N00bs to Cleaning a Car

[dannyboy2005]

My Punto's paint work is dull and not very shiny.

I recently bought a Machine polisher to assist in a good shine.

The car isn't really dirty. It gets dirty very quick being white and the dirt sticks quite well to it as it has no protection really.

I was going to start off with some warm soapy water. AG and turtle wax. I'd only be using 1 bucket method with a Micro Fibre Cloth.

Then i was going to wipe the water off with a blade, then go round with a chamois to get the little drips off.

(Don't worry about wheels, there painted steelies)

Then i was going to work a panel at a time with Megs #83Dual Action Cleaner Polisher. This is the part i'm confused about. How much do i put on? and what sort of finish should i be looking for before i continue to the next step?

I then was going to go over the car again with AG SRP to give it a shine

Then finish it off with Megs # 80 Speed Glaze? to make everything even more shinier

Add Ag bumper care and Ag fast glass, as far as i'm aware i'm done?

Would i need to clay the car? Its a run around really.

[P90PTS]

You've just spent a fair whack on a machine polisher, couldn't you get an extra bucket, a wash mitt and a drying towel?

I would clay the car as it will remove small defects and road tar etc

[dannyboy2005]

You've just spent a fair whack on a machine polisher, couldn't you get an extra bucket, a wash mitt and a drying towel?

I would clay the car as it will remove small defects and road tar etc

I do have a spare bucket now i just thought. I am going to use a wash mitt (like i said).

I don't really have a drying towel. We have these things called 'Microfiber Cloths' made by 3M that mum uses to wipe water from glass when cleaning the windows? Is this good enough?

[P90PTS]

Well its a hell of a lot better than a blade and chamois!

Get to an Autosave or Halfords and pick up a drying towel, and in the mean time go buy a towel from CYC

Unless your mum has some soft egyptian cotton towels?

[Jorge-]

All these detailling threads are making me laugh at the minute, the sudden spurt of them over winter as well.

So many people with recently purchased DAs and nothing else will lead to a lot of ruined paintwork.

[dannyboy2005]

Well its a hell of a lot better than a blade and chamois!

Get to an Autosave or Halfords and pick up a drying towel, and in the mean time go buy a towel from CYC

Unless your mum has some soft egyptian cotton towels?

The very towel is called "Scotch Brite" made by 3M
http://store.applebazaar.com/images/uploads/Scotch/scotch%20t102.jpg

[P90PTS]

No i would not use that. It is designed for a bathroom not a car.

Get raking thro your towels and find an egyptian cotton one.

[dannyboy2005]

All these detailling threads are making me laugh at the minute, the sudden spurt of them over winter as well.

So many people with recently purchased DAs and nothing else will lead to a lot of ruined paintwork.

I have my Donar Punto to practice on (Another Punto in my garden i use for Spares lol)

I'll have a hour or two play with it on there.

I am a Joiner and use a belt sander. These things are VERY powerful. You can stand on them and will take you across the floor.

I've got use to using them now, and have gained good control and contently move it. I'm guessing the machine polisher is quite similar?

What are DA's :panic:

[dannyboy2005]

No i would not use that. It is designed for a bathroom not a car.

Get raking thro your towels and find an egyptian cotton one.

We only have Towels from John Lewis, i doubt they contain anything Egyptian in that shop.

[P90PTS]

DA's are a dual action polisher iirc

[dannyboy2005]

DA's are a dual action polisher iirc

OooooO

Mine is Single Action... Its a spinner, not a Vibro.

[J222JRA]

Comparing a Sander to a polisher made me lol

[P90PTS]

Here's a pic to explain:

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee41/DaveKG/PadMotion.jpg

[dannyboy2005]

Comparing a Sander to a polisher made me lol

:homme: box says "180mm Sander/ Polisher" lol.

I'm sure with a few hours practise on a old panel i'll get the hang.