sup guys... im kumar from the 1st gen area....

Ive made the mistake of buying cleaning products without reading what you guys have written but heres the stuff that i got at my local autozone... its not the quality that i have read here, but maybe you expericenced people can help me out on what to do...







i have compounded the car and it came out hazy.... if you guys need pics to help me out...ill do that tomorrow

lemme know wussup....

 

I guess you did jump in with both eyes closed. This is Autopia's definition of a compound: a cutting polish designed to remove heavy oxidation, some common forms of paint damage and defects, and the scratches created by fine sandpaper.

If your paint has any of the above conditions, using a compound might have corrected it. As a general rule, you should start with the least abrasive polish. For swirls, the recommendation would be an SMR and if the paint were free of defects, it would have been a pre wax/paint cleaner or a cleanser/mild polish. A glaze has little or no cutting power and used mostly to give it a glossier look.

Since you went with an OTC product, I would have suggested Meg's 3 Step System consisting of DCS Paint Cleaner, DCS Polish and DCS Carnuba. Another recommendation would have been Mothers Ultimate Wax System. You might also consider a claybar, foam pads and some MF towels. As far as the hazing, a mild polish should clear that up.

 

I am a noob also. Let me make sure I have it right. However I have an older car with not the greatest paint condition.

1. Wash car - I'll use the 2 pails and the Meg wash from Costco.
2. Dry car - Absorber
3. Clay Bar - I think in another post you said any brand is fine as long as it's done right.
4. Re-wash or can I start the 3 step Megs System since I will go OTC.
5. Once done with Step 3 I guess I'm done. Put the tire glossy stuff I guess.

 

Doom,
You have almost the exact same stuff I do. I use the Meg's system as well. For my clay, I bought the Meg's and had great success with it (and it was easy).

You are correct, after the wax is added you are done.

As a suggestion, if you have a dark car, try NXT Gen Tech wax instead of Deep Crystal. I really like it and it has pretty good durability for me (others have had bad luck with it).

I would also suggest a quick detail (QD) spray. I'll use it between waxes after a wash.

I too use(d) the Absorber and really liked it, but I was talked into getting waffle weave towels and they work pretty good. I haven't had the luck with the Meg's one as I had hoped, so maybe an internet order would be the way to go, Excel has a lot of good choices.

 

what order should i wash/detail the car using all the products you recommended?

 

Looks pretty good. The key to claying is plenty of lube with very little or no pressure. Some guys incorporate claying in the wash process (after a rinse). A second wash is not necessary because polishing will remove any residual clay. I was gonna mention using the NXT in lieu of the Carnuba but didn't want to complicate the process. Another underated product is Mothers Relections Advanced Car Wax and IMO better than NXT in terms of shine, durability and longevity. Both these products are synthetic waxes and you won't go wrong with either.

 

1. Wash - removes the dirt, dust and crud from the surface of vehicle
2. Clay - removes imbedded particles
3. Polish - remove surface blemishes such as oxidation, swirls, and minor scratches and will give the paint more gloss and reflectivity
4. Seal - protects all the work you did in step 3, use a carnuba or synthetic wax

 

hmmm what about that glaze that i bought?

 

Thanks for all the tips guys. At this time yesterday I didn't know if the clay bar goes up my butt. BTW, love starboy2nv's AV.

 

Brand spankin new 06 TSX here (black). I've been reading and reading and think I think I kind of have it. It's tough though with the gazillion products that are mentioned . But from what iIve noticed excel and Hawhyen51 always have helpful posts... especially Hawhyen51 for he always provides links.

My gameplan:
Wash (2 bucket setup and sheepskin mitt)
Dry with CA blade/microfiber combo (being extra careful when blading)
Clay (any brand probably Megs)
Polish with Meg's Body Shop Professional Hand Polish
Seal with Megs #20 Poly Sealant
Wash and dry again then finished (maybe will top it off with a Carnuba)

PS. I don't have a porter cable.

 

Why would you wash it again?

All that stuff you did after you washed it the first time is going to clean it even more.

Wait a week or so, then wash. Let that stuff "settle".

When you are done buffing (by hand, I am the same way), park it outside for an hour or so (enjoy a beverage or six). This will give the wax you missed time to show up. Go outside and do a final buff and enjoy your work...

 

You can use the glaze after polishing. As stated previously, glazes are considered a very fine polish with very little or no abrasives. It will not remove surface blemishes. They are used mostly to to give the finish a deeper shine and gloss. Using a glaze does not replace polishing. Polish first, then glaze and the final step, seal.

 

your the man... when im done with these bs products your making me a list lol....

 

Check out this thread and you can also do a search for "products".

 

Now that I know this, what applicators do I use?

1. I read sheep skin thing.
2. self explanatory
3. "
4. Can I use MF towels for all 3 steps?

Also for leather cleaning (my tan's black), do I use MF towels, rags? And the interior the same?

 

Starboy, don't use that compound anymoer. Turtlewax is an extremely cheap brand and those rubbing compounds they make ruin ur paint, its basically just sanding it. Get something like Poorboys SSR line, say a 1 and a 2. Use that to get the shine back in ur car. Those are basically like sanding down ur paint, but its so mild that it'll polish it back to a shine.

 

1) yep sheepskin/chenille just hand test em for softness if you're getting them from the store.

2) 3) 4) Umm I'm wondering this too. I know there are little round circular pads that are used for polish... but there are a varity of em. Which ones?

And for the interior... I don't think you have to get too anal about what you use to apply your product (whichever ones you choose). Any rag should keep you from scratching your leather as long as you're careful... I think there are other types of rags you can get besides MF that won't "absorb" as much of your leather product.

^^by no means am I an expert... in fact, I'm a newbie -- that's just my insight.

 

Applicators: either 4" foam pads or MF Foam pads. I prefer using a plush MF towel (16 x 16) for buffing. For applying protectants (interior) I like using terry/cotton applicator pads. I'll dedicate a couple for cleaning and conditioning leather and a couple for dash and vinyl areas. They're inexpensive, washable and reusable and available at your local auotp parts sotre (AutoZone, Kragens, PepBoys).

 

niceeee... looks like ill be doing some shopping... i just want to practice to how to take care of the car since ill be repainting it very soon... thanks guys..