Detailing sucks

[Nick]

I have spent the last six hours detailing my new car... and I still have a good 2-3 to go!

I am on the verge of deliria... the result of a good detail is good but it is exhausting to actually do it... there _are_ questions in this thread... sorry if you have to look a little bit to find them

My back hurts so damn much it's not even funny. The E39 is one HUGE car when it comes time to detail it!

I started with Meguiar's Deep Crystal Car Wash and Soft Wash gel. I cleaned the rims with Eagle One A2Z cleaner (works damn well but smells AWFUL). Then, (used a 10" orbital buffer for all following steps) used Meguiar's Paint Cleaner (Step #1 in their Deep Crystal System), 3M Perfect-It Swirl Mark Remover for Dark Colored Cars, and 3M Perfect-It Show Car Wax. They seem to have done a good job, but I can't tell very well since the car is inside the garage under bright halogen lights. Any recommendations on what products I can use that work better (for the next time)?

Left to go: all the lower black trim is off the car, because it was covered with wax from previous wax jobs that were done rather poorly and I didn't want them to pick up residue from this job. I scrubbed them with diswasher soap (I thought this was supposed to be the strongest stuff??) but the wax residue remains I have tried Meguiar's Back-To-Black and it does a good job on everything except the wax, which is still quite visible. Any recommendations on what to do to these? I then have to clean all the windows (no small chore on an E39 ) and put Back-To-Black on the window trim since it has wax crap on it. I'm going to jack up the car and remove the rims, clean them inside and out this time, and scrub the wheelwells because they are covered with dirt. Then it's to vacuuming the trunk and interior, and the LAST STEP will be some tire treatment. I can't wait to see how it turns out!! I've never had a car buffed before (or buffed one ). I will definitely take some pictures... but it will probably be dark by the time I finish tomorrow, since I won't start until 3 or something because of class.

So I'm going to be driving the beater tomorrow... the 528 is living in the garage tonight until I finish it

[Jed]

Nick-

A must have is 3M's Imperial Hand Glaze. That stuff works wonders! Use it after you use the Swirl remover and before you lay down a coat of wax to seal it.

As for the wax residue, I use something on my car called Trim Restoration by Black Magic. That stuff will bring it back to new-totally revived the black trim on my car. I need to apply it as soon as I get time and the weather cooperates. I highly recommend it. I've tried EVERYTHING and this worked the best.

Another way to get rid of the wax residue on the black trim, as funny as it sounds, is peanut butter.

I can bring the bottle of Black Magic tomorrow to Annapolis so you know what it is.

[TC M3]

Last weekend I spent 7 hour washing and waxing my car..When I when out the next day it RAINED!!

[Nick]

Originally posted by Jed
Nick-

A must have is 3M's Imperial Hand Glaze. That stuff works wonders! Use it after you use the Swirl remover and before you lay down a coat of wax to seal it.

Shit!! I have that, but I thought that I was supposed to use the swirl mark remover instead! Oh well... next time (if there is a next time ) Too late now, I just removed the wax an hour ago... it's almost done with the paint

[Spencer]

Here is the absolute best way to get wax off black trim. Sounds random, but use a white-gum eraser. Believe me, i tryed everything when my moldings were black and this did it so perfectly and easily.

After you use that, put on some stuff Jed was talking about.

[SoGold]

Sounds like my last 2 days, make sure the paint is really clean before you use an orbital buffer. I use a clay bar to get he grit out, if there is anything still there it will be ground into the paint. I was under the impression that Paint Cleaner also had swirl removing effects and didnt need to be used together. I'll have to try that hand glaze, on my tires and black trim i use this stuff called Black Chrome, it works very nicely .

[Nick]

Originally posted by SoGold
Sounds like my last 2 days, make sure the paint is really clean before you use an orbital buffer. I use a clay bar to get he grit out, if there is anything still there it will be ground into the paint. I was under the impression that Paint Cleaner also had swirl removing effects and didnt need to be used together. I'll have to try that hand glaze, on my tires and black trim i use this stuff called Black Chrome, it works very nicely .

I didn't clay bar it... but there's nothing I can do about it now. It has 76k on it, the paint is showing some wear from scratches and stone chips... it's not going to be perfect.

[M3PiNoYdRiVeR]

Originally posted by TC M3
Last weekend I spent 7 hour washing and waxing my car..When I when out the next day it RAINED!!

lol that sux. I waxed mah sis boxster and it rained the next day too

[Nick]

DAMMIT! Since the 528i was in the garage to stay clean, the 911 (which was a little dirty) was put outside. So of COURSE there were gusting winds last night and a branch fell on it! F*CK!

I guess I'm going to do a little compounding on that too

Jed, you're the second person to suggest peanut butter. How should I go about doing that? Thanks.

[AlfaNick]

Originally posted by Nick
I have spent the last six hours detailing my new car... and I still have a good 2-3 to go!

I am on the verge of deliria... the result of a good detail is good but it is exhausting to actually do it... there _are_ questions in this thread... sorry if you have to look a little bit to find them

My back hurts so damn much it's not even funny. The E39 is one HUGE car when it comes time to detail it!

It used to take me two days to do my car - one day outside, one day inside. Yeah, the back kills, but that's 'cause we're out of shape.

Now, I take it to the professional detailer
Naturally, it ALWAYS rains the next day.....

[Neil325sport]

I'm paying 50 quid for the Car Valeter at my local Ferrari garage to do mine you should see the results he gets, he's amazing.

I wash my car once a week, but very rarely polish it, as the weather here sux in the winter, but once the summer rolls on, I'll be out Buffing.... and the car

[Nick]

Originally posted by AlfaNick
Now, I take it to the professional detailer

Naturally, it ALWAYS rains the next day.....

I don't have that kind of money to throw around

And that's why I try to plan washings around weather patterns

[Jed]

Originally posted by Nick
Jed, you're the second person to suggest peanut butter. How should I go about doing that? Thanks.

Just warm up a little peanut butter, rub it on the trim with a towel (or bread depending if you want a snack afterwards...) and it will get rid of the wax residue.

Plus you get a nice peanut buttery smell too!

[fuschnicken]

Originally posted by Jed


Just warm up a little peanut butter, rub it on the trim with a towel (or bread depending if you want a snack afterwards...) and it will get rid of the wax residue.

Plus you get a nice peanut buttery smell too!

Make sure you use CREAMY peanut butter.

And don't worry if your neighbors look at you funny.

[back_in_black]

Here's a couple of tips: Before applying wax, mist the car with water in a spray bottle (lightly), this helps the wax spread evenly and it buffs easier. For tires, use Meguier's High Endurance Tire Gel, anything else will spray off onto the paint when you drive. Spray the rims with Quik Detailer and wipe off, it is a light wax, and will keep brake dust from sticking.