So I'm going through the whole 4 pages ( :lol ) of detailing info here and there have been some great questions followed by some great answers.

Let me first state that I AM A COMPLETE NOOB when it comes to detailing (read one of my post in the MF towel thread, I didn't know how the Absorber can leave scratches). I am only used to the rinse, soap, rinse, dry, MAYBE wax and thats as far as it gets.

Driving a Jet Black car, i'm sure you feel my pain.

Anyways can we just bring it all together into one post and possibly get it stickied?

Pyiu and C's bimmer have added great comments and tips on here, but I would like to see it with more details.

How about a step 1 to finish? Listing products (models and where we can order it from) and their purpose.

For example, right now I'm trying to figure out what comes first, polishing and then clay or vice versa? Or maybe polishing is claying? Also this orbital machine that keeps getting mentioned, is there a beginners one that doesn't cost an arm and a leg? Can this same machine be used to way and polish?

Come on detailing gurus.....

 

There are many good sites about detailing, like www.autopia.org and detailingworld.co.uk, where one can find lots of useful information about car detailing; tools, equipment, products, methods etc.
Here's Autopia's Learning Library for example.

 

My car's white, so it really is super easy for me to do this, but here's what I use.

1. Wash - I go to a local hand carwash and get the exterior only treatment (just too lazy, I guess, plus the place is 3 blocks from my house).
2. I get my car clayed - I use Meguiar's clay bar and Meguiar's quick detailer for moisture
3. Microfiber towel (honestly, I'm not too far advanced into this whole thing, neither do I really care to be, since my car looks squeaky clean anyway ) - I have 3 or 4 MF towels - 2 of which I use regularly and the other 1 or 2 (I'm pretty sure its 2, but I may have given one away - not important) are actually brand new. I don't know why, but I like to keep a completely new towel or two in my trunk - makes me feel safer doing the more delicate jobs with a new towel, where there's no dirt that can possibly transfer. So, I use one MF to dry the quick detailer and wipe away any loose dirt left from claying.
4. I have a trusted jar of Mother's Carnuba Wax - that's a beautiful finish for a white car. Calton told me about it and I bought a jar to try it - I have to say, it was probably the best investment, as far as detailing goes.
5. Second MF towel to take off the carnuba. Also, at this point I might break out a new MF towel to wipe off the carnuba.
6. Sit back, relax and enjoy the compliments. People ask me if I wash my car every day ON RAINY days! Case in point, I was hanging out with an ex - who is not into cars much at all - and what do you know, as soon as she sees my car, she says "Did you just wash your car before you came to meet me?" In the meantime, it had rained for days before I hadn't washed the car for like a week prior to that. One word: Carnuba

PS Thanks, C, for putting me on the path of righteousness... well, if not righteousness, at least the right path when it comes to detailing

 

True and I've gone to those links as well. But I figured since this the detailing section we should have a good write up from our members.

Thanks V, great write up. You don't use any tools? I hate to wax by hand b/c I feel that I am still not getting all off.

 

This is my procedure, it's not as thorough as FMINUS or pyiu, but I feel like it does my car justice.

1. Wash the car with a high quality shampoo, which translates into most anything that is not dish soap or the bargain brands at walmart, I would recommend at least going for some Meguiar's car wash. I use a microfiber wash mitt for when the car is really dirty, or I use my sheepskin one when I just want to wash it then hit it with some quick wax for a touch up. Dry the car with some Waffle Weave towels.

Note: I always wash the wheels and tires first, then move on to the body.

2. If I clay it, which I don't do everytime, maybe once every couple of months or longer if i don't feel like it, I will clay the car after the first wash. Use LOTS of lubricant (quick detailer or whatever) when doing this. Especially on black cars, the last thing you want to do is mar your paint up with a dry piece of clay.

3. I'll follow up claying the car with another car wash to remove all the streaks from the clay, and prep the car for the next step.

Note: Now I don't use a polisher (orbital/dual action/rotary), I do everything by hand.

4. I then proceed to use a pre-wax cleaner on the car. You can use either a chemical one, which requires little rubbing, or you can get one with a little grit. However, if doing this by hand your not going to get much better results than a chemical cleaner. This is why I use Klasse AIO (all-in-one), it's a great paint cleaner that helps to remove fine scratches, and some spider webbing, plus leaves the car with a thin acrylic base which I can then top with whatever I want. There are many other paint cleaners you can use and they are all great, I've just stuck with what I like.

5. The Top Coat. This part is all up to you and how much work you want to put into it. There are many different waxes and sealants and blends of the two. Waxes are great for bringing out the depth in your paint, especially on darker cars or metallic painted cars. They are usually pretty easy on/off, but watch out to avoid getting it on your trim (it's full of petroleum distilates which will eat it up).

Then there are sealants, which come in many different types. You can have acrylic, polymer, or blends of sealant and waxes. These provide the ultimate in protection. They are long lasting, can weather through extreme temperature, humidity, rain, salt, snow, etc. They will give your car that shiny, almost mirror like shine. Some are very difficult to work with such as Klasse Sealant Glaze, where as others are super easy like FK1 #2180.

At this point, it's all up to you and what you want to put on your car. You can even layer these to get the best of both worlds, but there are restrictions to what you can layer. You CANNOT layer sealants over waxes, their chemistry will not allow it. However, you can usually put multiple layers of sealant on your car (for ultimate protection) then top it all off with a nice coat of wax, to give it that wet look that everbody loves.

There are alot more little details here and there that I could go into, but I dont' know how much in depth you want this to be. If you wanted to go all out, and start using paint depth meters and machine polishers, then I would recommend you go to another forum for that. I frequent DetailCity, Autogeek, and Autopia for many of these questions, and they always have great discounts on items (the same as our local DetailersDomain). If you ever have any other specific questions, don't hesitate to ask or PM me, as I absolutely love cleaning cars. It's been a great hobby for me (others call it an addictions ) and a great stress reliever for myself.

Good luck, and happy cleaning

 

Furthermore, regarding the microfiber towels. I use ALOT, of towels. Usually around 12 towels for the whole car, inside and out. I use them when cleaning the door jams, cleaning the windows, cleaning the inside, applying protectant to the interior, removing wax, buffing the car, everything.

I have different ones for different jobs. I have a bunch of just regular, tight knap MF that I use for generally everything. Cleaning, applying protectant, and removing waxes. But after removing the wax, I switch to the plush MF and buff the paint with a little QD to really bring out the shine from the wax.

You don't really have to be that specific about them, I just am because I'm quite passionate about it, but to each their own.

 

Excellent write up! and to avoid digressing too much on this thread, you will have a PM very soon

 

Ok just a quick cliff notes (although you lazy guys should just read the whole thing ) for Kaitens write up.

1.Wash/Dry
2. Clay
3. Wash again to clean off the streaks from the clay
4. Pre wax
5. Top coat. Either sealant and wax or just one up to you.

If you decide to go with both do the SEALANT and then the WAX.