How to correctly detail your auto

[PappaPenney]

Well, I found the clay at autozone and surprisingly it was located right next to the meguiars and mothers clay that I saw before.

Ok, more questions

Which compound is recommended, Optimum compound or the Optimum Hyper compound and is there really any big difference?

Also if I was to do the wash at my home what is a good rinse method, my water is hard water from the outside hose, however I have soft water in the house which could be used in a bucket. Brandon quoted this before,

"If you want, you can start at the diy carwash, but use your own stuff. Also, do the final rinse with the spot-free. After you do your "big" detail at the diy carwash, I would reccomend not going there and getting someting like Optimum No-Rinse wash (waterless wash you can do in your driveway in about 15min)".

Also what is snappy? Used for cleaning the pads but what is its real name?

Almost have all the items together, and ordered a PC kit today.
One last question, I live in the very hot state of AZ, it hit 110 degrees today. Is it not recommended to do any of the steps of the detailing process above certain temperatures? I know the clay for instance says to do in the shade and on a cool car. If after I wash my vehicle is moving it into the shade of the garage cool enough? Thanks again for any responses, really wish I would have started this at least a month ago.

Peace out

[father of 3]

Originally Posted by Brandon1

Step # 7 Finishing touches
Trim, I like Mequiars Exterior Trim Spray found at Target. Just spray it on any exterior plastic, mud flaps, side mirrors, tailgate protectors, bumpers, running boards, etc. Then wipe the excess off with a Microfiber.

hey Brandon,
Do you use something different now? I believe Megs Exterior Trim Spray is no longer produced. What would you recommend? Thanks.

[zpaul]

Now this tread is getting in my pockets again.
Brandon, thanks a lot. Will be waiting for the revised copy! Can you also suggest the shopping list?
Was waiting for something like this. Zaino is cool, but very confusing and time consuming. This is just right on the money for me.

P.S.
Do you tape the plastic when detailing? Most of synthetic waxes do not leave residue or discoloration.
I still can't get rid of the white stuff on the mud guards, since the day they sold it to me.

[Brandon1]

I only tape for compounding, others I dont.

Zaino, IMO, pass. There is much better for the money.......

Z8 is nice though, only thing worth getting from Z IMO

[Herbicidal]

Originally Posted by zpaul

I still can't get rid of the white stuff on the mud guards, since the day they sold it to me.

There are products that are supposed to remove wax residue from plastic, however, I don't have any recommendations. The other low tech way is...don't laugh...peanut butter! I would suggest smooth, not chunky! After a quick search on the internet I found THIS.

[mitchellh]

Originally Posted by zpaul

Do you tape the plastic when detailing? Most of synthetic waxes do not leave residue or discoloration.
I still can't get rid of the white stuff on the mud guards, since the day they sold it to me.

when use #26 wax i almost always goof up and get some wax on a trim piece. Mothers back to black cleans it right up, give it a shot.

You just wipe it on, wait a few seconds then buff it a little with a rag.

[zpaul]

Thanks for all the responses guys. Will give it a shot!

[rick124]

Brandon, on a new tundra, slate metallic, what would you recommend after washing and claying? DG #101, DG #652, Mezerna FPII or Mezerna nano-polish. It sounds as if you refer to the DG 652 as more of a glaze than polish. I currently have the following-Meguiars car wash, magic clay bar, optimum compound-won't use it yet, DG #652, DG #105 and Aquawax. I plan on using the PC kit from autogeek.com when it shows up this week. Let me know if I need to get something else as I want to do it correctly the first time. Thanks for the great write up.

[Brandon1]

Go with FPII or Nano Polish. Duragloss polishes arent anything to write home about, I just stuck those in the writeup for people that cant buy online.

[rick124]

Brandon, what is the difference between the FPII and the PO87MCQ(micro-polish)? Auto geek told me that they were the same. Anyways I ordered the nano and micro polish as I was told that the nano would remove more imperfections from an older tacoma I have, of course I'm going to use a compound on that truck, and the micro would be fine on the new tundra. One other question, have you ever used the duragloss 601 bonding before the 105? Is it worth the extra step? Thanks for your help.

[Brandon1]

I dont know about much diffrence. I think it is the same actually.

Maybe try some PO106FF instead. That has a little more cut than FPII and has a nicer gloss and finish. Also for a compound try Menzerna Super Intensive Polish. You can get smaller sizes by getting the Wolfgang 3.0 Polish Duo, they are made by Menzerna.

I never use 601 before the 105, but i'm sure it would not hurt the performance of the sealant

[nbalakers32]

i have a black 04 DC. It has swirl marks everywhere. Would using meguiars professional series products work good at helping rid the paint of all its scratches?

[Brandon1]

Yes, I use meguiars products frequently. #83 and #80 seem to work the best.

[Tundradrenalin]

I bought some StarBrite vinyl cleaner/polisher from Boater's World and buffed up my tonneau cover the other day. It was an experiment I've been wanting to try, because I usually use 303 on the cover to bring out the luster, unfortunately the bugs love the smell of the 303. Well, BW was going out of business so I stocked up on boat cleaner supplies (it was cheap!) for use on my truck. The StarBrite stuff is amazing!!!

First I wiped all the freakin pollen off with a rag. Then I sprayed SB onto a MF Vroom towel, wiped it wet on the tonneau. Let it penetrate for a minute in the shade. Then I buffed it off with a dry Vroom MF. If you don't buff off the excess, it'll feel a little greasy to the touch (not nice for a roll-up tonneau). You may could use this on the plastic bed rails as well, kind of restores the original luster. This stuff makes the water bead up immediately and roll off the tonneau cover, even the morning dew beads up and rolls off clean when I get drivin'.

The product is made for boat vinyl, such as seats and so forth, but it works wonders for the tonneau cleaning/polishing. It may sound silly to "polish" a tonneau, but I highly recommend it. I'll probably do this once every 3-4 months.


*edit: fyi, it's a vinyl tonneau cover, Vanish is the name.*

[Brandon1]

I've got a bottle somewhere that I used to use on the boat. I may have to dig it back out again!