiber, rub the towel across the CD several times, if your leaving scratches on the cd, your leaving them on the car too !

[bimmerdawg]

Nice tip with teh CD! What do you mean by consumer cleaner wax?> Are you saying people use a polish/glaze then a wax. But the wax is rubbing off the glaze? What is a good wax after polish or glaze? Meguirs?

[exceldetail]

Originally Posted by bimmerdawg

Nice tip with teh CD! What do you mean by consumer cleaner wax?> Are you saying people use a polish/glaze then a wax. But the wax is rubbing off the glaze? What is a good wax after polish or glaze? Meguirs?

Consumer being "user", cleaner/wax being an all in one type of product. MOthers and Meg's both make one, there simple, quick, nearly idiot proof, and marketed/designed for the DYI'er.
If you use a glaze, then a polish, your really reomving the glaze. Glazes are meant to fill hairline scratches. They sort of sit, or lay in the scratch. If you use something aggressive, like polishes are, chances are your just going to "rub it out". Waxes and sealants on the other hand (And im speaking of true wax and sealants, not cleaner/waxes), not being abrasive, will normally flow over, or add additional filling properties to the scratch. You can also use the glaze as you last product for a show, but they have no protective qualities, bvut will make the surface look great !

[bimmerdawg]

Thanks for clarifying! What would you consider Gold Class?

[exceldetail]

Originally Posted by bimmerdawg

Thanks for clarifying! What would you consider Gold Class?

Well, it neither pure Carnauba or Polymer, its a Carnauba/resin product, great initial shine and depth, but lacks durability, good for 4-6 weeks if your lucky. Your really better off going with a polymer product these days, carnaubas just dont hold the flame against polymers anymore.....

[P-Plater]

So, what would a list of meguiar's products that you shall use? (easy to get for me , also that NXT isn't out here yet ) ... and the order it shall be applied for a nice shine?

Is a "polish" a product that cuts the surface back?
A "Wax" to seal/protect the surface?
A "glaze" to fill sctractes?

thanks,

[exceldetail]

Originally Posted by P-Plater

So, what would a list of meguiar's products that you shall use? (easy to get for me , also that NXT isn't out here yet ) ... and the order it shall be applied for a nice shine?

Is a "polish" a product that cuts the surface back?
A "Wax" to seal/protect the surface?
A "glaze" to fill sctractes?

thanks,

Well, not necessarily what i would use, but.....(I carry and use my own products)
IF Megs is readily available to you, go with the following....
Its there 1-2-3 punch. Deep Crystal Cleaner, Deep Crystal Polish, and Carnauba Wax...Its a pretty decent setup for those just beginning or who have limited resources.
Are you using a PC or doing it all by hand ? Makes a difference on product selection and choices!

[P-Plater]

Can't get hold of a PC in Aust (unless i mail order it from USA)... so by hand!

(can i buy another brand of random orbit buffer?)

is the carnauba wax hard to put on? - by hand?

ALSO THE NXT CAME OUT THIS WEEKEND IN AUST! - so that is avaliable to me!

Cheers

[exceldetail]

Plater, you may be able to find something similiar down under, its worth a shot....The Carnauba is easy by hand, its the taking off that may be difficult. (If you use too much!)