spring is here, finally

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well, as the warm weather approaches, I am getting increasingly excited. Having a nice car without a garage can be heartbreaking during the winter months here. I still have not gone a week without washing it in the driveway. brrr. Now, time to fix what Michigan has done to it. A little background here, I have a 2000 Honda Prelude, Premium Pearl White (3 layer paint) When I got it in june of last year, they put a teflon sealant on the paint. I don't think this was nearly as good as most non-teflon products I can use myself. So anyways, Big detail coming. I do not have access to any power buffers or such. My plan is to wash wheelwells, engine (and remove all of the undercoat in my engine compartment) then wash car. Next I will be using clay on the entire car. Here is where I get stuck. Should I first polish before I use a clay? or should I polish after I clay? this is what i am thinking: WASH>CLAY>POLISH>SEAL? is this right? Also, Be prepared for a big order bob, To keep costs down for myself, I decided to have a detailing party with about 6 people and 40 beers and 20 hotdogs. the interest was great, so once the salt is totally gone we will be doing this. on a side note I need supplys not only for my car, the others are 04 mini S(blue), 05 ION redline(blue), 01 GTI(blue), 02 WRX(blue), 97 Taurus (silver). I can't imagine that the products would be different for different color cars, but if they are I could use a suggestion as to what to get for the different colors. I think I can get away with two of the exterior packages for this? plus 1-2 clay packages..... if I don't win one

THANKS!

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/7/web/607000-607999/607200_11_full.jpg

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/7/web/607000-607999/607200_12_full.jpg

[Bob]

Nice car!

You are correct, you will want to clay the car first then polish it.

As for different products for different colors it is totally up to you. Some people like certain products for certain colors. Depending on the shape of the cars, sounds like they are in really good shape already, will depend on the products you use. If you are just looking for a light polish I suggest Poorboy's Polish with Carnuba Followed by your choice of sealant, either EX or EX-P. Of course that is my two cents. If other people chime in I am sure they will have different opinions.

If there is anything else you need to know feel free to ask away.

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thanks! Yeah, probably a light polish would be best. they're all nice except for the taurus (my g/f car) I try to take care of it, but I already have two, 86 bronco, and prelude, so it's tough getting to hers sometimes. I'm really looking forward to this, I love clean cars. here's my truck too. stupid rust.
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/7/web/619000-619999/619729_1_full.jpg

[Bob]

Truck looks good too! Hard to see any rust in that pic!

[Mirrored_Images]

Welcome! Nice looking cars(truck) too! Good idea on the detailing party! I wish I knew where ferndale was I would swing by.

As for process as Bob said you are correct in Wash-->Clay-->Polish-->Seal. This way when you polish you dont level off contaminants that are stuck in the paint. If you clay before you polish it will remove more of the contaminant (I hope that makes sense).
If you have 5-7 cars at your detailing day my order would look something like this:
Grit guard(s) for bucket(s). Some nice sheepskin wash mitts (or chenille pads). If you want to order everything from danase I would suggest the following:
Poorboys Super slick soap
2 clay bar kits (there is some older cars listed you may need the second bar)
SSR 2.5, SSR1 (SSR3 if there is severe marring on a car attending)
all of these can be worked by hand. Be sure to use the SSR1 though after a heavier polish if doing by hand. This will help remove some "hazing" that might occur.
Shining monkey Hand glaze...I have tested this out a little for myself and I am really liking the look of it. It is easy on and off. This will help hide some minor marring that polishing did not remove.
Poorboys EX or Ex-P...There is a VERY slight difference in looks between the two on light and dark vehicles. I personally like EX on my black car better than Ex-P..but seeing you ahve a white car it should look great.

You should be able to get by with smaller bottles of the SSR lines for the 7 vehicles (dont be a victim of over using product ;) ) It wont hurt anything on the paint but will make your wallet more streamline :D
BUt hey if you are planning to do this more often gallon sizes are a real cost saver in the long run.

Hope this helps you aout a little.

P.s. Teflon is a crock...If you have not had the sealant re-applied at the dealership every 6 months or a year (what ever is in the contract) it wont last for the 5 years they claim...they make you get it re-applied in order to uphold that warranty claim.

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nice! thanks for the help. I got angry at the dealership that I bought the car at, when they did the sealant, they did not do a very good wash and sealed some crap in around my license plate. I am probably the only one who would see it, but hey, It's my car right? So anyways I didn't want to take it back for the other coats, I don't care about the warranty if they don't do a good job anyways. I'll post some pics tomorrow showing what they did with the undercoating. Unbelieveable, they sprayed the engine compartment, shock towers and the fenders where they meet the engine compartment. This is a few day job to fix, I have been putting it off for a while, but every time I am under the hood my arm hair gets stuck to it and then gets pulled out :x, not to mention It's ugly as all get out. so It's gotta go. I think the 3m tar/wax remover will do good with a plastic putty knife since it is a tarry waxy substance. And ferndale is where I-75 and I-696 meet. Always welcome to swing by! I'll post the date as it gets closer.

[Mirrored_Images]

I-75 and 696 I remember those being on the eastern side of the state correct?

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you must be far from here... yes, the eastern side, Royal oak and woodward area.

[Bob]

Scott,

It would be about the same, maybe a little bit shorter, than when you came to the xceedspeed BBQ. ;)

[Mirrored_Images]

oh yeah that is far :D

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http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/7/web/619000-619999/619729_15_full.jpg


so here is the big project, removal of "over coat" this should be fun......

[Bob]

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/7/web/619000-619999/619729_15_full.jpg


so here is the big project, removal of "over coat" this should be fun......

Have fun with that! :lol:

[Mirrored_Images]

whoa...better you than me removing that gunk!!

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yeah, If you look close you can see places my arm has stuck to it. :lol:

[OI812]

Nice looking vehicles. I would come to the party, but if it is to far for Mirrored, then it is wayyyyy to far for me. :lol: