Critique my detailing plans

saj77 · Post by **saj77** » Tue May 07, 2019 4:07 pm

Hi all,

Planning on detailing my Zed roadster.

Never detailed a car 'properly' before, as my garage with lots of half empty and unused products will testify to!

Heres my plan, with products -

1 Clean wheels
Bilt Hammer Wheel cleaner and Meguiars Gold class shampoo

2 Wash car
Meguiars Gold class shampoo

3 Clay
Meguiars Quik Clay bar kit and Quick detailer

4 Wash car again

5 Polish by hand
Autoglym SRP

6 Wax
Harly or Collinite 476 - buff off with Chemical Guys Speed wipe

7 Wheel wax
Poorboys Wheel sealant - buff off with Chemical Guys Speed wipe

8 Tyre dressing
Autoglym instant

Questions -

Do I just clean the roof using the Meguiars Gold class shampoo with mitt, as per the rest of the car?

Are my steps are in the correct order?

Are my products good choices?

Cheers

Saj

Z4 Gaz · Post by **Z4 Gaz** » Tue May 07, 2019 4:21 pm

2.5 De-tar. I recommend auto smart tar and glue remover.

Autoglym SRP isn't the best, jack of all, master of non springs to mind. It is a filler polish, meaning the finish will degrade over time.

BeeEmm · Post by **BeeEmm** » Tue May 07, 2019 4:36 pm

This is what I did. viewtopic.php?f=15&t=105290&p=1533699#p1533699 There are 1,000s of products and I would recommend everything I used. Others will recommend what they like, so you need to make up your own mind. The order to do things is there and I used a polisher which helped me. Bilt Hamber products are great and also the Autosmart Tardis is a must with the decontamination process. Good luck.

saj77 · Post by **saj77** » Tue May 07, 2019 4:52 pm

Z4 Gaz wrote: ↑Tue May 07, 2019 4:21 pm 2.5 De-tar. I recommend auto smart tar and glue remover.

Thanks Gaz will take a look.

BeeEmm wrote: ↑Tue May 07, 2019 4:36 pm This is what I did. viewtopic.php?f=15&t=105290&p=1533699#p1533699

Wow - that looks a great job! I'll take some pointers from there

GAZA62 · Post by **GAZA62** » Tue May 07, 2019 6:00 pm

As above AG is a filler polish but working by hand your not gonna shift a lot of swirls so will be fine I have tried a few so called swirl removal polishes that can be worked by hand but no great success.

Have never used a bodywork shampoo on the roof but I now have mine cleaned and sealed by a pro detailer once a year so just give it a good blast with my hose (not a pressure washer ) and it looks great all year.

This is the results I have had working by hand over the years not what you get with machine work but not bad reflections on a Silver car.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/gaza62/al ... 8883260773

buzyg · Post by **buzyg** » Tue May 07, 2019 8:37 pm

Autoglym do a good kit for cleaning the soft top.
https://www.autoglym.com/products/conve ... mplete-kit

Daft to clean your wheels and then wash the car. All the dirty water will muck em up again before you apply the sealant.

Don't forget the interior. I spend as much time cleaning the hinges carpets in my boot, as I do on my wheels. My wheels badly need a refurb mind you.

Umfaan · Post by **Umfaan** » Tue May 07, 2019 8:46 pm

Best to wash your wheels first , then the bodywork ....then rinse .....

idej_z4 · Post by **idej_z4** » Tue May 07, 2019 9:08 pm

Here is what mine gets once a year. viewtopic.php?f=15&t=107219

My advice would be not to use the quick detailer so early on (if at all as a quick detailer is for top-ups between polishing and sealing). The first 5-6 stages are about stripping the car back so you can get maximum results from the polishing stage before sealing.

DMC63 · Post by **DMC63** » Tue May 07, 2019 9:29 pm

I use Chemical guys 'clean slate' before I start anything else. Gets rid of all the layers of products that have built up over the years.

Jaw · Post by **Jaw** » Wed May 08, 2019 1:55 am

yes, as mentioned SRP is full of fillers - if you want to really correct your paint rather than patch it up, go for a polish with more cut and a Random Orbital/ Dual Action polisher

saj77 · Post by **saj77** » Wed May 08, 2019 6:36 am

Cheers guys for all your tips and advice! I'll post photos once I'm done

Migizi · Post by **Migizi** » Fri May 10, 2019 11:32 am

you forgot to insert 'consume adult beverage' in-between various steps

saj77 · Post by **saj77** » Fri May 10, 2019 12:47 pm

Migizi wrote: ↑Fri May 10, 2019 11:32 am you forgot to insert 'consume adult beverage' in-between various steps

haha you are right!! I have bought all the products to 'force' me to do it - just need to get motivated!

My problem is, if the weather is good enough to clean the car..........I'd rather go out for a drive! Especially since I've just got it!

Beeacon · Post by **Beeacon** » Fri May 10, 2019 1:12 pm

saj77 wrote: ↑Fri May 10, 2019 12:47 pm
Migizi wrote: ↑Fri May 10, 2019 11:32 am you forgot to insert 'consume adult beverage' in-between various steps

haha you are right!! I have bought all the products to 'force' me to do it - just need to get motivated!

My problem is, if the weather is good enough to clean the car..........I'd rather go out for a drive! Especially since I've just got it!

not sure if anyone has mentioned it yet but you should wash the car on an overcast day if possible. Otherwise the sun dries out the products and can leave streaks on the car. At least when its overcast you also won't be too upset about not driving it

saj77 · Post by **saj77** » Fri May 10, 2019 1:24 pm

Beeacon wrote: ↑Fri May 10, 2019 1:12 pm not sure if anyone has mentioned it yet but you should wash the car on an overcast day if possible. Otherwise the sun dries out the products and can leave streaks on the car. At least when its overcast you also won't be too upset about not driving it

Fair point... you have taken away my only excuse not to do it

Z4-forum.com

Z4-forum.com