Detailing 101: Common Question and Answers, What and Where to buy stuff + Technique

[David]

I would strongly advise against using a clay bar over and over again. The clay picks up contaminants that WILL eventually rub against the paint. Cutting the bar into dedicated pieces (and using each piece once) will minimize the chance of marring the clearcoat.

John, no offense, but you sound like someone who details for money (based on the fact that you like to reuse clay). Let's just say I don't agree with the 'Pro' detailer mentality (profit before everything else). As you can tell, I'm an enthusiast first, hence why my advice is what it is. Though I do agree with you about marketing playing a large role in the world of detailing, for which the folks at optimum (you must frequent autopia - everyone there is falling all over themselves for this stuff) are no more or less guilty than any other company.

Anyway, that's my two cents.

[darkknight1999]

Originally Posted by David

I would strongly advise against using a clay bar over and over again. The clay picks up contaminants that WILL eventually rub against the paint. Cutting the bar into dedicated pieces (and using each piece once) will minimize the chance of marring the clearcoat.

John, no offense, but you sound like someone who details for money (based on the fact that you like to reuse clay). Let's just say I don't agree with the 'Pro' detailer mentality (profit before everything else). As you can tell, I'm an enthusiast first, hence why my advice is what it is. Though I do agree with you about marketing playing a large role in the world of detailing, for which the folks at optimum (you must frequent autopia - everyone there is falling all over themselves for this stuff) are no more or less guilty than any other company.

Anyway, that's my two cents.

Thanks! You just proved my point! Here let me quote you "WILL eventually" So what you just said is that if you used the clay long enough you "WILL eventually" damage the paint... Yeah no kidding... I didn't say keep the same bar forever. Once its dirty fine through it out. But don't use clay once and though it out... its a total waste of money.

If you were anykind of a good detailer enthusiast or professional you would know this.

But hey you can just keep throwing away prefectly good clay then. Or better yet you can mail it to me. You should really learn a little more about paint... and how clay effects it before you give advice. You'll have these poor people throwing $20 dollar bills in the trash for no reason.

And whats more you don't know anything about me. So next time you want to talk like you know it all... let me be the first to tell you, you don't. Your right I do detail for money... but I get paid to do a great job and remove scratch and blemishes from paint. As a professional with a clue.

As it turns out you are clearly a marketers dream... do you have any snake oil forsale? May you'd like to buy the whole line of Meguiars.

There are a lot of decent detailing products on the market but you have to know what to look for, and what is the snake oil on the market to avoid... which as it turns out is most of what the average person will find at the local auto parts store.

I use Optimum because it works. I proved it with my pictures above. But incase you still doubt my ability:
1991 Ford Escort
Before anything:


Wash and clayed (with older clay (older as in used on 4 different cars))


Compounded with a wool pad and Optimum compound:


Compounded again with a yellow foam pad:


Polished with a green pad and Optimum polish only once:


So yeah I think I know what I'm doing... I did that in about 20 minutes. I spent longer than that as you look at the time the pictures where taken but in the time I actually work on the paint... about 20 minutes.

Next time keep your enthusiast questions about my ability to yourself... I'm not the average detailer

[David]

Meh, whatever. I have no time to fight with you. You are the best. Your pictures prove it.

End of conversation.

(Now I remember why I've stopped posting on car forums.)

[darkknight1999]

Originally Posted by David

Meh, whatever. I have no time to fight with you. You are the best. Your pictures prove it.

End of conversation.

(Now I remember why I've stopped posting on car forums.)

Cause you thought you knew everything and people proved you wrong... its no wonder you hang out on the BMW forums

[keptin]

dark, where do you buy your wool and colored pads for buffing?

[darkknight1999]

I get mine from a guy I know in NJ, but you can get them at any auto body supply shop either in your local area or online.
Dave and I don't agree but some of the online stores he listed have a great selection and good quality products. Autogeek.net, autopia-carcare.com.

I can get you the same stuff I use if you'd like.

[keptin]

thanks for the offer, but the shipping would kill it alone since I live accross the country.

