What is the timeline for car detailing?

[Rkive]

I now have a small selection of detailing products and wanted to know what order they go infor using, and how often to use them. Also when to remove wax etc, and how.

I have the following

Autoglym Shampoo
Poor Guys Wax Blue
Poor Guys Sealant
Autoglym Polish
Autoglym Paint renovator

So which order would I use these products and how often?

Also when does wax need removing and how is it done? Thanks.

[sam325is]

well to get you car back to basics you need to use a clay bar.

as for in which order to apply that collection i have no idea as i use the one and only ZAINO collection .

but the order i use is

1.rinse all loose dirt from the car
2.waah car
3.clay car
4wash car
5.dry car
6.wax car
7.maybe apply some show spray e.g zaino z8

Using micro fiber sponge/cloths all the way.

Sam

[Rkive]

Ok cool, when you say to get the car back to basics with a clay bar what do you mean?

[sam325is]

yea use a clay bar to do that it takes everthing of and leaves paint feeling very very smooth. may i suggest you use sonus green as there is less change of marring and you dont need anything coarser imho unless you have some SERIOUS cr*p on your paint work.

do you know how to use a clay bar?

sam

[Rkive]

No, never seen one before, so how often would I use one?

And how often to polish/seal/wax etc?

[goosiegander]

theres an instruction vid on clay-baring if it helps

Goosie

[sam325is]

use a clay bar once every 6 months. get a bar of sonus green.

the texture is like blue tack.

when claying it is best to work one panel at a time.

1.get a bowl of warm water and add car shampoo and mix it in gently DONT mix the solution so it gets foamy. you are aiming to get a slippery mixture with no bubbles.

2. get your clay bar and chop it up into about 8 pieces.

3. then wet the panel that you are about to clay and put your clay into the solutuion you made and wipe it all over the chosen panel(you need to work the piece of clay so that it is round and flat before you apply it to your car.)

Key Points: 1. every few strides look at the clay surface. you will see small grit and dirt particles that will leave faint swirl like marks on your car if you keep using it...so at this point re work the clay in your hand to expose a clean surface and carry on. after a while all the clay will be dirty and will need replacing with a new piece.

the reason i say to chop into 8 pieces is so that the dirt doesnt spread through the clay bar fast.

Another VERY important point is that if you drop a piece of clay on the floor...thats it,forget that piece of clay.throw it away and get a new piece.

remember always keep the surface well lubricated to avoid marring(dull patches created by dry clay). when you use the clay bar it should be glideing across the paint work like ice. every now and again you will feel it grip dirt.

Alot to read sorry.

But get it right and you'll be happy..and it makes a big difference

as for how often and in what order to wash wax seal i cant say becuase i use different products which you apply in different orders and have different lengths or durability. you have to find what works best for you. i would say ideally every 3 weeks. any longer than 6 weeks becomes harder work from 6 weeks of build up.

[Rkive]

Cheers for your help guys, Ive just ordered some sonus gear.

What is a glaze? (whats it do? how will it change the look?)

When would I clay my car? (wash first? then clay? or straight to clay first?)

[sam325is]

1.rinse of loose dirt with a hose
2.wash car
3.dry car
4.clay car
5.wash car
6.polish wax whatever

[Rkive]

What is a glaze? (whats it do? how will it change the look?)

[sam325is]

no idea mate. so many products out there that it can drive one mad haha.

use one brand/product range from beggining to end to simplify things.

[1an]

What is a glaze? (whats it do? how will it change the look?)

glaze is a product that is used to basically enhance the wetness of the paint, but it has no protective propertys, i quite oftern use a glaze before i wax the car as it gives a real wet finish to the paint.

[Rkive]

Can someone help me out,

I have all the gear to shampoo, polish, wax seal etc but my Clay bar stuff hasn't arrived yet.

Should wait till it comes down and then begin the detailing on my car?

Or because its a sunny day today, just go on with what I have?

Claybar should be here saturday or monday.

[bazza93]

wait for the clay bar matey it'll be worth the wait and end result !

[Rkive]

Ok will do,

Cheers

[sam325is]

Not only that. dont clean your can in the sun...get it into the shade

[dazleeds]

search the detailing forum for posts by c76jon follow his instructions and your car will look better than you ever imagined possible

[sam325is]

^^^^whart he said C76jon is THE guru

[Rkive]

Can you give some links to his posts, imfinding it hard to locate them.