Newbie to detail - HELP!

[jogreen1]

I just got my baby a little over a week ago. Sunny is an Hot Orange Met. with Navy top MCSC. What do I use on her to keep her as beautiful as she is now. All I've ever done before is run my vehicle through a car wash once every 6 months or so and use it as a large trash can on wheels.

I haven't cared about a car like this since my first little orange VW (mumble) years ago in high school. I haven't had a new car for over 24 years, when I first graduated from nursing school. I've wanted her for a long time, my mother weirded out when she asked if she could smoke and I was like NO! I used to smoke in my car. (it was like the only time I smoked) Not in this one.

This is my BABY!!!!! I don't know how to take care of her right. HEP ME, HEP ME!!!! as we might say in the south.

[jogreen1]

Oh and please be gentle, I've seen paint blades, Zaino, Waffle something, etc. and lots of Z# somethings, and am very confused. I need first steps to get her safe from all this d--- rain we're having and grunge on the road. And what's best for my rag top. I've seen a few things out is there something best for the MINI?

I've got three pages of notes from the general info discussion/conversation thing. I want this baby to shine. I've waited 4 yrs for her. Played for the entire time on what to get in her and built a lot. Zuino, Zymol, Mother, what has worked well for places that have fairly mild winters, lots and lots of rain, some cold, maybe a little snow, mostly ice if anything. Summertimes hot and HUMID.

[lotsie]

Read all the stickies at the top of this forum, they will help get you started.

Mark

[kenchan]

call Heather at Detailers Paradise. she can get you everything you need
to get started and then some... then some more... then we push you to
get even crazier. until you run out of cash. lol!!

www.detailersparadise.com

[jogreen1]

Originally Posted by kenchan

call Heather at Detailers Paradise. she can get you everything you need
to get started and then some... then some more... then we push you to
get even crazier. until you run out of cash. lol!!

www.detailersparadise.com

Thanks, I read through the other stickies and it's almost TMI!!! My mind is seeing thousands of products landing in my garage at one time. I do need to feed the grandson and youngest daughter sometimes I figure ;-)

I try to give her a buzz for a good first run to give her some protection through this horrid rain, and collect some more products as I go.
Thanks again.

[mini_dreams]

hi jogreen1... welcome and congrats...

first, i'll say, i was in your position about two months ago... total newbie to detailing and caring for the car.

second, i'll say, i'm still a newbie, but i have learned a lot and am learning more.

third, i'll say, i second Kenchan's suggested to talk to Heather at Detailer's Paradise. I really like their products, but there are many others, of course. Meguiar's products are good because you can get them locally.

and last, i'll say, i'm in Cordova, TN, too, and can show you some of the products I have and offer some tips, but i am by no means an expert... just a beginner with a little bit of experience under my belt.

lots of good info. in this forum and smart people, too.

PM me if you want.

and post some pictures!

[ImagoX]

I have the exact same color (Hot Orange... YES!), and here's the "basic" regime I use personally to keep my car looking great. The following is from THIS THREAD, by the way, posted by someone else asking basically the exact same thing as you are - I'd check the linked thread out for additional things people recommend (there are lots of very good detailers in hese forums), but the process below I KNOW works on HO, and works very well:

(PS - congrats on your new baby and on your most excellent taste in color).

+++++++++++++++++

I've had VERY good luck with a simple regime:

START: Assuming the car is brand new w/ no swirlies to buff out or other gunk - wash the car (including the rims) and dry, then run a detailing clay bar over the paint, just to see how slick you can get the paint to begin with. Since the paint is (theoretically) new without any serious road gunk to scrape out of the clear coat, this should take about an hour, give or take.

Then, apply a coat of Detailers Paradise Epic wax. Use only a few teaspoons'-worth for the entire car. Allow the wax to cure for about an hour, until it's powdery-white. A fingertip dragged through the wax should leave a shiny clean spot - it it smears let it keep curing. Wipe away the residue (should be very easy to wipe away totally by hand if properly cured).

NOTE: if you really want to be tricky, use the clay bar and Epic wax on the painted surfaces of the engine bay as well as on the rims. This isn't necessary by any means, but it DOES make keeping the engine bay and rims clean a LOT easier and only adds about 15-20 minutes to the initial detail process. If this seems scarily anal to you, feel free to skip it.

