Process

[Sarge]

Not being a "guru" in the paint care department......I ask the experts.

What is the proper process for detailing a car/truck?

Wash
Claybar
Wash
Polish
Wax

Is that what you fellas do?

I'm not asking about products here...I am asking about process.

[Smittro]

I use a 3 and sometimes 4 step process on my cars. One of which is Jet black and the other is NBM both of which are hard to maintain imo..

1) Wash and dry.
2) mild scratch remover
3) sometimes an even finer scratch remover or wax
4) Glaze/sealer

I have a few vehicles but only the 19 year old toy and the 01 get "the works" Both are original finishes.. With the 19 year old car being in excellent fit and finish and the 01 being flawless.. All of which are done by hand no power buffers..

[Sarge]

Thanks Smitty....scratch remover? Are you talking about a mild rubbing compound?

[Smittro]

Thanks Smitty....scratch remover? Are you talking about a mild rubbing compound?

I guess you could call it that. It's the 3m scratch doctor. The other is scratch-x which is even more mild. Both are a cream in tubes rather than a thicker paste. I've rubbed them both between my fingers and could not tell there was any real abrasives.. Tho they each definelty contain some. I use both on my T-tops and side windows too with no ill effects. Hope that helps explain it some.. Non of these products will remove deep cuts in the finish though. keep it off the rubber too, if you do deside to use one of them..

[Sarge]

Thanks man. Why I have all black cars is beyond me. It is a constant battle....for now over 45 years

I have a 4 shelf cabinet full of every car "wax" product known to man.
I tried em all and now am convinced it is more process driven rather product driven.

[Sarge]

Do you go over the entire car with this ScratchX stuff?

[Sarge]

Hey Y2K....I screwed up ...big surprise huh? Can you move this to the detailing section purty please.....thanks man..............

[Smittro]

Thanks man. Why I have all black cars is beyond me. It is a constant battle....for now over 45 years

I have a 4 shelf cabinet full of every car "wax" product known to man.
I tried em all and now am convinced it is more process driven rather product driven.

No prob. I agree definetly process over product but the 2 I mentioned are good stuff and wont bust the bank.

Do you go over the entire car with this ScratchX stuff?

I do maybe once a year just to get her back on par.. After doing the whole car once you can step down a notch and should'nt have to do the entire car again for quite some time with the compounds.. Basicly just finish maintainance after the first time. Like around the door jams and such. Where we all brush the paint getting in and out of them. Around key holes and inside the door handle buckets and so forth..

[Smittro]

Just want to add Sarge, that I 'm no professional detailer.. I've also tried many products even ruined one of my cars finishes way back when.. But the process I've settled in on here is one I've used now for nearly 20 years.. Now when I get done with the finish a drop of water can't sit still on my finishes.. Hope this helps out bud. Good luck!

[Sarge]

No thank you man. Big help.
Did you stay at a Holiday Inn last night?

[krese]

it is more process driven rather product driven.

i know it does not really matter much but i have to kind of disagree here..... some products make the process more simple/easy/quick

[98TransAmWs-6]

i know it does not really matter much but i have to kind of disagree here..... some products make the process more simple/easy/quick

It is still process driven even if the products you are talking about make it simpler. I don't believe most of those products that make it simple work. Like the ones that say they wash and wax at the same time. To me the process is pretty simple already.

Wash
Claybar
Wash
Polish
Wax
Sealer

Yes it is time consuming but worth it every time. I have used some of those products that claim to put multiple steps in one and I have to say I am much more satisfied with the full process rather than the quick detail products.

[Sarge]

i know it does not really matter much but i have to kind of disagree here..... some products make the process more simple/easy/quick

Well some things to consider on why I make that statement.
1. If you do not properly prep the surface area no product is going to properly "work"....=process
2. If you apply any product in a less than desirable environment it doesn't "work"...IE....in the sun or in the frigid cold....=process
3. If you do not use certain products along with other separate products in the proper/required "steps" then you are not applying per instructions and FAIL=process
4. If you do not utilize specific products along with your polishing/waxing products the you FAIL. Examples would be ....AMERICAN COTTON CLOTH or Separate wash cloths for body and tires or specific types of materials to apply.....and mineral water from an iceberg off the coast of the North Pole etc. etc.=process
5. When applying certain products you must use certain pressure and direction of strokes et al.=process

Your thoughts?

[Smittro]

No thank you man. Big help.
Did you stay at a Holiday Inn last night?

Nah, It's Christmas wifey is happy I'm happy and can stay home..

For now.lol

[Smittro]

You can spend a little bit of time and have a quick shine.

OR, you can spend a little more time and have an imaculate durrable shine that will only come through as a process.

Process, process ,process..imo No quick fixes in a showroom shine..

[Smittro]

It also pays to have good panel fitment.. I can't count how many times I've seen f-bodies with great sounding engines, and a nice shine on out of wack panels..

All the finish prcesses in the world won't make a crooked car look good..imho

[35th-ANV-SS]

Step 1: Wash/Rinse/Dry with a DF Concours Towel or similar
Step 4: Claybar
Step 5: Wash/Rinse/Dry
Step 4: Apply Z-AIO to entire vehicle
Step 5: Remove Z-AIO with DF Concours Towel
Step 6: Apply Z-5 Pro, Spray Z-6 Gloss enhancer on the applicator before polishing with the Z-5 Pro
Step 7: Let polish dry on vehicle (approx. 30 min) depending on weather
Step 8: Buff off Z-5 Pro polish with a DF Concours Towel or similar
Step 9: Apply Z-6, then immediately buff dry

This is using Zaino products.