Any Final Tips/Pointers?

feelzpwr91 · 03-01-2010, 03:43 PM

Hey guys, getting ready for my full detail saturday using products such as chemical guys and Zaino. just wondering if any one can put there final 2cents in as i get ready to take on this process! Thanks fellas.

and PS kyle from stillen had a great thread with videos of how to detail (http://www.the370z.com/exterior-inte...ng-videos.html) but just want to here what everyone else has to say.

vipor · 03-01-2010, 03:46 PM

take your time,
don't let the soap dry,
do it in the shade with plenty of light (no direct sun, will dry the soap),
don't drop your cloths,
don't drop the soap

feelzpwr91 · 03-01-2010, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vipor

take your time,
don't let the soap dry,
do it in the shade with plenty of light (no direct sun, will dry the soap),
don't drop your cloths,
don't drop the soap

haha thanks man, and besides the wash, ill be doing the entire process in a garage.

kenchan · 03-01-2010, 04:16 PM

dont drop your pc onto the bonnet.
dont trip on cord
dont smell the wax too long, makes you feel light headed.
dont put polish on plastic bits
dont wax your face

not sure, there's a lot more dont's than do's...

Kyle@STILLEN · 03-01-2010, 04:26 PM

What type of polisher are you using? Name and part number?

The biggest thing to remember is to take your time, good results take time. One thing I recommend doing is starting with one section of your car at a time. Just do half the hood or half the fender. That will kind of tell you how much time you're going to need to put in to do the whole car to meet your satisfaction. Also, you own a black car...It will take longer to get the best results! You might find that this weekend you only want to do the hood, fascia and front fenders, then next weekend the doors and roof, then the following weekend the rear fenders and rear fascia. You might think this is crazy but it's how a lot of people detail their vehicle's. For example, I wash my truck just about every weekend and usually once a month (at least every two months) I wax it.

Also, don't use too much product. Consult with the product manufacturer but most of the time people use too much product and they end up wasting more than they really need and costing themselves extra money. You really only need a thin layer between your buffing pad and the paint. Again, consult the manufacturer about this, they might have different recommendations for their product. When I use the Adam's stuff I pour a little bit (about two or three dime sized dollops) on to the pad and spread it across the target area. I do this without the pad spinning, just spread it across, then at low RPM spread it around a little more, then bump up to a higher RPM to actually do the work.

Kyle@STILLEN · 03-01-2010, 04:27 PM

[QUOTE=kenchan;424280]
dont put polish on plastic bits
QUOTE]

A simple, but sometimes time consuming, step is to mask off plastic parts or crevices with some blue low tack painter's tape.

SoCal 370Z · 03-01-2010, 04:40 PM

Depending upon what physical shape you are in doing the lower areas of the car can tire you out quickly; you will be using muscles in ways you normally do not use them.
Drape the power cord over your shoulder and down your back so it does rub on the car as you are working panels.
Freewheeling the polisher is bad for the polisher and will throw product all over the place, into places, and heights you won't believe—until you try to cleanup the mess.
I usually use a bleacher seat cushion to place the polisher on (not on its pad) and another to move around the floor for my knees.
I typically wash the car down entirely between the different polishes and before the waxes.
It will take a lot more time than you think!

And probably my best tip—if this is your first time and especially since you have a black car—start by doing someone else's car. Are your parents close by?

kenchan · 03-01-2010, 06:29 PM

yep, painter's tape works very well. i suppose a tip on that is to make sure you get the high quality 3M one cause the cheezo ones (like acehardware brand junk) leaves behind residue.

some other pointers... work the polish in until it's almost dry. those diminishing abrasives needs to be broken down real good.

feelzpwr91 · 03-01-2010, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kyle@STILLEN

What type of polisher are you using? Name and part number?

The biggest thing to remember is to take your time, good results take time. One thing I recommend doing is starting with one section of your car at a time. Just do half the hood or half the fender. That will kind of tell you how much time you're going to need to put in to do the whole car to meet your satisfaction. Also, you own a black car...It will take longer to get the best results! You might find that this weekend you only want to do the hood, fascia and front fenders, then next weekend the doors and roof, then the following weekend the rear fenders and rear fascia. You might think this is crazy but it's how a lot of people detail their vehicle's. For example, I wash my truck just about every weekend and usually once a month (at least every two months) I wax it.

Also, don't use too much product. Consult with the product manufacturer but most of the time people use too much product and they end up wasting more than they really need and costing themselves extra money. You really only need a thin layer between your buffing pad and the paint. Again, consult the manufacturer about this, they might have different recommendations for their product. When I use the Adam's stuff I pour a little bit (about two or three dime sized dollops) on to the pad and spread it across the target area. I do this without the pad spinning, just spread it across, then at low RPM spread it around a little more, then bump up to a higher RPM to actually do the work.

