Detailing virgin, please help!

[superhans88]

Hi, just looking for a bit of advice on how best to spruce up my 3 year old ex-fleet focus. What would be the best way for an amatuer to achieve the best result most cost-effectively? I'm thinking along the lines of a clay bar followed by some orbital polishing followed by some waxing, although I only have experience of the latter! I'd just like to spend a bit of time restoring the paintwork so that a quick weekly wash will suffice thereafter in keeping it looking tit top.

[pwpro]

what colour is the car and whats your setup budget

paul

[superhans88]

Thanks paul, the car is metallic panther black and the budget is as small as possible! I'm not looking to spend too much, just a bit of claying, machine polishing and waxing. I'm not looking to win any competitions, just wanting to bring the paintwork back to life a bit.

[kristy_666]

I'm no expert, I'm sure one will be along soon to correct me but I'd look at the following.

Machine polishers, Rotary's from £40, Orbital's from £85, when I bought my first I went for a complete kit as it works out cheaper if you don't know exactly what you want.

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/polishing-machines/c...

Orbitals are normally reccomended for people that have never used a machine before but I jumped straight into a Rotary when I started and have never had any problems.
Just make sure to read up on the guides on here http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.p... endless amounts of info.

Polish

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/polishing/polish/cat...

If your not looking for a perfect finish I'd be looking at Menzerna power finish on a light polishing/finishing pad and see how that goes, should get rid of all the minor imperfections/ blemishes and bring back a nice shine but wont touch anything deeper/more stubborn.

Glaze

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/glazes/poorboys-blac...

If your budget stretches to it this will fill pretty much anything left after polishing so long as it's applied correctly, produces much better results when done by machine rather than hand.

Wax

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/wax/collinite-no-476...

For longevity, finish and price I personally don't think this can be beaten, there are many that will leave a better finish and be easier to use but then the price starts going up and up. It sets like concrete so dont leave it to cure for to long about 15/20 minutes on a warm day (thats per panel).

Clays

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/detailing-clay/cat_9...

For your needs any medium grade would do I would have thought, I've used Sonus, Gloss it and Meguiars, prefer Meguiars but all will do the job, the same for detailing sprays to lubricate.

I would also get a tar remover, again if your budget stretches.
One of the most regarded is
http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acatalog/autosmart-...

Though I think you can only get it in that size but it should last you years and really does do the business.

I'm sure others will be along soon but have a read on detailing world in the mean time you'll find more info than you could ever read.

[pwpro]

1st the process

wash:

your wheels

bodywork ideally using a snow foam as a pre wash if not soak heavily and repeatedly then rinse at pressure

bodywork again via the 2 bucket method

then dry:

make the move to plush drying towels and a drying aid such as dodo's time to dry or spritz of your quick detailer

tar:

tar spots can be removed very easily so do it before claying

clay:

clay the entire vehicle - panel by panel with lots of lube then dry each panel as you complete it

protection during polishing:

identify any areas the pad may damage and cover them

polishing:

working areas 12-18" square and ensuring the product is fully worked (not doing this will make clean up a whole lot harder !!)

glaze:

repeat as polishing

protection:

a nice thin coat of wax applied slowly and deliberately

equipment required :

couple of buckets

snow foam lance

wash mitt

stack of micro fibres

polisher - pref da for a newbie

polishing pads and wax applicators

products suggested:

snow foam - valets pro's ph neutral s/foam

shampoo - dodo's sour power / born to be mild or supernatural

tar remover - a/g tar remover or tardis

clay - dodo's super natural / bilt hamber original

clay lube / quick detailer - meguairs last touch for clay lube / drying aid then dodo red mist tropical for regular maintenance

polish - dodo's lime prime

glaze - poorboys black hole

wax - dodo's purple haze / purple haze pro

hope this helps

paul

[pwpro]

heres a panther black car i prepped last weekend to give an idea of what can be achieved

http://www.lancerregister.com/showthread.php?t=336...

[H13BSM]

what combo were you using on the enhancement detail on the rs? You should try gloss it sig tyre dressing, as it leaves a really nice dry, matte finish.

[pwpro]

H13BSM said:

what combo were you using on the enhancement detail on the rs? You should try gloss it sig tyre dressing, as it leaves a really nice dry, matte finish.

lime prime and 3m yellow pad buddy

been thinking about going over to swissvax's pneu as it happens i'm ready for a change

paul