DaveyT Posted April 8, 2014 Share Posted April 8, 2014 (edited) Hi everyone. I am going to be doing my first detail soon and wanted to make sure I have the correct order of things. 1 wash 2 dry 3 vrt and wheel cleaning/dressing 4 masking tape 5 polish/paint correction 6 wash and dry 7 seal 8 glaze 9 wax Have I missed anything? Also, can I seal and glaze chrome wheels and trim? If not, what does everyone suggest for those areas? Edited April 8, 2014 by DaveyT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 ArmyAcadia09 Posted April 8, 2014 Share Posted April 8, 2014 Number 6 wash and dry you probably could do without. I usually use waterless wash after correction to clean surface, or you could use Revive. GerryC 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 GerryC Posted April 8, 2014 Share Posted April 8, 2014 You are forgetting to clay, which is the most important step if you are going to be performing paint correction. There is a bunch of stuff stuck to your clearcoat that traditional washing will not remove - brake dust particles, environmental contaminants, etc. Clay after washing. You can leave the rinse water on the surface of the vehicle to save time. Other than that, your steps are right, and like Eric said you don't need to wash the vehicle again after polishing, a wipedown with WW will suffice. You can seal and glaze any shiny surface. Glaze on chrome will melt your face Team Adam's, KBsToy and mtnbiker326 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 ArmyAcadia09 Posted April 8, 2014 Share Posted April 8, 2014 Missed the clay part. Figured he grouped that with paint correction. But yes definitely clay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 DaveyT Posted April 8, 2014 Author Share Posted April 8, 2014 Ha! I knew I might miss something. Thanks for the input. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 Marylander Posted April 8, 2014 Share Posted April 8, 2014 And usually do the VRT on the tires last, because chances are good you'll get some polish residue flinging onto the tires during paint correction. Get that off before you put on the VRT. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 mc2hill Posted April 8, 2014 Share Posted April 8, 2014 ^ What Marylander said about SVRT. Also add 2-3 oz. of APC to your wash bucket to help remove the old LSP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 Chris@Adams Posted April 8, 2014 Share Posted April 8, 2014 You forgot before and after pics...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 Chewy Posted April 8, 2014 Share Posted April 8, 2014 Don't VRT things you plan to tape off! I think that goes without saying... But... I think the reason for doing tires and some trim first it to make polish or wax removal if on those items, easier when you're done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 Ricky Bobby Posted April 8, 2014 Share Posted April 8, 2014 I would do a 50/50 IPA wipedown after polishing to inspect the surface, Waterless wash is good but I'd wipe down with IPA after polishing. I would also spend a hefty amount of time on the decon step, your polishing and sealing abilities are nothing if you have contaminants on the surface. Have any of you actually tried to remove Liquid Paint Sealant or Quick Sealant with a strip wash of APC? You'd be fairly surprised to know that its not as easy as just a couple oz. of APC in the wash bucket, that stuff chemically bonds to the paint lol! I usually don't strip wash just because my decon and polishing takes care of the "prior layers" so to speak of product, but then again I also don't load the paint up with 2 different waxes, 3 layers of glaze etc. Product buildup shouldn't occur with a bi-yearly application of sealant and a quarterly application of Buttery, Americana. or Patriot as a topper wax. KBsToy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 Gen9Rolla Posted April 8, 2014 Share Posted April 8, 2014 Biggest thing is honestly just to go slow and take your time. We can all sit here and give you advice about what to do for days, but until you go out there and experience it for yourself it won't matter. Take your time, have fun, enjoy your car and the process, and let us know how it goes! mtnbiker326, mc2hill and Team Adam's 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 redneck08sierra Posted April 8, 2014 Share Posted April 8, 2014 instead of masking tape, may want to use painters blue tape as it is low tack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 goheels Posted April 8, 2014 Share Posted April 8, 2014 would recommend skipping step 6, as the last thing you want to do is introduce the possibility of damage with washing/drying "naked" or unprotected paint after working the polishes for the correction. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 GXPaycheck Posted April 9, 2014 Share Posted April 9, 2014 Don't forget beer and potty breaks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 Chewy Posted April 9, 2014 Share Posted April 9, 2014 Honestly though, drink plenty of fluids (water if possible) and take breaks. It's a long tedious job and taking a break is a good idea. I spent the better part of two days doing my G8 last weekend and I took several breaks. Plus it gave me time to see my family which is nice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 redneck08sierra Posted April 9, 2014 Share Posted April 9, 2014 Honestly though, drink plenty of fluids (water if possible) and take breaks. It's a long tedious job and taking a break is a good idea. I spent the better part of two days doing my G8 last weekend and I took several breaks. Plus it gave me time to see my family which is nice. or if the in-laws are in town...perfect timing to detail the cars!!! mc2hill 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 GerryC Posted April 10, 2014 Share Posted April 10, 2014 or if the in-laws are in town...perfect timing to detail the cars!!! To them you're detailing their cars, but in reality you're just practicing on something that isn't yours Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Question
DaveyT
Hi everyone. I am going to be doing my first detail soon and wanted to make sure I have the correct order of things.
1 wash
2 dry
3 vrt and wheel cleaning/dressing
4 masking tape
5 polish/paint correction
6 wash and dry
7 seal
8 glaze
9 wax
Have I missed anything?
Also, can I seal and glaze chrome wheels and trim? If not, what does everyone suggest for those areas?
Edited by DaveyTLink to comment
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