Advice on Detailing space grey Z4

B

braingirl

Member
 South London
Hi guys

In my quest to find something to do whilst waiting for my car to be delivered (hopefully not long now!), I have been researching about detailing.
This is not something that I have paid much attention to previously - due to a lack of time and interest (they weren't especially inspiring cars to spend a whole day washing/polishing).
So have generally left it to others to do.

However, now i am getting a car that will inspire me to keep looking shiny, a number of questions have arisen during my research.
I wonder if anyone may be able to provide answers?

1) Looking at a buying a whole set of stuff, and to get the whole nine yards including pressure washer for snow foaming etc, I am expecting to spend about £400. My view (which may be wrong i accept) is a lot of it will simply be about patience rather than technical skill. Although, i expect polishing (i won't buy a machine), and knowing the correct amount of claying etc will require expertise that i won't have. So the first question is should i just not bother, and pay for a maintenance plan with someone for around £750-£1000?

2) What is the best polish/sealant/wax/glaze to use of space grey e89 Z4? I was thinking the Werkstat Acrylic sealant kit since it was a midtone metallic colour.

3) The routine i was going to use was rinse, snow foam, rinse, wash bodywork, rinse, wash wheels and other bits, rinse, pat dry, tar remover, rinse, pat dry, [iron remover], rinse, pat dry, clay, rinse, pat dry, werkstat prime acrylic, werkstat acrylic jett trigger, werkstat acrylic glos.

Is that correct? is it too rushed, or is it too OCD?

thanks for your help
 
Can't be much help on the detailing side but i can pass on some tips i've picked up.

I used to wash the wheels last too, but noticed a lot of the pros do them first. I guess it's something to do with leaving water beads on the bodywork for such as long time before drying, while you wash the wheels. So i do them first now.

Also, just read forums, listen to the experts about what products and processes are best. I've heard of people going to the scrapyard and buying an old car panel to practice on. I remember when i first clayed my Bora i was petrified! And when i bought my Megiuars G220 polisher, the vendor had an old car which he demonstrated on and then supervised my first attempts at using it.

I personaly find it fun to clean my car, so i would rather spend the money on stuff and do it myself rather than a long term plan with a detailer. Even if the results aren't as good.
 
Def wash the wheels first, always have done, makes sense to get the dirtiest bits out the way first.

From your steps, I would do:

Rinse wheels, wash, rinse again and dry off to prevent spotting.

Have a cup of tea

Rinse car to get big bits off and wet paint work, snow foam, leave to dwell for 5 mins - rinse under pressure.

Dry the worst off, then iron remover, dwell and rinse.

Go round and detar where needed, another quick rinse. Then clay with plenty of lube. then rinse. Then pat dry.

Then apply your glaze and sealant assuming car doesn't need any correction.

As for skill needed for claying, anyone can do it assuming you have working limbs. Look on detailing world for a guide, or you tube

Also make sure you have a good mitt and 2 buckets for washing
 
Might need to get a collapsible gazebo to keep the sun/dust off the car whilst washing too.
It will give me something to do on a Sunday when I'm not playing golf.

Have been nosing around detailing world to formulate my process,
And get an idea about products.

As to clay I was going to start with something minimally abrasive like meguirs mild clay.

I am thinking that wheels are going to be a pain especially if having to take off and clean discs too.

If I get my act together, I may practise on the polo before it goes in as the part-ex
 
Good idea about shade, it makes life easier.

And you should only need a mild clay on a new car, especially combined with the other products you're mentioned to remove the fall out.

Don't clean discs, hubs yes but don't worry about cleaning the disks unless you are showing the car - keep products away from discs wherever possible.

Taking the wheels off to clean arches is a good idea though.
 
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