Hi, I just had a question about detailing the car.

I'm finally planning on spending the weekend on cleaning and detailing my 01 pearl white maxima but am not sure what order to do things in.

I plan to Compound, Clay, Polish and Liquid Glass Wax my maxima in the course of the weekend and was wondering if anyone could provide tips on which order to do them and which products work best that I can pick up from a local AutoZone or Strauss Auto.

Thanks in Advance =)

 

What items are you using?

 

So Far I have "Liquid Glass" ULtimate Auto Polish/Finish and Turtlewax wax, and turtlewax compound. Am looking to purchase mother's clay bar and was wondering if there are any suggestions on other products or the order to do them in.

 

If your paint isn't heavily oxidized or swirled to hell, a compound like that would not be necessary. However, I would recommend getting a decent polish like Einszett Metallic, Menzerna Final Polish, Meguiar's Dual Action Cleaner Polish....in short, you will need a mild polish to remove the swirls.

With that said.....

a) Wash
b) Clay (I prefer the Clay Magic bar more than the Mothers)
c) Polish
d) Wax. Many of us will use either waxes or polymers like Klasse.

 

Check this out. Has a lot of the stuff you need: http://store.auto-geek.net/wg6500.html

 

Do you recommend any type of specific wax or is the Liquid Glass Wax a nice wax to finish off the detailing?

 

It depends on if you are looking for durability as well as gloss.

If you are looking for a carnuba wax with a good gloss, check out S100.

 

If the car isn't that bad I wouldn't even use DACP, especially by hand. You can probably pick up Meguiars Swirl remover from Autozone...pretty good light polish/glaze. If you're Auto-zoning it, then you could go with one of Meguiar's waxes too...NXT if you want to use a sealant or their yellow carnuba or whatever if you want wax. Turtle wax is crapola...Meguiars isn't the best, but it's a safe bet and is available everywhere. If you want to order stuff online then absolutely go with some of the stuff Prinz is recommending...or Klasse or whatever.

Try http://autopia-carcare.com/?source=autopia_store_page or http://properautocare.com/ for ordering online.

 

strauss is having a sales on nxt wax next week for 11.99 and the car wash for 5.99
if you wand a glaze strauss also sell meg #7 for 5.00 on their discount shelf. and also #26 for like 5.00 also.
personally i wouldnt use the t/w compound i dont think its clear coat safe.
these are the items you can pick up at your local strauss or auto zone. and if you want to go all out listen to prinz he knows what he talkin about
liquid glass wax is a pain to tkae off

 

Here's an idea of what I would use if I were to personally detail your car:

a) Wash car with Meguiar's Gold Class Shampoo
b) Clay car with Clay Magic Clay Bar and a MF. Also clay rims.
c) Polish using Einszett Metallic Polish
d) Polish using Klasse All In One
e) Top with Klasse Sealant Glaze (3x)
f) Top with S100

By the time you are done with this process, your car will be quite gleaming. it's just going to take a while if you are going to do this by hand.

 

But if you were to use NXT, definitely do the polishing step with Einszett's Metallic Polish.

 

That's pretty much the standard "ridiculous detail" except the polishes...those seem to vary a lot between users.

I'm trying out the Menzerna final polish and the ridiculoso expensive Pinnacle Souveran wax...just placed my second $100 order from CMA this week.

 

Thanks guys for the great help, after reading all opinions I decided on going with Prinz II's "ridiculous" detailing. Thanks for all your help !

oh and just 1 question what does MF mean ? when Prinz wrote Clay Magic and a "MF"? =P sorry

 

MF = micro fiber. Use a MF towel to wipe the finish as you're using the clay bar and lubricant.

 

Bear in mind, those are just the exterior steps. I didn't get into the interior steps because I am not sure whether or not you have leather or cloth interior.

As endus said, it may seem ridiculous and a lot of work, but you'll be pleased with the end results.


BTW, here's the list of what I'd use and where to get it.

Meguiar's Gold Class Shampoo: You can get this at Target. I have the $128 oz size and only paid $9.99

California Water Blade: I scarfed mine at AutoZone

Eimann Fabrik Hi Intensity: www.properautocare.com
I use this to clean the tires and rims

Klasse All In One & Sealant Glaze: I got mine from www.tacscar.com several years ago but you can get it at www.properautocare.com, www.autogeek.net, and a few other places.

Einszett Metallic Polish: http://autopia-carcare.com/?source=autopia_store_page

S100 Carnuba Wax: Harley Davidson Store (In my case, Chicago Harley Davidson in Orland Park, IL) for $14.95

Microfibers: I got mine from www.yosteve.com but you can get them from www.pakshak.com

If you want the complete grocery list including towels and applicators, PM me

 

If you want a good example of what the Klasse/S100 combo looks like on a Glacier Pearl, check out this thread by asu174