How should I do my first real detail?

[Fredmeyer]

So I purchased this kit

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005A2R628/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I have a new 2020 ram rebel which is black. So as you know black is a cool color, but if you want it to stay nice you gotta be on top of cleaning the car. So I've been a little insane. I've never cared about detailing a car, but now I do.

Anyways last week I applied a Mequires Cleaner Wax, and I've been keeping it clean with Ultimate Quick Detailer. (that stuff is so nice)

This coming weekend I want to redo my wax job. When I used to cleaner wax it was 11pm at night and the neighbors thought I was crazy, but I didn't want sun hitting the car. Well I rushed the job I wasn't letting the wax sit, I just applied sit for 60 secs wiped it off. It still worked has a beautiful shine. However I know I can do better.

Anyways with this kit how would you apply all this?

I think this is the way Im doing to do it.

Step 1 Wash Car with Ultimate Wash+Wax ( I also have gold class if you think I should save the Wash+Wax)

Step 2 Dry Car Off. (I sometimes like to spray the car with a quick detailer to make sure I got all the water spots etc do you think this is a waste of time?)

Step 3 Apply Ultimate Compound How long should I let this sit on the paint?

Step 3 Apply Ultimate Polish How long should I let this sit on the paint?

Step 3 Apply Ultimate Liquid Wax I believe I should wax the entire car, then when I finish start wiping from where I started? That should give enough time to let sit?

[The Guz]

Re: How should I do my first real detail?

Compounds and polishes are to be wiped off and not let dry on the paint.

If you plan to do this by hand get yourself some painkillers. You are going to need them for those shoulders once you are done. Good luck and have fun.

[Fredmeyer]

Re: How should I do my first real detail?

Compounds and polishes are to be wiped off and not let dry on the paint.

If you plan to do this by hand get yourself some painkillers. You are going to need them for those shoulders once you are done. Good luck and have fun.

Is there any buffers you recommend, I looked at the Meguires one they sell for like 150-200$ If thats the cost on the good ones I'll wait and ask my wife for it for Christmas, or my birthday lol.

Yes I'll be doing this by hand which is gonnnnnnaaaa ****. But I need to lose a few lbs so I'll take it as a workout.

[Murr1525]

Re: How should I do my first real detail?

Step 1 Wash Car with Ultimate Wash+Wax ( I also have gold class if you think I should save the Wash+Wax)

Yeah, if youre going to detail after, the wash n wax is a bit of a waste.

Step 2 Dry Car Off. (I sometimes like to spray the car with a quick detailer to make sure I got all the water spots etc do you think this is a waste of time?)

It can help, or using the Ult. Spray Wax similarly.

Step 3 Apply Ultimate Compound How long should I let this sit on the paint?

Step 3 Apply Ultimate Polish How long should I let this sit on the paint?

Yeah, apply and remove.

Step 3 Apply Ultimate Liquid Wax I believe I should wax the entire car, then when I finish start wiping from where I started? That should give enough time to let sit?

Pretty much... just be sure to apply very thin coats.

What condition is the paint in? If it is looking good already, you can just use the polish.

Or yeah, if there are a lot of swirls/scratches, you may just keep it shiny for now, then use the machine to fix things more in the future.

[Nick Winn]

Re: How should I do my first real detail?

Step 1 Wash Car with Ultimate Wash+Wax ( I also have gold class if you think I should save the Wash+Wax)

Step 2 Dry Car Off. (I sometimes like to spray the car with a quick detailer to make sure I got all the water spots etc do you think this is a waste of time?)

Step 3 Apply Ultimate Compound How long should I let this sit on the paint?

Step 3 Apply Ultimate Polish How long should I let this sit on the paint?

Step 3 Apply Ultimate Liquid Wax I believe I should wax the entire car, then when I finish start wiping from where I started? That should give enough time to let sit?

Save the Ultimate Wash & Wax for when you are just doing regular maintenance washes. Gold Class is a great car wash solution. Fill up bucket with water first, then pour proper amount of Gold Class concentrate in bucket, then blast with hose to mix & thus create suds. Too many times people put soap in bottom of empty bucket, then blast with strong stream of water or pressure washer, and only end up with a quarter of their bucket of actual water. You want the mixture of the soap & the water together, not just foam/suds.

Using a Quik Detailer to assist in the drying process is perfectly fine & very common to assist with water spots especially on black.

Ultimate Compound is used on an as needed basis to address moderate to heavy defects.

Ultimate Polish is used on an as needed basis to address mild defects & enhance gloss/depth/clarity/shine.

Ultimate Liquid Wax is best applied to about a panel at a time, left for a few minutes & then removed.

Check out this below video it should be very helpful & feel free to ask as many additional questions as you would like:

[NorthantsPete]

Re: How should I do my first real detail?

Compounds and polishes you dont let dry as they arent wax - you work them into the paint to lightly sand the clearcoat
You missed the claying stage (or use of a traffic film remover)

Do this or your pads will fill up with gunk when compounding

I prefer NXT wash as its wax free - i dont want a wax in my wash as ill do it when i dry.

Ultimate polish never really dries, so leave it as long as you want before the dust arrives!