Exhaustive Guide: Car Detailing Basics

[singh890]

Well after going through the entire thread and searching on google I have started to build my Detailing kit, Though I am a newbie on detailing so I planned to go with the following items as of now and went ahead and ordered them from Amazon.

1. Formula 1 Carnauba Liquid Wax.
2. Formula 1 Scratch Out Heavy Duty Paste.
3. Formula 1 Super Pads Wax & Protectant Applicator Pads
4. 3M Auto Specialty Dashboard Dresser
5. Formula 1 Carnauba Wash and Wax Shampoo
6. WD-40 Multi-Use Product Spray

 

[KK_HakunaMatata]

Hi KK_HakunaMatata,

"Clay cloth", sounds interesting, where did you get that, brand, price. What are the advantages and disadvantages using this clay cloth over traditional clay bar.

-suryaputhra

Hi Suryaputhra,

j4jigar has already covered the advantages and details.

As he mentioned, as against the clay bar, clay cloth can be washed and used again even if it falls on the ground, so effectively, there would not be any wastage.

Also, it is easier to hold and use as against the clay bar. Clay bar is slippery and very small so you may not get a good hold of it. Otherhand, clay cloth is just like a MF cloth and a clay compound on one side, so ease to apply.

I am using Optimum Opti-Clay Towel. You can check this here:

https://www.greenzcarcare.com/collections/optimum/products/optimum-opti-clay-towel-fine-blue

Regards,
KK

 

[KK_HakunaMatata]

By buffing, do you mean application of product or wiping off dried productresidue?

I use pads for product application and MF cloth for wiping off the residue. I think this is the correct procedure.

As I have known, for applying Optimum Car Wax, you only need to spray the wax on the section and just buff it off, there is no need of waiting to haze. So, there is only one time buffing. Correct me if I am wrong?

So, should i be using foam pad for buffing the wax after spraying?

Actually a pure polish brightens the paint and also removes the slight paint imperfections and contamination but it doesn't have wax or sealant.

Some wax products have polishing or cleaning abilities and they are called AIO waxes. i.e Mags black wax, white wax, Auto Finesse Tripple. Some brands call polish for wax and its a misguide but product description should tell exactly what the product does.

For a quick detailing, your steps are fine but Optimum Spray Wax does not have polishing or cleaning properties so for that you may wanna use a pure polish or AIO or sealant before using spray wax. If you have already polished just before 6 months, you can directly apply spray wax and thats called quick detailing.

For a full detailing, you might want use pure polish and pure wax or AIO products after using clay. Optimum Spray Wax is a last step product (LSP) which you can applied at last.

For a glossy look and/or extra protection, you can use glaze and sealant respectively.

Polish or AIO products should not be used above glaze or sealants because they strip it off. Also its not recommended to polish frequently because it would strip some of clear coat and you don't want to do that often. Every 6 months should be fine. Claying should be done once a year and less then that isn't really necessary.

Thank for all the info, which I was not aware of. Any recommendation on pure polish / AIO which i can buy, to apply before sealant.

Additional question, when should quick detailers be used, something like Sonax Brilliant Shine Detailer, as I have read some good reviews on forums.

 

[CRACING]

As I have known, for applying Optimum Car Wax, you only need to spray the wax on the section and just buff it off, there is no need of waiting to haze. So, there is only one time buffing. Correct me if I am wrong?

So, should i be using foam pad for buffing the wax after spraying?

Thats correct but I prefer to spray over a pad and then apply on the surface. Later buff off the excess residue with MF cloth. Either way should be fine.

You don't have to use pad to buff if you are doing wipe on & wipe off method using MF cloth.

Thank for all the info, which I was not aware of. Any recommendation on pure polish / AIO which i can buy, to apply before sealant.

AIO products are best for fast detailing but less durable. If you wanna use AIO product then start with clay -> Polish -> AIO -> LSP. To make it even short, you can skip polish and LSP, because AIO already contains these properties to some degrees. You can do this in one day.

Check this Meguiars Black Wax description and you'll understand.

Usually AIO products are not combined with sealant or glaze. That is a another method which includes many different products for each tasks. i.e Pure Polish, Glaze, Sealant and Wax. You may follow Suryaputhra's detailing work if you want to use sealant.

Additional question, when should quick detailers be used, something like Sonax Brilliant Shine Detailer, as I have read some good reviews on forums.

Make sure you don't confuse with quick detailing steps and quick detailer products (i.e Meguiar's Quik Detailer).

Sonax Brilliant Shine Detailer is somewhat similar to Optimum Car Wax and is a LSP. These can be used every 3 months or depending upon their durability. This is called quick detailing.

Quick detailer products are those that clean the surface (i.e bird drop, tree sap, tar spots and etc) without or minimally striping sealant/wax. However, quick detailer doesn't not contain wax or any coatings or doesn't leave residue.

 

[KK_HakunaMatata]

Thanks Doctor, myself and my personal mechanic will venture in to the job, you are right we need painkillers.

