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This is what I've somewhat put together from my research on the site.

1. normal wash with car soap, using a long brush, just get dirt off. Rinse
2. I have a product I forget the name of, but you apply it to black plastic and it brings it back to black.
3. Clay bar normally - but alot of work. Suggestions? I have many many surface scratches that I want removed.
4. Use a polish? this will bring out the gloss...?
5. apply wax in small sections, comes to a haze, buff it out - I use an 8" Random orbital waxer/polisher [this is what it's called on the box]
6. said to apply 2nd coat of wax in small sections, but buff it out by hand.


I do not worry about my tires/rims at all, they're hubcaps
I will buy a new terry-cloth head for the orbital waxer/polisher
I will buy new chamois*


Anything you can suggestions or critique would be appreciated

 
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if your paint is in decent shape, you dont have to clay. you can put on a good glaze/polish like meguiar's show car glaze #7 that will make the paint look wet and glossy, then put wax on top when you're done to protect it. wax and glaze apply the same, no need for buffer. get lots of 100% cotton cloth to apply, and microfiber to take off.

 
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Here's my steps on detailing

1) Soak whole car with water to loosen dirt

2) Wash front and rear fender well. Remove all dirt to prevent rusting.

3) Wash Tires.

4) Wash the whole body start from top to bottom.

5) Dry car including the inside of doors.

6) Polish car to bring out the mirror shine and look.

7) Wax car to protect that mirror shine and look.

8) Make sure you buffed all the wax on car

9) Sit down relax and stare at your hard work.

No need for an orbital buffer. You'll get more swirl marks with an orbital buffer.

 
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ditch that and get a pc!

 
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HAH!
Make sure I get this right.
So I get a good car wash - I was told by someone who does alot of body work, that dishsoap is ok, as it's a degreaser - takes alot off! thoughts?

Wash it
Dry it.
Use a Glaze/polish (meguiar's #7 for ex.)
Use a wax.

...ditch the orbital buff all together ... and just use cotton terry cloths.


few followup Q's

1- whats the deal with the microfiber, what does it do thats different?
2- is if safe to apply the wax with the pad it comes with?

...and finally, what is best, and when would i use it, to get rid of many surface scraches? (the kind made by keys clinging against the car, or when people walk by it and scrach it with their bag or whatnot.

 
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1) Microfiber is a much softer type of cloth that doesn't scratch your paint unlike a regular towel.

2) Yes. It is safe to apply wax with a pad applicator.

 
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microfiber has tons of small strands that gives a better clean than regular towel. it gets out all the haze and streaks. very good for windows too.

 
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Here's my advice. I'll address the numbers I think need commenting on.
1. I personally would stay away from wash brushes on paint. For one, they may not be soft enough and as such can induce more swirls etc... Also, unless you really rinse them out prior to using, dirt can get enlodged into the brush and cause more swirls/scratches. I would look into a good microfiber mitt and/or microfiber sponge.
3. Claying is good and worth doing atleast once every 6 months. Just one thing, clay is used to remove embedded dirt, contaminants, and oxidation. It will not remove surface scratches, etc... Look into swirl removers like Poorboy's Super Swirl Removers. If you're serious about detailing, take rckdrmr's advice and look into the Porter Cable 7424 or 7336.
6. Since you weren't specific with timing, I'll assume you want to do the 2nd coat of wax the same day. You have to wait atleast 24 hours before applying a 2nd coat of wax otherwise you will not give the 1st coat enough time to cure. Applying it right away will make this step pointless.

Lastly, on you dish washing liquid question, it's alright to use if you're looking to remove any old wax off your car prior to a detail. If you use it on a regular basis it will just remove the wax and leave your paint unprotected. Just use Meguiar's Gold Class or NXT car soap for regular washing.

Alright, I hopes this helps. Good luck man.

 
Rep Power: 251

Thanks for the help!
NOW please give insight on what I should use... this ISN'T a show car, stock 01 civic lx Eternal Blue, but I want some nice paint.

