Results 1 to 11 of 11

Thread: Detailing Thread:

  1. #1
    Idling - Listen to it purr...
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Posts
    49
    Thanks Given
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts

    Detailing Thread:

    I'll be posting all the item I'll be buying and the price where to buy from.
    Also all the item needed for this.

  2. #2
    2,000 rpm - light wheelspin, no bog here! CeeJaayDM's Avatar
    Drives
    2012 CWP MS3
    Location
    Long Beach, CA
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Posts
    247
    Thanks Given
    0
    Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts
    i've been waiting for an update sir :3
    instagram >>> @cmxciii

    no moar miata. i just lurk & stuff now.

  3. #3
    Idling - Listen to it purr... Buy My Stuff's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Posts
    41
    Thanks Given
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
    I don't have any professional detailing experience but I've done my friend's cars for a little extra cash on the side and they seem happy with it. As of right now I don't have an orbital buffer/polisher but it would be a good investment to get one. The best one (from what I've read) seems to be a meguiar's orbital buffer and polisher. This goes for around 200. I'll make a comprehensive list of the materials that I have tomorrow. It's getting pretty late and as I was typing this I started to realize how tired I am!

  4. #4
    2,000 rpm - light wheelspin, no bog here! modernbeat's Avatar
    Location
    Dallas, TX
    Join Date
    Dec 2011
    Posts
    246
    Thanks Given
    12
    Thanked 155 Times in 70 Posts
    Here's what I use, how I use it and where I get it.

    Hose and trigger spray nozzle (any hardware store)
    Two 5-gallon buckets (suds, rinse) with two Grit Guards
    Spray bottle for alcohol mix
    Spray bottle for WD-40
    Spray bottle for ZEP citrus
    Masking tape – green
    Foam paintbrushes for trim, interior, engine, etc
    Dry paintbrush (for dusting interior)
    Lowes grout sponges
    Rag Shack microfiber application towels
    Target "Vroom" label microfiber drying towels
    General Purpose Costco cheap microfiber towels for dirty areas
    Shop Vac (for interior)
    Leaf Blower
    Wheel spoke and face brushes (Detailer's Domain)
    Wheelwell and chassis brush (Detailer's Domain)
    Sprayway or Invisible Glass aerosol cleaner
    Woolite foaming upholstery cleaner (for interior)
    WD-40 (gallon jug)
    Denatured alcohol
    3M General Purpose Adhesive Remover
    Autoglym Vinyl & Rubber Care OR Vinylex by Lexol for trim, engine, interior (Pep Boys used to carry this until recently. I stocked up)
    ZEP citrus cleaner
    Wenol metal polish
    Gibbs penetrant
    Dawn Dishwashing soap to strip all finishes
    Majestic Solutions Ultra Gloss Car Wash
    Claybars
    Menzerna Power Finish
    Werkstat Acrylic Jett Trigger
    Autoglym High Definition Wax (Walmart until recently. I stocked up)
    Meguiars Final Inspection instant detailer
    Porter Cable random orbital buffer
    Detailer’s Domain buffing pads and backing plate

    The sequence I follow:

    Clean under the hood and around the differential with WD-40 and towels. Hit very bad areas with ZEP citrus all purpose cleaner followed by a rinse and WD-40. Apply rubber-vinyl dressing to plastic and rubber parts using a foam brush and microfiber towel. Apply Gibbs penetrant to raw aluminum parts.

    Use ZEP citrus all purpose cleaner and brushes to clean the wheels, tires and exhaust tip. Rinse.
    Use ZEP and a brush to clean the wheel wells. Rinse.
    Polish any exposed raw uncoated aluminum parts of the wheels and exhaust with Wenol metal polish.
    Use an applicator to apply Gibbs penetrant to the polished areas of the wheels and exhaust.

    Apply vinyl/rubber dressing to all unpainted black trim and rubber seals on the car using a foam paintbrush (edges of taillights with the trunk open, wiper cowl, fog light housings, exterior radiator cowl, weather-stripping, front and rear window trim, hardtop edging trim, antenna base, wiper arm plugs, side mirror joints, door top trim, headlight door cowls and rubber flaps)

    Using the two buckets with grit guards, mix up a solution with Dawn dishwashing soap and wash the car with sponges. Dry it with a leaf blower then microfiber drying towels.

    Use clay and either alcohol water mix, or Meguiars Final Inspection to finish cleaning the car.

    Mask difficult to clean areas with green tape. Use the Porter Cable and a variety of pads and Menzerna Power Finish to smooth the paint. Clean up after the buffing with the alcohol mix or Final Inspection.

    Wipe down chrome details with alcohol mix (door handles, hardtop latches, antenna).

    Use cheap microfiber and glass cleaner on all the glass and mirrors.

    Use applicator microfiber towels and Acrylic Jet Trigger to seal the paint.

    Use extra thick applicator microfiber towels and Autoglym High Definition wax to bring out more depth.

    Use applicator pads or microfiber to dress the tires with rubber dressing.

    Done.