-suryaputhra

Hi suryaputhra,

Waiting to hear on your hard work and outcome in the form of pics. .

KK

 

[Suryaputhra]

@KK_HakunaMatata, Yesterday I alone ventured into full car wash because my personal mechanic on leave. Started at 10am finished at 8pm. As Doctor said I took painkiller. I can able take initial photos, could not able to take photos in between washing and after finishing, because oily hands. Next Sunday is the detailing session.

-suryaputhra

 

[KK_HakunaMatata]

Thats correct but I prefer to spray over a pad and then apply on the surface. Later buff off the excess residue with MF cloth. Either way should be fine.

You don't have to use pad to buff if you are doing wipe on & wipe off method using MF cloth.

Hi CRACING,

Thanks for all your inputs.

I am planning to follow the below steps:

1. Wash with ONR / ProKlear X-treame (wash & wax) - Or should i use one without wax
2. Clay using Optimum Clay Cloth using ONR as lube
3. Polish / Glaze using Poorboys White Diamond Glaze (mine is a Silver colour car) - I have to buy this still
4. Sealant - Poorboys EX-P Sealant - Not sure what is the difference between Ex & Ex-P - I have to buy this still
5. Wax - Optimum Car wax

Is this a good method to follow? Also, where (which step) can I make use of MF pad / Foam pad which can give best results compared to using only MF cloth / MF buffing cloth.

I tried searching for MF pad / applicator pads, not getting too many options.

Regards,
KK

 

[Suryaputhra]

EX is carnauba wax based and EX-P is amino functional resin based, EX-P bonds to the applied surface stronger due its inherent qualities and chemical reactions. Try ProKlear Raw with out wax.

-suryaputhra

 

[CRACING]

Hi CRACING,

Thanks for all your inputs.

I am planning to follow the below steps:

1. Wash with ONR / ProKlear X-treame (wash & wax) - Or should i use one without wax
2. Clay using Optimum Clay Cloth using ONR as lube
3. Polish / Glaze using Poorboys White Diamond Glaze (mine is a Silver colour car) - I have to buy this still
4. Sealant - Poorboys EX-P Sealant - Not sure what is the difference between Ex & Ex-P - I have to buy this still
5. Wax - Optimum Car wax

Is this a good method to follow? Also, where (which step) can I make use of MF pad / Foam pad which can give best results compared to using only MF cloth / MF buffing cloth.

I tried searching for MF pad / applicator pads, not getting too many options.

Regards,
KK

Ok, You may need slight changes in your steps and here they are:

1. Best is to use strong shampoo and pressure washer so that all the dust, dirt, mud and etc is removed. Wash & Wax is not required here.
2. I'm not familiar with optimum products but don't use wax contained solutions as a clay lube. I use Proklear's RAW and works fine.
3. If the glaze contains polishing properties then you are good to go. Otherwise using a pure polish before glaze is better.
4. If I read it right, Poorboys EX-P is a pure sealant which does not contain any wax and you should follow up with a wax of your choice. Ex is sealant with carnaubas wax but you can also follow up with a another wax of your choice.
5. Optimum Car wax (spray) is fine if you use Poorboys EX but if you use Ex-P then its better to use pure wax and then follow up use Optimum Car wax.

You can use either MF pads or foam pads or both. I would say buy both, try both and choice whichever you feel great.

Foam pads are available from Meguiars and MF pads are available from Mothers. Can be easily found locally or in online stores.

Check these online stores:
Auto Fresh
Bringing Best
Detailed Clean India
Greenz Car Care
Ultimate Detailerz

 

[Suryaputhra]

Hi anyone has first class experience on engine protection spray or similar. Any links pls. I have one doubt on such sprays, the coating my reduce the engine cooling efficiency because of protective coating over the engine.

-suryaputhra

 

[KK_HakunaMatata]

Ok, You may need slight changes in your steps and here they are:

3. If the glaze contains polishing properties then you are good to go. Otherwise using a pure polish before glaze is better.

No. Diamond glaze does not contain polish it it.

4. If I read it right, Poorboys EX-P is a pure sealant which does not contain any wax and you should follow up with a wax of your choice. Ex is sealant with carnaubas wax but you can also follow up with a another wax of your choice.

Yes you are right. Ex contains wax in it.

5. Optimum Car wax (spray) is fine if you use Poorboys EX but if you use Ex-P then its better to use pure wax and then follow up use Optimum Car wax.

Ok. I was actually selecting products without having a proper understanding of those . Now i sort of understand that in detailing world, the labels of products and words can be more confusing and you got to understand what does it do.

I basically went through the below two links which kind of explains what are different products mean.

Car Wax vs Paint Sealants vs Polish vs Glaze vs Coatings | Understanding Car Detailing Products

Word Definitions - Compounds, Polishes, Glazes, Paint Cleaners and Waxes - Auto Geek Online Auto Detailing Forum

To simply say, glaze acts as fillers to hide the swirl marks and does not have any protective or corrective ability.

