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!

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

Will do, thanks for the tip!

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

Dear sifus,

Due to my laziness in patiently detailing my car, i often skip the waxing part until recently. Alot of rain/ watermarks that sticks to my car paint after ONE heavy rain, I get rid of them by polishing. Now I think my clear coat is almost gone lol.. My car parks under a tree sometimes and I keep getting tree saps that is super hard to remove, picture attached below. Is there any product that can let me coat my car?? Or I'm left with frequent waxing? Currently using paste wax. If I were to wax my car regularly, is there any liquid wax that is good and saves time?


Attached thumbnail(s)

I rarely compound before polish... Only done it once with a rotary polisher on low to med setting. I have no choice but to park under the tree most of the time due to limited space available.. thanks for the advice btw!

Can anyone recommend me good engine clean + detailing car care centre in klang?
Or what to take note when they wash my engine bay?

Thanks for the input! Found this video in YOutube.. But still don't dare to do myself lol. Maybe send to the auto detailing centre and stand beside and monitor

-

This post has been edited by Waliuuu: Feb 10 2020, 08:35 PM

Have you tried tar remover?

From what I know, you can never clean clay mitt 100% as the surface is thin and flat, there is no room to 'contain' contaminants (like sandpaper). Another thing is that because it's thin and flat, user will easily exert too much pressure when using (use palm instead of fingers), dealing more damage than cleaning. Normally claymitt is used by detailers before polishing or some 'hidden corners' instead of claybar as it has better efficiency and they will polish all the 'damage' done by claymitt..

This post has been edited by Waliuuu: May 5 2020, 11:00 AM

Have you tried tar remover?

Glad it worked out! Make sure to clean the area thoroughly after using tar remover and apply paint protection product after that!

Hi, thanks for your interest. Wheel cleaner is alkaline based. The product can effectively remove all kinds of contaminants and is very cost effective as it is dilutable.

Either tar remover or claying will help.

Polish normally done after claying. Before you clay, you need to clean your car first, a simple car wash will do.

If it's hard watermark that is etched to the paint then my stain remover will not work at all.. Other than that it would work fairly well.
Picture below is an example you may refer

Has anyone experience before? After using hand sanitizer in car the air blowing out from air-cond duct smells like burnt plastic. Or is it just me?

I wonder if the product is oil based? Because I read somewhere stating that certain oil melts plastic. Maybe that is the reason why

Anyone has experience with using cerium oxide powder with power tools to polish windshield and windows?? I bought 50g to try working out by hand. It does remove traffic film and makes the glass have a full contact with water but some of the water spots and scratches cannot be removed, kinda afraid to use polisher on glass tho

This post has been edited by Waliuuu: Jun 12 2020, 09:24 AM