Hello guys, I'm starting to get interested in detailing and wish to learn more to take care of my car.
Normally I'll only polish and just buff the surface without using wax but after some reading, I've decided to start waxing.
My car right now is covered with tree saps.. If I were to start, the correct steps would be: Rinse ~> Wash ~> Clay ~> Polish ~> Wax. Right?

So I'm going to list out what I am going to do: (Do correct me if there's any mistakes..)
Rinsing and washing: By using the two bucket method and clean in one direction instead of circular motion, keep rinsing the microfiber to wash off the dirt.
Clay: By using a clay bar and warm water as lubricant, wipe the clay over all surfaces to pull out dirt which aren't trapped by the microfiber cloth. After claying, dry the car completely and start polishing.
Polish: By using a DA/ROB powered tool and appropriate pads, apply polishing product onto the pad (four dots) then lean the pad to the surfaces I'm going to work on and switch on the powered tool (in low speed), coat the surface with polishing product first then slowly increase the speed to start removing swirls/ scratches etc. Apply moderate pressure on the tool and polish in one direction then overlap in opposite direction until the polishing product starts to turn clean only use a microfiber cloth to wipe off the polish residue.
Wax: After polishing, apply wax using applicator pad and coat the entire car with a thin layer of wax and let it set. Run a finger across waxed surface to check if the wax has set then buff off the wax.

If the above steps are okay.. I'll need some opinions from you guys on which and what to buy..
I'll go casual first, currently eye-ing on:
Shampoo - Osren Bubble & Wax
Clay - 3M Clay Bar
Polish - Idk yet
Wax - Meg. Ultimate Paste Wax
DA - Budget around 500, what can I get lol
Pads - What kind of pads do I need and how many should I get?

Thanks in advance!

Just warm water? I recommend adding some car shampoo to add some lubrication.
With Saps/Tar/Gum at times even with Clay it doesn't cut it.

At times I resort to my trusty WD-40

All in all, sounds like a fun project. Enjoy!

This post has been edited by linkin182: Jul 11 2016, 07:54 AM

Ok noted. So I should blend some car shampoo in with water for better lub property? Btw, I shouldn't add too much "lub" while claying? Or the more the better?
WD 40 works on tree saps? Cool Might use WD40 instead then. After using I should use shampoo and clean again right? Else the WD40 residue might damage my paint

Sorry but I dunno the ratio for this (some lubiration for your clay to slide across).

With WD40, yeah I would give it another quick rinse. At times when I'm lazy, instead of washing the entire car I just wash the worked areas.
You could also do it in section, work on your door panels, wash your door panels. Work on your bonnet, wash your bonnet and etc etc.

Will do, thanks for the tip!

Osren shampoo is good in terms of suds and shine. But breaks down clay bar easily from my experience. 3m is ok if you manage to get original ones. Else can opt for perma glass since they having promotion now.
For da, if you willing to try aliexpress, I can share the link late . This seller seems to have good review and it is the same as the osren dap15 model.
For pads....subjective. But I started with 2 cuttings, 2 polishing and 2 finishing pads. Clean with home diy pad cleaner, only require 2 grit guards and 1 specific bucket. Else you would need more than 2 pads. I started off with osren pads and lake country CCS pads. Find it to be sufficient.

http://m.aliexpress.com/item/32515494286.htmlhtml

This is the link to the da polisher by reputable seller of foam lance. Sells other detailing tools as well

That seller doesn't ship to Malaysia lol. Pricing just nice fit in 500 bukcs.
Where can I find perma glass clay bar? Should I get PG Wonder Clay No.2? Medium abrasive and suitable for light coloured cars..



This post has been edited by Waliuuu: Jul 12 2016, 10:22 PM

Hi,

Just now I went to wash car centre and I also opt for car polishing + wax around RM130. Original price for polishing is RM200 and waxing only is RM100, but the centre gave discount to RM130 for polish + wax after I ask can give discount or not. So I think it is worth the price since long long time like 4 years never polish my car and can see stains,swirls and light scratches on car paint.

After they wash my car and dried it, they applied wax compound (from what I see is white color paste from Waxco Wax, not sure it got polish + wax effect) to whole car body and waited for 10 minutes for the compound to dry out. Afterwards, they use the polishing machine with wool to polish the wax on the car. After completed, they wipe the car with dry cloth and told me polish and wax completed.

So, does this mean my car is polished already ? Cos i still can see swirls and stain marks on my car paint although it is shiny now. I thought polish will remove the marks and swirls.....

They are using all in one cleaner wax. And seriously, Waxco wax?

Well technically say, yes, they polished your car, and left a thin layer of easy off wax on your car. However, it is not a proper service they have provided. Those kind of service should only cost you rm38 or even less.

I would expect no more or very little swirl mark and no containmination should remain if I were to pay rm130.

Yeah, they did polish and wax your car but what they did not do was to correct your car.
All in one polish + wax have lesser abrasives so you may not entirely correct the car.

4 years, might be best to start from scratch again otherwise send it to the experts.

It took me from White/Black Wax > Swirl X > Ultimate Compound to truely correct certain panels.
Even that, I did not get the swirls off completely (there are still hairline swirls but I can live with that).

I'm just missing the all important DA!

This post has been edited by linkin182: Jul 14 2016, 07:49 AM

Where do you stay? I can borrow my DAS-6 8mm DA to you if we stay nearby

I went to those Indian car wash centre that has snow wash and water wax service, located in Sri Petaling.

Haha, UGPM.

Meh, cannot jadi la. Those wont cut it.


This post has been edited by linkin182: Jul 15 2016, 07:33 AM

I just wanna wax my car, use hand or machine better?

I plan to buy a meguiar da g3500. It must be attached to a drill. I will buy from USA. Estimate price is rm200. Anyone want to join?

This post has been edited by arafat: Jul 16 2016, 12:53 PM

Does anyone know a good place around Puchong that can do engine cleaning? I dont want to go to my regular car wash as I m not confident they know what to do.

Waxing by hand is fine because its not too much work unless you're doing several cars at once.
Cleaning/polishing on the other hand is exhausting and a machine helps.

I'd like some advice on waxing "painted trim" parts on older cars. The trim seems to soak up polish and wax. The wax protection on the trim doesn't seem to last as long as other parts of the car as well.

Rubbing the wax out is kinda tired too hahaha