Critique my detailing plans

S

saj77

Member
 North East
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! :oops:

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
 
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.
 
This is what I did. https://z4-forum.com/forum/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.
 
Z4 Gaz said:
2.5 De-tar. I recommend auto smart tar and glue remover.
Click to expand...
Thanks Gaz will take a look.

BeeEmm said:
This is what I did. https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=105290&p=1533699#p1533699
Click to expand...
Wow - that looks a great job! I'll take some pointers from there :thumbsup:
 
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/albums/72157628883260773
 
Autoglym do a good kit for cleaning the soft top.
https://www.autoglym.com/products/convertible-soft-top-clean-protect-complete-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. :wink:
 
Here is what mine gets once a year. https://z4-forum.com/forum/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.
 
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. :thumbsup:
 
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 :thumbsup:
 
Migizi said:
you forgot to insert 'consume adult beverage' in-between various steps
:rofl:
Click to expand...

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! :driving:
 
saj77 said:
Migizi said:
you forgot to insert 'consume adult beverage' in-between various steps
:rofl:
Click to expand...

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! :driving:
Click to expand...

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 :P
 
Beeacon said:
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 :P
Click to expand...

Fair point... you have taken away my only excuse not to do it :rofl:
 
Migizi said:
you forgot to insert 'consume adult beverage' in-between various steps
:rofl:
Click to expand...

Have done this before when adding another coat of wax was a lovely sunny evening perfect for a top down drive but I was over the limit when I had finished :rofl:
 
I need to detail my E89 as well. Going to do it when I get back from holiday. I have used this regime on various cars for many years and it woks brilliantly and I get fantastic beading. I do the car in "sectors" and complete one sector before going on to the next.

The sectors are: Roof (E89 obviously); , bonnet, front and wings; midsection; rear and boot.

1. Wash thoroughly. The wash of its life. Get into all the nooks and crannies and get all the s**t out. Rinse and dry with car CLEAN towel.
2. Decontaminate with Bilt Humber and let soak for 5 minutes. Use rubber gloves because it stinks and the smell stays on your hands for days afterwards if you don't!
3. Wash again throughly and dry with car towel
4. Clay bar with clay bar lubricant. If you drop the clay bar bin it and use a new piece. After this the panel should be smooth like glass
5. DA polishing machine with chemical guys pads. Don't need to spend too long unless your swirl marks are very bad. 10 minutes per panel is ample usually and often ten mins is enough. Maybe 20 on the huge Z4 bonnet/hood. I do not advise beginners use a rotary polisher, it can end in tears (got that T-shirt)
6. Sealant
7. Wax
8. After every wash use instant shine.

Redo that every year.
 
Basically just done the above today, the only difference being a ceramic coating rather than a traditional sealant. A long day's work but looking lovely now!
 

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Z4 Gaz said:
2.5 De-tar. I recommend auto smart tar and glue remover.
Click to expand...
+1 :thumbsup:


No. 5 - If DA is not possible and you have to polish by hand - Get a few of these https://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/ultimate-german-applicator
 
longshaw said:
No. 5 - If DA is not possible and you have to polish by hand - Get a few of these https://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/ultimate-german-applicator
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info - no DA, so just bought a couple! :thumbsup:
 
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