Detailing How-To

[brad6841]

This is a how to I posted on another site I am a member of and I thought it might be helpful for this site....

This How-To starts assuming that you know how to correctly...

- Wash your truck and remove any bugs, road tar, bird crap, eggs, tree sap, etc. Most times Wal-Mart or your local auto parts store will have a wide variety of products you can use to remove any of the above mentioned crap.

- Remove the surface your working on from the sun and allow it to cool. You may need to move your truck during the process to shade the surfaces your working on from the sun, and to allow them to cool before applying any product to them.

Here's some pics of all products and tools that I'm am going to be using in the How-To below...

<img width="600" src="http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u83/brad6841/DSC00502.jpg">
<img width="600" src="http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u83/brad6841/DSC00504.jpg">
<img width="600" src="http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u83/brad6841/DSC00527.jpg">
(2 Microfiber Towels, Mother's 3 step paint protection system, Poor Boys Natty's Paste Wax, Meguire's Swirl Remover, Sonus Carnuba finishing spritz, 1 Porter Cable Random Orbital Polisher/Sander, 3 Polishing Pads of vairious densities, 3M blue painters tape, and 1 Hand foam wax applicator)

For this How-To I removed the tailgate from my truck and placed it on the ground. I've found it is much easier to do this then to try and detail it on the truck, plus I wanted to use something small for this How-To. You could place the tailgate on any surface that will hold it if you do not want to work on the ground. All you'll need to do to detail your whole rig is take the steps I'm going to show you and apply them on a larger scale.

<img width="600" src="http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u83/brad6841/DSC00528.jpg">

Once you make sure your surface is clean, dry, and free from impurities your going to want to tape off and areas that you don't want to get wax on. I prefer to use the 3M blue painters tape because it is easily removable and leaves no residue.

<img width="600" src="http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u83/brad6841/DSC00525.jpg">
I tape off the tailgate handle and bezel along with the plastic cap. You'll want to tape these off, if they're not painted, to avoid getting any wax on these textured surfaces. Getting wax on this textured surface makes for a nightmare to try and remove it. :x

<img width="600" src="http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u83/brad6841/DSC00530.jpg">
<img width="600" src="http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u83/brad6841/DSC00531.jpg">

 

[brad6841]

Step 1 - To begin the waxing process, your going to want to start with the Yellow pad (colors vary by manufacture so you'll want to make sure this is a cutting and/or scratch removal pad).

<img width="600" src="http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u83/brad6841/DSC00522.jpg">

A speed of 5 on the polisher.

<img width="600" src="http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u83/brad6841/DSC00552.jpg">

And the Step 1 "Pre Wax Cleaner" in the Mother's 3 step paint protection process.

<img width="600" src="http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u83/brad6841/DSC00512.jpg">

If this is a new pad your going to want to apply a generous amount of product to the pad, just to get it worked into the pad. I like to use a swirl technique to make sure there is even coverage on the whole pad.

If this is a used pad, or you need to reapply to the new pad you can apply small amounts using 4 to 5 dime sized dots on the pad.

<img width="600" src="http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u83/brad6841/DSC00532.jpg">

After applying the product to the pad blot the pad a few times onto the surface of the area your going to be working to spread the product onto the surface and to work it into the pad.

<img width="600" src="http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u83/brad6841/DSC00534.jpg">
<img width="600" src="http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u83/brad6841/DSC00533.jpg">

Place the pad onto the surface and turn the polisher on. (It is important to start and stop the polisher while on the surface to minimize the swirls left by the polisher) Move the polisher over the entire area to spread the product out evenly and to not let the spots dry on the surface.

<img width="600" src="http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u83/brad6841/DSC00535.jpg">

After you've covered all the areas where you blotted the product continue to move the polisher around the area using back and forth, side to side, diagonal motions, so to not keep working the product in the same direction. This will also help to minimize the swirls left by the polisher.

Apply a gentle pressure while moving the polisher, and feel free to use short bursts of heavy pressure if needed to remove stubborn defects or markings in the paint. Be sure to use short bursts and not constant heavy pressure as you could burn the paint away and cause major damage.

After you've worked all the product in you will start to see a slight haze over the entire surface at this point turn off the polisher and allow it to stop moving before removing it from the surface. The surface may not look covered and that is normal, the correct amount will be a light coating with a slight haze Too much will look like a heavy chalky build up, if that is the case wipe away immediately and to not allow to dry.

Once you've removed the polisher from the surface allow the product to dry for few minutes until the surface looks hazy and the product wipes away easily.

Buff the entire area with your microfiber towel to remove all of the dried product.

<img width="600" src="http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u83/brad6841/DSC00536.jpg">

 

[brad6841]

Step 2 - remove the Yellow pad and attach the White (light swirl remover/paint polishing) Pad. (Your going to want to keep track of the pads you use because product should not be mixed on different pads. As you use a pad keep track of the product you applied with it so you can use that pad for the same product the next time you apply it).

<img width="600" src="http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u83/brad6841/DSC00521.jpg">

A speed of 5 on the polisher.

<img width="600" src="http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u83/brad6841/DSC00552.jpg">

Apply the Step 2 "Glaze and Sealer" to the white pad using the same application method as detailed in step one above. Generous swirl for a new pad, or 4 to 5 spots for a used pad.

<img width="600" src="http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u83/brad6841/DSC00514.jpg">
<img width="600" src="http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u83/brad6841/DSC00537.jpg">

Apply the product to the surface using the same method as above, but avoid any heavy pressure. This step should be applied using only gentle pressure to work the product into the surface.

