I've been reading up on how to detail a car for a few hours now. I've never done anything like this, always just taken it to the local Delta Sonic and have them wash it---never had them detail it. Well its been 2 years since I've had my X3--Black----and its time for a good detail and I'll probably do it tommorow.

Is there much difference between the various soaps to wash the car? I hear that a good detail is all in the prewash so im curious about this.

How exactly do you wax a car? I thought this link gave me a good idea on how exactly to go about waxing it, but then many of the user comments say NOT to use swirls, especially on a black car.
http://www.ehow.com/how_1327_wax-car.html

Is there anything else specifically I should be concerned about when I wash/wax it considering it hasn't been detailed for 2 years?

Thanks

Ashok

 

for the initail wash, use a dish washing detergent like dawn. it will strip any old wax off. follow that with a good clay bar to remove the paint contaminants. i didnt really believe in the clay bar until i used it the first time. makes a huge difference, even on newer paint. if its really bad you may also have to use a slighty abrasive polishing compound prior to new wax application

 

Thanks! +1 for you sir.

Weathers been really ****ty here though so the first day it gets better Ill take before/after shots.

 

 

Um....what?

 

hahahahaha.....(ok best post ever)

 

lol what am i missing

 

lol and the post is gone

 

WOW!!!! Follow those directions and you'll definitly get more swirls. To keep it simple Ashok, wash, clay, polish, and wax. Wash using a pH balanced soap, I like Zymol Clear. You don't necessarily need to use detergents to remove old wax; as you mentioned, it has never been detailed. Clay using a FINE grit of clay. Clay Magic is the original from Japan and you should be able to find it at Kragens or Pep Boys. If you want a better quality clay, use Sonus; I use Zymol Lehm Klay 2 and Lehm Lube. As for polishing and waxing, the sky is the limit. You can go the synthetic route which gives you gloss and shine, or the natural carnauba route that gives a warm glow, gloss, and depth. I personally like Zymol products as they are natural and they last. Zymol only has one polish, HD-Cleanse. You NEED this if applying Zymol Wax. The waxes are up to you on how long you want it to last, the quality, and $$$. I'd recommend Titanium, It's about $70 a jar, 1 jar will do about 50 applications and you need only to do 3-4 times per year depending on how you maintain. Other options are P21S which makes great products, Einzette is a good brand too. Hope this helps.

 

Wow, helps alot man. But do you have any input on the actual waxing technique since that link obviously doesn't help?

 

on a dark car, i'd apply wax in linear strokes instead of circular. for existing swirl, i have yet to find a good way to remove it. polish and wax doesn't do it.

 

Arite cool. Well im praying tommorows a nice day even tho it doesnt look to be that way. (Amazing that I can even hope theres a nice clear day in January here in NY haha). And hopefully I can get out and detail my car.

 

Swirls are seldom removed or minimized by hand if they're bad. You need to invest in a Dual Action Polisher from Porter Cable. It will not hurt the paint or burn it. You then need to get high quality polishes and foam pads and then you're in business.

 

yeah, that's what i thought. i should practice on my old prelude 1st

 

Proper waxing technique really depends on the wax you're using. As a rule of thumb, you ALWAYS want to avoid circular motion. Go linear, side to side. Make sure your towels are clean. Remove polish with a high-quality 100% cotton terry cloth. Remove wax with microfiber towels. If you use Zymol, not their Cleaner Wax, you don't have to worry about any residue along the seams or discoloring black trim. Make sure you're waxing in a relatively warm ambient temo, above 60. Ideally the paint should feel as warm as your skin. Avoid polishing and waxing in the sun. For the most part, your car will look its best after the first wash. All the dust, hazing, blotching, etc. will go away after the first wash.