    For intermediate cleanup.
    Wash the wheels and wheelwells using the same procedure.
    Apply dressing to the rubber and plastic parts.
    Wash the paint using Majestic Ultra Gloss.
    Dry with microfiber drying towels.
    Touch-up using the quick detailer.
    Dress tires.


    And my sources for all this junk:

    Online order
    two Grit Guards http://www.detailersdomain.com/
    Rag Shack microfiber application towels http://stores.theragshack.com/StoreFront.bok
    Wheel spoke and face brushes http://www.detailersdomain.com/
    Detailer’s Domain buffing pads and backing plate http://www.detailersdomain.com/
    Majestic Solutions Ultra Gloss Car Wash http://www.majesticsolutionsinc.com/
    Menzerna Power Finish http://www.detailersdomain.com/
    Werkstat Acrylic Jett Trigger http://www.werkstat.com/index.html
    Gibbs penetrant http://www.amazon.com/
    Wenol metal polish - ebay seller

    Lowes
    Lowes grout sponges
    Porter Cable random orbital buffer

    Home Depot
    Two 5-gallon buckets (suds, rinse)
    Three Spray bottles for ZEP citrus, WD-40, alcohol mix
    Masking tape – green (blue 1.5”x180’ $7.87)
    Foam paintbrushes for trim, interior, engine, etc
    Dry paintbrush (for dusting interior crevices)
    WD-40 (gallons) ($14.97 gallon)
    Denatured alcohol ($15.29 gallon)
    ZEP citrus cleaner
    Sprayway or Invisible Glass aerosol cleaner
    Wheelwell and chassis brush
    Hose and trigger spray nozzle
    Shop Vac (on sale)
    Leaf Blower (very optional)

    Target
    Target "Vroom" label microfiber drying towels
    Woolite foaming upholstery cleaner (for interior)
    Dawn Dishwashing soap to strip all finishes

    WalMart
    Autoglym High Definition Wax (might not be available any more. I stocked up when it went on clearance)

    PepBoys
    3M General Purpose Adhesive Remover
    Autoglym Vinyl & Rubber Care OR Vinylex by Lexol for trim, engine, interior (I use the Autoglym, but it might not be available any more. I stocked up when it went on sale.)
    Meguiars Final Inspection instant detailer
    Claybars

    Costco
    General Purpose Costco cheap microfiber towels for dirty areas
    Jason McDaniel

  5. #5
    2,000 rpm - light wheelspin, no bog here! itzzspencer's Avatar
    Drives
    1990 Crystal White
    Location
    SOCAL 626
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Posts
    165
    Thanks Given
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
    ^whoa, you sir are too legit

  6. #6
    Idling - Listen to it purr...
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Posts
    49
    Thanks Given
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
    Yes he is

  7. #7
    2,000 rpm - light wheelspin, no bog here! KAL's Avatar
    Location
    Oslo, Norway
    Join Date
    Dec 2011
    Posts
    454
    Thanks Given
    135
    Thanked 247 Times in 119 Posts
    Anyone got a recommendation on how to get rid of these two stripes on my new soft-top?
    Its basically brand new —*after a longer trip with my top folded neatly i got these two stripes, which i doesn't go away with "basic cleaning" (typical interiour paper / soap cloth).

    '9 3 B R G

  8. #8
    Idling - Listen to it purr... rkitect's Avatar
    Drives
    '95 Black Beauty MX-5 Leather Interior
    Location
    Tulsa, OK
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Posts
    10
    Thanks Given
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
    @modernbeat: I'm curious what "mix" you are referring to when you say "alcohol mix." Are you mixing the denatured alcohol with something?
    '95 Black, Tan Leather, Black Top. Koyo 37mm, RB Header, Driver mod.
    http://revittotd.com/

  9. #9
    3,000 rpm - starting to feel the power Tkblazer's Avatar
    Drives
    Black 94
    Location
    Garden Grove,Ca
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Posts
    520
    Thanks Given
    132
    Thanked 270 Times in 150 Posts
    you usually use alcohol and water in a 50/50 mix to clean off any chemicals that may linger after polishing. some products have fillers which mask any swirls that may still be on the surface of the paint.

  10. #10
    2,000 rpm - light wheelspin, no bog here! modernbeat's Avatar
    Location
    Dallas, TX
    Join Date
    Dec 2011
    Posts
    246
    Thanks Given
    12
    Thanked 155 Times in 70 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by Tkblazer View Post
    you usually use alcohol and water in a 50/50 mix to clean off any chemicals that may linger after polishing. some products have fillers which mask any swirls that may still be on the surface of the paint.
    That's it. Makes a quick job of cleaning the schmutz off the car after buffing. Most alcohol is already significantly diluted. I just dilute it more.
    Jason McDaniel

  11. #11
    2,000 rpm - light wheelspin, no bog here!
    Drives
    VR 2004 MSM
    Location
    City of Sin
    Join Date
    Dec 2011
    Posts
    137
    Thanks Given
    0
    Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts
    50/50 alcohol/water mix is way too strong, and will soften clear coat making it very vulnerable. 10% alcohol mix is optimum.

    Follow this guide to get 10% IPA from various rubbing alcohol concentrations available. Get a spray bottle from home depot/lowes that has the measuring marks.

    http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/...n-results.html

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •