Time to start detailing

[S-X-I]

I have owned my car for just over a year and although i hand wash it weekly its time to start looking after it.

I own a 2002 Vauxhall Corsa in Flame Red and as with alot to Red Vauxhalls the paint has started to fade on the roof and the pillars (especially the C pillar). The car is also covered in swirl marks which detracts from its appearance. There are also some scrathes around the door handles which i would like to remove,

Here is a link to some pictures of the car and the effected areas :
http://s99.photobucket.com/albums/l317/230mph/

Hers what i was planning to do to the car;

1 - Wash with fairy liquid to remove previous wax/polish
2 - Clay the whole car
3 - Wash car again (is this needed or can u just wipe the lubricant off with a MF cloth?)
4 - Use something to restore the colour
5 - Use something to remove the swirl marks
6 - Polish car
7 - Wax car

I have no idea what products to use, although ive heard Meguiar products are very good, so any suggestions would be greatful also if i have missed out any steps dont be affraid to say.

I dont have a PC so any tips on applying polishes and waxes by hand would be a great help

It would be great if Iain from FinerDetails would give me some advice as what he does with cars is simply stunning.

Thanks again

 

[gazjones]

i would say the only way that those swirl marks are going to come out is with a pc what ian uses, as you cant do much by hand but the other proccesses you listed look good to me!

 

[FinerDetails]

if working by hand, Meguiars scratch X will both remove the swirls and restore the colour (remove the oxidised paint). It will require a paint glaze to add oils back into the paint, restoring the true deep shine, then wax to protect and prevent future fading.

do a search for how to use the scratch X as this has been covered before.

Any Q's shout

Iain

 

[S-X-I]

Ive looked at how to use scratch X and look looks pretty good so i will give that a go.

does anyone have any recommendations on what paint glase to use?
also what steps are required after the paint galze, do u still need to polish then wax or just wax it?

If u need to polish and wax could someone also recommend a polish and wax.

I'm not to sure on the polish but i was thinging of using Meguiars Nxt Generation Tech Wax for the wax, is this any good and is this good enough for the final step in a detail?

 

[MarkE]

The Scratch-X is doing the polishing job for you by removing the swirls and the old paint. Once you've got the finish back and applied a glaze then you don't want to go back over it with a polish (the polish is abrasive so will remove your glaze).

What you really need on top of the glaze is a sealant followed by a wax, or at least a wax by itself to protect the finish you've restored with the Scratch-X and the glaze.

So it's :

Scratch-X -> Glaze -> Sealant -> Wax

or at the least :

Scratch-X -> Glaze -> Wax

For a glaze, something like Meguiar's #7 Show Car Glaze gave a good result when I used it. Loads of places on the 'net sell Meguiar's stuff but you won't find #7 in Halfords.

For a sealant, I think Wolfgang Deep Gloss sealant (try Motorgeek for Wolfgang products) is amazing stuff for ease of use and finish.

The NXT Tech Wax is fine for the finishing touch. Then when you wash your car, re-apply the wax to the clean paintwork to add depth to the shine and preserve the finish.

 

[Sisson]

just a few tips

dont use a sponge, use a quality wash mitt
Dont use a chamois, use a waffle weave towel to dry
Use the two bucket method when washing..

Poorboys Nattys blue wax has given every car ive done awesome results, aswell as poorboys EX-P sealant

so its

Wash whole car with 2 bucket method
dry with WW towel
Clay car
Rinse again
Apply scratch X to remove swirls and scratches

Your paint will be clean and smooth now, ready for sealing

Apply glaze
Apply sealant
Apply wax

 

[S-X-I]

Thanks for all the advice guys, time to start shopping i think!

Ive got a weekend off work coming up so i'll post some pictures on the forum once its all done.

Thanks again