Takes too long!

[Mika]

The next day I got my new car, I washed it with car shampoo, polished away small blemishes and I waxed it. I couldn't believe I started at 9.30 am and finished at 4 pm! Not to ,ention I was exhausted at the end of it. I was fortunate it was a cloudy day. How do you guys do it under 1 hour??

I am thinking of doing parts (hood, top, boot and bumpers) of the car one weekend and the rest (the four doors and the skirting) the next -- is this a good idea?

[Murr1525]

Re: Takes too long!

You can certainly work on parts at a time if it fits your schedule better.

Although 6 hours does sound a little long for 3 steps... I am sure you will speed up with more practice, and maintaining is always easier.

[Malo83]

Re: Takes too long!

Washing ,polishing and waxing my vehicles is my way to relax and unwind on the weekends, wife says i'm obssesed but I love it. With either the stereo or tv on in the garage a few Bud Lights and i'm good to go all day

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Takes too long!

We doubt too many people are washing, doing some light defect removal, and waxing in under an hour. And we know plenty of guys who will take 8 to 14 hours or more to do a full correction, even when working with a buffer. Doing it all by hand is definitely time consuming and tiring - no way around it. But nothing says you have to do the whole car in one day. If you are going to break the car into sections then we would suggest you do the whole process to a section rather than just one step to the whole car.

[Showmob]

It takes a while if you want it done right. Using a polisher you will cut a bit of time yet the risk of error is much higher. Slow and steady wins the race

[dajonx]

Re: Takes too long!

...we would suggest you do the whole process to a section rather than just one step to the whole car.

Just out of curiosity, how do you wash a car by section without affecting the other sections? Or, do you mean washing the entire car and then correcting/waxing in sections?

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Takes too long!

Just out of curiosity, how do you wash a car by section without affecting the other sections? Or, do you mean washing the entire car and then correcting/waxing in sections?

Well, the washing is pretty much going to happen to the whole car, yes. But you want a clean car anyway when you're working on it so you're going to wash anyway. And if you're going to be spreading the work over a period of time, odds are you'll be washing the car as a matter of course anyway.

The point is, if you're going to do the car section by section over a period of time - several weeks, perhaps - due to time constraints on your part, then we would suggest you pick a section that you can complete in one day (or the portion of a day that you can allocate to working on the car). Let's say that's just the hood and front fenders. So you'd wash the car, then clay those panels, use a paint cleaner as needed, polish if you choose to, then wax. A week later you find you have another few hours to give to the car, so wash it again (it most likely needs it anyway) and then work on the roof and trunk lid (or whatever you decide fits your schedule that day) with the same processes. A week later you're ready to wash again, then clay, paint cleaner, polish and wax one side of the car. Continue with this process, section by section, week by week, until the car is done.

[ffboy]

Re: Takes too long!

Well it does take long, but the more time you put into it the better your results should be. It is detailing anyway, not a mere wash and wax job so results should be superior. It is a good way to unwind on weekends, i have to agree. and get a good workout!

[FX4619]

Some good recommendations here. I think I would actually prefer this method because you will see better results. Trying to do it all in one day you'll find yourself slacking mid way through. Especially if you're doing a full size truck or SUV.

[Buck91]

Re: Takes too long!

Spray and pay for wheels and initial rines then drove back to my apartment for an ONR wash including trunk and door jams followed by M06 waxing took abotu 4hrs the other day. Would have been quicker if I could use my hose here.

[santanag23]

Re: Takes too long!

Washing ,polishing and waxing my vehicles is my way to relax and unwind on the weekends, wife says i'm obssesed but I love it. With either the stereo or tv on in the garage a few Bud Lights and i'm good to go all day

awww yea i'm out there daily... wifie is jelious

[santanag23]

Re: Takes too long!

when i start on a weekend I usually start on friday and finish sunday but i dont rush anything like most ppl its relaxing to me.... just out in the garage doin muh thing

[Mika]

Re: Takes too long!

Thanks for advice! I try doing it in sections and see the results.

[Poki]

Re: Takes too long!

And once you get it all done....maintane it with quick detailer sprays, maybe a fast spray wax now and then and you'll be happy with the way it always looks without the hard time consuming work so often.

[D307P]

Re: Takes too long!

My wife gets mad at me because I will spend the whole weekend on her Infiniti and then won't let her drive it on Monday because they are calling for rain. Take the Bravado I tell her.......