the power of detailing/ I have no life

[bloodspread]

well, I spent Friday night detailing half of my hatch on my 240sx with different products. we used mothers clay bar, Adams detail spray, 3m rubbing compound, new finish once a year car polish from 2002, turtle wax car polish from 2004, turtle car wax from 2005, and p21s car wax. the difference between the different stages and before and after were astounding. here are the results:

the area on the left was waxed with p21s the middle with turtle wax and the right was just cleaned with Adams detail spray and received no further treatment.



close up of detailed vs. untreated :



water beading:



detailed vs untreated close up:



in conclusion... I have no life....

[naladude911]

See "this is probably the longest thread in the world". That guy has no life lol. He detailed his car for like 3 days straight. Nice work did you use a buffer?

[duffman1278]

My friend detailed my 240, he has a grip of supplies and apparently some top of the line stuff. Here's an example of what he did on my car.

[Red coupe]

My friend detailed my 240, he has a grip of supplies and apparently some top of the line stuff. Here's an example of what he did on my car.

Chemical buddies?!

I hear that was ran by some rich philanthropist from south east asia, but I cannot be sure as their business cards are mysterious.

[bloodspread]

See "this is probably the longest thread in the world". That guy has no life lol. He detailed his car for like 3 days straight. Nice work did you use a buffer?

no buffer, done all by hand. although I do wish I had a buffer .

[naladude911]

Damm then that's a lot of elbow grease lol.

[lino]

Big improvement. You want to see the real nuts go to autopia carcare forum. One guy there spends 6 hours on just washing his car and dries it with a leafblower.

[duffman1278]

Chemical buddies?!

I hear that was ran by some rich philanthropist from south east asia, but I cannot be sure as their business cards are mysterious.

Actually they're full time rapist from south east asia.

[Urabus GodofTraction]

P21S is goooood stuff! As is Chemical Guys.

I'm currently in love with Optimum No Rinse as a soap. It lets me wash my car even with these water restrictions.

[bloodspread]

I was bored again today and started detailing my Aveo. here are the results:

my dirty 2009 Aveo



some mean scratches that happened when I parked my car under a tree on a windy day:beforeAfter:

Bird crap etching that was there when I bought the car:beforeafter

clean

as you can see I significantly reduced the scratches and etching and still have no life... lol

this time I used clay bar, followed by 3m rubbing compound, nu finish polish, and finally turtle wax

[Philipio]

Wow. I really want to detail my car now.

I think I'll pay someone to do it.

[duffman1278]

Gotta go microfiber cloth!

[lino]

You get an A+ for effort and results are a great improvement, but why finish off with NU Finish Polish and Turtle Wax? There are so many products that are way better for the same money if you don't want to spend a lot.
Modified by lino at 9:54 AM 11/8/2009

[naladude911]

Wow. I really want to detail my car now.

I think I'll pay someone to do it.

Why? It only takes 4 hours normally, you just need a buffer.

What I do for detailing..Dawn PrewashClaybarCar wash soap washMeguiars Paint CleanerMothers CARNAUBA wax

After the process is completed I use Mothers Mag Polish on the exhaust tip, Mothers back to black on the roof rack, and tire shine on the tires. The paint feels so soft with the claybar, like baby's skin.

[bloodspread]

You get an A+ for effort and results are a great improvement, but why finish off with NU Finish Polish and Turtle Wax? There are so many products that are way better for the same money if you don't want to spend a lot.

Modified by lino at 9:54 AM 11/8/2009

I used the wax and polish that I have had for years, and want to get rid of, plus I didn't want to use my housemates good wax on a Chevy Aveo. plus nu finish also did a good job at getting rid of some swirl marks and some light scratches

[Zydeco]

Dawn Prewash

A

dish soap is really bad for your car.

When I wax my STi its 6 coat of wax and clay bar. heres the end result.



Ill take a picture of my full line up today too.
Modified by -]sTm[-HeavyHips at 3:36 PM 11/8/2009

[naladude911]

sTm[-HeavyHips]



dish soap is really bad for your car.

When I wax my STi its 6 coat of wax and clay bar. heres the end result.

I dont want to have this debate again, but if you DONT REWAX UR CAR dishsoap IS bad

[mrodrig2]

This is what I like for a hand-cleaning:

-Wash-Meguiars Clay using Quik Detailer as lube-Rinse or wash again if you prefer-If you need to get rid of light scratches follow up with 3m compound or swirlx-Any pure polish, apply and wipe off immediately-wax with nxt 2.0; goes on/off fast so easy to do multiple layers

[mrodrig2]

I dont want to have this debate again, but if you DONT REWAX UR CAR dishsoap IS bad

This is wrong imo. Dish soap is bad for your car even if you are re-applying wax. You are stripping components of the paint that cannot be replenished by wax. Wax fills in low spots and sits on top of the paint to make it look newer but its not actually doing anything to the paint itself. You can to some extent rejuvenate the paint by applying a pure polish, but overtime you are just doing harm by using dish soap.

[Zydeco]

This is wrong imo. Dish soap is bad for your car even if you are re-applying wax. You are stripping components of the paint that cannot be replenished by wax. Wax fills in low spots and sits on top of the paint to make it look newer but its not actually doing anything to the paint itself. You can to some extent rejuvenate the paint by applying a pure polish, but overtime you are just doing harm by using dish soap.

absolutely true. they make a soap that will remove all wax build up.

[krimsonviper]

I LOVED detailing my car. Stressful week? Give me 8 hours of lovemaking to my car, and we're both beautiful!

I use nothing but Meguiars, it's the best stuff you'll find without internet purchasing.

[Zydeco]

[IMG][/IMG]

Ok, heres what I've got.

From the left to right.

First is what you use to remove all wax build up. then you have wash n wax, its a safe to use all the time car and wont remove wax. next is paint gloss. this is paint conditioner, also it used to lube the paint with using the clay bar. Then we come to ultra coat wax. this bonds to the urethane paint to protect it from be coming dull. Moving along to the blue one is a clear coat protection wax. The pink one is a light scratch remover, works wonders on swirl marks and water spots. after that comes the purple wax, this is a semi-mild wax with some polishing propriety. Then for the final step come the par-k wax. this is the best stuff ever. par-k wax is a cream wax that leaves your car with the wet look. Maybe some day Ill do a nice detail/waxing wright up.

[krimsonviper]

Good grief that's alot of steps, but it looks like it's worth it! I give you a bright green light for the write up. Where'd you get those products?

[Zydeco]

I get them in santa rosa. but the company that makes them is out of the south bay some where. Im sure if you e-mail P&S they would tell you where you can get it at. Also its kind of bit more cost wise compared to most waxes. most run about 10 bucks a pint. The par-k wax that I uses is 30ish a bottle.

[asoomal]

Anyone do the Meguiar's 5 Step?

[Urabus GodofTraction]

I dont want to have this debate again, but dishsoap IS bad

Ah, you're learning!

[marlin29311]

I'm a detailing whore.

I just spend 4 hours this weekend (these pics are from 3 months ago...) trying to fix what the dealer's s***ty car wash did to my car...clay, scratchx 2.0, wax, etc...grrr

[MinisterofDOOM]

I HATE detailing. Hate it. I love the results, of course, but the process sucks. I do it, but I don't enjoy it. I was more worried about it with the Maxima since it was in such good shape from the start...I felt obligated to keep it that way.

[bloodspread]

here are some pictures from yesterday after I finished detailing my car inside and out and my housemates m3 which we just touched up.

before:

after

before

after



the paint feels so smooth now

feel free to post up pictures of any detailing job your proud of
Modified by bloodspread at 1:30 AM 11/10/2009