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 Car Detailing, How I did mine....

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andychee81
post Aug 20 2004, 10:56 PM

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wow how long did it take you to do all the steps?
d@id
post Aug 21 2004, 09:04 AM

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my car ? preparation job 6 hours by the shop

maintanance job 3 hours weekly.
gaban
post Aug 25 2004, 04:53 PM

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From: jalan ampang
i dont think i will 'detail' my car until this level...but recently, i started to polish my car once every 2 weeks...

the feeling is like, when ur car body look nice, few years down the road, you will still love and take care of it lo...

imagine now you dun care for it, after a few years, the paint work gone, scratch here and there, do you think you still have that 'first love' feeling? no lor...

minimum take care is a MUST, BUT my salute to those ppl who really 'detail' their car, i just dun have the ommph yet haha
lonewolf
post Aug 25 2004, 04:59 PM

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polish every 2 weeks?...or u mean wax??...
ppl normally polish once every six months.
d@id
post Aug 25 2004, 05:01 PM

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polish every 2 weeks wao .... ur paint will K.O in matter of 1 year
gaban
post Aug 25 2004, 05:40 PM

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then is wax then biggrin.gif haha
d@id
post Aug 26 2004, 09:55 AM

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:>
cocklea
post Sep 2 2004, 07:46 PM

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damn that is an awesome car. where do u live redbox? and r u malaysian abroad? if yes, how is the left hand drive works?
Latino Heat
post Sep 8 2004, 10:44 PM

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QUOTE (RedBox @ Aug 18 2004, 02:38 PM)
I wrote a short write-up on how I polished and maintained my car a while back but that thread must have been purged. Recently someone had asked about polish/wax/clean car so I thought I would share my experiences with you.

The very first time I did this, the whole process I think took me more than 10 hours if I remember correctly. After I 'perfected' the process tongue.gif I now spend a good 6 hours or so to get that perfect shine. Anyway here goes...

Some of the products used:
user posted image

Step 1: Wash car
The very first time I did this, I used a dishwashing liquid. Now I know what you're thinking, that's nuts but I would only do this one time to make sure I get all the grime/oil/dirt off the paint of the car. I used Dawn blue which seems to be recommended most of the time. Remember you do not want to use this regularly which is why I only did this once. You can use a regular car wash liquid if you are not comfortable doing this. But the goal here is to remove as much foreign contamination so the coat of polish can seal the paint properly.

Don't just use any old rags to wash your car. You'll be sorry. I buy a special sheepskin wash mitts to avoid fine scratches during washing. It's plush and gentle on the paint of your car. Wash your wheels first. I use a wheel cleaning brush that can reach into the spoke of the wheels to properly remove dirt and all.

Step 2: Clay
After washing off all the dishwashing liquid, I start the claying process. You do not have to dry your car first. Prepare a spray bottle that contain water/car wash liquid to use as lubricant. Claying is easy but you have to be careful or you will end up scratching your paint. Why clay? The clay as your rub over the paint of your car will pick up any additional grime/dirt/tar/bird droppings/etc from the paint. Your local car parts store should have this.

Here's how you do it. Spray an area with the water/car wash liquid mixture. Kneed a small piece of clay (that you can hold comfortably with your fingers and not drop it) and rub it over the sprayed area. For the top area of the car, use a front/back motion and for the side area of the car, use an up/down motion. Rub over the same area until you feel it going over the paint smoothly. Spray more lubricant if needed. Remember to kneed the clay after so many passes as you do not want the stuff that it picks up to scratch other paint area that you are claying. If you happen to drop it on the floor, THROW it AWAY. Do not try to use it again. It will now have dirt stuck to it from the floor and you will end up scratching your car. It's not worth trying to save a few bucks over your $$$ car. I went over every inch of the paint that I can get to with the clay.

Step 3: Rewash car
This time, use a normal car wash liquid to wash off any clay residual.

Step 4: Dry Car
I use a soft silicon squeege and run it over car to remove water quickly. To finish the drying, use a 100% cotton plush towel to complete the job. Before going forward, I inspect the paint and remove any minor scratches with Meguiars ScratchX.

Step 5: Quick detail before applying polish
I use Zaino Z6 Gloss Enhancer to quick detail the car. Spray on and wipe off with a new clean 100% cotton towel. This will remove any water spot and leave the paint smooth.

Step 6: First coat of polish
I use Zaino Z5 with ZFX to provide a faster drying time. You can use a product of your choice. Use a clean polish applicator pad and squeeze a dime size polish on the applicator pad. Polish a small area in circular motion and on top area of the car, finish with a front/back motion and on side area of the car, finish with up/down motion. This is recommended by the polish manufacturer to enhance the optical property of the polish. Z5 is suppose to further reduced swirl marks and fine hairline scratches from the paint. Wait 30 minutes to dry. (Follow the instructions of your polish product if you use a different product)

Step 7: Clean windows/interior
While waiting for the polish to dry, I take the time to clean the windows and interior of the car. I used RainX and Stoner Invisible glass product for the windows/glass, 303 Aerospace Protectant for dashboard/vinyl/plastic interior, leather care product for leather parts. Since there are multiple drying times, I tend to split the interior detailing between the drying times.

Step 8: Buff and apply second coat
After it has dried, use another clean 100% cotton towel and buff off dried polish. For the second coat, I use Zaino Z2 with ZFX. Same method as first coat.

Step 9: Buff and apply third coat
Again, after the second coat has dried, buff off with a clean 100% cotton towel. By now, the car has that truely wet shine that you'll love. wink.gif

Step 10: Final quick detail
After removing all the polish, I quick detail the car again with a shot of Zaino Z6 to make sure I removed all polish residual and to give the paint that extra shine. At this step, I also apply Meguiars High Gloss Gel to the car tires to give it that shine.

