Panel at a time

[MediaMan]

I'm gearing up for some detailing on the new car on Sunday - supposed to be just under 50 degrees, partly sunny. My question relates to which steps should be done 'a-panel-at-a-time' versus entire car at-a-time.

I've read the instructions and it would appear nothing is a panel-at-a-time except for the clay step. Is that correct?, ie

1) wash (entire car); dry
2) lube/clay- a panel-at-a-time
3) wash again (entire car); dry
4) cleaner wax - apply entire car - wait to haze ( 15 minutes???) then buff/remove.
5) # 7 Polish - apply entire car - wait to haze ( 15 minutes???) then buff
6) NXT wax - apply entire car - wait to haze ( 15 minutes???) then buff
7) Repeat step 6 (optional)

I will stop at step 3 if it gets too cold.

[Detaillab]

Re: Panel at a time

I have never washed again after claying. What is your reasoning for that? Also you don't need to use #7 or NXT if you are going to use cleaner wax. I won't hurt though

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Panel at a time

See notes below...

I've read the instructions and it would appear nothing is a panel-at-a-time except for the clay step. Is that correct?, ie

1) wash (entire car); dry


2) lube/clay- a panel-at-a-time
And wipe off residue with a clean microfiber as you move around the car.

3) wash again (entire car); dry
If you wipe off the residue as you move around the car you can skip this step and save time.


4) cleaner wax - apply entire car - wait to haze ( 15 minutes???) then buff/remove.

Correct


5) # 7 Polish - apply entire car - wait to haze ( 15 minutes???) then buff
Only waxes need to dry, a polish like #7 is worked into the finish and then wiped off. No time for drying, just work in and wipe off and move on.


6) NXT wax - apply entire car - wait to haze ( 15 minutes???) then buff
Correct


7) Repeat step 6 (optional)
Correct

I will stop at step 3 if it gets too cold.

Check this out...

Which products need to dry before removing?

[MediaMan]

Re: Panel at a time

Qucik followups..

2) lube/clay- a panel-at-a-time
And wipe off residue with a clean microfiber as you move around the car.

Do you mean wipe off the residue on the clay bar , or do you mean wipe off the residue on the paint surface?

5) # 7 Polish - apply entire car - wait to haze ( 15 minutes???) then buff
Only waxes need to dry, a polish like #7 is worked into the finish and then wiped off. No time for drying, just work in and wipe off and move on.

So here you mean do not do the entire car at time, but do a panel-at--a time - correct?

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Panel at a time

Qucik followups..


Do you mean wipe off the residue on the clay bar , or do you mean wipe off the residue on the paint surface?


So here you mean do not do the entire car at time, but do a panel-at--a time - correct?

1. Wipe off the residue on the paint surface. If you're using a QD spray as your lube then you really shouldn't need to wash again if you're going straight to a polish or cleaner wax.

2. A full panel at a time may be too much for #7. I always just work a small area at a time, maybe a bit more than 2' x 2', and wipe it off once the applicator pad starts to "drag" on the surface. Used correctly #7 is a great product, but used incorrectly it takes all the fun out of detailing as it becomes very hard to remove if allowed to dry.

[TrufflePig]

Re: Panel at a time

remember to check your clay from time to time and pick any big chunks of contaminats you might have picked up and then knead the clay into a ball again and then into a small sized pancake.

yes panel at a time for 7. trust me you'll regret it if you let it dry.

ps. MedianMan i think its to early to detail in Canada in our area. the roads are still very very dirty. the salt is still everywhere as the roads haven't been swept.

doing a quick detail might benefit you for now till it warms up and you're not racing against the weather.

[MediaMan]

Re: Panel at a time

okay thanks

I've sumamrized the above for future reference:

• Wash (entire car); dry
• Clay/lube- a panel-at-a-time
  • wipe off residue with a clean microfiber as you move around the car.
  • pick off or wipe off residue on the clay
  • knead the clay into a ball again and then into a small sized pancake.
• Optional- wash again (entire car); dry
• Cleaner wax - apply entire car - wait to haze ( typ:15 minutes) then buff/remove.
• Optional - # 7 Polish -
  • Apply in small sections at a time car - then wipe off ( eg: a bit more than 2' x 2', and wipe it off once the applicator pad starts to "drag" on the surface.
  • Note - A polish like #7 is worked into the finish and then wiped off. No time for drying, just work in and wipe off and move on. always just work a small area at a time
• NXT wax - apply entire car - wait to haze ( typ: 15 minutes) then buff
• Optional - Repeat step 6

[saleem]

Re: Panel at a time

Thanks for the summary mediaman

Is it common to do the cleaner/wax then further polishing? I would have expected that step to have #82 or #9 (no settling time)

Also, I've seen people talk about how they let their wax cure for 1-2 hours or even overnight? Is there a benefit for leaving it for an hour or five versus 15 min/swipe test?

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Panel at a time

Perfect


Just a note on the section-by-section or panel-by-panel process, as you become more familiar with the products you're using can often times tackle larger sections, it's kind of a personal preference type of thing and a skill level thing.

For example, a professional detailer applying a pure polish to a car he's just machine cleaned might choose to apply the #7 to the entire car and then wipe it off. A professional detailer has years of experience under his belt and knows how to apply a thin coat, he's moving quickly and in about 30 minutes he can apply and and remove the #7 and then go to apply his wax.

Working section by section or panel by panel just insures the products and process will be easier and you'll be less prone to run into mistakes.

[TrufflePig]

Re: Panel at a time

Thanks for the summary mediaman

Is it common to do the cleaner/wax then further polishing? I would have expected that step to have #82 or #9 (no settling time)

Also, I've seen people talk about how they let their wax cure for 1-2 hours or even overnight? Is there a benefit for leaving it for an hour or five versus 15 min/swipe test?

there is no benefit at all to leave your car full of wax for 24 hours, 48 hours or 10 hours. i've tested all of them.

tested 24 hours versus the swipe test (45 minutes) and produced the same results using the same product, machine, technique, environment etc...

its all BS i say.

[saleem]

Re: Panel at a time

there is no benefit at all to leave your car full of wax for 24 hours, 48 hours or 10 hours. i've tested all of them.

tested 24 hours versus the swipe test (45 minutes) and produced the same results using the same product, machine, technique, environment etc...

its all BS i say.

hah thanks for the insight TrufflePig...

[TrufflePig]

Re: Panel at a time

hah thanks for the insight TrufflePig...

no worries.

i was sick of hearing people say to leave it on for 24 hours etc...

and my customers have asked about that so i was like for once and for all i'll find out.

and i did.

if anything the best thing is to not let it get wet the first 24 hours or any morning dew if you can. that's it though. does it change the results drastically.

NOPE. just more work in applying a QD with MF or wiping it all off.