Detailing Sequence

[chasracer]

I have been reading a lot of different reference articles on detailing your ride and find it rather interesting the sequence that people will follow. Here's mine, what do you use?

All Out Detailing:

Once over with vac on the interior, pull floor mats, clean out dust from everythingClean insides of all window areas & mirrorsClean door panels, dash with warm water and drop of DawnRinse off areas with clean damp clothLexol Cleaner on all seats, wipe off excess Lexol Protectant on all seats, wipe off excessWork on floor mats outside of car as required - shampoo if neededOpen trunk and hood, vac trunk area, spray down underhood area with Gunk Spray (great stuff!)Let Gunk sit for about 10 minutes, then flush engine compartment with hose, make sure to rinse off anything that gets on fender areasClose truck and hoodSoak car with abundant amount of waterUse Dawn and wash car using two bucket systemOpen doors and wash door sill areas, hand rinseClean wheels /tiresWipe down wet car or use compressed airOpen hood, touch up area with clear lacquer paint as neededTape off molding around sunroof with painters tapeUse tire/wheel coversPolish small areas at a time (2x2 foot) with favorite machine polish & padOnce all polishing is completed, remove tape and wheel/tire coversSoak car with abundant amount of waterWash car with good automotive car washWash wheels/tires againRinse, and rinse again!!Prefer to use air to blow off water at this pointTape sunroof again and cover tire/wheelsApply two coats of favorite wax treatment, buffing off each with micro towelsApply tire coating BY HANDUsing soft-soft bristle brush, remove any excess wax from emblems, corners, etc. Buff as needed.Replace floor matsStand back and admire your work!

I think the steps in this order allow you to clean an area without having some later step contaminate it which actually makes it go a lot quicker.
Modified by chasracer at 12:53 PM 6/8/2009

[SVTCOBRA]

WOW!! I'm tired now!!

I have several coats of zaino on all of my cars, so I normally just wash with zaino soap and add another coat.Vac, and use diluted pine-sol on leather, then lexol protection.This is the normal weekend maintenance.

I also like Mequirs protection stuff for the interior.Scatch X on some of the scratches and bug marks.

[audtatious]

I do interior work either before or after the outside as it's not messy anyway and I don't get the exterior dirty when cleaning the interior. I start by washing the engine bay and underhood area first (wet cloth and water), then proceed with the body.

[pfarmer]

I do interior work either before or after the outside as it's not messy anyway and I don't get the exterior dirty when cleaning the interior. I start by washing the engine bay and underhood area first (wet cloth and water), then proceed with the body.

The only thing I would possibly not recommend is the compressed air from a conventional air compressor since contamination is very possible, even if it is just an ice particle.

Perry

[chasracer]

WELL, I did say detailing in the subject line! I don't do this every time I wash my car, but probably about twice a year it gets the full treatment.

[370Z/28]

Wow...how much do you charge!



One suggestion that might help the wax in emblem problem. Pat the wax in that area instead of wiping it.

[mi000ke]

Every 6 months: 1) wash exterior with strong mix of Chemical Guys Citrus Wash and Clear to strip off sealant and wax using Foamaster (wet car, soak with suds, rinse, soak again with suds and wash with sheepskin mit and rinse bucket w/grit guard, then final sheeting rinse), 2) clay the car using ONR (quick detail dilution) as lube, 3) wipe car dry using MF towels, 4) apply Opti-Seal sealant (it's a new g37 so no need to do paint correction yet), 5) let cure for a day, 6) apply Optimum Car Wax, 7) drive fast

Every month (except when doing the above): wash exterior using Optimum No Rinse (ONR loves your car) and apply another coat of Optimum Car Wax over the Opti-seal.

Every 2 weeks or so: Vac inside, clean inside surfaces with Optimum Protectant Plus, clean glass with Stoner invisible glass

Some day I assume I will have to add a polishing step after claying. We'll see if the self-healing paint is just a hoax, but so far after 6 months the finish is holding up pretty good.

[pfarmer]

WELL, I did say detailing in the subject line! I don't do this every time I wash my car, but probably about twice a year it gets the full treatment.

One shot of compressed air where you end up with contamination can cause serious damage. Doesn't make a difference if it is once a year, it is a good way of causing damage.

Perry