Step 11: Finish
This is the most satisfying part of the whole process. Step back and admire your work. Get a cold drink (non-alcohol wink.gif) and inspect the car. Get your keys ready as you know you just want to jump in and take it for a joy ride!!! smile.gif


That's it. You're done. To summarize, what you want to do is:

Wash, Clay, Wash, dry, quick detail, polish, buff, polish, buff, polish, buff, quick detail. I specify the product that I used in writing this and by all means use a product of your choice. Always remember to read the instructions and follow them especially mixing, applying and drying times. But other than that, it should be pretty straight forward. The reason I went with Zaino or a polymer based polish is I do not want to use a product with rubbing compound. I would only use that if there is oxidation on the paint and I absolutely have to rub it off. Hope this helps anyone who wants to get their car looking great! Have a great day and enjoy your car. smile.gif smile.gif

[EDIT]
The product that I used is suppose to be able to protect up to 9 months or so. So I only have to do this about 2 times a year. Other times, wash as needed, dry, quick detail and I have that shine back. Easy... smile.gif If I am in the mood I will wash, clay, wash, dry, and quick detail without applying the 3 layers of polish. Read the instructions on the product you are using. smile.gif


RedBox

Some pictures after all the hard work:
user posted image
user posted image
user posted image
user posted image

Wow.........looks like showroom condition after u polished it, IMO, better than showroom's one !

Goo job for this tread !
d@id
post Sep 9 2004, 01:35 AM

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hehe i guess u haven't see real showroom cars before.

hrmm this line is confusing

what i mean is showroom cars has loads of polymer on it for the shine, while redbox's car is pure on the paint color itself.

This post has been edited by d@id: Sep 12 2004, 11:48 PM
Suk
post Sep 9 2004, 11:02 PM

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i'm using the WASH & WAX only RM10+
this product good or not ?
d@id
post Sep 12 2004, 11:35 PM

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well camera lousy ... stupid nokia flip phone camera. what was the model for the nokia flip phone ? damn i can't even remember the model of my own phone.


-pic removed-

This post has been edited by d@id: Sep 14 2004, 11:13 PM
TSRedBox
post Sep 14 2004, 09:40 AM

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QUOTE (cocklea @ Sep 2 2004, 06:46 AM)
damn that is an awesome car. where do u live redbox? and r u malaysian abroad? if yes, how is the left hand drive works?

Cocklea, I am in the United States. Left hand drive works just the same as right hand drive. Here I'm sitting on the left in the car but drive on the right side of the road. Back home we sit on the right but drive on the left side of the road. smile.gif

Different arm on operating the stick. It won't take you very long to get use to it.


RedBox
TSRedBox
post Sep 14 2004, 09:45 AM

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QUOTE (d@id @ Sep 8 2004, 12:35 PM)
hehe i guess u haven't see real showroom cars before.

hrmm this line is confusing

what i mean is showroom cars has loads of polymer on it for the shine, while redbox's car is pure on the paint color itself.

Heheh... I guess you're right. laugh.gif Not near showroom cars shine but still pretty much the shinest on the road where I live here... cool.gif

I sense an urge to do give it a good polish again soon. Winter is coming so I want to try to work in another good layer before it gets cold. smile.gif smile.gif

By the way, I had used cotton towel for the job that I always do on my car but will probably change and use microfiber towel next. Heard and read nothing but good things about them.


RedBox
d@id
post Sep 14 2004, 09:49 AM

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i need a better camera, another 2 vehicle are in the backyard with everything stripped down , one being 1/2 done with dynamat and another one will start next week. haha. oops what i am trying to say is the 2 vehicle is more shiny then this . but still i need a better camera, its very very nice but the camera ruin everything.

This post has been edited by d@id: Sep 14 2004, 09:50 AM
lonewolf
post Sep 20 2004, 11:52 AM

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hey guys..
this seems interesting

http://www.5starshine.com/

anyway...d@id. did visisted HB...but derrick always not around. currently me looking wether can get a place that uses PTFE or not.

and..as for Glare...did heard ppl said it was not good. after glared. no shining glossy effect. and guess what, there are even ppl saying, those glaze are actually not wanted product in US anymore..thats y they push it to Asia..dunno how true is that.

did discuss with a car poislihing detailer..
if want Carbauna Wax ...go for SWISSOL..
if want Polymer..go for MG
if want old tech...can go for AUTOGLYM..
d@id
post Sep 21 2004, 10:28 AM

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HB will get meguairs official certification soon, think within this 2 months tongue.gif and the first meguiars certified grooming theyt say. meguiars people from usa is coming down. anyway its hard for me to take a pic of my vehicle wih the lousy camera, if not u can sure see the shine . anyway . go there la they got a photo album
pillage2001
post Sep 26 2004, 05:50 PM

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QUOTE(d@id @ Sep 21 2004, 10:28 AM)
HB will get meguairs official certification soon,  think within this 2 months tongue.gif and the first meguiars certified grooming theyt say. meguiars people from usa is coming down. anyway its hard for me to take a pic of my vehicle wih the lousy camera, if not u can sure see the shine . anyway . go there la they got a photo album
*
How much do they charge for full grooming??? I was quoted 240 with MG products today.
k2 3Lv3
post Sep 27 2004, 12:29 PM

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lonewolf
post Sep 27 2004, 12:34 PM

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MG....price for Kelisa
RM160 for 2 layers
RM240 for 3 layers
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