What detailing does my car need?

[Manks]

Hi All

My daily driver (Range Rover Vogue) needs an external sorting out. The paint is all ok but it has not been valeted externally for about 2 years. After washing the paint is rough to the touch.

I can either sort it out myself or pay someone to do it. I'd prefer the latter but I have been quoted £300-400 by a local detailer. I believe him to be very good, but it is far too much given that the car is the work / family car.

I am guessing that the car needs claying and repolishing? A local valeting outfit has offered to do it but when I mentioned claying they said, "well we've got a machine polisher" which concerned me because the car has already been corrected a couple of times before.

So, advice regarding doing it myself or for someone reasonable in the Nottingham area would be appreciated.

Many thanks.

[galenthe2nd]

1. Wash (two bucket method)
2. Clay, I would de-tar first on the lower panels and rear before claying, saves clogging the clay if you have a lot of tar, which you will.
3. Wash again, always dry with a deep pile towel.
4. Polish with something like Autoglym SRP which has fillers and will fill minor swirls and defects. Lots and lots of polishes out there, i like this one.
5. Wax, again lots out there, i use Meguiars NXT tech 2.0 wax over SRP. Then give it a 2nd coat of wax. Great finish and protection which lasts.

This should give you a nice result without a 40hour detail!

[Manks]

galenthe2nd said:

always dry with a deep pile towel.

Why? Forgive my ignorance, but what does it do?

[nammynake]

Manks said:

galenthe2nd said:

always dry with a deep pile towel.

Why? Forgive my ignorance, but what does it do?

They are very gentle on the paintwork, and the deep fibres absorb lots of water easily without having to apply much pressure, which could potentially drag small remaining dirt particles over the paintwork. Cheapo fake chamois leathers can be prone to this.

[Manks]

nammynake said:

Manks said:

galenthe2nd said:

always dry with a deep pile towel.

Why? Forgive my ignorance, but what does it do?

They are very gentle on the paintwork, and the deep fibres absorb lots of water easily without having to apply much pressure, which could potentially drag small remaining dirt particles over the paintwork. Cheapo fake chamois leathers can be prone to this.

I use a waffle towel and blotting, not wiping. Not sure if that's bad practice.

[jayplay28]

Manks said:

I use a waffle towel and blotting, not wiping. Not sure if that's bad practice.

Manks- get one of these for drying http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acatalog/pb-luxury-...

Edited by jayplay28 on Saturday 11th September 10:01