Auto Detailing
Thinking about having a couple of vehicles detailed. My pickup has never had a buffer used on it, and it does not appear the my van has either. What would you recommend, a carwash with wax in it, a hand wax or wax and buff?
0
-
Wash vehicle,rinse,clay bar,dry,hand wax and buff .
Clay barring is important to do before you wax especially since it's presumable that it's been over a year since done. If, after you wash and you run your fingers across the paint and you feel contaminants you definitely need to clay bar.0 -
Prefer doing myself. When they do it I lose a antennae or a item. They have disclaimers so if there is a problem its problematic. 
0 -
Washing is washing and detailing is detailing. Which are you looking to do/have done? 0 -
Proceramic wrote:Wash vehicle,rinse,clay bar,dry,hand wax and buff .
Clay barring is important to do before you wax especially since it's presumable that it's been over a year since done. If, after you wash and you run your fingers across the paint and you feel contaminants you definitely need to clay bar.
+1000 on the clay bar0 -
We used to have a guy that had a mobile detail shop. He had a truck that had a big tank of water on the back.....all the stuff he needed to wash a car and make it look really nice. For some reason he could NOT do a car without spraying tire shine on it. I begged him......pleaded......do not put that mess on my car, but his routine was to finalize things with slick greasy tires. He did a wonderful job otherwise. 0 -
Proceramic wrote:Wash vehicle,rinse,clay bar,dry,hand wax and buff .
Clay barring is important to do before you wax especially since it's presumable that it's been over a year since done. If, after you wash and you run your fingers across the paint and you feel contaminants you definitely need to clay bar.
I stick my hand in a plastic bag when I rub across my paint to see if the paint is contaminated. You can fill it a lot better if you use a plastic bag
There's also products out there that are chemical decontaminates that will make clay barring a lot easier if you use it first. It removes all the metal particles, so all you have to do is remove the non metallic particles from your paint when you clay bar. It's a matter of just spraying it, waiting a few minutes and then rinsing it with the hose when it turns purple0 -
check out Griots Brilliant Finish? Synthetic Clay
Item# 10691
better than the old clay0 -
I had Mackenzie run the 2004 Lincoln LS through to good local car wash (the works plus tire shine and Teflon)...
A self requested anonymous member here had sent me a McGuire's detailing kit he picked up at one of the mecum vehicle auctions that he had "won" for free...
I have the Lincoln in the garage (heated) and have been applying the "wax" final finish to it after using the other products including a clay bar...
Also I am a fanatical adherent in liberally applying rain X to all clear glass or plastic surfaces so it sheds water like a ducks ash...
It's taken me the better part of 5 days cause I am crippled and in constant pain but I am almost finished the task...
For a 15 year old car with approx 58,000 miles on it it looks fantastic and the cobalt blue paint shines like a sapphire at this point - the allow wheels could be better / they look okay and shine but there are some nooks and crannies to just can't get to or get right - my hands are not working well today...
The plate looking brake dust blockers appear to do a good job keeping that damned insidious black dust from adhering to everything...
I have to do the interior which is not to bad because Mackenzie is an ocd neat freak where cars are concerned - the drivers seat leather looks more worn than the passenger seat - and per usual the back seat looks brand new and never sat in.
The cat back resonator tip dual performance exhaust system I added look fine - no rust or separation where things were mated to the factory components and the brackets and fasteners appear to be in terrific shape
I cleaned the K&N cold air forced induction / fresh cold ram air filter and it looks good but it's now two years old (only has 5000 miles on it) and I don't know if I use it forever as long as I cleans up and functions or whether it must be replaced on some sort of maintenance obsolescence timeline - and it is not a cheap item...
The Toyo sport tires look flawless - only 5000 miles on them and they get rotated twice per year
The inner cabin fresh air intake or climate control system recycle hepa filter is turning yellow and a bit brittle - still seems mostly okay and I have no idea what it costs but I imagine it's not cheap
Weather tech floormats and trunk mat are in mint condition and cleaned super easy
Transmission oil cooler had remnants of a bird strike on it but does not appear damaged and cleaned up well after I dislodged some feathers and gristle.
Steering wheel shows some outer rim wear and discoloration but I think the leather cleaning products should clear things up.
The circular behind the grill led fog lights are fine - one was pointing down as the set screws had vibrated loose and it dropped - I fixed that - the switch in the cabin works fine and still illuminates with a blue glow
Had the oil and filter changed - doing this once a year as a precaution that probably is unnecessary...
I used the kit to fill in a small chip in the windshield with clear bonded epoxy or resin (lower left passenger side 2 inches above the seal.
The glove box light no longer works - replaced the bulb and no light - replaced the accessory fuse that controls it and other items and no light - the wiring I can see looks fine but I guess I will have to live with no glove box illumination.
Changed both key fob batteries and we put new covers on them - carbon fiber pattern with a textured surface...
Spare tire looks fine and is holding correct pressure.
Battery terminal are cleans minty fresh.
Replaced a right rear turn signal bulb and a third brake light bulb.
Bright yellow performance plug wires look perfect - did not feel the need to pull any platinum tipped dual contact performance plugs...
Rain X washer fluid refilled.
Rain X wiper blades still look and work great - survived the winter which often kills them.
Replaced the batteries in the Ozark trails outdoor equipment mini baseball combat flashlight with skull crusher / teeth breaker / eye poker front ring (matte silver) a regular light mode and a super bright mode and a super bright rapid flash mode
Little things - think I have it covered and handled even though crippled Mike took a damn week to get it done
Mike0 -
I cannot remember the last time I used a car wash. Decades and decades ago 0 -
Many thanks for all of the great replies!!!!!!!!!
James0 -
go to a real detailer and tell them you want what a car dealer would have done to put the vehicle on their lot. believe me if the detailer is any good at all you will be amassed at the results. in my mind it is well worth the money and i can use my time for things i would rather do. if you like to do it yourself, after they are finished you can do that keeeping it looking good. 0
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Comments
11 comments