Thread: HOW TO: Detail your car!

So, day off yesterday.
1) Washed with mcguires' crystal auto car wash and mitt
2) Rinsed with regular water and mitt
3) Claybarred with mother's claybar(takes the sap off but DAMN it took a long time, expect 5 mins per small little sap drip
4) Paint prepped with mcguires' paint prep
5) Painter taped the whole car (my nx took just about one full roll fyi)
6) Waxed with mother's carnuba wax
7) Detailed interior with #40 vynl and rubber cleaner

All in all I'm VERY impressed with the end result. Car looks awesome. Took about 7 hours start to finish though, with most of the time spent on claybarring. If it's possible, I reccomend using paint cleaner FIRST if possible previous to claybarring to take off those stains that are easier removed with such a product because claybarring takes a long ass time for the whole car, let alone sap and stuff. If it can be taken off by paint prep first, do it.

Lets see some pics!

For tree sap I prefer to use Paint Thinner, Adhesive Remover, or Stoner Tarminator. All of those work much better and quicker than a clay bar will, and you can just watch it dissolve instead of wearing yourself out trying to rub it off.

I'm a solid 24 hours deep into my current project, probably another 4-5 to go. I'll see if I can get some pics...

It's JDM y0!








That's all for now.

Another question - This is as nice as I could get it - not exactly mirror finish, any ideas? I didnt polish it but perhaps am thinking I should...
[img][IMG]http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d164/anjoopear/DSCF0054.jpg[/img][/IMG]

you can soooorta see my reflection.

something ive found to do is to remove all the bug and tar and sap before claying. wash, hit with some goo-gone, anything. get it as clean as possible first before claying.

1. wash (dirt/bug/tar/sap remove in this step)
2. clay
3. defect remove (scratches/swirls)
4. polish/glaze
5. wax/seal
6. maintain

so basically you cleaned the paint, did some defect removing, and the sealed it. thus its not as shiney as it could have been.

i know that connor has explained everything so much in detail , but here it is simplified out:

http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?p=359716#post359716

Yes, thanks Quinn!

Honestly, I'm gonna get this How-To done at some point, its just that whenever I have time I'm too tired!

You should DEFINITELY polish that! You should know that polishing by hand is very labor intensive (just ask Cliff!) and should take you several days to complete.

what i worked on today. sorry to whore up your thread connor

remember, find something that you like and works, and use it often.[/u][/i] obviously im a meguiars head, but i will try other things and keep an open mind.

wash with dawn using wash mitt and grit guard 2 bucket system, bug and tar, wash again, clay, m105 and m205. car still needs a polish/glaze and a sealant/wax and all trim and glass needs to be addressed at this point.

taken with my cell phone

This post is serious props to you conwrath.