Hi everyone,

I have finally decided to purchase my first batch of Prima products and actually give "true detailing" a shot! I am currently in the process of putting an order together for tomorrow (for my brithday and my MINI's 6th birthday which, ironically, are only a few days apart!). With the information from the non-OCD detailers sticky and reading through a few other threads I have come up with the following so far:

I am currently going to try and stay with hand application methods and hopefully try advancing from this stage once I am more comfortable (adding a PC). I have a few questions about the process, any help would be appreciated. Here are my thoughts so far:

For the window products:
Prima Clarity
To Apply: 1x Paradise MF Glass Cleaning Cloth

For the exterior care (in order):
1) Prima Mystique (I am quite confident the old wax has been stripped off, but for furutre "major" details strip the wax with Dawn)
To apply: Thumbless sheepskin washmit
To dry: Use a paradise Waffle Weave MF Towel (x2)

Still need to figure out what the two bucket method is -- but I have run into information on it in one of the threads, just need to re-read it.
I have been using two buckets - one for the "top half of the car" and the other for the bottom half (with two washmits --> one for the wheels, and one for the rest), however, I know now this is "incorrect" now

2) Black WoW for the exterior plastic trim (I have noticed that most have applied it prior to washing it down, however, my MINI is covered in mud after driving through some construction during heavy rain. For future washes I will apply it prior to washing it.
To Apply: Just a foam applicator with a pea sized amount.
To Wipe Off: Spray water on and wipe off (do I have to wipe it off with anything special, or would a soft piece of a shirt work fine?)

3)"Meguiar's Quik Clay Detailing System" --> Clay the paint/windows/stripes
During this step should I should tape the edges of the bonnet racing stripes?
Should I avoid areas where there are small rock chips?

I have heard you should not completely dry the car after the wash as the water can act as a lubricrant during claying along with the provided QD (Is this true)?
Should I only clay in "up and down" motions (or is this just for the verticle sides and horizontal motons for the bonnet/other "horizontal" areas)?

4) Prima Amigo (I am not sure if I should try applying a polish by hand prior to this step -- I have some swirl marks, but they do not appear to be deep, but that's from an "untrained" eyes perspective ).

To Apply: (1x) Paradise Skinny MF Pad
To Wipe Off: (1x) Paradise Platinum MF Towel

*At this step should I be careful of the plastic trim? (Tape it?)

5) Prima Banana Gloss - Only use a small amount, with light pressure.
To Apply: (1x) Paradise Skinny MF Pad
To Wipe Off: (1x) Paradise Monster Fluffy MF Towel

Dumb Question of the day: Do I put the wax on the Skinny MF Pad and then just apply lightly? (In small sections) Up and down motions for verticle areas (sides/boot) and horizontial motions for the bonnet? Can't wait to get ahold of Richard's DVD!

6) Prima Hydro (for detailing in-between banana gloss applications)

Eventually, once Richard's DVD is in stock I hope to add Prima Epic to the list (a step before Prima Banana Gloss), however, I am confident with my current skills that I will find a way to mess up applying Epic and from what I read banana gloss is easier to apply/remove and more "idiot-proof" .

Interior Trim:
Prima Nero
Apply with: All purpose MF Towel.

If anyone has some suggestions or can answer any of my many questions, it would be highly appreciated. (Assume I am complete newb , which I am).

I apologize in advance for any typos, I am currently on my laptop and the keyboard is small.
EDIT: Arg, the title should be "An OCD...", its driving me insane and I can't change it. hah

Another edit: My MINI is a BRG MCS.

Thanks,

Bill

 

Bill, sounds like you got the general idea. Here's some comments from my own style/regimen:

Two bucket method is essentially a bucket of clean soapy water and a bucket of dirty water, well it starts clean and ends up dirty. Dip the mitt into the soapy water and apply to car, then wash the mitt in the 'dirty' water to remove all the dirt from mitt. Wring it out and start again with the soapy water ad infinatum. Grit guards or dirt guards are a worthwhile investment.

For the clay, you will need something other than water as lubrication - I think the meg's package comes with a bottle of quick detailer to use as lube. OTherwise there is a Prima product available - Glide. If you're going to polish by hand, use plenty of lube, you don't want to marr your paint work with dry clay.

I have applied Amigo by hand several times without a problem. Except aching arms.

Depending on the colour of your Mini, you might want to consider Epic, after Amigo, before Banana Gloss. For darker colours, it's a treat.

For the BlackWow, I use a microfiber skinny, although a foam applicator is also good.

Good luck, and have fun with it

 

Great, thanks for the suggestions/help! I think I'll be adding the grit guards to the order now too!

I forgot to mention that the MINI is a BRG MCS. (I'll add it in the original post now)

 

Always order more microfiber than you think you'll need. I use anywhere from 2-4 towels per side, per product.

 

I found that the Mcguire's Clay/QD says that one bottle is good for 6 or 7 treatments, but I believe that's if you're just using it as a detailer. I used nearly 1/2 a bottle (maybe I'm a bit too liberal with it). In the end I found a couple 'dry' spots that I had run the clay over with insufficient lube. Got to town with lubing the clay.

 

Water alone is not enough lube to clay with. But CLEAN soapy water will work.
If the soap you are using says 1 oz. per gallon, double the amount of soap. Use either a mitt or clean MF to wet an area, about 2 square feet, clay, then rinse, then dry, then move on.

1/2 a bottle of any kind of QD is way to much IMO. I use one or two light spritz per panel, maybe 3 for the roof.

Mark

 

Thanks Mark. Just consider that I'm doing my part to stimulate the economy by using 1/2 a bottle

So you use a combo of soap/water and QD per panel?

 

If I used 1/2 a bottle every time I QDed, my income would need to be the size of the GDP of a small country

No I use either soapy water, or QD. Soapy water if there is a lot of claying needed(cause it's cheap, like me) QD, cheaper the better, for small areas, or when paint is not to contaminated.

Mark

 

Mark,

Too funny!!! Maybe Obama will offer a bailout for poor empoverished Mini owners He's giving a handout to everybody else

 

Thanks for the heads up Mark/Rixter. I think I may end up going through half the bottle of QD as well - in hopes of avoding clay getting stuck onto the paint (not experienced with claying... yet ).

Well I guess my questions (main ones) are down too:

Can Amigo stain the trim?
Do you recommend applying Swirl by hand prior to Amigo?
How many of each Microfiber towel do you reccomend?
Are there any general precautions I should take to avoid any detrimental mistakes?
Are there any special type of techniques I should use for waxing/polishing?

I was taught to polish in circular hand motions first. Then, go over the same area using a straight back and forth motion on top panels (bonnet/top) and an up and down motion on side panels.

Thank you so much for the help! Sorry for the "lame"/simple questions (just worried after reading posts about hazed paint/stained trim).

 

Amigo will stain, as will the other Prima polishes. Epic will not. Best way to prevent staining is to put painters low tack masking tape on the trim. Another way to prevent staining is to apply a liberal coating of Black Wow first.

For the towels, you can never have too many of each, but a minimum would be;
2 waffel weave drying towels.
1 Monster fluffy
1 Platinum dual fibre
1 Starfish towel
1 Glass cleaning cloth (highly recommend)
I buy one of these bundles with every order from Detailers Paradise.
http://www.detailersparadise.com/Vie...20081125151439


Your technique of hand applying products is how I do it also

Mark

 

MiniBeamer,

The only 'lame' question is the one you don't ask and the err as a result.

I don't remember if Amigo specifically stains trim, but, try to avoid getting any polish product on the trim, and wipe it off quickly if you do. BlackWow on the trim (apply before polishing) really helps.

Do you have swirls and/or other light paint imperfections that you want to remove? You certainly can apply Swirl by hand. I have. You don't want to use Swirl, or any other abrasive polish, unless you need to.

You can never have enough Microfiber.

General precaution - make sure you are fit and mentally charged before starting, or that you have several days available. Working by hand, really takes a lot of effort.

Techniques - I use a circular motion, in small areas, one panel at a time. Make sure you work the polish product until it is sufficiently diminished, but, not so long that you are just rubbing microfiber on paint.

Leave any wax/coating products on for as long as recommended.

Have fun.

 

Thanks for all the help Mark and "doesnotcompute"!

I think I'll stay away from Swirl for now and see what Amigo can do. If need be, Ill buy Swirl later on. The wallet has already lost enough weight - dont want it to become anorexic .

Bill

 

imho if you're planning on polishing by hand, stop and just use
Amigo until you can afford a random orbital.

polishing by hand will quickly discourage you from
ever detailing your car again. unless you're doing
spot repairs. even so, i use my 3" RO for that.

 

You speak the truth. Although I still come back for more!

 

For a complete noob like me, I worry about doing damage with a tool like a RO. Am I worring needlessly?

 

unless you use a direct drive buffer you're fine. especially the Griot's system is very mild so if you use their pad and polishes you can't really damage anything. they made it for weekend detailers like me. i think they still include a free dvd when you buy the RO. if not ask for one. you'll be up and running in 15min.

all you need is common sense.

 

Common sense. Holy cow I'm hooped. In my part of the planet the PC unit is quite plentiful so I'd probably get one of those. Is that pretty safe too?

 

yah, i did my MCS by hand the first time around. if you're a true weekend detailer i think you'll be back for more....but if you had the option to get a random orbital i suggest you get one so that you use your time more efficiently and get more work done on your car... like do the interior, engine bay, etc.

 

yep, those work just fine just as long as it's made for detailing. i'd suggest contacting heather/nick/OG for advise. i personally dont use the portercable so dont know for sure which models are good for your application.

the griot's one works well for almost everyone though.

 

Couple comments-All so far spot on as far as I am concerned

Before I hooked up with you bunch of true OCDers I dabbled and picked up a $25 buffer from Walmart. Works for now, might be a first step for you minibeemer. (The PC is on my Christmas list!)

I wouldn't get to tripped up about claying. If the clay is gliding on the OD or Soap Sud's you'll know. If you get out of the area you spritzed and you run across some resistance, don't sweat it. I wouldn't keep going across the panel mind you. Just budd with the MF cloth and apply the OD and have at it again.

In the very likely event you get some of these wonderful Prima products on the black trim Black Wow of Mothers 'Back to Black' will be a nice coverup. I understand, although not personally tried, you can get these white spots off with isopropal alcohol. I just read up in this over the weekend. I heard enough people say it works to say go for it.

Welcome to the Prima club, this stuff is simply amaaaazzzzing!

 

Thanks for the suggestions! Looking forward to the arrival of the products!

I think I'm going to stick to hand-application methods for now, as I am pretty much in the same boat as Rixter:

Me + a Machine without VERY detailed step-by-step specific instructions + Attempt to utilize common sense = Bad

 

one thing though... back to black is garbage. i tried it. all it did was attract dust. BW FTW!

 

Absolutely!

I've been itching to buy a PC, but I'm waiting until I get back to Europe before I invest in power tools, that way I don't have to worry about step up/down converters for the voltage/plug/outlet differences.

 

Just go easy, take your time, no need to do the whole MINI in 1 session.

Mark