<img width="600" src="http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u83/brad6841/DSC00538.jpg">
<img width="600" src="http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u83/brad6841/DSC00539.jpg">

Once the product is worked in you will again see the light haze and you can turn off the polisher and allow it to stop.

Remove the polisher from the surface and again buff clean with the microfiber towel.

<img width="600" src="http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u83/brad6841/DSC00536.jpg">

This next step may be skipped based on the current look of your paint. Some paints, mainly those with a metallic look them, hide the swirls quite well and do not need to be polished with the swirl remover. Most flat paint colors (red, black, blue, green, white, etc) or paint that is badly damaged will need to be polished with the swirl remover to help remove the swirls that may appear in the paint.

If you feel you do not need the swirl remover skip to step 4.

 

[brad6841]

Step 3 - Remove the white pad you just used for the "Sealer and Glaze" and attach a new white pad or one you've used to apply "Swirl Remover" before.

<img width="600" src="http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u83/brad6841/DSC00510.jpg">

You'll apply this swirl remover in the same fashion you applied the "Sealer and Glaze". Apply a generous amount to a new pad or 4 or 5 spots for a used pad. Apply to the surface using gentle pressure

And a buffer speed of 5

Apply this product to the surface the same as above, blot on entire surface and then work into surface. As you work this product into the surface begin to apply less and less pressure until your final few passes are only using the weight of the polisher to apply the pressure. Remember to move the polisher in various directions.

Polish until there is a light haze, then shut off the polisher and wait until it stops to remove from the surface.

Buff clean with the microfiber towel.

Step 4 - Mother's pure Carnuba wax liquid. To apply this product remove the white (light swirl remover/paint polishing) and attach the blue (Final finish/wax polishing pad) to the polisher.

<img width="600" src="http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u83/brad6841/DSC00520.jpg">
<img width="600" src="http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u83/brad6841/DSC00516.jpg">

Apply the product to pad using the same method as above, generous swirl for a new pad or 4 or 5 spots for used pad.

<img width="600" src="http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u83/brad6841/DSC00540.jpg">

And a beginning buffer speed of 5

<img width="600" src="http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u83/brad6841/DSC00552.jpg">

Apply the product to the surface the same as above, blot the product onto the surface and work the polisher over the entire surface to spread out evenly. Apply this product to the surface using only the weight of the polisher to apply the pressure.

<img width="600" src="http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u83/brad6841/DSC00541.jpg">

For your final pass over the surface bump the speed of the polisher up to 6 and make a few quick passes over the entire surface to polish it to a shine.

<img width="600" src="http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u83/brad6841/DSC00553.jpg">
<img width="600" src="http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u83/brad6841/DSC00541.jpg">

Allow the product to dry to a haze and buff off with the microfiber towel.

<img width="600" src="http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u83/brad6841/DSC00536.jpg">

 

[brad6841]

Step 5 - Natty's paste wax. To apply this step you will use the foam hand applicator.

<img width="600" src="http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u83/brad6841/DSC00506.jpg">
<img width="600" src="http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u83/brad6841/DSC00518.jpg">

Dampen the applicator with clean tap water

<img width="600" src="http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u83/brad6841/DSC00542.jpg">

Apply this product using a small amount on the edge of the applicator.

<img width="600" src="http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u83/brad6841/DSC00543.jpg">

Apply to the surface using very light pressure and small swirls to make sure it is evenly applied.

<img width="600" src="http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u83/brad6841/DSC00544.jpg">

Allow to dry for a few minutes, until you see a haze and then buff clean with the microfiber towel.

<img width="600" src="http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u83/brad6841/DSC00536.jpg">

 

[brad6841]

Step 6 - Sonus Carnuba Spritz. To apply this product spray a small amount onto the surface.

<img width="600" src="http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u83/brad6841/DSC00545.jpg">

And wipe off with a clean microfiber towel. (You may purchase small microfiber towels for this step as a large towel is not needed)

This product can also be used after washing, in between detailings to help keep the Carnuba surface fresh to protect the paint.

Remove any tape you may have applied and sit back and enjoy your shiny, clean, detailed rig.... Run your hand lightly over the surface to check for smoothness, the surface should be very smooth to the touch. If you notice any imperfections go over them again using the step you feel it may have been missed during the multiple steps.

<img width="600" src="http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u83/brad6841/DSC00547.jpg">
<img width="600" src="http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u83/brad6841/DSC00548.jpg">
<img width="600" src="http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u83/brad6841/DSC00549.jpg">
<img width="600" src="http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u83/brad6841/DSC00551.jpg">

Using this How-To you should be able adapt these steps to detail your entire rig. I recommend doing one entire portion (hood, roof, side, trunk, hatch, tailgate, etc.) with a certain product before continuing onto the next product. This will ensure you don't overlap onto different body panels and ruin some of the work you may have just completed.

I am also open to adaptation of this How-To using different products. You don't have to use the Mother's 3 step paint protection process or the Sonus Carnuba Spritz. There is a great multi-step product that is made by Sonus and there is also a multi-step product that is made by Poor Boys. Either of these (or others) can be adapted into the How-To and my provide same as, if not better results. I just choose to use Mother's because it is available at most Wal-Marts and autoparts stores. If you choose to use another product and need help adapting it into this How-To just let me know and I'll try to help you with the adaptation.

Please let me know if you guys have any additional questions or you notice any holes or sections you don't understand and I'll try and explain them as best I can.

 

[Iron Clad Lou]

wow, nice write up man!

 

[rook]

Great write-up. Like you stated, do not let the product dry out when buffing. The crystals that remain are what cause swirls.

Also, be careful around edges, mouldings, corners etc. These areas quickly dry out and get hot, which can burn through. I've had some good results with mother's power-ball in tight areas.