New to Detailing and Confused!

[SciontC]

Hey everyone,

So I finally got a car worth taking care of and was looking for some help.

It is a paint job with a flake in it, has some scratches on the sill I want to be gone, but no discernible swirl marks.

It is a daily driver and has not had much done other than washing, so my understanding was to do this(application will be done by hand):

Wash(GC)
Clay
(1/3)After claying, should I use UC or UP, or both?
Wax(ULW)

(2/3)Is this all I need to do to start protecting my paint from the daily hazards?

Also, there is a spot on the top of the wheelhouse which has rusted. (3/3)Can I prevent this rust from spreading to the visible body, or remove it completely?

Thanks for any help, it's all so overwhelming! If pictures would be more helpful, please let me know and I may be able to get some up tomorrow.

[imz4n]

Re: New to Detailing and Confused!

I would say to start a test area with UP to see if you can get what you want with that. In most cases less is more. You should follow up with a wax, when you have decided what process is going to give you what you looking for. I will defer the rust issue to others. sorry

[Murr1525]

Re: New to Detailing and Confused!

1. Wash
2. Clay
3. Clean - You would want Ult. Compound for the worse areas, and then Ult. Polish/SwirlX for everything. Or just Ult. Compound everyting the first time. Just want to even things out.
4. Wax
5. Wax

[SciontC]

Re: New to Detailing and Confused!

3. Clean - You would want Ult. Compound for the worse areas, and then Ult. Polish/SwirlX for everything. Or just Ult. Compound everyting the first time. Just want to even things out.

It seems like I should do the whole car with the Polish and if some swirls or scratches still show, then try the compound, correct?

[wifpd4]

Re: New to Detailing and Confused!

It seems like I should do the whole car with the Polish and if some swirls or scratches still show, then try the compound, correct?

There's a slight possibility the UC may leave some minor flaws (haze) that the Ultimate Polish would remove. As Murr indicated, one possible way is: UC, then UP, then wax, wax. The other way is UC, then wax, wax. A lot will depends on your test area results.

[SciontC]

Re: New to Detailing and Confused!

Should my test area be one that has scratches on it, as well as being not readily visible unless you really look?

[imz4n]

Re: New to Detailing and Confused!

Yes your test area should have issues. The purpose of the test it to see if the product you are about to use will actually do the job.