While the wax is curing, use an interior detail spray (I use DP Nero) to treat all the interior vinyl. Spray the Nero on a cloth and use it like a dusting polish - you don't need a huge ammount.

The trim can be wiped down with Wizard's Black Renew or with more Nero. Use vinyl treatment early and often, to keep it black - both products have UV protectants.

Apply a second coat of Epic wax in 24-48 hours - 2 coats should be plenty.

After this, all you need to do is take about 15 minutes 1-2 times a week (depending on the weather) to wipe the car down with Slick detailing spray and a quick swipe with Nero on the trim.

I run a California Car Duster over the car before detail spraying, to remove the bigger "dirt chunks". Save the front and rear bumpers for last (they get the dirtiest by far), after the bonnet and side panels/doors.

I do the windows with DP Clarity after the trim - takes about 5 minutes, tops if you do it every week I find.

I wash the rims as needed - about every other week. Even with this "minimal" cleaning (compared to some other people here, anyway), I still get people asking me all the time if my car is brand new or not (it was bought back in June).

NOTE - I store my car overnight in a garage but it's out all day in a parking lot. If you park ourside at night you may need to detail spray the car more often.

[jogreen1]

Ok, This all sounds good Matt, and thanks bunches BTW, but what about the rag top. I'm really concerned about all of this rain and humidity here. Plus, I sure hope all of this isn't going to cost me more than groceries to start out with!

[OctaneGuy]

The convertible top comes pretreated. You don't need to do anything to it. When I wash it, I just use an Absorber and lay it on the top, and it completely absorbs the water.

Overtime you may find lint and other things attached to the top. I use one of these Xtractors from Meguiar's. It's basically a brush with rubber nubs/nibs??

http://www.meguiars.com/?car-interior-brushes/Extractor

Anyways, you just pass it along the top quickly and it gathers lint that you can then pick off.

I did this on a recent 2005 MCS convertible I worked on.

Originally Posted by jogreen1

Ok, This all sounds good Matt, and thanks bunches BTW, but what about the rag top. I'm really concerned about all of this rain and humidity here. Plus, I sure hope all of this isn't going to cost me more than groceries to start out with!

[El_Jefe]

Nice Love Wand !

hawt

[jogreen1]

Thanks for the info, looks like the "love wand" is pretty cheap, too.

Jo

[OctaneGuy]

They need to be because the rubber nibs come off after using it for awhile, so you will eventually need to buy another.

Check out this 1994 Jag XJS I worked on. It looks like the top was dried with a red shop rag or maybe a California duster. Do you see the red lint??





I used the Xtractor


Can see the lint coming off


and here it is all restored

Originally Posted by jogreen1

Thanks for the info, looks like the "love wand" is pretty cheap, too.

Jo

[kenchan]

^^ that def. looks like calduster remains! nice recovery!

[ImagoX]

Even though the rag top is treated, I'd still use a protectant on the material. I uses the 303 Aerospace spray on the top and it was MUCH better at water beading/resisting afterwards. Be sure to get the 303 stuff for CLOTH tops, not vinyl. It takes about half a bottle to treat the entire top, and it's not exactly cheap, but I think it's worth it. When applying, try to wait for a hot, sunny day and leave the car out in the sunshine - it dramatically speeds the drying time of the sealant.

NOTE: be sure to use a peice of cardboard as an overspray sheild, and also wipe off the rubber trim if you get any on it - people have reported that the rubber trim can discolor if the 303 sits on it for a while. I got overspray on my trim and wiped it off right away with a rag and there was no discoloration at all.

OCTANE: thanks for the tip in that brush - I have to try it! I use one of the heavy-duty lint rollers on my top - it takes about 3-4 "sheets" to totally clean the top, but it keeps it looking good.

[millerd2]

jogreen1 - welcome to the asylum Definitely get in touch with Heather either by phone or personal message via NAM. I sent her a PM and she responded with a list of recommended items to get me started. And you may want to consider getting OctaneGuy's DVD on detailing. It's available through NAM at http://store.northamericanmotoring.c...t=0&bestseller

Good luck and have a great new year with your new toy.