Need Advice On Detailing!

[Ms. Denmark]

My car needs to be completely cleaned up before I dare to drive it to the upcoming meets in Hanover, PA and Carlisle. I could never compete with the way a lot of you guys keep your rides in meticulous condition, but I want my Marauder to be presentable. I need advice about what to do. Are there any shops in the area that you can recommend? I'm willing to do some of the interior detailing but really don't want to tackle the exterior myself. I appreciate all your suggestions and need to get this project done before May 10th. Feel free to PM me or post your advice. Thanks for your help!:)

[MainEngDwarf]

Where in NJ are you I know of 2 shops in central NJ that do good work

[jdando]

Detailing made easy :D

Find a local member with some skills and work on the car together or just tackle it yourself.

Be ready to commit a chunk of time to the process, here is an outline which would give you a shiny clean Marauder.


Carefully wash engine compartment with Simple Green and low pressure hose
Pull wheels off car and clean inside of wheels with Simple Green
Wash car with Dawn dish soap
Dry car
Clay bar z 18, the entire car
Wash car with Z7
Dry car
ZPC with Porter Cable
Z2
Z5
Clean glass with Stoners Invisible Glass (http://www.stonersolutions.com/)
Dry engine bay, mist with Armour All low gloss spray
Z6 or Z8 detail spray the car
Meguiars (http://www.meguiars.com/?automotive-leather-care/Gold-Class-Leather-Cleaner-Conditioner) Leather cleaner for interior
Meguiar's (http://www.meguiars.com/?tire-care/Hot-Shine-High-Gloss-Tire-Coating) Hot shine tire dressing

I like Zaino (http://www.zainostore.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc), all the Z product is Zaino stuff. It works great and smells good too.


I typically do this twice a year, once in the spring and once before a car show.

Or it might be easier (but much less gratifying) to write a check to a good detailer.

[Ms. Denmark]

Sounds like you've got this down pat. Whatcha doing next weekend? :D Seriously, I appreciate what seems like great advice, which I'll save for future reference. This time, it's going to the shop.:)

[Blackened300a]

Im having a detail day at my shop soon here in Queens just before Carlisle.
I plan to have my orbital buffer out with clearcoat polish and my sealer wax. My car is immaculate now but I plan to top that before the trip.

[CRUZTAKER]

Detailing made easy :D

Find a local member with some skills and work on the car together or just tackle it yourself.

Be ready to commit a chunk of time to the process, here is an outline which would give you a shiny clean Marauder.


Carefully wash engine compartment with Simple Green and low pressure hose
Pull wheels off car and clean inside of wheels with Simple Green
Wash car with Dawn dish soap
Dry car
Clay bar z 18, the entire car
Wash car with Z7
Dry car
ZPC with Porter Cable
Z2
Z5
Clean glass with Stoners Invisible Glass (http://www.stonersolutions.com/)
Dry engine bay, mist with Armour All low gloss spray
Z6 or Z8 detail spray the car
Meguiars (http://www.meguiars.com/?automotive-leather-care/Gold-Class-Leather-Cleaner-Conditioner) Leather cleaner for interior
Meguiar's (http://www.meguiars.com/?tire-care/Hot-Shine-High-Gloss-Tire-Coating) Hot shine tire dressing



I agree with this process, however, I am not faithfull to a brand....and everyone can contest...my car shine like the sun.

ALL TOWELS AND CLOTHS MUST BE 100% COTTON.
TERRY'S AND CUTTING PADS FOR CLEANER WAXES, AND FOAM FOR FINISHING WAXES.

TERRY'S ACCEPTABLE FOR REMOVING ALL APPLICATIONS.

Wash car with Dawn dish soap...DITTO
Dry car
Clay bar (any claybar), the entire car with detailer spray as lube. DITTO
Skip all the rewashes....no need after the clay bar.
If you have a porter cable buffer...use a red cutting pad with your choice of "cleaner waxes".
Rub in, and obviously remove.
Re-wax (this time hand do all detail areas missed by the buffer on the first time), with your chioce of finishing wax, and again, if you have a Porter Cable use a yellow finishing pad.

Don't sweat the 'oil marks' that may appear on the hood. They will come off on the next soapy wash, or to remove immediately use a damp towel.

[sailsmen]

Simple Green is not compatible w/AL. Use Automotive Simple Green.

[CRUZTAKER]

Simple Green is not compatible w/AL. Use Automotive Simple Green.

Ageed....simple greenis good for a car that has sat in the elements for years and need some major paint oxidation treatment....

The Dove will work fine for in initial treatment.

[J D]

Im having a detail day at my shop soon here in Queens just before Carlisle.
I plan to have my orbital buffer out with clearcoat polish and my sealer wax. My car is immaculate now but I plan to top that before the trip.

Oh you can count on me being there for Pre Carlisle finishing, but as ya saw, theres plenty for me to do before hand. I better write down and remember what's said here and get to work when I finish classes. in early may

[MENINBLK]

Ageed....simple greenis good for a car that has sat in the elements for years and need some major paint oxidation treatment....

The Dove will work fine for in initial treatment.

I use my Karcher baby pressure washer with just cold filtered water - no soap.
1500 psi with a circular nozzle.
Gets off all of the crud from the engine block
and other surfaces under the hood.
Then wipe dry with a Microfiber cloth and start the engine.
Let the engine heat dry off the rest.

[ctrlraven]

Offroadkarter didn't chime in? lol

[hot-rauder]

I'm so glad this thread was made, i was just about to ask the same question myself!!

[dreydin]

/tag in case i get unlazy

[KillJoy]

www.obsessivedetail.com (http://www.obsessivedetail.com)

:up:

KillJoy

[TiTo35]

What happened to ummm...Jason? I think that was his name with the auto spa...

[TAKEDOWN]

I know Jason's auto detail spa is located in Lake Zurich, but the one in Palos Park, IL is that his place too or did he just rent out an area?