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Detailing 101

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43K views 72 replies 32 participants last post by  QuickDogHauler  
#1 · (Edited)
Just curious if anyone here takes interest in keeping their cars clean and detailed.

I personally detail my car once a year and maintain it with car washes weekly.

Here are some of the steps I take for maintenance of the paint.


Things I try NOT to do:
-Cloth (Non Touchless) Drive Through Car Washes
-Washing your car with a regular cloth or towel
-Drying your car with a regular cloth and towel
-Using a cloth on your paint that is used for rims or other parts of the car
-Touching or sitting on the paint
-No strong chemicals on the paint surface
-Don't let bird droppings sit on your car. Remove it ASAP. Keep a bottle of premixed car wash in your car and a microfiber cloth for on-the-spot removal.


Things you SHOULD do:
-Use quality microfiber cloths for everything car related. Have dedicated cloths for certain applications.
-Use the two bucket wash method for washing your car - having a grit guard is important too as it keeps the dirt away from your wash mitt.
-Use high quality wash mitts and car soaps. High quality microfiber or sheepskin wash mitts are the way to go.
-Wash your car often, try not to get it filthy. You are creating more work for yourself.
-Try to keep some sort of sealant or wax on the paint surface. This adds an extra layer of protection ontop of the clearcoat and makes maintenance easier as it repels dirt and contamination. Opti-Coat is a relatively new product that many BRZ and FR-S owners are raving about. It's almost like permanent wax. Here is some info on it on our forum.

My yearly DIY detail :cool:

My detailing steps:

  • Wash the car with a 2 bucket + grit guard method (One for wash - one for rinse). I use sheepskin wash mitts and quality car wash detergent/soap.
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  • Dry with microfiber drying towel
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  • Clean rims with dedicated rim cleaner
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  • Clean fender liners with all purpose cleaner
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  • Clean engine bay with light degreaser, rinse off lightly.
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  • Ultrafine Claybar w/ lubricant on all paint surfaces
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  • Polish with a cutting compound followed by a finishing compound using a random orbital buffer
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  • Finish by using sealant or wax, applied using applicator pad and buffed off using microfiber buffing towels.
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Misc.

  • I redress the wheels, engine bay, fender liner with dedicated tire dressing and plastic protectant
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  • Interior vacuum and wipedown with microfiber - redress with interior vinyl and rubber protectant
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  • Exhaust tip clean with 0000 steel wool
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  • Invisible glass the windows and follow up with an application of Rain-X (or any glass sealant)
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  • Throw in my favorite air freshener
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So what sort of products does everyone here prefer? Also curious if anyone else takes the time to do this or they just pay someone to do it. It takes a full day to do something like this for me.

I use products from Meguiars, Menzerna, Poorboys, Chemical Guys, Autoglym, Optimum, Collinite, and much more.

Also since this is a sticky now. If you guys and gals have any questions about detailing feel free to ask here. I'll check it often and try my best to reply and if others want to jump in and help that would be awesome.

If you are looking for someone in your area to detail your car, remove scratches and imperfections, wax your car, apply Opti-Coat, or just wash your car. Here is the place to ask. I'll try to find you someone and I'm sure others will too. Just say where you are from and what you are looking for.

Brian C
Alpha Auto Spa
 
#44 · (Edited)
great info in here!

someone was asking about quick detailer vs spray wax. I use quick detailer for removing dust or light water spots within like 48 hours of a wash (with plenty of plush microfiber towels). You can use quick detailer as a drying aid during the wash process (to provide some lube for your drying towel), as well as lubricant while using a clay bar. Quick detailer is really just for looks though. To add gloss. No real lasting protection from the elements

Spray wax is not really for removing dust / fingerprints but I guess you could. I use spray wax as a drying aid, or as a wax booster following a wash. Meaning I'll already have wax / sealant on the car and the spray wax is just topping it. To add both shine, and protection

Honestly, I don't use QD all that much (even optimum no rinse for clay lube) but I do use spray wax quite a bit. Lots to choose from on the market also. I get the meguiars spray wax by the gallon, and use it for routine washes, as well as in door jambs, and on wheels. super easy to work with and looks great



Couple quick tips I could add:

-If doing a quick cleanup on your wheels, try sprayway foaming glass cleaner with an old towel. I like this same product for interior glass (and its ammonia free / tint safe)

-recommend a small leaf blower for drying the car and pushing water out of cracks / crevices (use the blower only for drying cars - not yard work)

-for your final rinse, remove the hose nozzle so you get a stream of free flowing water. This will help the water to sheet off of the paint, leaving less to dry. I keep a shut off valve on the end of my hose just for this reason


I'll add more if I think of anything that isn't already mentioned in the thread!
 
K
#51 ·
Wheel protector for/against brake dust.

My girlfriend has an Audi A4 with aluminum rims. Though they look nice after a proper cleaning/detail, they are immediately covered in brake dust after the first drive. Is there a product, perhaps a wheel wax or paste that prevents brake dust from settling on the rims, or are we just out of luck on this one?
 
#52 ·
Do you just use dawn? I was told that you should just add some dawn to your regular car wash soap.

As for the brake dust.. to be honest I haven't found any solution. Especially with german cars, they have aggressive brake compounds that dust like crazy. What you can TRY to do is apply some wax or sealant on the rims so that the brake dust doesn't stick onto the rim as easily. That way when you wash it, it is easier. I've even seen people apply Opti Coat on rims.
 
K
#53 ·
I was told to just use Dawn straight up with warm water. I don't know about mixing it into any car wash with lubricants.

I've read that some people just mix Dawn with warm water in a spray bottle and use that as a lubricant as they clay. I'm just going to stick to directions.

This might sound kind of silly, but does anyone ever clay the interior glass? I know you can clay and polish your exterior glass, but is there any value or worth to clay the glass inside the cabin?
 
D
#58 ·
#67 ·
I take my father’s approach to car washes… If you aren’t going to wash it yourself, the touch free car wash will NEVER clean your car as well has a cloth, “touch” wash.

It’s always cheaper to do it yourself!
 
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#68 ·
Is there specific soaps to use on the BRZ's paint? Bought my car a week ago and have only washed it with water and dried it with a microfiber cloth because I was afraid the car soap in the garage would scratch the paint. Probably being paranoid but would like some advice before going all out on washing the car. Anyone in the Los Angeles/Long Beach region know of great detailing places?
 
2
#70 ·
My car isn't here yet. So my plan is to take the car to my detail place as soon as I get it and have them wetsand/full detail it before putting a clear paint protection on it. Is this worth it for a new car? I've just heard Subaru paint isn't great(this is my first Subie), and I want it to be tip top before the permanent paint protection goes on.
 
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