Car detailing. Looking for suggestions/opinions.

ROHfan

I'm going to detail my 2012 metal-flake black Dodge Journey this weekend. There are some swirl marks, some spider webbing and a couple of shallow scraps. This vehicle looked great last weekend after I gave it just a basic wash/wax and I'd like to see how it will look after a true detailing.

I did some research and based on that I'll be doing a four step process. I will be doing all steps with an electric buffer which I recently bought. First will be Mothers Rubbing Compound using a Chemical Guys green foam pad, taken off with a microfiber cloth. Second, I'll use Mothers Micro-Polishing Glaze, again with the green foam pad and removed with microfiber cloth. The third step I'll be using Mothers SynWax for the final layer of shine and protection. I plan to switch to a new microfiber pad attached to the buffer to go over the entire car as a fourth step after waxing to maximize the shine.

Is this a good plan? Am I going about it the right way? Input is greatly appreciated.

Mikey081057

+1 on the clay bar...

ROHfan

Thanks, nbrowser and Mr. Blonde, for the suggestion of using clay bars.

Mikey081057

You just gonna sit there and bark little doggie or are you gonna use the clay bar???? And don't forget to listen to K Billy's super sounds of the 70's while you are detailing your ride Hikaru.

ROHfan

Mikey081057 wrote: »

You just gonna sit there and bark little doggie or are you gonna use the clay bar???? And don't forget to listen to K Billy's super sounds of the 70's while you are detailing your ride Hikaru.

Will probably use a clay bar whilst listening to Opeth's "Watershed."

AsSiMiLaTeD

The clay bar is a must, just be very careful with it. If you get even the smallest dirt particle on the bar it can really screw things up. Here are the basic steps I do:

Wash car with Dawn dish soap, most car wash soap won't strip any previous layers of wax like Dawn will and you want a clean surface.

Clay bar every painted surface, it should feel as smooth as glass when you're done.

Do your steps to remove any defects in the paint, there are lots of products and methods out there.

Wax.

There are better products than the Mothers stuff out there, but you won't find a universal opinion on which is best because there are so many variables, I personally am still a Zaino guy even though they're not the FOTM these days.

Mikey081057

These guys have it all

http://www.griotsgarage.com/

oldmodman

Head over to Autogeek.com and read the basics. I have been a member for years and have taken away a lot of knowledge.
Some of what has been said I agree with. First question. What are you referring to as a polisher? if it's a rotary step away from the car. If it is a dual action you are heading in the correct direction.
When washing use the two bucket method. One bucket full of warm soapy (real car soap, not dawn) the other bucket for rinsing your wash medium (don't use a wash cloth) preferably a micro-fiber mitt. Wash the car completely. Dry it with a guzzler or an equivalent micro fiber drying towel.
Use a mild clay on the entire car.
Then rewash the car with a soap designed to decontaminate the paint and remove embedded iron particles. I use Iron-X.
Re wash the car with the mild car wash soap. Then take a thin plastic bag, place your hand inside it and gently rub it across the cleaned, dried paint surface. You should fell absolutely no roughness. If you do you may have to step up to a medium grade clay. Something like Clay Magic Red medium clay. The pain must be absolutely smooth before you start trying to perfect the finish.
And I would heartily suggest that you practice any actual polishing on a junk car part. I have picked up a few hoods to try new compounds, pads, and polishes on before trying them on an expensive car. Remember that a product that will give a great result on one brand and model of car might give you a terrible result on another.

ROHfan

Just to report back, I took some advice I learned here about the clay bar and used that after an initial wash. I then applied compound using the buffer and then hand-removed it, followed by a hand waxing of the synthetic wax. I have to say, the car looks pretty good. Almost has a "wet" look to it. I think the next thing I need to do is to get some touch up paint and fix all the little areas where the paint is chipped from road dirt. Any suggestions on that task would be appreciated.

Thanks to Assimilated, I also perused the Zaino website and their stuff looks pretty good. I'm getting the feeling that the Mothers and Meguiars stuff, i.e., are geared toward the unknowing consumer so I may have to order one of the kits on the Zaino site for the next go-around. I don't want to get too wrapped up in this because I don't own a "show" car and I don't need another rabbit hole aside from my audio rig!

ROHfan

Here are a couple of pics.