I was on meguiars.com, I did an online interview and they suggested some stuff for me. I'm going to list some off, and what I think, you give you opinions to see if it'll meet my needs to get rid of those damn light scratches!

-I'll get a big sponge, and I'll use whatever soap I have, OR might use Dish soap??

-Should I clay-bar it? It would make it nice, but I was reading up and some say I likely shouldn't have to?... should I still use it even though I'm using dish soap (which will remove all old wax and such)

-Meguiars then recommends using: "NXT Generation® Tech Wax" or "Gold Class Clear Coat Car Wax" - however, the writeup said that due to select factors I should use a "paint renewal product to clean and prepare the paint before applying wax protection" - any suggestions on what to use?

I'm thinking of using Mothers 3 step, what do you think:

CALIFORNIA GOLD® PRE-WAX CLEANER – STEP 1
This is the foundation of the Ultimate Wax System®, preparing your paint for Sealer and Glaze and Pure Carnauba Wax. Pre-Wax Cleaner removes oxidation, old wax buildup and other contaminants, cleaning and shining your paint. This mild polish smoothes the edges of larger imperfections and removes small scratches. Your paint’s appearance is dependent on a good
polishing—Mothers® Pre-Wax Cleaner
should be used at least once or
twice a year.

CALIFORNIA GOLD® SEALER AND GLAZE – STEP 2
Regular application of Mothers® Sealer and Glaze will increase your paint’s depth and luster. Whatever the color, it will give your paint added character and a brilliant, glowing shine. Sealer and Glaze fills and hides minor swirls and defects, minimizing unsightly visual imperfections. It also contains a super-fine polish that further improves the paint surface. Sealer and Glaze is key to giving both light and dark colors their perfect finish.

CALIFORNIA GOLD® PURE CARNAUBA WAX – STEP 3
This is the final step on the path to a beautiful finish. Mothers® Pure Carnauba Wax is made with the finest Brazilian #1 yellow carnauba for superior shine and protection. Pure Carnauba Wax is non-abrasive, so use it as often as you like. You can also apply more than one coat to keep your efforts well protected. (...Though I'm sure I can use any wax)



Essentially, what will I need to give it a nice glossy look, be protected, and get rid of these freaking light scratches!?

Thanks guys!! (sorry if it's long, but it's not all my typing )

 
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I agree about getting a pc, I use mine to apply the polish, IMO your wasting your time trying to apply a polish or glaze by hand because the product isnt getting worked in as it does with a pc which is random orbital and doesnt make swirl marks like an orbital.

 
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meguiar's #7 glaze once a year, turtle wax ultra gloss once every 4 months or sois what i do and my silver car sparkles.

 
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Ough, and my last question..... It's nice today, but it's going to rain for the next 3 days, then 1 nice day, then 3-4 more day of rain.

Should I do this now, or wait until I have more than 1 nice day in a row?
(purely for looks, or so I can apply a 2nd coat of wax 12-24hrs later)

 
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autogeek.net

That will answer most of your questions. Check out their forums too.

 
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Alas, nothing has been able to answer my most important question...
Best way to remove light scratches... I've checked out the sites, and they offer a store full of random products, but i'm looking less for a sales pitch, and more first hand experince.
See post#9 - do you think the 2nd step would get rid of them... they're the kind of scratches you get when someone unlocks the car is isn't careful, letting the other keys hit the door! :|


Thanks for the input so far though!
Some good reads!

 
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i use "kit scratch out" before doing the wax. it works but only lasts a couple months (cover-up). I heard meguiars scratch-x is better but you need to know how to use it.

 
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Yea, I'm up in Canada, don't believe I can get KIT products easily - so i'm going to stick with what's around here before try having things shipped.

...I ought to send a mesg to the one lad who's on this fourm alot, I forget his name, but he advocates ALOT for Scratch-X...see if he can give me some pointers on the 'proper way to use it'

Similarly, has anyone tried both ScratchX and Meguiars Deep Crystal Cleaner/polish/wax?
In another thread someone was advocating for that quite abit!