Polish has a corrective ability to some extent. Again, polish can be non-abrasive or abrasive. As I understand Pure polish are non-abrasive.

Dr. & CRACING correct me, if I am wrong.

After all this, i have below two options:

Option 1

1. ONR wash
2. Claying
3. Apply polish - Have a bit of confusion here, should I go for abrasive or non-abrasive.

This one is an abrasive polish - Poorboys Pro Polish 2 16oz - Detailed Clean India

This is non-abrasive - Poorboys Professional Polish 16oz - Detailed Clean India

Not sure how to select the right one

4. Apply glaze - My question here is, whether applying glaze is required after polish, since polish would have corrected the mild scratches / swirl marks, or, will glaze helps in covering / hiding the swirl marks which are not corrected by polish.

I already have Amway Silicon Glaze, can i use this.

5. Sealant - Poorboys Ex-P sealant which does not contain wax
6. Spray wax


Option 2

1. ONR wash
2. Claying
3. Apply polish which also contains sealant - Poorboys Polish with Sealant 16oz - Detailed Clean India

4. Can glaze be applied after sealant, If yes then this step would be applying glaze

Will not apply separate sealant since already polish contains sealant

5. Spray wax

Sorry for the long post. I need experts help.

Regards,
KK

 

[Suryaputhra]

Hi I need washing instructions for MF clothes and cleaning instructions for applying pads. Guide me in this regard. Thanks.

-suryaputhra

 

[CRACING]

No. Diamond glaze does not contain polish it.

It has little cleaning ability which means scratches or swirls are cleaned (Not removed). It should be fine if the paint doesn't require deep cleaning. For paint finish that is not been detailed past several years then polish is required.

Ok. I was actually selecting products without having a proper understanding of those. Now i sort of understand that in detailing world, the labels of products and words can be more confusing and you got to understand what does it do.

Yes, don't go by the product title but by its product description and you'll understand what it does.

Polish has a corrective ability to some extent. Again, polish can be non-abrasive or abrasive. As I understand Pure polish are non-abrasive.

Many detailing experts say, start from least aggressive product. i.e Polish, Scratch remover, compound and finally sandpaper .

Polish is indeed non-abrasive and last step for paint correction, then you'ed proceed to filling and protection products.

Poorboys Pro Polish 2 is something like a compound because it is capable of removing 1500-2000 grit sanding marks! However, it is for professionals and a machine is required.

Poorboys Professional Polish is least aggressive and micro scratches can be removed, atleast with a machine.

Between these two, you may find scratch remover which can remove micro to medium scratches.

Dr. & CRACING correct me, if I am wrong.

After all this, i have below two options:

Option 1

1. ONR wash
2. Claying
3. Apply polish - Have a bit of confusion here, should I go for abrasive or non-abrasive.

This one is an abrasive polish - Poorboys Pro Polish 2 16oz - Detailed Clean India

This is non-abrasive - Poorboys Professional Polish 16oz - Detailed Clean India

Not sure how to select the right one

Like I said above, Poorboys Pro Polish 2 is for heavy paint corrections and you don't need it.

Poorboys Professional Polish is fine but only if the paint needs it. This thing should remove paint contamination that clay couldn't not and also make the paint (especially clear coat) shine or strip it if buffed long (e.g using cutting pad) .

4. Apply glaze - My question here is, whether applying glaze is required after polish, since polish would have corrected the mild scratches / swirl marks, or, will glaze helps in covering / hiding the swirl marks which are not corrected by polish.

Yes, those that polish couldn't remove, will be filled by glaze.

5. Sealant - Poorboys Ex-P sealant which does not contain wax
6. Spray wax

Like I said in previous post, If you like to Poorboys Ex-P then you have to get a pure wax. Lastly you can use spray wax or leave it.

Or if you like to use EX then finish with spray wax only.

Spray wax is for quick detailing but for full detailing you need a pure wax.

Option 2

3. Apply polish which also contains sealant - Poorboys Polish with Sealant 16oz - Detailed Clean India

This is fine but you will notice less durability compared to pure sealant.

4. Can glaze be applied after sealant, If yes then this step would be applying glaze

No, you cannot. Either the glaze won't bond over sealant or will strip off soon.

5. Spray wax

I don't know or understand whether Poorboys Polish With Sealant contains wax. If it does then you can apply spray wax.

 

[CRACING]

Hi I need washing instructions for MF clothes and cleaning instructions for applying pads. Guide me in this regard. Thanks.

-suryaputhra

I use mild soap or car shampoo to clean dirty MF clothes and soak them over night. Will also add little white vinegar to soften them. Finally I will dry indoor.

Detergents, Bleaching powder, Hot water and Sun light damages the material so stay away from them.

 

[TSIVipul]

@Detailing experts:
What's the DIY method for swirl removal and what products are required?

Or should I head to 3M?