My thoughts on detailing beginner's pit falls

R

RX-78

Active member
 Liverpool
Obviously I've only done this for the first time but even then I found a few traps I fell into. I'm sure on some parts I'm wrong so feel free to correct/add points!

1. Essential equipment for detailing includes spacious garage or shaded & covered area. I found dust/tree leaves/insects were settling on the car faster then I could clean!
2. Do not clay/glaze/wax in sun. Clay sticks to everything under heat, lubes dry quickly and wax/glaze become harder to work with.
3. Order more then 1 bottle of quick detailer. I used 2/5th of bottle for claying. I need smoe more to be used for its intended use between wax now!
4. Always have more applicator/microfibre/clay then you need. There's always a risk you'll drop it 1/2 way through (I did).
5. Start early on the day! Full detailing work is a whole day (and sometimes more then a day) event.
6. Something small to sit on is very useful. I used step stool. Also a work trouser with integrated knee pad is good. I've got 5.11 tactical series TDU trousers.
7. Have a cold beer in the fridge & iPod station in the garage. Essential :D
 
RX-78 said:
Obviously I've only done this for the first time but even then I found a few traps I fell into. I'm sure on some parts I'm wrong so feel free to correct/add points!

1. Essential equipment for detailing includes spacious garage or shaded & covered area. I found dust/tree leaves/insects were settling on the car faster then I could clean!
2. Do not clay/glaze/wax in sun. Clay sticks to everything under heat, lubes dry quickly and wax/glaze become harder to work with.
3. Order more then 1 bottle of quick detailer. I used 2/5th of bottle for claying. I need smoe more to be used for its intended use between wax now!
4. Always have more applicator/microfibre/clay then you need. There's always a risk you'll drop it 1/2 way through (I did).
5. Start early on the day! Full detailing work is a whole day (and sometimes more then a day) event.
6. Something small to sit on is very useful. I used step stool. Also a work trouser with integrated knee pad is good. I've got 5.11 tactical series TDU trousers.
7. Have a cold beer in the fridge & iPod station in the garage. Essential :D
Click to expand...


Agree 100% :thumbsup: just washed my Z followed by a cool beer great way to start the weekend
 
I only have a single garage and no shaded/covered area. I have to do all works on a cloudy but not windy day. :(
 
All good advice. A quick tip about the clay. If you use a claybar by a company called Bilt and Hamber, i believe they call it Autoclay, then you dont have to use detailing spray. The clay is designed to work with just water. Its also a very good product in its own right. It will save you money and hassle.

ps Bilt and Hamber also do an LSP called Autobalm. It offers great protection whilst also helping to mask minor swirls and defects.
 
+1 I do agree with everyone above I use Zaino over here and get great results. They have good directions on the product as on there web site (makes good reading). I'm sure the product you fellows use also have good directions as well as a web site. I say follow the directions someone wrote them since they are important to obtain expected results. :)

http://www.zainostore.com/
 
Thanks guys :thumbsup: It took me a while to admit I'll have to clear the garage and move the car but that was worth the while.

Now I've got a huge conundrum - do I go along with long standing plan to expand the kitchen or upset the missus by objecting and keep the double garage purely for detailing :D
 
Keep the double garage. A bigger kitchen doesn't mean better food produced by your missus, but detailing the Zed indoor makes much difference. :)
 
Haha you are right, bigger kitchen doesn't produce better food. But it does produce better (tempered) missus :rofl:
 
RX-78 said:
Thanks guys :thumbsup: It took me a while to admit I'll have to clear the garage and move the car but that was worth the while.

Now I've got a huge conundrum - do I go along with long standing plan to expand the kitchen or upset the missus by objecting and keep the double garage purely for detailing :D
Click to expand...

I think that deep down you already know the answer to this question. :D
 
I do :D But I also value my life..... :P

Do you think a single garage can still be used for car cleaning if I keep it clear?
 
RX-78 said:
I do :D But I also value my life..... :P

Do you think a single garage can still be used for car cleaning if I keep it clear?
Click to expand...

Here is the perfect solution. Fit out the double garage like a kitchen with units around the edge, but keep the garage door!!! That way the missus cant complain about having a small kitchen, and when you want to detail you can just drive into the garage/kitchen! You get the best of both worlds. You can keep all your supplies in the kitchen units, you will have a heated, well lit place to work with hot and cold running water, and best of all......the wife can feed you whilst you detail!
 
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