Auto Detailing

[Ornery]

Any fellow detailers here?

Detailing as a business is one thing, but as a hobby? :roll:

My goal is to wash & wax a FULL SIZE American car inside of 90 minutes. Any tips to shorten that time would be appreciated. I do it once in the spring, and once in the fall, just for weather protection. Otherwise, I wash & dry them inside of 45 minutes, if I happen to be going to a special event or something.

Oh, here's a tip...

 

[daniel1113]

I have gotten into auto detailing over the past year and love it. Speaking of which, I have a full detail coming up in a week. Time to get the ol' PC7424 out.

 

[randomlinh]

I would give zanio a shot, but 1) much more time consuming than I can do w/o a garage. 2) spensive.

Exterior ~2x a year:
1) dawn wash
2) clay
3) car soap wash (used p21s, but it's just too expensive for how often I use it, probably swtich to meguiars)
3) klasse all in one
4) klasse sealant glaze
5/6/7...)ever 24hrs, another coat of klasse.

normal exterior, i'll just wash and dry, or use a quick detailer (sonus) if I have time and it's not too dirty. I'll throw a coat of klasse glaze when I feel like it.

inside/any plastic trim:
303 protectant, and cleaner when needed. 303 fabric gaurd as well.

tires:
i don't like foam spray ons. but i'm using an eagle product and use a foam applicator. i may just start using the 303 for this too.

wheels: just a coat of sealant glaze, helps w/ brake dust since my car has a terrible problem w/ that. it'll change when i change out the brake pads, but I don't want to do that now.

 

[SVT Cobra]

Originally posted by: lnguyen
I would give zanio a shot, but 1) much more time consuming than I can do w/o a garage. 2) spensive.

Exterior ~2x a year:
1) dawn wash
2) clay
3) car soap wash (used p21s, but it's just too expensive for how often I use it, probably swtich to meguiars)
3) klasse all in one
4) klasse sealant glaze
5/6/7...)ever 24hrs, another coat of klasse.

normal exterior, i'll just wash and dry, or use a quick detailer (sonus) if I have time and it's not too dirty. I'll throw a coat of klasse glaze when I feel like it.

inside/any plastic trim:
303 protectant, and cleaner when needed. 303 fabric gaurd as well.

tires:
i don't like foam spray ons. but i'm using an eagle product and use a foam applicator. i may just start using the 303 for this too.

wheels: just a coat of sealant glaze, helps w/ brake dust since my car has a terrible problem w/ that. it'll change when i change out the brake pads, but I don't want to do that now.

get rid of the dawn...it strips your wax and will eventually allow for major oxidation of the paint

 

[jfall]

Son of a N00b isn't really an auto detailer, he's just acting all of this out in a play

 

[SVT Cobra]

Originally posted by: jfall
Son of a N00b isn't really an auto detailer, he's just acting all of this out in a play

I would suggest some heavy duty all purpose cleaner to get rid of the thread crapper

 

[SVT Cobra]

Originally posted by: Mermaidman
I bought a used car recently and the hood has some bird crap damage. I used some polishing compound followed by Scratch-X and regular wax. The corrosion is pretty bad-- Right through the clear coat. It's like a nickle sized spot of discolored cracked paint with a couple of deep pits. The paint color is dark cherry metallic, so it's quite obvious.

well you can try some red chip stick and buff it into it, and then follow that up with a coat of glaze...it couldnt hurt...but I am afriad you would have to take it to a paint shop

 

[SVT Cobra]

Originally posted by: ScottMac
I've recently discovered Zymol. Wunnerful stuff.

I just bought the "Carbon" kit. The wax is ~US$50.00 for eight ounces, but it's great stuff and goes on easy, comes off easy (you don't let it dry.

You can get a bottle of the cleaner wax at Target or Pep Boys for ~$12.00 that looked better (IMHO) than McGuiars "Gold Class" full treatment.

The high-end stuff looks even better.

They have some specialty waxes that go for $450.00 - US$1500.00 (!!!).

I love 'em though. They also have car wash, leather & vinyl clearner, wax for the non-metallic painted surfaces, glass cleaner....

One of their big claims to fame is that it's an "all natural" product (their whole line). The ingrediants look more like a shampoo bottle than car care products (except for the carnuba wax, of course).

