Here's what I have, whats the best way?
 

Hello guys, I'm puzzled by the best way to go about detailing my daily driver, and was hoping you can lend a hand with what to use.

Here is all the stuff I have, and below the paint issues I am dealing with.

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t...er4me/wax8.jpg

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t...er4me/wax1.jpg

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t...er4me/wax2.jpg

The 'Turtle wax detailer' and pads

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t...er4me/wax3.jpg

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t...er4me/wax4.jpg

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t...er4me/wax5.jpg

And the car. It's a bit dusty now (recent AZ dust storm.) And I took night shots with a flash to really show the defects. Its not too bad in person, just dirty now.

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t...er4me/wax6.jpg

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t...er4me/wax9.jpg

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t...er4me/wax7.jpg

So which of this stuff should I use, and how?

Thanks again, I am in awe of some of the amazing transformations I've seen on here. If I can get a 10th of that I'll be thrilled!

First off, is that the only pad you have?? and is that machine an orbital or rotary??

You'll need a couple pads at the least some with more cut and some with less cut and some with no cut.

Anyways, wash it good, claybar it next, then I'd go with the 3M swirl remover with a more course pad using moderate pressure making very slow passes, then the 3M liquid polish with a finer pad, rewash the car to remove any oils and lubes so the sealant can properly bond, then a couple coats of Z5 and you should be done.

That process alone can easily take you 5-6 hours if you know what you're doing....

I know I'm not being very specific with my process but it's really hard to say without knowing what buffer that is or what other pads you may have....

The only products I'm familiar with on your shelf is the Mother's Clay Bar and Zymol Cleaner Wax. As for your polisher, what kind is it? What are your expectations?

If you want something that is better than the way the car looks right now, simply wash your car, the Mother's Soap you have is OK, you have to use A LOT to make it work. Once you run out of it, step up to a better brand like einszett, p21s, or zymol. For now, wash with the Mother's Soap, dry with your yellow towels you have from Costco. Make sure they're new. Clay the car. Once clayed, you have some options.

If you want a marginal improvement and some protection, use the zymol cleaner wax and you can call it a day. You can do this by hand using a microfiber applicator and removing with microfiber towel.

As for the zaino stuff you have, Josh would be a better advisor than I. I'm sure the zaino stuff, since a seperate polish and a seperate wax, would yield slightly better result than the Cleaner Wax from Zymol.

The ideal situation would be to go with a proven system that works for most everyone. This can get a bit pricy, but the results are what you see here on the boards. Get a FLEX, Menzerna SIP and 106FF, Lake Country pads Orange and White and a good wax like einszett Glanz or Zymol Titanium.

I'll stop here and see what your feedback is, then we can move from there. Either way, hat's off for taking on this project and I'm sure you'll be happy no matter what you use.

Thanks guys, I really appreciate the help!! What can be better than getting advice directly from the pro's!

The polisher is orbital. There are 2 cotton pads (from what I can tell, equal coarse-ness) and then that blue thing... I am not sure what it is. It isn't rough, but certainly more so than the cotton pads. Any guesses? The description claims it has a polishing bonnet, an applicator bonnet, and a terry bonnet. I don't really know which is which... AND... these are the only pads I have (though it seems like a Porter Cable and a proper 'system' may have to be in my future)

My expectations are just improvement over the current state. For being black it isn't very 'swirly', and it has never been through a machine wash.

Would you reccomend I start with dish soap over the Mother's (and if not, how much soap is a lot?)

Lastly, I have always used a synthetic chamois to dry the car, should I switch to the microfiber towels? I have compressed air I can use if that makes any difference and can probably pick up a new leafblower (I assume electric would be better.)

-Brian

I'd say a flex is in the future, not the pc. As for what you have now and your expectations, a simple wash, clay, polish and wax should do the trick. Don't bother with dish soap. Just wash as you normally would. Ditch the chamois and get the microfiber drying cloths. Instead of a leaf blower, get the airmax dryer. It's much better since it has greater concentrated force of air, it filters the air, and it warms the air for more quick drying. I think you now have a good starting point and as time goes, you can add to your arsenal of products and see even greater improvements.

For now, would you recommend using the machine or by hand?
Any guesses on the pads?

And for normal washes after this, would you use a quick detailer with the towels (I saw someone on here doing that) or just use them as is?

The olisher you have isn't the correct one to be using. Is it a hook-and-loop type of backing plate? I just don't think it looks like it has the power and dual-action movement that the cyclo or flex does.

I'd say, for the time being, wash, clay, and use the zymol cleaner wax and see how it looks. It should be much better and smoother feeling than what it is right now.

As for a quick detailer, it's a great product to use after a wash to rejuvinate the wax and bring back some of the depth and gloss. If you want to stick with zymol, then zymol field glaze would the right choice.

It is not a hook and loop. It is a foam pad permantly attached to the machine, and then you stretch an elastic banded 'pad' to it. That is the 2 white cotton things, and the blue thing in the pics.

It seems pretty harmless from a power point of view (i.e. not much) but it may at least save some time.

This is a tough call since the machine you're using is really not good enough. (no offense)

If you're going to use it, I'd try it with that bonnet over top and either the 3M swirl remover or the liquid polish, work it in well, nice and slow. It should clean up the paint a little at least.

Then wax it by hand, choose whatever wax you like, I like Zaino for it's longevity.

Josh

Ok, last one and then I'll just do it and post some results!

If I use the terry bonnet to put the polish on, should I take it off by hand?
Is that what the puffy sheepskin looking thing is for?

Wool pads are the most aggressive. If you have to polish with your machine, just put on the polish with the terry and wipe off with microfiber towel.