My car is off the road for winter right now, but a few days before it comes back, I am going to spend the day cleaning it.

Other than the normal cleaning, what should I do? Also, what order should I do them all in.

I was thinking that I wanted to wax it and use a clay bar.

What order should I do everything in?

 

What kind of condition is the paint in? When is the last time the car has been clayed? Do you have any swirls or scratches?

Remember that 90% of how your finish looks comes from the prep work like claying,polishing/swirl removal,and a glaze. I recommend using a claybar 2-3 times a year or more if your environmental conditions are bad.

Are you going to be doing all this by hand or polisher?

 

My paint is in pretty much perfect condition. It has the normal swirls but you don't notice them unless it is in the right angle of light. I have never clayed the car, but I have only owned it since September and I haven't been driving it for about 3 months.

I was going to do it by hand, but I might be buying a polisher. I have wax and scratch remover. I don't have clay.

 

Ok, I would wash and then clay the car for sure then. It is totally worth it. Then follow with a light abrassive polish to remove your fine scratches.Then you can use a glaze to add more depth and pop to the paint. Now you can apply a sealant or wax or both. I like to do both for the best durability and shine.There are some good over the counter products and I carry some "boutique brand" products.

If you are looking to buy a polisher I carry the Porter Cable 7424 that is very popular. I also have a kit that has everything needed to get started. I even have kit that has the polishes needed to use with it. Let me know if you have any questions and i will be glad to help you setup something to fit your needs. So here are the steps to follow:

Wash
Claybar
Polish/Swirl Remover
Glaze
Sealant
Wax

I think you will be blown away by the results.

 

What is the glaze and sealant? I already have wax, wash, and swirl remover.

 

A glaze has fillers and oils that can hide fine scratches and swirls and add more gloss and a wet look to the paint. There are glazes with minor abrassives and glazes that have no abrassives. For your color car I like to use Clearkotes Red Moose glaze. I love the look of it on red and black vehicles.

A sealant has more durability than a wax and is more reflective but lacks the richness and depth of a carnuba wax. You can layer sealants but usually have to wait for them to cure. A sealant can be your last step or you can top with a carnuba for more depth. Like I said,I like to top sealants witha carnuba wax.

If you are thinking about a polisher it is totally worth the investment. It will take your paint to a whole new level. Here is a site that talks about the Porter Cable and has a ton of detailing info http://paintcare-n-detailing.com/ Hope this helps!

 

Ok thanks. Should I use the polisher for every step?

 

A polisher is needed to remove swirls/scratches. It is just personal preference to use a polisher to put on glazes,sealants, waxes. I always use the polisher to put on glazes and sometimes on sealants. Paste waxes I put on by hand and liquid waxes I use the polisher with a finishing pad.

 

On your red car you will like the looks of the RMG topped with Natty's Blue.

Best of luck with your project and post up some pics when you can.

 

the main thing you have to worry about is scratching/burning your paint...if you dont have much detailing experience then be very carefull and ask every little question you might have on here before doing something

juz is right about everything, but...clay and especially a buffer can scratch and severely burn your paint, i wouldn't get a buffer..i would just ask him (hes probably the best on here) how to clay, then do everything by hand...at least the first few times, if you want to buff, have someone teach you how to do it in person...but if you follow his steps you can have amazing looking paint...way better than factory