First Full Detail Advice Needed

[Mitch34]

Hey guys,

I've finally decided to give my silver r34 gtt a full detail but I'm in need of advice,

I've figured that the usual routine Is;

Wash

Clay bar

Polish

Sealant

Wax

Is that right?

My paint is pretty average so should I need to wet and dry sand it?

How do I go about polishing? What polishes do I know what to use?

Any help would be much appreciated

[BakemonoRicer]

DO NOT dry sand. If you wet sand (i'd avoid doing this) start with 2000 grit then work your way up. You need to know what you're doing as you need to avoid going through the clear, then you need to get the sanding marks out.

Heres the process id recommend:

Wash with dish soap, helps to strip existing wax and majority of grime. dry.

Spray with 15% IPA dilution (mix with distilled water) - spray over car, use one microfiber followed by another for drying (so hold one in each hand). Will strip any remaining wax left over in the hills and valleys of the paint.

Clay bar & soft ph balanced wash soap for lube. dry

Compound...if you want to actually properly remove scratches etc, then you will need to compound....

IPA spritz again.

Polish.

Wash with soft ph neautral soap. dry.

Seal (let cure for 24 hrs after wiping off).

Apply wax.

Plenty of compounds and polishes out there on the market, up to you.

[Mitch34]

Ok mate thanks alot would you recommend any polishes or compound?

[darksky34]

Benji can i pay you to come and do my car, and remove panel gaps?

But no seriously I wish i had a garage, I would actually attempt to detail my car but alas no garage, not gonna bother.

[BakemonoRicer]

Ok mate thanks alot would you recommend any polishes or compound?

No worries.

Also I should mention that when you clay, make sure you clay in straight lines.

You don't need to use much pressure either, clay works with friction....

For my car I used Menzerna FG500 for compounding, and Menzerna PF2500 (polishes out the compounding marks) and SF4000 (jewelling polish). I got realllyyyy good results with those using a DA polisher machine.

Another good combo I've heard really good things about is meguires M105 (compound) followed by M205 (polish), but I'm not sure if you can get it locally.

Benji can i pay you to come and do my car, and remove panel gaps?

But no seriously I wish i had a garage, I would actually attempt to detail my car but alas no garage, not gonna bother.

Lol, yes sure. Once I finish uni this semester we can organise something if you like. Would be more than happy to detail your car.

No guarantee about the panel gaps though =P.

[Mitch34]

Do you usually do it a panel at a Time with all two compound and polish? Or the whole car with each compound then the second then the polish after?

[BakemonoRicer]

Do you usually do it a panel at a Time with all two compound and polish? Or the whole car with each compound then the second then the polish after?

Compound whole car first, then polish whole car, then step 2 polish whole car.

You will get a bit of dusting from compounding usually, so easier just doing everything in stages.

[junkie]

You can try Meguiars Ultimate Compound then Meguiars Swirl Remover both can be found at any auto shop and are very easy to use if you haven't done something like this in the past. Surprisingly good results with dual action polishers, on par with more expensive Menzerna products I've used in the past

[Mitch34]

Thank guys I might as well look at getting a da polishers also any recommendations? Don't really want to break the bank either haha

[BakemonoRicer]

Concours 900 DA is good... speak to Antonio from Waxit.com.au. They have an FB page as well.

He will be able to point you in the right direction.

[darksky34]

Thanks Benji may just take you up on your offer!