View Full Version : new from midwest michigan!
insanitykouki
04-09-2007, 12:13 AM
hey im pretty new so to speak. only a few years. nothing pro just detailing. Ive had a few people pay me for wax jobs and cleaning but im ready to take it to the next level. i REALLY enjoy cleaning my car seeing it go from normal so so to super shiney and clean, i really enjoy it very fulfilling (cheesy i know whatev)
first car i had i was dreading having to clean/wax it kinda sucked but i put in a real killer effort and it was the best feeling ever i was super excited. windows were so clean i could literally see every reflection from inside the car it was so awesome.
so now im ready to step it up. Im at the "level" where i can wash and wax a car pretty well but... i want to go more. ive never clay bar or polished a car and im kinda nervous and anxious. Im up for any tips/suggestions you guys have :) imma continue to troll around the forums here now see what i can learn. nice to meet you guys!
heres a pic of my best wash wax on my 1998 nissan 240sx
http://a681.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/55/l_3b1b6f42b9101d2037049107bfd9df28.jpg
http://a547.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/22/l_0e91c014640474b35047c56e18a7a15a.jpg
http://a410.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/40/l_ed2f15b820afcc4cc8bd8bf3493ec439.jpg
Welcome to the forums and the detailing addiction!
BlueZero
04-09-2007, 01:06 PM
Welcome!
Lone_Star
04-10-2007, 11:02 AM
Welcome!
Grimm
04-10-2007, 01:17 PM
welcome to the insanity!
Welcome to the forums, and noice ride!
I'm sure you're a bit apprehensive about claying and polishing, but trust me--dive in headfirst. With the right approach (which should be pretty well documented on the forums) and a little bravery, you'll find that it's actually quite easy and idiot-proof to make your car PERFECT. Time consuming--absolutely--but you'll get quicker with practice as you become more confident.
Also, although the aesthetic/etc. benefits of the online boutique products can be a bit overhyped, they're almost always very easy and fast to use. You'll find that some products will enable you to cut your time/effort down, making your detailing experience even more rewarding (yeah, we here all know that feeling :mrgreen: ).
insanitykouki
04-11-2007, 12:20 AM
thank you all for the welcome :D
quick question, because im kind of on a TIGHT budget (till one of my intercoolers sell) i cant buy something real expensive as far as detailing goes
i need to clay/polish my car before saturday after noon for a car show which i think bob should go to (its at GVSU) but what is a good brand clay and clay liquid stuff and a good polish i can buy to hold me off till i can get something good off danase and wait for shipping. oh and with polishes will i need a rotory buffer or whatever? all i got now is microfiber :D lol thanks for any help fellah's!
I would of loved to made that show. The only problem is I will be helping/watching :lol: my brother inlaw lay a new floor in our kitchen Saturday.
Here is the thing about clay...a quick lesson. All clay is now manufactured by "Auto Wax Company". It has to do with patent rights and other issues but they are the only manufacturer right now. So, this means that any clay you buy it is coming from the same place. However, it doesn't really mean that the clay is the same because they can be custom made for companies. With that note, I would go with the Clay Magic Clay Kit. It comes with a blue clay and clay lube and can be found at most parts stores.
As for polish, I really wouldn't polish by hand and expect much. If I where you I would go to the parts store and grab some Mother's Paint Sealant. It seems to hide minor swirls which would be good for a hand wax job and will make the car look better at the show. When you get ready to purchase a machine go with the Cyclo or a dual action polisher like the Porter Cable. I should be carrying a new polisher this year but it is months away yet.
insanitykouki
04-11-2007, 11:36 AM
mothers painat sealant eh? how is that applied same as wax or is it more of a polish where you rub it in?
ill just wait till you get a polisher in stock bob :D gives me time to finish my turbo project anyways before purchasing other things lol. There are quite a few swirls (not too bad barely noticable) and they seem to go away when i actually take the time to wash it and not when its super windy/cold like it has been and im hurrying lol... ill give the clay and sealant then wax a go this friday night before the show! thanks guys :D
The Sealant is applied like a wax would be applied.
I have a few polishers in stock...just not the new one I will be carrying. :D
No problemo!
Russecu
04-11-2007, 01:37 PM
mothers painat sealant eh? how is that applied same as wax or is it more of a polish where you rub it in?
ill just wait till you get a polisher in stock bob :D gives me time to finish my turbo project anyways before purchasing other things lol. There are quite a few swirls (not too bad barely noticable) and they seem to go away when i actually take the time to wash it and not when its super windy/cold like it has been and im hurrying lol... ill give the clay and sealant then wax a go this friday night before the show! thanks guys :D
If you are not going to polish after claying then make sure you use plenty of lube with the clay as to reduce the chance of adding additional marring or swirls. Good luck!
I second the Mothers Sealant recommendation for store-bought. Both FX Synwax and Relfections Advanced Car Wax (they're both sealants) are as good as it gets locally. Just apply and remove as with any other wax.
insanitykouki
04-12-2007, 12:48 AM
cool cool would it be criminal to skip claying untill i get a polisher/polish and seal/wax or is sealing something you pretty much only do after a claying/polishing?
Russecu
04-12-2007, 11:00 AM
Personally I would wait until I polish the paint, but then again I am not going to a show. If the paint is rough now then you can run the chance of inducing marring from the clay. Use the plastic bag method to see how rough your paint is. A sandwich bag will work. Rub it across your paint and you will be able to feel the contaminates. Claying will make your paint feel real slick which is nice.
insanitykouki
04-12-2007, 11:19 AM
hmmm never heard of that method :D ill give it a try and ye ah i dont want marring if im not going to be polishing it. BUT i will clay bar it soon as it gets warm, a friend who does body work for a living owes me a buffing :D sooo even if it is contaminated i can wait till then :D
you guys have the best advice ever lol :D
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