I like the leather and vinyl cleaner & polish a lot. After you're done, there's a nice luster .... not a "wet" look.

Here they are ...

I have a black VW Touareg .... now it looks like a black glass Touareg ....even when it's dusty / dirty.

FWIW

Scott

yes I love thier stuff unfortunately I have never had a chance to use it much because it is not economical when running a business using it

 

[HiTek21]

I'm a novice detailer but I'm always willing to try out new stuff. I have a whole cabinet of different waxes, sealers, glazes and cleaning products that i've been experimenting with. I try to take really good care of my car's paint because unfortunatly it doesn't get garaged. I just rewaxed my car the other day and detailed my interior.

This time I used Zaino Z2 w/ ZFX layered with Z6 Ultra Gloss and Z5 w/ ZFX inbetween came out really nice but I'm dying to try poor boys products because it gives the paint a deeper color than the zaino. I do like the Zaino's leather cleaner & conditioner it makes it smell like new leather.

Sometime in Mid May I washed the car with dawn, used a clay bar kit, rewashed it with some mild car shampoo, used Meguiars #9 swirl reducer with my Porter Cable 7424 random orbit buffer, Meguiars Polish (#2 in the paint care kit), finished it off with a layer of 3m wax. Overall it looked pretty nice but the wax didn't last very long, but the car still shined like brand new for a long time.

 

[SVT Cobra]

Originally posted by: HiTek21
I'm a novice detailer but I'm always willing to try out new stuff. I have a whole cabinet of different waxes, sealers, glazes and cleaning products that i've been experimenting with. I try to take really good care of my car's paint because unfortunatly it doesn't get garaged. I just rewaxed my car the other day and detailed my interior.

This time I used Zaino Z2 w/ ZFX layered with Z6 Ultra Gloss and Z5 w/ ZFX inbetween came out really nice but I'm dying to try poor boys products because it gives the paint a deeper color than the zaino. I do like the Zaino's leather cleaner & conditioner it makes it smell like new leather.

Sometime in Mid May I washed the car with dawn, used a clay bar kit, rewashed it with some mild car shampoo, used Meguiars #9 swirl reducer with my Porter Cable 7424 random orbit buffer, Meguiars Polish (#2 in the paint care kit), finished it off with a layer of 3m wax. Overall it looked pretty nice but the wax didn't last very long, but the car still shined like brand new for a long time.

nice!

ever look into buying a high speed buffer to replace your orbital?

 

[HiTek21]

Originally posted by: Son of a N00b

Originally posted by: HiTek21
I'm a novice detailer but I'm always willing to try out new stuff. I have a whole cabinet of different waxes, sealers, glazes and cleaning products that i've been experimenting with. I try to take really good care of my car's paint because unfortunatly it doesn't get garaged. I just rewaxed my car the other day and detailed my interior.

This time I used Zaino Z2 w/ ZFX layered with Z6 Ultra Gloss and Z5 w/ ZFX inbetween came out really nice but I'm dying to try poor boys products because it gives the paint a deeper color than the zaino. I do like the Zaino's leather cleaner & conditioner it makes it smell like new leather.

Sometime in Mid May I washed the car with dawn, used a clay bar kit, rewashed it with some mild car shampoo, used Meguiars #9 swirl reducer with my Porter Cable 7424 random orbit buffer, Meguiars Polish (#2 in the paint care kit), finished it off with a layer of 3m wax. Overall it looked pretty nice but the wax didn't last very long, but the car still shined like brand new for a long time.

nice!

ever look into buying a high speed buffer to replace your orbital?

I have but I keep reading that if you're not experienced with it, then it'll burn right through your clear coat and paint. I'm very pleased with how the porter cable does, but it won't get rid of imperfections that are required with a high speed buffer. That's okay though my car is 12 years old.

 

[SVT Cobra]

Originally posted by: HiTek21

Originally posted by: Son of a N00b

Originally posted by: HiTek21
I'm a novice detailer but I'm always willing to try out new stuff. I have a whole cabinet of different waxes, sealers, glazes and cleaning products that i've been experimenting with. I try to take really good care of my car's paint because unfortunatly it doesn't get garaged. I just rewaxed my car the other day and detailed my interior.

