[ages944]

OK, so about a month ago, I decided that I would do my first ever exterior detail. Here's what I did:

1. Took car to a touchless auto wash (the ones with the hand sprayers), and washed the car off.

2. Came back home, and used Meguiar's to hand wash the car.

3. Clayed the car.

- 3.5. tried getting out some scratches with Meguiars Scratch X

4. Applied one (1) application of polish, using a PC 7336 on setting 3.5

5. Applied one coat of wax by hand (only had one pad for the PC).


... So my questions are these:
1. Is there something I should have done differently? (ie two coats of wax, or add a sealant first, etc)

2. How big of an area should I work at a time with the Porter Cable, which speed, and for how long?

3. Is the sealant really worth it vs a wax? If so, how would I get the wax off that's on there currently in order to apply the sealant?


I know these are a lot of questions, but I want to get it right, and would really appreciate any advice you can give. Thanks in advance!

[aphall]

Originally Posted by ages944

OK, so about a month ago, I decided that I would do my first ever exterior detail. Here's what I did:

1. Took car to a touchless auto wash (the ones with the hand sprayers), and washed the car off.

2. Came back home, and used Meguiar's to hand wash the car.

3. Clayed the car.

- 3.5. tried getting out some scratches with Meguiars Scratch X

4. Applied one (1) application of polish, using a PC 7336 on setting 3.5

5. Applied one coat of wax by hand (only had one pad for the PC).


... So my questions are these:
1. Is there something I should have done differently? (ie two coats of wax, or add a sealant first, etc)

2. How big of an area should I work at a time with the Porter Cable, which speed, and for how long?

3. Is the sealant really worth it vs a wax? If so, how would I get the wax off that's on there currently in order to apply the sealant?

I know these are a lot of questions, but I want to get it right, and would really appreciate any advice you can give. Thanks in advance!

Hmm, I can try to lend some advice that I've picked up here. But the first question I want to ask you is, what did you do in step 2? You washed your car with Meguiar's what? I guess I'm a little confused as to what you did between steps one and two. Sounds like you drove to an touchless wash, sprayed down your car, drove home, shampooed and then rinsed and dried at home?

Clay, then scratch X, then polish, then sealant, then wax is usually the order I hear you go with if you're a sealant user. If you just use wax, then no sealant after polish. I'd also assume you'd use polish to get out your scratches instead of scratch X? I don't know how severe your scratches are I guess.

I think they recommend 3x3 sections for the PC. As for using a sealant over wax, a sealant will last longer than a wax, but a wax will give your car more "warmth" and "depth". For me, a sealant looks just fine. As for getting the wax off, after claying and polishing, you should be good to go to apply a sealant.

[diesel007]

Originally Posted by ages944

... So my questions are these:
1. Is there something I should have done differently? (ie two coats of wax, or add a sealant first, etc)

2. How big of an area should I work at a time with the Porter Cable, which speed, and for how long?

3. Is the sealant really worth it vs a wax? If so, how would I get the wax off that's on there currently in order to apply the sealant?

1. That all depends on what type of wax you are using. Most store brand waxes have cleaners in them and they will just eat through the coat you just applied. If you are using a 100% carnauba wax with no cleaners you can layer it but you have to give it time to bond or cure.

2. You can work a panel at a time. I do 1/2 of the hood at a time because it's such a large surface area. Always start with the roof and work your way down, when washing and waxing. As for speeds I use a slower speed for cleaners or cutters, and a faster speed for polish and wax.

3. Sealant is worth the protection because the chemicals are strong and will protect for a longer period of time then a wax. The shine it gives is a bit different as well, more of a mirror then a smooth deep glossy look that carnauba gives. If you are a detailing nut like me and you do it often use a wax because it will break down sooner giving you more opportunities to detail the car. But if you just want good protection and don't like to detail you car all the time use a sealant.

Lots of pros are using a sealant for the protection and topping it with a carnauba for an amazing shine. You can only do this with 100% caranuba with no cleaning agent in it.

[ages944]

Gents, thanks for the answers so far. They're most helpful.

I used Meguiar's everything except for the clay:

1. Gold Class Car Wash
2. Some other clay (w/ Meguiars Quick Detailer as a lube)
3. Scratch X
4. Meguiar's Deep Crystal Pure Polish
5. Meguiar's Deep Crystal 100% Carnuba Wax

Sounds like you drove to an touchless wash, sprayed down your car, drove home, shampooed and then rinsed and dried at home?

- yes
wanted to get the major crud off, then come back home and really get it clean

I don't know how severe your scratches are I guess.

- a few of 'em I can feel with my fingernail. BTW, the Scratch X helped marginally. I only did it by hand though, as I was worried about using the machine with that stuff.

One last question:
- Will keeping the PC on a certain area give better results that longer I work that area? Is there are general rule of thumb for how long I should work an area?

[aphall]

Originally Posted by ages944

- yes
wanted to get the major crud off, then come back home and really get it clean

Ah, I see. Supposedly you're not suppose to drive your car after you've washed, but before you've dried. I suppose if you've hosed her down before, got her home, and then hosed her again before shampooing, then you're ok... unless of course your engine got hot in the process, making the paint on your hood hot, therefore causing your suds to dry and leave spots before you could rinse.

As for the scratches and using your PC... I'm a PC virgin, so I'll let more capable people answer that question for you. My guess is that you should make multiple passes, instead of lingering in one spot since you'll risk overpolishing one area and discoloring it. You should work your polish just until it breaks down. Here's a great link to PC newbs: http://paintcare-n-detailing.com/