New to detailing. Recommendations?

[ghost430]

Hi everybody, I'm new to this site cause honestly I really wanna give my car a good detail work. I want to see if anyone can help me out with what products to use. I'm a college student so I really can't spend big bucks on products, buy I do what good quality which is why I'm here. I plan on doing a wash, clay, and wax. But if there any more ideas to do? I do have swirls on the car and what looks like a horrible wax job that was done maybe 2 months ago by a car wash which is why I'm want to re-wax. So.. Any help? I appreciate in advance.

About the car: 2005 Corolla. Dark blue. Like I said smuges and swirls. Idk what condition the paint is, but seems ok I think. Want to get rid of water spots.

Oh and btw I got a amazing deal for Gold Class Wash ($3 a gallon) and got the clay kit too.

[Murr1525]

Re: New to detailing. Recommendations?

Well, here are two details I like to use:

1. Wash - 2 buckets, good quality mitts, towels, etc... Grit guard if possible
2. Clay
3. Clean - SwirlX for a mild cleaner, Ult. Compound for stronger
4. Wax - Ult. Wax or Nxt 2.0
5. Wax - 2 thin coats are best

1. Wash
2. Clay
3. I like ColorX, but the Cleaner/Wax is also a milder option
4. Wax - Ult. Wax or Nxt 2.0

The second detail is obviously cheaper/faster, etc, but probably wont be strong enough cleaners to deal with the swirls or spots.

Is there any chance of pics, so we might see how bad things are?

It is possible that maybe you would want to do a bit of a combo:

1. Wash
2. Clay
3. Use the Ult. Compound this time.
4. Then you can do two coats of wax after.

Then in the future, you would use the ColorX then wax. Shouldnt want the UC every time.

[ghost430]

I can get some pics up tomorrow when the sun comes up.

I do like the idea of the last one you had. Time doesnt really matter with me. I was just wandering what the Ultimate compound is? Cause I was thinking of using ScratchX (cause I get 10% off it) , but I'll use that UC of its better.

Now questions about the wax applicator pad, microfiber or foam? Cause I've read microfiber can also scratch the paint or something.

[Murr1525]

Re: New to detailing. Recommendations?

Why 10% off the ScratchX? Ult. Compound might be available in some way, if ScratchX is sold there.

It is just a stronger cleaner, and probably cheaper for the size. Its what I would want for a whole car.

I prefer foam, seems easier to hold and get some pressure with.

Good quality foam or good quality MF would be safe. Cheap foam or cheap MF could cause swirls.

[ghost430]

Re: New to detailing. Recommendations?

Cause I'm employed at a hardware store and we are really restricted on the amount of Meguiar products, its the only thing we have aside from QD and soap.

Here are the pictures. these are probably the best i would have found since today was that one day of no sun. These are mostly isolated spots and probably the worst, however the the rest are just of the car has either these or light light swirls all over.










I also have a few more questions, (sorry about so many questions, just really new to this and i want to get everything right.) I was looking at SwirlX and i was wondering if i can use that or if Ult. Compound would still be the better option since i don't see really bad swirls and i don't wanna mess up the top/clear coat. I read that Ult. Compound has abrasives and its used for more serious scratches.

[Murr1525]

Re: New to detailing. Recommendations?

Questions are ok...

The marks in those pics could be rough.. hard ot say for sure. Are you able to catch a finger nail in them?

UC would be wanted to at least improve them. Removing may not be entirely possible.

Sometimes (esp a first time), you are almost better to just shine things up, and see what you are working with, rather than trying to fix everything.

The scratches arent going to change if you wait till your next detail, when feeling more comfortable with the other steps.

If you have isolated areas, sometimes it is just as easy to detail the whole car normally. Then come back a day or two later, and just work with UC, etc, then re-wax that isolated area. Instead of bogging yourself down mid-project. But if the whole car has some spots and such... You may just be taking your time over the whole thing.

Or just shine things up this time... then once a week you can focus on one panel with the UC, and re-wax.

Just some ideas, since it can be slow going, and you may run out of time trying to do it all at once, along with going slower at first when you are new to everything.

[ghost430]

I can't catch a nail in the scratches so that's a good thing. But aside from that I'm ready to go, bought all the stuff already. Thanks for the tips, it really does help. I'll update when I make some progress!

[Murr1525]

Re: New to detailing. Recommendations?

Glad to help. Can always do a test spot/area if unsure of a step, then check here.