Spring has been here; Time to make my Civic look good... I need help!

[PhoKingGuy]

Which reminds me, I had a friend who drove a tan 3rd generation civic
He bought it in mint condition in 2005 for $1100 @ 25,000 miles!

My dad told me he learned how to drive in the US in a first gen civic

 

[alfa147x]

 

[alfa147x]

he got lucky obviously... Unless he had some kind of connection, in which case... Irrelevant! That's like saying how you got a brand new bmw m3 for $1,000 because your uncle is the chairman of the board at bmw.

wtf... ?

 

[TridenT]

Aww wtf. He ruined it with the new head unit... It would have been awesome to have a completely stock old civic in such good condition...

 

[TwinsenTacquito]

 

[obamanation]

 

[alfa147x]

The tutorial said to put a tarp down just in case you drop the clay bar

 

[Proprioceptive]

The tutorial said to put a tarp down just in case you drop the clay bar

YES!!! If you drop that clay bar on the ground, THROW IT AWAY. It will pick up anything it touches on the ground and when you begin claying again, you're scratching the clear coat with whatever you just picked up. Keep a firm grip on the clay. I've dropped three in one cleaning before... UGH.

Anyways, since you liked the job I did, I'll share with you my cleaning process. I use a lot of Meguiars stuff because I think it's a great product for the price.

1) Use a sprayer with good pressure. Rinse your car down as well as you can.
2) I use a brush and some Meguiars All Wheel tire and wheel cleaner spray to clean each tire and wheel... wash and rinse one tire/wheel at a time.
3) If you've got some build up on the bumpers and lower panels, use some Rain-x gel bug/tar remover and spray the areas liberally. Let it sit for a few minutes. Then Rinse with the hose
4) I use Armor-all super shine car wash and wax with a microfiber mit. I do a good rub down all over the car from TOP to bottom. This is important, because the top is the lease dirty and you don't want as little dirt build up as possible as you clean.
5) I then do 4 all over again. I'm crazy like that.
6) RINSE really well
7) Dry the car bone dry. You can actually spray some detailer spray on it to help dry easier. I actually use our electric air pump to get in all the stubborn areas like around the headlights and such. Your car MUST BE COMPLETELY DRY.
8) I then use the Meguiars Clay Kit. AT THIS POINT, PULL YOUR CAR IN A GARAGE OR SOMEWHERE SHADED AND AWAY FROM THE WIND. Use the detail spray that comes with it for lubrication and like I said, be careful not to drop the clay. You can find tutorials all over youtube on how to properly clay.
9) I wipe the car down again with Meguiars Ultimate Detailing Spray (remember to keep switching microfiber cloths for each stage... I have like 15 on hand for any cleaning).
10) Your car should look pretty damn clean, feel smooth, and shine like no other at this point. Now we move on to the wax. I use Meguiars NXT 2.0 liquid wax. I like its shine out of all the waxes I've used. The stuff comes with an applicator that is perfect for this use. Don't lose it! Begin applying small amounts of the wax to the applicator and start spreading it on the car. You want a light film, not a heavy coating. You should just be able to tell that there is something on the car. Also, dont' worry about the whole "wax on, wax off" or "you have to apply in a circular motion" BS. Just apply it in the direction the wind hits the car. Or you can circle... but whatever. Oh, and DO NOT get wax on the plastic trim areas. It will discolor them.
11) Once the entire car has been waxed, wait a few minutes and then go back and wipe it all off. You can use an orbital for this if you want... I've just never used one.
12) Make sure all the wax is off and then take a new microfiber cloth and run it over the car a last time just picking up anything you left behind.
13) Clean the windows with Invisible Glass... this stuff is the best, hands down.
14) I use Meguiars Hot Shine Tire Spray for the final touch, and then I'm done!

If you have any questions, feel free to ask away. I'm certainly not a pro and still learning my own techniques, but from some of the reactions from my last thread, I must be doing SOMETHING right.

 

[alfa147x]

YES!!! If you drop that clay bar on the ground, THROW IT AWAY. It will pick up anything it touches on the ground and when you begin claying again, you're scratching the clear coat with whatever you just picked up. Keep a firm grip on the clay. I've dropped three in one cleaning before... UGH.

Anyways, since you liked the job I did, I'll share with you my cleaning process. I use a lot of Meguiars stuff because I think it's a great product for the price.

Wow thanks for taking the time to write all that out! It doesn't sound too bad, if it ends up anywhere near your finish I'll be happy!

Thanks again

 

[Tristicus]

It doesn't matter, he could be driving a 1987 yellow civic and he would still look cooler than you just because whatever you drive looks like shit because you are in it.

I like this option.

 

[sindows]

Eh I never dry my car before claying, just a waste of time IMO since you're basically getting it wet/dirty again. I like Mothers clay because its very soft and the spray detailer it comes with is actually decent as a quick touch up after washes(and it smells good).

 

[Howard]

Yeah, drying the car before claying has only disadvantages IMO

 

[alfa147x]

Alright has been noted. Thanks guys!

 

[Proprioceptive]

Yeah, drying the car before claying has only disadvantages IMO

For me, I like it completely dried immediately so that I avoid any kind of water deposits and stains... color me paranoid, but it's just what I do. PLUS, when you dry it completely first, you'll notice some grit and grime come off on your towel come off, particularly when you're drying the underside. The rubbing action of drying picks up some dirt left behind from the cleaning and provides for an even cleaner vehicle for claying. This also means a longer lasting clay :thumbsup:

 

[evident]

For me, I like it completely dried immediately so that I avoid any kind of water deposits and stains... color me paranoid, but it's just what I do. PLUS, when you dry it completely first, you'll notice some grit and grime come off on your towel come off, particularly when you're drying the underside. The rubbing action of drying picks up some dirt left behind from the cleaning and provides for an even cleaner vehicle for claying. This also means a longer lasting clay :thumbsup:

i've tried both methods, and personally i prefer drying the vehicle before claying. otherwise, waterspots can easily form on your car especially if you live in an area with hard water.

 

[vshah]

you're going to get a crapton of bugs driving on the highway these days... but it can't be avoided