Porter Cable 7424

Kyle@STILLEN · 03-01-2010, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by feelzpwr91

Porter Cable 7424

Good choice! That's the one I use, very nice machine!

feelzpwr91 · 03-01-2010, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kyle@STILLEN

Good choice! That's the one I use, very nice machine!

thats good to here!

03-01-2010, 03:43 PM	#1 (permalink)
feelzpwr91 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: RVA Posts: 311 Drives: 09 Black370z T M6 Rep Power: 196	Any Final Tips/Pointers? Hey guys, getting ready for my full detail saturday using products such as chemical guys and Zaino. just wondering if any one can put there final 2cents in as i get ready to take on this process! Thanks fellas. and PS kyle from stillen had a great thread with videos of how to detail (http://www.the370z.com/exterior-inte...ng-videos.html) but just want to here what everyone else has to say. __________________ Rather be driving my Z

03-01-2010, 03:46 PM	#2 (permalink)
vipor A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Euless, TX [ DFW ] Age: 41 Posts: 13,531 Drives: Nismo 09-0183 QAB Rep Power: 48	take your time, don't let the soap dry, do it in the shade with plenty of light (no direct sun, will dry the soap), don't drop your cloths, don't drop the soap __________________ 2009 NISMO # 0193 \| QAB \| Albums! \| 05.04.10 (Dynojet) 291.94hp/248.28tq Oil Cooler (DIY) \| Custom Headlights \| GTSPEC Braces \| F.I. Long Tube Headers

03-01-2010, 04:40 PM	#7 (permalink)
SoCal 370Z A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: US of A Posts: 2,842 Drives: Answers Rep Power: 33	Depending upon what physical shape you are in doing the lower areas of the car can tire you out quickly; you will be using muscles in ways you normally do not use them. Drape the power cord over your shoulder and down your back so it does rub on the car as you are working panels. Freewheeling the polisher is bad for the polisher and will throw product all over the place, into places, and heights you won't believe—until you try to cleanup the mess. I usually use a bleacher seat cushion to place the polisher on (not on its pad) and another to move around the floor for my knees. I typically wash the car down entirely between the different polishes and before the waxes. It will take a lot more time than you think! And probably my best tip—if this is your first time and especially since you have a black car—start by doing someone else's car. Are your parents close by? __________________ ( Click to show/hide ) Why I NEVER say NO to the Panda Lou Fusz!!! Last edited by SoCal 370Z; 03-01-2010 at 04:49 PM.

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03-01-2010, 04:16 PM	#4 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141520	dont drop your pc onto the bonnet. dont trip on cord dont smell the wax too long, makes you feel light headed. dont put polish on plastic bits dont wax your face not sure, there's a lot more dont's than do's...

03-01-2010, 04:26 PM	#5 (permalink)
Kyle@STILLEN The370Z.com Sponsor Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Newport Beach Posts: 626 Drives: Toyota Tundra Rep Power: 306	What type of polisher are you using? Name and part number? The biggest thing to remember is to take your time, good results take time. One thing I recommend doing is starting with one section of your car at a time. Just do half the hood or half the fender. That will kind of tell you how much time you're going to need to put in to do the whole car to meet your satisfaction. Also, you own a black car...It will take longer to get the best results! You might find that this weekend you only want to do the hood, fascia and front fenders, then next weekend the doors and roof, then the following weekend the rear fenders and rear fascia. You might think this is crazy but it's how a lot of people detail their vehicle's. For example, I wash my truck just about every weekend and usually once a month (at least every two months) I wax it. Also, don't use too much product. Consult with the product manufacturer but most of the time people use too much product and they end up wasting more than they really need and costing themselves extra money. You really only need a thin layer between your buffing pad and the paint. Again, consult the manufacturer about this, they might have different recommendations for their product. When I use the Adam's stuff I pour a little bit (about two or three dime sized dollops) on to the pad and spread it across the target area. I do this without the pad spinning, just spread it across, then at low RPM spread it around a little more, then bump up to a higher RPM to actually do the work.

03-01-2010, 04:27 PM	#6 (permalink)
Kyle@STILLEN The370Z.com Sponsor Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Newport Beach Posts: 626 Drives: Toyota Tundra Rep Power: 306	[QUOTE=kenchan;424280] dont put polish on plastic bits QUOTE] A simple, but sometimes time consuming, step is to mask off plastic parts or crevices with some blue low tack painter's tape.

03-01-2010, 06:29 PM	#8 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141520	yep, painter's tape works very well. i suppose a tip on that is to make sure you get the high quality 3M one cause the cheezo ones (like acehardware brand junk) leaves behind residue. some other pointers... work the polish in until it's almost dry. those diminishing abrasives needs to be broken down real good.