This time I used Zaino Z2 w/ ZFX layered with Z6 Ultra Gloss and Z5 w/ ZFX inbetween came out really nice but I'm dying to try poor boys products because it gives the paint a deeper color than the zaino. I do like the Zaino's leather cleaner & conditioner it makes it smell like new leather.

Sometime in Mid May I washed the car with dawn, used a clay bar kit, rewashed it with some mild car shampoo, used Meguiars #9 swirl reducer with my Porter Cable 7424 random orbit buffer, Meguiars Polish (#2 in the paint care kit), finished it off with a layer of 3m wax. Overall it looked pretty nice but the wax didn't last very long, but the car still shined like brand new for a long time.

nice!

ever look into buying a high speed buffer to replace your orbital?

I have but I keep reading that if you're not experienced with it, then it'll burn right through your clear coat and paint. I'm very pleased with how the porter cable does, but it won't get rid of imperfections that are required with a high speed buffer. That's okay though my car is 12 years old.

Yeah I know what you mean, the orbital wokrs nicely anyway

I learned and got experience on a high speed on old car hoods at my local junk yard...the guy was happy to let me do it...eventually you don't even think about burning the paint or the circular 8 motion you just sort of do it...

 

[TRDGT]

Fellow detailer here, just finished a 2002 Corolla, tomorrow Ford Minivan.
Monday night 2000 Solara, next Sat. 2004 Accord, weekend after that 2005 camry.
That reminds me..............................my Solara needs a bath too.

 

[Apex]

Originally posted by: Son of a N00b

Originally posted by: lnguyen
I would give zanio a shot, but 1) much more time consuming than I can do w/o a garage. 2) spensive.

Exterior ~2x a year:
1) dawn wash
2) clay
3) car soap wash (used p21s, but it's just too expensive for how often I use it, probably swtich to meguiars)
3) klasse all in one
4) klasse sealant glaze
5/6/7...)ever 24hrs, another coat of klasse.

normal exterior, i'll just wash and dry, or use a quick detailer (sonus) if I have time and it's not too dirty. I'll throw a coat of klasse glaze when I feel like it.

inside/any plastic trim:
303 protectant, and cleaner when needed. 303 fabric gaurd as well.

tires:
i don't like foam spray ons. but i'm using an eagle product and use a foam applicator. i may just start using the 303 for this too.

wheels: just a coat of sealant glaze, helps w/ brake dust since my car has a terrible problem w/ that. it'll change when i change out the brake pads, but I don't want to do that now.

get rid of the dawn...it strips your wax and will eventually allow for major oxidation of the paint

All of the synthetic "waxes" I've come across recommend it exactly for that purpose. Strip off the old wax before you clay & apply synthetic.

 

[SVT Cobra]

Originally posted by: Apex

Originally posted by: Son of a N00b

Originally posted by: lnguyen
I would give zanio a shot, but 1) much more time consuming than I can do w/o a garage. 2) spensive.

Exterior ~2x a year:
1) dawn wash
2) clay
3) car soap wash (used p21s, but it's just too expensive for how often I use it, probably swtich to meguiars)
3) klasse all in one
4) klasse sealant glaze
5/6/7...)ever 24hrs, another coat of klasse.

normal exterior, i'll just wash and dry, or use a quick detailer (sonus) if I have time and it's not too dirty. I'll throw a coat of klasse glaze when I feel like it.

inside/any plastic trim:
303 protectant, and cleaner when needed. 303 fabric gaurd as well.

tires:
i don't like foam spray ons. but i'm using an eagle product and use a foam applicator. i may just start using the 303 for this too.

wheels: just a coat of sealant glaze, helps w/ brake dust since my car has a terrible problem w/ that. it'll change when i change out the brake pads, but I don't want to do that now.

get rid of the dawn...it strips your wax and will eventually allow for major oxidation of the paint

All of the synthetic "waxes" I've come across recommend it exactly for that purpose. Strip off the old wax before you clay & apply synthetic.

it strips off the old waxes while still leaving a layer of protection, what cleaner waxes do...

the only time your car should ever be without wax is just after it was first painted at the factory or in some type of ait tight bubble...once thewax is stripped you have tons of microscopic particles on the paint that is just sealed oer with new wax which will cause it to oxidize and rust a lot earlier than it would have normally

 

[Apex]

Originally posted by: Son of a N00b

Originally posted by: Apex

Originally posted by: Son of a N00b

Originally posted by: lnguyen
I would give zanio a shot, but 1) much more time consuming than I can do w/o a garage. 2) spensive.

Exterior ~2x a year:
1) dawn wash
2) clay
3) car soap wash (used p21s, but it's just too expensive for how often I use it, probably swtich to meguiars)
3) klasse all in one
4) klasse sealant glaze
5/6/7...)ever 24hrs, another coat of klasse.

normal exterior, i'll just wash and dry, or use a quick detailer (sonus) if I have time and it's not too dirty. I'll throw a coat of klasse glaze when I feel like it.

inside/any plastic trim:
303 protectant, and cleaner when needed. 303 fabric gaurd as well.

tires:
i don't like foam spray ons. but i'm using an eagle product and use a foam applicator. i may just start using the 303 for this too.

wheels: just a coat of sealant glaze, helps w/ brake dust since my car has a terrible problem w/ that. it'll change when i change out the brake pads, but I don't want to do that now.

get rid of the dawn...it strips your wax and will eventually allow for major oxidation of the paint

All of the synthetic "waxes" I've come across recommend it exactly for that purpose. Strip off the old wax before you clay & apply synthetic.

it strips off the old waxes while still leaving a layer of protection, what cleaner waxes do...

the only time your car should ever be without wax is just after it was first painted at the factory or in some type of ait tight bubble...once thewax is stripped you have tons of microscopic particles on the paint that is just sealed oer with new wax which will cause it to oxidize and rust a lot earlier than it would have normally

You:

Get rid of dawn, it strips your wax.

Me:

All synthetic waxes recommend you use dawn before your first application to strip off any wax. Dawn -> clay -> synthetic

You:

Dawn strips off old waxes while still leaving layer of protection.


I don't think I'm understanding you correctly.

Dawn is the correct thing to use to completely strip the wax off. Then, you have to clay to get rid of contaminants, polish to smooth out the surface, and then use the synthetic "wax" to protect.

 

[myusername]

Alright, I've got turtle wax zip wax to wash it, mother's clay bar to clay it, mother's carnuba cleaner wax to .. ? ..it, and a ryobi buffer to apply it. According to the little kit, that's all I need, but isn't there some other product that goes on after the cleaner wax if I want it to last until next spring? Is Klasse the product to get, or are there others out there?

 

[Nebor]

Originally posted by: Apex
Dawn is the correct thing to use to completely strip the wax off. Then, you have to clay to get rid of contaminants, polish to smooth out the surface, and then use the synthetic "wax" to protect.

This guy's right.

 

[SVT Cobra]

Originally posted by: Nebor

Originally posted by: Apex
Dawn is the correct thing to use to completely strip the wax off. Then, you have to clay to get rid of contaminants, polish to smooth out the surface, and then use the synthetic "wax" to protect.

This guy's right.

OH JESUS CHRIST

just go do a search on google okay then...if I cannot get it through your head that dawn is taboo maybe someone else will...fss...

 

[SVT Cobra]

Originally posted by: myusername
Alright, I've got turtle wax zip wax to wash it, mother's clay bar to clay it, mother's carnuba cleaner wax to .. ? ..it, and a ryobi buffer to apply it. According to the little kit, that's all I need, but isn't there some other product that goes on after the cleaner wax if I want it to last until next spring? Is Klasse the product to get, or are there others out there?

there are polishes that claim to last a whole year...I do not reccomend going that long, at least 6 months for every wax...so you would proabably polish then also...

Nu Finish is a good product for a long lasting polish and so is klasse...

BUT if you detail more than once a year any polish will be fine, and I would recommend meguiars polish (and for older cars, meguiars color X)...

 

[Apex]

Originally posted by: Son of a N00b

Originally posted by: Nebor

Originally posted by: Apex
Dawn is the correct thing to use to completely strip the wax off. Then, you have to clay to get rid of contaminants, polish to smooth out the surface, and then use the synthetic "wax" to protect.

This guy's right.

OH JESUS CHRIST

just go do a search on google okay then...if I cannot get it through your head that dawn is taboo maybe someone else will...fss...

Perhaps in your wisdom you can provide 1 link that says dawn is the wrong thing to use to strip off old wax before a clay & synthetic wax.

