On the 7th day, I detailed

[iScott]

Tomorrow is my official detailing day for the H20 VW Show. The things I'm wondering about most are matters of the outside detailing. This was my plan:

- wash
- rubbing compound
- wash
- claybar
- wash
- cleaner wax
- wax
- polish

Any tips for doing the (very scary) rubbing compound? I have a small amount of oxidation and general paint crappiness. Any info will be much appreciated. Thanks. Great forum.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: On the 7th day, I detailed

Define "rubbing compound" please. Are you talking about a polish, like Meguiar's #80 or #83, or a true old fashioned rubbing compound like the well known (and highly abrasive) 3M stuff. Not that 3M rubbing compound is bad stuff mind you, but it may not be the ideal product for this particular situation.

In any event, you'll want to change your order slightly to something more like this:

- wash
- claybar
- wash (this isn't really needed if you clay with a QD spray and wipe often)
- polish
- wax

You'll notice I moved the clay before polishing because you want to remove those surface contaminants first, then move on to the defects in the paint. If you're going to polish in order to remove light oxidation, swirl marks or other defects, then there is no need to use a paint cleaner or cleaner wax as the polish would go far beyond what either of those would accomplish. You'll also noticed I put the polish before wax - this is because if you're using a polish to correct defects then you'll remove the wax with it. On the other hand, if you're using a pure polish like #7 then you'll want to "lock it down" with your wax or sealant.

What specific products are you planning to use? This will help to clarify your process even more since, as you can see with just the word "polish", a couple of different scenarios can unfold.

[iScott]

Re: On the 7th day, I detailed

Thanks for the help, Mike.

The rubbing compound I have is just some basic Turtle Wax stuff. If you can recommend anything different, I'll go with that.

I'm going to Advance Auto today to get supplies. I need a claybar, polish, and some QT. I already have some Meguiars Gold wax and some Zymbol cleaner wax.

Which of these should I apply with an orbital and which should I apply with hand pads?

[kboxer]

Re: On the 7th day, I detailed

If you have not compounded you should mess around with some junk panels. I have found the 3m rub it II to not be all that abrasive. Now I mainly use it to get the scratches out now from uner door handles. Ah, chicks and their nails. I used to compound everything. But that is how the shop I worked in operated.

[Lydia]

Re: On the 7th day, I detailed

I have got a suggestion. Don't use the Turtle Wax Rubbing Compound. I tried it out and it created terrible swirls. It didn't even remove the oxidation that well. I used it on a very badly oxidized red Celica (SS paint) and the paint looked awful. I would definately recomend you use ScratchX instead of Rubbing Compound. That's just me though; you might benefit from trying it out and seeing how it works. I used the Turtle Wax heavy rubbing compound (or whatever they called the strongest stuff), so maybe the lighter stuff will work better. I guess it's probably worth a try. Just IME the rubbing compound just made a mess of the paint.

Just out of curiousity, is that Single Stage paint or not on the car you are planning on doing?

Either way, good luck with it!

[Michael Stoops]

Re: On the 7th day, I detailed

Thanks for the help, Mike.

The rubbing compound I have is just some basic Turtle Wax stuff. If you can recommend anything different, I'll go with that.

I'm going to Advance Auto today to get supplies. I need a claybar, polish, and some QT. I already have some Meguiars Gold wax and some Zymbol cleaner wax.

Which of these should I apply with an orbital and which should I apply with hand pads?

What sort of orbital buffer are we talking about here - a basic sort of 10" dual handle thingy or a G100/PC7424 with some real guts behind it? If it's the 10" dual handle type then I'm afraid that really doesn't have quite the oomph needed to really correct paint defects, but it will make quick work out of a basic wax job. I have a feeling we're talking about a 10" type machine here. If so, I'd recommend:

- wash
- clay
- wash (again, you can skip this if you clay with QD and wipe often)
- ScratchX by hand, with some serious elbow grease behind it, for the really tough spots
- your Zymol cleaner wax with a Meguiar's Hi Tech foam applicator pad, by hand so you can work it reasonably well
- Gold Class wax using the machine if you like, especially if your arms are tired from the ScratchX and cleaner wax applications!

kboxer and Lydia make very good points about the compound - it can do more harm than good if you use the wrong technique, and I really like Lydia's recommendation for the ScratchX (which is why I added it to the above process).

[iScott]

Re: On the 7th day, I detailed

The orbital I'm using is a 6" model. I find it much easier to use on the Beetle's curves rather than a 10". I don't have a high-speed buffer, nor would I know how to properly use one at this point.

I don't have ScratchX but I do have NuFinish Scratch Doctor; about the same? I also do not have a Hi Tech applicator pad - would that help? I have no problem going out and getting the right stuff in order to get better results.

Thanks again for everyone's help. I'll be sure to post pics of Noir'a (my car) at the show next weekend.