Newbie looking for detailing guidance!

[pir8magnum]

Hey all!

So, I got my Magnum, got a few mods done, but now I need to detail!

Thing is, I've never seriously detailed any car I've ever owned. I've washed and waxed, but always by hand, and never really using anything serious.

So, for those of you out there that know of these things, what would you suggest as a 'starter kit' for a first detail of my black magnum?

I was looking at orbital buffers at my local auto-zone type place, but they look super-chintzy, and I figure there must be something better.

So, if anyone can give me some suggestions I'd appreciate it. Im figuring on, at the very least, using a good wash, maybe a cleaner polish, and then wax, using a buffer of some sort (the mag is too big to do by hand, IMO). I'm looking for:

1) best hardware/type of buffer. Whats out there? Whats reasonably priced and where can I get it?

2) products: what kind of stuff should I be using, what brands are the better ones? Any I should stay away from?

Thanks!

[RobAGD]

Welcome to the OCD Froum

I have a few post about suggest packages for starting out.

Typically I would suggest getting Meguiars products from ADS

This is a general howto ish post Shin Dig Detailing

and here is te product suggestion thread :

Detailing Kit Thread

[pir8magnum]

I ended up getting the package 2 kit from ADS (with free duffel bag!), no free rat tail though.

I originally tried to find the Porter-Cable equivalent to the G-100, but both Lowwwws and Home Despot stopped carrying them, apparently. They are being discontinued from in-store sales, and maybe for good according to both the folks in the tool depts. that I talked to, so if you dont already have one, get one now.

Anyway, I should get the kit friday, so this weekend will be a BIG detail undertaking. Wish me luck!

Welcome to the OCD Froum

I have a few post about suggest packages for starting out.

Typically I would suggest getting Meguiars products from ADS

This is a general howto ish post Shin Dig Detailing

and here is te product suggestion thread :

Detailing Kit Thread

[Rev.Hammer]

RobAGD is so intense at detailing that a severe OCD patient would be telling him to back off!

You are in great hands!!!

I saw him work a miracle with BBH's 300c SRT-8 at the SE LX Shindig. The paint looked like the car had been washed by porcupines using chore-boy pads.

When he was done... it didnt even look like the same car!

RobAGD is the ONLY man that I would walk up to with me keys and say "go at it" and walk off and never think twice!!

[boggart]

I always suggest reading www.autogeek.net

[STAGE 3 R/T]

welcome from hawaii!

[GoofyTimL]

Check out Gary Kouba's detailing site info and products at Perfect Auto Finish. I just gave him our '05 Blue for a day of detailing last weekend, and I'm 450 miles away! I drove up to the area for a family wedding, AND to get this car into his hands.

[RobAGD]

Wow, Thanks Rev ! High Praise indeed :D

The #2 kits is fairly complete the #80 will do a good job on a decent finish getting out defects. If you have some real issues swirls, holograms etc then you will want to get a few more pads and some #83. Once you get a feel for it, you may want to add some M21 Sealant or maybe #26 Hi Tech or Gold Class waxes.

When you want to make the car look wet for a show or something take a look at the #7 Show Glaze

Have fun, enjoy working with your car.

-Robert

[pir8magnum]

Yeah, well the car is basically new..its a 2006 and only had 3k miles on it when I got it. No major defects or problems to speak of, other than the paint can definitely use a cleaning, and a good wax to make it shine!

Thanks everyone for the tips and guidance.

Wow, Thanks Rev ! High Praise indeed :D

The #2 kits is fairly complete the #80 will do a good job on a decent finish getting out defects. If you have some real issues swirls, holograms etc then you will want to get a few more pads and some #83. Once you get a feel for it, you may want to add some M21 Sealant or maybe #26 Hi Tech or Gold Class waxes.

When you want to make the car look wet for a show or something take a look at the #7 Show Glaze

Have fun, enjoy working with your car.

-Robert

[Paradog]

I always suggest reading www.autogeek.net

I would concur!

[BuckeyeRT]

#80 is an awesome product! I have just started using #21 as a last step and WOW!! I just bought some P21S Carnauba and I can't wait to try it on top of the 21.
I have a Dewalt DW443 DA polisher. It is like the Porter Cable ADS sells (a bit heavier and more powerful).
Rick @ ADS is awesome and very helpful http://www.autodetailingsolutions.com/index.htm
I would also recommend a good clay after you wash it. Smooth out the pain and remove any rail dust or other contaminants. ok ok I'll shut up...
More links:
http://www.meguiarsonline.com/
http://autopia.org/forum/index.php?

[pir8magnum]

Welp, I got the kit yesterday and took about 3 hours with it getting my mag washed, dried, glazed and then waxed.

The car DEFINITELY looks 100% better than it did when I got it from the dealer, who threw in a wash, but not a detailing (something my old nissan dealer that I bought 2 vehicles from used to do, which was nice). It looks real wet and has lots of depth.

Of course though, now that I've taken that one small step, I feel like I'm gonna have to really get into it. After using the speed glaze and then waxing, I can still spot some water stains, some light scratches here and there, basically little imperfections that I must somehow eliminate next time.

The speed glaze isn't really that abrasive, as I understand it. I guess I'm going to have to use something a little tougher to get rid of the water stains next time, or maybe even a different pad?

Now that my pads have material on them, whats the best way to clean them? For the time being I labeled them (polish,wax) and put them in ziploc baggies. I saw a how-to somewhere with someone cleaning the polishing pad with a brush with the buffer turned on, but I can't find it now.

Also, what about the microfiber towels? Can you machine wash those? Or should they be hand washed and hung to dry. I know you aren't supposed to wash rags that have any kind of oil on them (motor oils, vegetable oils, etc) because they can ignite (in dryers, I guess), but does that apply to polishes and waxes?

lastly, how long should I wait to do the whole thing over again after an application?

I'm going to do my wifes car (a black Kia Spectra5) after the bucs game to get some more practice. Fun stuff!

[ildcide]

For wheels I highly suggest mothers powerball mini.... It is an amazing tool and saves a lot of time.... Paint, I have mine professionally done 2 times a year and do it myself 4 times. I will only use maguires.....

[BrilliantBlackHemi]

Rev, that's some endorsement coming from you dude. I was proud to have Rob work on my car and show me a few tips along the way.

Yeah Detailing is pretty much like OCD. I've developed the disorder since and have bought much of the product from Mequiars and have done many of the family cars in practice.

RobAGD is so intense at detailing that a severe OCD patient would be telling him to back off!

You are in great hands!!!

I saw him work a miracle with BBH's 300c SRT-8 at the SE LX Shindig. The paint looked like the car had been washed by porcupines using chore-boy pads.

When he was done... it didnt even look like the same car!

RobAGD is the ONLY man that I would walk up to with me keys and say "go at it" and walk off and never think twice!!