fullfatrr.com Wiki > Detailing
 
(Difference between revisions)
(Basics)
(Basics)
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:'''As often as possible'''
:'''As often as possible'''
::Wash
::Wash
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::QD (Quick Detailng spray)
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::QD (Quick Detailng spray) - use it to remove bird droppings etc and give the car a quick polish
:'''Every 3-12 months depending on season'''
:'''Every 3-12 months depending on season'''
-
::Clay
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::Clay - deep clean of the paint, leaving a spotless (but completely unprotected) finish
-
::Polish
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::Polish - remove light scratches and put the shine back into the paint
-
::Wax/Sealant
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::Wax/Sealant - builds the shine and provides the paint with protection from the elements
   
   

Revision as of 17:21, 11 December 2010

Contents

Detailing - Keeping your car looking amazing

Basics

Keeping your car looking amazing is fairly simple and doesn't take too much time but it's important to understand why paying the guys at the supermarket £5 to give it a quick wash with a dirty sponge once a month will ruin your paint

Key things to remember are:

It's a lot quicker to put scratches in your paintwork than it is to get them out

A bit of wax every now and then won't hide months of neglect

The steps are as follows:

As often as possible
Wash
QD (Quick Detailng spray) - use it to remove bird droppings etc and give the car a quick polish
Every 3-12 months depending on season
Clay - deep clean of the paint, leaving a spotless (but completely unprotected) finish
Polish - remove light scratches and put the shine back into the paint
Wax/Sealant - builds the shine and provides the paint with protection from the elements



Washing

Claying

Courtesy of RRUK - full thread here

The clay bar process involves 2 items, a soft putty like clay and a lubricating spray.

Picture of clean clay

You spray a small part of the body panel with the lube spray and then glide the clay over the surface back and forth, then across back and forth. It's the easiest thing to do ever.

What happens is that your paintwork gets contaminants bonded in the paint surface that washing and polishing cannot remove, such as tree sap, insect residue, traffic film, tar etc. You can't generally see it, but trust me, its there. While the contaminants are there, your paint is never truly clean and your polishing and waxing is flawed. The clay picks it up off the surface.

When you look at the clay afterwards you can see it all. If you put a small sandwich bag on your finger and run it over the freshly washed paint you will feel tiny bumps, its these that the clay removes. You can also use it on glass and your alloys.

And after RRUK has pulled the invisible dirt out of his paint

Polishing

Hand

Machine

Finishing - Waxes, Sealants, QD etc

Interior

Wheels & Trim

Recommended products / suppliers