I checked out the optima products at thier website, if you did the pics above with that compound and polish then I might give it a try.

im still worried about this process removing a bit of my clear coat (mentioned in the original post) is this true? Obviously im not going to sacrafice a protective layer on my vehicle's paint for it looking good, especially considering it wont look good for very long because I take it out nearly every week.

[ish]

Originally Posted by David

Meh, whatever. I have no time to fight with you. You are the best. Your pictures prove it.

End of conversation.

(Now I remember why I've stopped posting on car forums.)

WTF was that?.....lol.....either it f-ing shines or it don't. I didn't know detailing was political.......lmfao

[Funrover]

I have washer fluid and water spots on my hood...they will not come out... I have tried many things, hard scrubbing, rubbing compounds etc etc... any ideas? It has been there for quite some time...I just can't seem to get rid of it...

[darkknight1999]

Originally Posted by Funrover

I have washer fluid and water spots on my hood...they will not come out... I have tried many things, hard scrubbing, rubbing compounds etc etc... any ideas? It has been there for quite some time...I just can't seem to get rid of it...

Car you take a few pictures of them? I know that's not really that easy to do, but I just don't want to give you bad advise. But depending on the spots I should be able to guide you through removing them, but I would like to see them first if possible.

[Rudy R]

david, thanks for the info. I will use it and pass it along to my friends

[macdon2000]

David

Thank you for the info, I never realised people cleaned cars to such a high degree. To be honest the most mine get are a speedy drive through a stream to clean off the underside and a jetwash on the windows so I can see again, but thanks anyway. I am interested in 'claying' I have never heard of this before, I now know how you do it but do you know where I can buy it in the UK. I'm sure my batch of LR's could do with it.

Dark Knight
Pictures speak a thousand words and if I lived about 3500miles closer I'd come and see you to work magic on my LR's. I was just wondering why you attack David for passing on his views. He was 'invited' here by Serg and the least we could all do is show a bit of repect. If you disagree with his views then I'm sure he would want to know, but there are ways of doing things and to be honest as a third party in this, you came across as agressive and offensive. Davis states in his opening paragraph that he is not a 'detailing' pro but is a keen hobbyist and was just passing on some info to us less informed. Everybody's views are there own and that should be respected (to certain degrees etc.) Any way I'll shut up now. I just wanted to make a point that this went from a thread that someone put a lot of work into for our benifit to a slagging match. Not excatly enjoyable to read.

[macdon2000]

David

Thank you for the info, I never realised people cleaned cars to such a high degree. To be honest the most mine get are a speedy drive through a stream to clean off the underside and a jetwash on the windows so I can see again, but thanks anyway. I am interested in 'claying' I have never heard of this before, I now know how you do it but do you know where I can buy it in the UK. I'm sure my batch of LR's could do with it.

Dark Knight
Pictures speak a thousand words and if I lived about 3500miles closer I'd come and see you to work magic on my LR's. I was just wondering why you attack David for passing on his views. He was 'invited' here by Serg and the least we could all do is show a bit of repect. If you disagree with his views then I'm sure he would want to know, but there are ways of doing things and to be honest as a third party in this, you came across as agressive and offensive. Davis states in his opening paragraph that he is not a 'detailing' pro but is a keen hobbyist and was just passing on some info to us less informed. Everybody's views are there own and that should be respected (to certain degrees etc.) Any way I'll shut up now. I just wanted to make a point that this went from a thread that someone put a lot of work into for our benifit to a slagging match. Not excatly enjoyable to read.

[apbtpetey]

Well I try to keep up with my cars looks no matter what they are used for. I might get as involved as some do, but I still like to have some sort of shine on my cars. i found and have used some of the products from this guy.

http://www.dftowel.com/

He belongs to a lincoln site that I post on and has always had great information on detailing. He is in NY, but shipping on his products to the west coast are not all that bad. I have seen his Mark VIII in person and I have to say that it looks better than any new car I have seen on the showroom floor.

[pickuprover]

Starting to think that the powerwasher inside and out may not be a good idea.. but hey mine is a Series truck, and my paint only lasts a couple of years anyways due to the off road abuse... and I get to have a new colour... hahah