Here's some info directly from the manufacturer that says to use dawn:

http://www.zainostore.com/Merchant2/mer...Store_Code=Z&Category_Code=APPLICATION

3. I would definitely recommend you remove the wax buildup on your paint. Just use Liquid Dawn (hand dishwashing liquid) as a car wash. It has a high alkaline content which cuts right thru carnauba wax, paraffin, silicone oils, etc. This will get your paint finish squeeky clean and wax free.

http://www.lazaino.com/ApplyZaino.htm

The first time you use Zaino, follow one of these procedures:

1. Dawn wash ? Rinse ? Dry? ? ClayBar ? Z-7 wash ? Dry ? Z-2, Z-3 or Z-5 with ZFX ?Remove polish ? Z-6 or Z-8

2. Dawn wash ? Rinse ? Dry? ? ClayBar ? Z-7 wash ? Dry ? Z-1 ? Z-2, Z-3 or Z-5 ? Wait ? Remove polish ? Z-6 or Z-8

3. Dawn wash ? Rinse ? Dry ? Z-2, Z-3 or Z-5 with ZFX ? Wait ? Remove polish ? Z-6 or Z-8

4. Dawn wash ? Rinse ? Dry ? Z-1 ? Z-2, Z-3 or Z-5 ? Wait ? Remove polish ? Z-6 or Z-8

Helpful hint: You only need to dry before claying if you?re worried about water spots.

After that first application, maintaining your Zaino finish will look like one of these:

1. Z-7 wash ? Rinse ? Dry

2. Z-7 wash ? Rinse ? Dry ? Z-6 or Z-8

3. Z-7 wash ? Rinse ? Dry ?Z-2, Z-3 or Z-5 ? Wait ? Remove Polish ? Z-6 or Z-8

4. Z-7 wash ? Rinse ? Dry ?Z-2, Z-3 or Z-5 with ZFX ? Wait ? Remove Polish ? Z-6 or Z-8

5. Z-7 wash ? Rinse ? Dry ? Z-6 ? Z-2, Z-3 or Z-5 ? Wait ? Remove Polish ? Z-6 or Z-8

6. Z-7 wash ? Rinse ? Dry ? Z-6 ? Z-2, Z-3 or Z-5 with ZFX ? Wait ? Remove Polish ? Z-6 or Z-8

1. Using blue ?original formula? Liquid Dawn (hand-dishwashing liquid), wash your car thoroughly before applying Zaino. The cleaner your car, the better the results. Dawn removes all traces of carnauba wax, paraffin, silicone oils, etc.

Note: Many people ask us if they can use something else (Palmolive, Joy, etc.). The answer is that we KNOW that Dawn works and we recommend using only Dawn.

Do not make a habit of washing your car with Dawn! However, you must use it before the first coat of Zaino.

Once you have a coat of Zaino polish on your car, wash it only with Z-7. The only exception to this is if someone else messes with your car. This might happen if you have bodywork done or if the dealer you told not to touch your car decides to wax it for you while it?s in the shop. In this case, you will want to wash the car with Dawn and pretend you?re starting from scratch.

Other care care sites recommend the same:

http://www.autopia-carcare.com/inf-perfect.html

http://www.nsxprime.com/FAQ/Detailing/waxglaze.htm


Edit:

Oh yeah, feel free to email Sal Zaino, the founder of Zaino products. See what he says about the initial application.

Sal Zaino
(732)833-8800
zainobros@zainobros.com

 

[randomlinh]

^ that's what i was getting at.. i use it like twice a year.. i don't do it for every wash... not that i use a lot of it to begin with.

 

[myusername]

Hey, I did the clay, the polish, and used nu-finish "wax" a week ago. I want to do another coat of nu-finish, and then carnuba (harly) on top of that. Then I will do the black cladding and trim, but not before, because the wax ****** it up.

Anyway, the thing is, the bottle of nu-finish says to apply the second coat after 30 days. Does it really take 30 days for the first one to set? How long should I wait before the 2nd coat of nu-finish, and how long between that and the carnuba wax?

I really don't want to wait to December to detail the trim

 

[Zim Hosein]

Originally posted by: Son of a N00b
nope im here....just busy

If you're "not" busy, what do you do now, I'm curious Son of a N00b

 

[supastar1568]

yea, ive been detailing cars for about 4 years now.