I pulled this from a dub website that I visit often...and you know those dub guys are freaks about their cars, so this has to work.
-------------------------------
WHAT YOU NEED:
- Bucket.
- Wool Wash Mitten.
- Chamois
- Wash Soap
- Clay Bar
- Dish Soap: i.e.: Palmolive.
- 3M Imperial Hand Glaze.
- Klasse Sealant Glaze.
- Wax of your choosing: Meguires #26 hi-tech yellow wax.
- Terry Cloth Towels: do not use fabric softener.
- 3 Wax Applicator Pads
Washing your car is as important as the rest of the detailing process, without a fresh canvas you cant make art. To truly have clean paint you will need to wash your car twice. First, you must wash it with any household dish soap or wax removing soap. I personally use dish soap because its effective and there is always some around. Wash the car with dish soap rather vigorously. You will want to wash with enough pressure to remove the old wax. Once you have thoroughly rinsed your car, rinse out the bucket completely, and refill it again with fresh water and car wash soap.
Wash your car and usual and then dry. Once you have gotten most of the water off. Get in the cracks and wipe off the excess water with terry cloth towels.
Be sure to open your doors, trunk and hood and get all the water that is in there. Dont be afraid to give your trunk and doors a good few slams to get all the excess water out from the impossible to reach areas.
To wash your wheels, I recommend simple green and a wheel brush, or even just your car wash soap and your wash mitten. However, do not use the mitten and car wash soap if your wheels are extremely dirty, youll ruin your mitten quickly.
You can also improve the look of your valances and tires by applying Meguires High Endurance Tire Gloss to each of these areas. Eagle One makes applicator pads that conform to the tires shape, making the task easy.
A lot of people dont understand why you would want to sit there and rub a small piece of clay on your paint. Clay Bar is designed specially to remove the smallest particle debris and dirt from your paint. It will remove everything that washing leaves behind. To apply it, simply rub this clay on your paint. The Mothers Kit includes a quick detailer spray to use in conjunction with the clay. Once you have gone over the entire paint surface with the clay, you should notice a significant improvement in the looks of the paint, and also the feel. It will be much smoother then it was before.
3M Imperial Hand Glaze: Imperial Hand Glaze is an essential product for anyone whos going to detail his or her car. When the sun shines on your car and you see those awful swirl marks, thats what the Hand Glaze can fix. Imperial Hand Glaze is a makeup of sorts. It fills in the swirl marks and scratches on your paints surface, leaving your car swirl free. To apply, Squeeze out a small amount onto one a damp wax applicator pads. Rub the Glaze gently into the paint in an up and down motion. Use a small amount for each of the body panels. Buff it off with a clean terry cloth towel in and up and down motion. The up and down motion before is essential to filling in the swirl marks. A circular swirling motion simply moves with the swirls, not filling them in.
Klasse Sealant Glaze: Klasse Sealant is the second layer of protectant I use when detailing. Klasse Sealant provides a waterproof, heatproof barrier that will protect your paint and keep it shining for up to 6 months. This product also goes the farthest by far. Sealant glaze may be on the pricier side of the products spectrum, but it goes a long way. Use a fresh wax applicator pad. I recommend using separate pads for each layer. Getting IHG on your Klasse applicator can cause some problems. Apply a very small amount to the pad. About a dime size for each panel. Once the have applied it to the car. Buff it in and up and down motion with a terry cloth towel. This will be the easiest layer to buff. It comes off as if there is nothing there at all.
Wax: When it comes to wax there are many types out there that give you great results. If you have been using a particular wax that you are happy with, by all means proceed with this step using your current choice. However, I will be recommending that you use Meguires #26 Hi-Tech Yellow Wax. This is a very good wax; it produces a liquid finish on your paint, and a smooth feel. Wax is the final level of protection you would want to use. And with this # 26 wax, you can use up to three layers without getting a hazy look to your paint.
Apply it thinly to the paint with a new applicator pad, and let it dry. Once it feels dry and crusty to the touch, proceed to buff it with a terry cloth towel.
-------------------------------
As for the products.....
I've used the Meguires Tire Gloss, and can vouch for the product. It works extremely well, and lasts pretty long under normal conditions.
I've also used IHG before, and I think it is probably the BEST product to use for swirls. I would use no other substitute. The same goes for the Klasse sealant.
As for the wax, I've never used the Meguires #26 wax, but I have used One Grand Blitz wax, which is awesome stuff, highly recommended.
You can use 100% cotton terrycloth towels for buffing, or if you want to spend more cash, buy microfibers. I've heard they're easier on the paint and on your arm. Whether you use a sponge, mit, whatever...I don't believe it's of big importance, as long as you keep it as clean as possible.
The clay bar is important too, if you really want your cars paint to feel like it was new, I'd use this. Remember when you first bought your car, and the paint felt smooth and untouched? This will help you get that back.
Even though I didn't write this up (all credit goes to Simon Keast, Kai Pan and Adam Steffes from
www.norcalvw.com), I stand by it, as it is as close to my routine as it could be.
Another thing, I've heard you can do no wrong with a good orbital buffer, but I have never used one.
