Need to make a major detailing job when I get the car out
Hi, I think I'll need to make a major detailing job on the lude when I get it out of storage soon and I was planning on getting a PC7424 (I think that's the right #) to get the job done faster and better.
It's been painted in Grenada Black Pearl (4th gen OEM color) in August 2002, then driver side door and fender have been repainted in August 2003 then the driver side fender and front bumper have been repainted last October (haven't even seen the repairs yet since the car has been in storage since) and the paint has been neglected a bit. On the passenger side fender the paints feels very rough so I guess I'll have quite some work to do to get the car to look good again.
So can you guys recommend some products and a process to get my car to shine?
First off, you are going to need some good pads for the 7424. There are several brands you could go with, but I recommend the 7" Propel pads at PrestoStore. Grab one of the yellow, one orange, and one green. If you plan on applying wax/glaze with by machine as well, go ahead and get a blue or grey pad also. If the paint is really rough, consider getting a wool bonnet. They sell these at ProperAutoCare and some other places.
Once you have some good pads, you will want a good cutting polish, a mild polish, and finally some good ol' carnauba wax. If you haven't used a clay bar before or in the last 6 months, I would go ahead and get one of those as well. I recommend ClayMagic. Make sure you stock up on Quick Detailer as well. I would just get Meguiars QD since it is usually the easiest and cheapest to find. Finally, you will want to stock up on some microfiber towels. You don't really need the most expensive ones, just something soft and plush (waffle weave on one side is good for buffing).
Here is a breakdown of my recommended products for your car in order of application:
1. Wash car
2. Claybar [ClayMagic with soapy water or quick detailer]
3. Wash car again
4. Apply heavy/medium cut polish with PC7424 & yellow pad [Meguiars Dual Action Cleaner Polish]
5. Quick detail the car.
6. Apply less abrasive polish with PC7424 & orange pad [Meguiars Swirl Mark Remover 2.0]
7. Quick Detail the car.
8. Repeat step 6 with green pad.
7. Quick Detail the car. Make sure you got all polish residue off of the paint. You don't want it getting sealed behind your wax!
8. Apply wax preferrably by hand, or with PC7424 & blue/grey pad [product list below]
Wax by hand:
- Meguiars NXT Tech Wax (if you like a liquid wax)
- S100 (if you like a paste wax)
Wax by machine:
- Meguairs NXT Tech Wax
I recommend Meguiars products alot because they are really easy to use and give great results.
Brian: I like to do a light QD between polishes or waxes in case I missed any spots when I buffed off the previous coat. It isn't necessary, but it doesn't take much effort.
Brian: I like to do a light QD between polishes or waxes in case I missed any spots when I buffed off the previous coat. It isn't necessary, but it doesn't take much effort.
Hmm...I could see why you'd use a QD between coats of wax but wouldn't it defeat the purpose if you're using it between polishing sessions? The polish is leveling the clearcoat, and it performs optimally when there is no barrier in between the surface of the car and the polish itself. If you're QDing in between polishing sessions, then wouldn't it defeat the purpose of polishing then? Or do QDs not work that way at all when you're polishing?
Hmm...I could see why you'd use a QD between coats of wax but wouldn't it defeat the purpose if you're using it between polishing sessions? The polish is leveling the clearcoat, and it performs optimally when there is no barrier in between the surface of the car and the polish itself. If you're QDing in between polishing sessions, then wouldn't it defeat the purpose of polishing then? Or do QDs not work that way at all when you're polishing?
I'm not sure about that. It works for me though. Between the dust in my garage and dust/residue from buffing, my paint isn't always clean when I start polishing. I guess instead of QDing a panel before polishing it, you could just wipe it off lightly with a soft cloth.
I'm not sure about that. It works for me though. Between the dust in my garage and dust/residue from buffing, my paint isn't always clean when I start polishing. I guess instead of QDing a panel before polishing it, you could just wipe it off lightly with a soft cloth.
Hmm...I should give that a try the next time I polish my car. About the dust and residue that you're talking about, I just swat at it with a microfiber towel. I would wipe it off, but I'm super paranoid about wiping any potential harmful contaminents that might be on the paint without me knowing about it.
Do the above steps work to get out stratches? My paint is sadly pretty beat up
Steps 1-8 should help a lot with scratches. Depending on how bad the scratches are, you may even want to go with a wool bonnet and a heavy cut polish before step 4. The wool bonnet just slips over one of the other pads. It will leave a dull finish because it cuts so well, but when you go back over the car with the lighter polishes, it will be smooth and glassy again
Nevermind I emailed them and they ship to Canada so I should have the pads soon All I need to do now is to wait for the stuff to come in and get my car out which won't happen until I'm done with my exams and my last one is on the 25th...
Nevermind I emailed them and they ship to Canada so I should have the pads soon All I need to do now is to wait for the stuff to come in and get my car out which won't happen until I'm done with my exams and my last one is on the 25th...
If you haven't already, it's a good idea to order several pads of the same kind in case you drop it, there's product overload, or other ways to make it unusable.
If you haven't already, it's a good idea to order several pads of the same kind in case you drop it, there's product overload, or other ways to make it unusable.
How many pads of the same kind would I need to do 1 car? That's all I need to do right now, I can buy some more for later, it's just that I've spent quite some money already and the car isn't even out of storage
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