A beginner’s guide to a beginner’s detail
Discussion
In no way am I some sort of detailing expert nor am I that experienced apart from the general cleaning done every now and again. However the need to sell my car meant that I needed to undertake a proper detail and although to most people it just means a sponge clean using fairy liquid and drying with a towel I genuinely wasn’t sure how to undertake a full wash properly. After a bit of research below is what I did and what I found and thought it might be useful to others in the same boat.
I’m in Australia so some actual products may not be uk relevant. I have nothing to do with Carcare.com.au just used them for some stuff and their tips were very good.
I couldn’t afford to get a orbital polisher or a power washer with a snow foam lance but would definitely have done these if I could so the outline below is all manual.
Firstly, buy the required tools and products (what I bought in brackets):
2 Buckets. (…2 buckets)
Good wash mitt and associated waffle weave drying cloth, microfiber cloths, sponge wipes, proper buffing and plush finishing cloths. (I bought a complete detailing pack from carcare.com.au - http://www.carcareproducts.com.au/product/car_care...
Shampoo – Meguiars Gold Class
Tyres - Wheel Cleaner and Tyre Shine: (Meguiars Alloy Wheel Cleaner and Tyre Gel)
Post Clean Paint treatment- Clay Bar and lubricant: (Meguiars Clay Bar and Lubricant)
Pre-Wax Cleaner: (Dodo Juice Lime Prime)
Wax: (Dodo Supernatural Hybrid)
Glass Cleaner: (Autoglym Glass Cleaner)
Leather Treatment: (Leatherique Leather Treatment pack and Mint Leather Brush)
Small Additions:
Used an old Toothbrush to get wax residue out of rear park sensors and nooks and cranny;s etc.
My car is black so got a wax car detailing crayon which is great for filling small marks.
My tips:
• People say a good tradesman doesn’t blame his tools. Well b
ks to that – get good stuff and spend well and it’ll return its cost over and over.
• Get great cloths and a lot of them. Ensure you separate one use from the other so your wax wiping cloth is separate to your final buffer and that you have spare cloths for little finish jobs.
• 2 Bucket Wash – mentioned in hushed tones as if its is some magical formula for the best wash. Its not magical but it is essential. Fill both buckets with water, using the wash formula in one. Dip the wash mitt in one. Rinse in the dirty bucket after a wipe. Repeat. Repeatedly.
• The amount of st and dirt in my ‘dirty water’ bucket after a few wipes meant it was obvious how much crap used to just go back in the one bucket and for 20 years I’ve been a lazy spacktard doing it wrong.
• Wash Mitt – Don’t use a sponge.
• Waffle Weave Drying Cloth – Don’t use a Chamois
• Less is more – when waxing apply simply and widely but don’t mash it on.
• Clean the wheels first. Then clean. Then glass. Then interior.
• Use Tyre Gel – much better than spray or foam and lasts longer.
• Wax - I used Supernatural Hybrid as Carnuba is great but UV in Australia kills it quickly and a hybrid lasts longer.
• Attend to the nooks and crannies – wipe down the door jams, door hinges, wheel well will the tyre gel, boot water runs etc – the time taken on this is small but creates a great ‘full clean’ look.
• Leather treatment – mine has leather and living in Australia have the benefit of the heat. I baked my interior in the rejuvenator for 3 days on my front lawn before cleaning and can thoroughly recommend Leatherique as it took the leather back to when I picked the car up when it was 9 months old.
The order – I followed the below and was very very pleased with the outcome:
http://howto.carcareproducts.com.au/news/pdf/14
Before:
After Just the 2 bucket Wash, wheel clean and tyre gel:
After the full detail:
Inside:
I’m in Australia so some actual products may not be uk relevant. I have nothing to do with Carcare.com.au just used them for some stuff and their tips were very good.
I couldn’t afford to get a orbital polisher or a power washer with a snow foam lance but would definitely have done these if I could so the outline below is all manual.
Firstly, buy the required tools and products (what I bought in brackets):
2 Buckets. (…2 buckets)
Good wash mitt and associated waffle weave drying cloth, microfiber cloths, sponge wipes, proper buffing and plush finishing cloths. (I bought a complete detailing pack from carcare.com.au - http://www.carcareproducts.com.au/product/car_care...
Shampoo – Meguiars Gold Class
Tyres - Wheel Cleaner and Tyre Shine: (Meguiars Alloy Wheel Cleaner and Tyre Gel)
Post Clean Paint treatment- Clay Bar and lubricant: (Meguiars Clay Bar and Lubricant)
Pre-Wax Cleaner: (Dodo Juice Lime Prime)
Wax: (Dodo Supernatural Hybrid)
Glass Cleaner: (Autoglym Glass Cleaner)
Leather Treatment: (Leatherique Leather Treatment pack and Mint Leather Brush)
Small Additions:
Used an old Toothbrush to get wax residue out of rear park sensors and nooks and cranny;s etc.
My car is black so got a wax car detailing crayon which is great for filling small marks.
My tips:
• People say a good tradesman doesn’t blame his tools. Well b
ks to that – get good stuff and spend well and it’ll return its cost over and over. • Get great cloths and a lot of them. Ensure you separate one use from the other so your wax wiping cloth is separate to your final buffer and that you have spare cloths for little finish jobs.
• 2 Bucket Wash – mentioned in hushed tones as if its is some magical formula for the best wash. Its not magical but it is essential. Fill both buckets with water, using the wash formula in one. Dip the wash mitt in one. Rinse in the dirty bucket after a wipe. Repeat. Repeatedly.
• The amount of s
t and dirt in my ‘dirty water’ bucket after a few wipes meant it was obvious how much crap used to just go back in the one bucket and for 20 years I’ve been a lazy spacktard doing it wrong.• Wash Mitt – Don’t use a sponge.
• Waffle Weave Drying Cloth – Don’t use a Chamois
• Less is more – when waxing apply simply and widely but don’t mash it on.
• Clean the wheels first. Then clean. Then glass. Then interior.
• Use Tyre Gel – much better than spray or foam and lasts longer.
• Wax - I used Supernatural Hybrid as Carnuba is great but UV in Australia kills it quickly and a hybrid lasts longer.
• Attend to the nooks and crannies – wipe down the door jams, door hinges, wheel well will the tyre gel, boot water runs etc – the time taken on this is small but creates a great ‘full clean’ look.
• Leather treatment – mine has leather and living in Australia have the benefit of the heat. I baked my interior in the rejuvenator for 3 days on my front lawn before cleaning and can thoroughly recommend Leatherique as it took the leather back to when I picked the car up when it was 9 months old.
The order – I followed the below and was very very pleased with the outcome:
http://howto.carcareproducts.com.au/news/pdf/14
Before:
After Just the 2 bucket Wash, wheel clean and tyre gel:
After the full detail:
Inside:
Edited by Pommygranite on Sunday 23 June 05:48
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