[col4bin]

after reading the sticky guide, I am still not even sure what I should be buying or how I should be doing this. I live in an apartment in downtown Denver so the the only place I can was my car is at one of the do it yourself places. But heck, I don't even know what to get. I have a coat of carnuba wax on right now (my car is only a week old) as I figured that was better than nothing. I had the place tha tinted my windows do it for me.

I want to be able to do this all myself. My car is already in need of a cleaning but I am so confused

[darkcloud]

PM George from Detailed Image, his name on here is detailedimage. He is a forum sponsor www.detailedimage.com Explain your situation and he'll be able to hook you up with everything to get the job done with what you have to currently work with.

Detailing is somewhat intimidating at first but once you get the first time out of the way it quickly becomes an addiction.

Good Luck

[RedGT3]

Dont be intimidated by it I just did my first detail and my car is not perfect but next time i'm sure I will do a better job. This is what bought from Detail Image.

Sheepskin Wash Mitt
Waffle Weave Drying Towel
MF towels

Porter Cable 7424
6" Backing Plate
6" Counter Weight
3x Orange Light Cutting Pads
3x White Polishing Pads
2x Black Finishing Pads
2x Blue Fine Finishing Pads
3x Snappy Clean Pad Cleaners


1.Fine Grade Clay Bar
2.Spray & Wipe (S&W) Manufacturer: Poorboy's World
3.Intensive Polish (IP) Manufacturer: Menzerna
4.106FF
5.EX-P Sealant Manufacturer: Poorboy's World
6.Natty's Blue Paste Wax Manufacturer: Poorboy's World

If your swirls are bad you consider SIP instead or IP
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[col4bin]

thanks. I will PM George.

[J-Sud]

also check out Detailed Image Guide

George and Greg are awesome

[FMINUS]

detail university has everything you need to learn. Its easy

[ralmeida]

Read & reread the stickies, and check the videos on AutoGeek. Once you get your head around the terms and some main ideas, it really isn't bad at all.

It also helps if there's another vehicle you can practice on...I did my first detail last weekend on my wife's 04 RAV-4. It's white and had never been detailed, so I figured it'd be a good first project, and if I may say, it came out great. I did a wash, clay, polish with Klasse AIO & white pad, and sealed with Klasse SG.

Looks brand new.

[col4bin]

One of my biggest challenges (besides figuring out how to do all of this) is where to wash my car. I live in a mid-rise city dwelling and there is no place to hook up a hose. I only know of power wash DIY places.

[Haywire]

dude i know what youre talking about, ive had my ride for a lil over a month now... truth is, some of these dudes are pro's and or serious enthusiasts. ive learned so much in the last lil bit, but its overwhelming...nothing you wont eventually catch on to.

truth is, youre obsessing a lil bit...which will pass, just learn for now...if its a new spanking ride, u really dont have much to worry about as of yet. Im puttin aside a few bucks each month so at the end of each year, i can get it detailed professionally.

its good to learn the small things tho, to minimize damage, wear and tear, etc....

[J-Sud]

Originally Posted by Haywire

dude i know what youre talking about, ive had my ride for a lil over a month now... truth is, some of these dudes are pro's and or serious enthusiasts. ive learned so much in the last lil bit, but its overwhelming...nothing you wont eventually catch on to.

tell me about it

[FMINUS]

Originally Posted by J-Sud

also check out Detailed Image Guide

George and Greg are awesome

I like ur sig

[L~R~G nor cal]

Originally Posted by FMINUS

I like ur sig

Maybe in a couple of months when your schedule dies down I can become FMINUS certified as well.

[HPIA4v2]

Originally Posted by FMINUS

I like ur sig

Yeah, everytime I see that avatar I thirst for milk (oops J-sud changed his avatar?)


BTW, my 2cents for OP.
Detailing is like body building, are you shooting for Mr Universe ala govt Arnold (that's FMINUS dept) or just try to tone up and loose some fat (that more my dept). It's not intimidating, I think you are overwhelmed with the info here. Just take it easy, go with wash, clay and wax/sealant. Then sometime next year you can start looking at polishing. Keep your expectation in check, you'll be fine.

[J-Sud]

Originally Posted by HPIA4v2

Yeah, everytime I see that avatar I thirst for milk (oops J-sud changed his avatar?)


BTW, my 2cents for OP.
Detailing is like body building, are you shooting for Mr Universe ala govt Arnold (that's FMINUS dept) or just try to tone up and loose some fat (that more my dept). It's not intimidating, I think you are overwhelmed with the info here. Just take it easy, go with wash, clay and wax/sealant. Then sometime next year you can start looking at polishing. Keep your expectation in check, you'll be fine.

haha ya i changed it

[inabis]

yeeaa man...I have the exact same problem. I live in Littleton and there aren't any hose hook ups here either. Every apt complex I asked were confused..." You want a hose hook up to wash your car? Why can't you take it through the machine like everyone else??" Anyway, I found a pro detailer off of autopia in the area...i've been meaning to shoot him a message but I've been really busy.

Just take it slow, ask the detailers here if you got any questions, they're good people. What i need is a PC so I can properly learn and save time. After using imperial hand glaze last time I'm never going to do it again without a machine...lol

[col4bin]

Originally Posted by inabis

yeeaa man...I have the exact same problem. I live in Littleton and there aren't any hose hook ups here either. Every apt complex I asked were confused..." You want a hose hook up to wash your car? Why can't you take it through the machine like everyone else??" Anyway, I found a pro detailer off of autopia in the area...i've been meaning to shoot him a message but I've been really busy.

Just take it slow, ask the detailers here if you got any questions, they're good people. What i need is a PC so I can properly learn and save time. After using imperial hand glaze last time I'm never going to do it again without a machine...lol

Are you part time FL, part time in CO? I am going to see if any of my friends will let me use their driveway. Alternatively, I can fill up my buckets at a power wash and do it all by hand...the long way.

[Raz335]

It's really not that hard to learn once you read a few things in the sticky and checkout some tutorials. It becomes overwhelming when crazy detailing people like us talk about all different products and techniques. The basics are pretty simple, just don't get caught up in the intricacies.

[inabis]

Originally Posted by col4bin

Are you part time FL, part time in CO? I am going to see if any of my friends will let me use their driveway. Alternatively, I can fill up my buckets at a power wash and do it all by hand...the long way.

No man...unfortunately for me I'm full time CO now....anyway what I do it get those gallon jugs from walmart fill it with water at home and take it to the power washing places in the morning. I just use their water to rinse....but yeah it sucks b/c sometimes I can't work fast enough and the soap will dry on one end of the car