Hi all:

Was hoping to get some feedback on a planned new car detail. Car is an Acura RDX, white in color, stock (standard) wheels.

Was thinking of doing a wash followed by clay, then polish with a white pad and light polish (something like the Einszett Red), and finish with a sythetic wax.

Is the clay step necessary, or am I just wasting time. Also, if the paint looks good, is there any reason to start with a slightly more abrasive polish, like the Einszett Green?

Thanks!

 

I have a WDP TL and every step helps.. First of yes clay it .. you will be suprised what comes off.

Always start least aggressive for polishing if the red will do it .. no sense going more aggressive.

Also if you have a garage... shut all the lights out and go out with a flashlight and a roll of masking tape .. go over the car with the light .... you will see things you never saw before .. the ones of concern mark them with a lil piece of masking tape so you can find them to polish them out later. You will also see why you need to polish it ..

As for sealant .. if you can get it .. Meguiars #21 is great on white .. I have about 3 layers on my bumpers and I really can't tell the difference between it and the rest of the car which has 3 layers of Zaino on it.

 

Thanks for the response, Jesstzn. I'll definitely be using your bright light method, albeit with a dual halogen setup. You're right that I'll be surprised if the clay gets stuff off paint with only 120 miles on it, but I suppose it's worth the step (claying doesn't really take that long, anyway).

I'll be using the Einszett Glanz Wax for the finish - a total cinch to apply and wipe off. Will also use the Glanz Wax on the inside and outside of the wheels after a thorough cleaning.

 

Well the halogens are great for the polishing step .. just give the regular flashlight in a full dark garage a go ..

 

wow...i clayed my tl the past 2 days, and i am absolutely shocked. that is why i clicked on the wash/wax link..to see if anyone else knew about that stuff. about a year ago, i had noticed rust dots all over my car (fallout) and also when i washed the car i hated drying it because it was rough and didnt feel smooth like it used to. I took it to the car wash and they said i have to clay it.. well i finally had the time to do it, and i told everyone in my neighborhood that walked by and we all were amazed. all the rust dots came out, all the dirt, even scuff marks and stuff came out...I cant say enough about clay! the paint is sooooo smooth ...better than when it was new. make sure you wax it after. The whole kit comes at walmart for just under 15 dollars. Mother Clay, Detail spray, and wax. I used about a third of each item on my tl..and i did it all! sorry so long...cant say enough..worth READING THIS..hehe

 

Wait until you have polished via a machine!!

 

Speaking of machines........ Any group buys on the UDM coming up?

 

Didnt have any planned. It would take about 10 to make it worthwhile, and I think most on here (at least visiting WW) already have either a PC or a UDM.
DD your plan sounds solid. Both 1Z items you will be using are excellent. Let us know how it turned out, and white is so user friendly.

 

exceldetail...I have a question for you. I've recently seen alot about the "wax balls" from Meguiars that hook onto your drill bit. I know your UDM's are awesome, but have you had any experience with these wax balls?

 

Let the paintwork tell you what it needs

To determine if you need to clay: after car is washed put a plastic bag over your hand, gently glide your plastic covered fingers over the paintwork - do you feel *roiugh* spots? If so, clay is needed

To detemine what level of polish to use - ALWAYS start with the least invasive method - Start with the most mild pad/polish combo, if it doesn't get the paint corrected, go to the next level and cintinue to do so until the paint has been polished to perfection

 

Steve, ya got me on that one! Im not sure I have heard of a wax ball!
Any others? Lets get to the botton of this!

 

i believe its mothers that has it, i saw it at walmart...its a foam ball that you put on your drill and go to town with it....i cant imagine it working anywhere near as good as a udm/pc....not to mention the paint correction, your not getting that with the ball....

 

Oh that! Like the Powerball for wheels, 'cept its yellow.....
My rec? Stay away from it......
Im actually in the designing stages of a hand polishing "kit" as never seen before. =)
Made expressly for those who work by hand.

 

I value your opinion, but would like to know why you recommend staying away.



Can I get it by Monday?

( )

 

hmm ive read mixed opinions on using a machine..on the zaino site, it says machines waste too much polish cause alot of it is absorbed in the pad. Zaino recommends to just use the hand applicator.

any thoughts?

 

You have limited control with it. Theres no random movement which can instill swirls and halograms. Yoru dependant on the cordless drills movement and your arm and thats really about it. I would imagine it would be ok for quick spot repairs, but I wouldnt go beyond that.....i just cant see doing large surfaces with it after using a PC/UDM for many years......and, for another $70.00, you could have a mchine MADE for surface polishing........I woud leave the powerballs for wheels......
The hand polishing kit is probably 8 weeks away........Should be here for summer though.....

Machines can be equipped with varying sizes of pads. Select proper size of pads after considering the size of surace you will be polishing. As for waste? Theres pros and cons with everything in life. The pros of a UDM/PC, is it ability, and speed with which you can complete the assigned tasks.