Detail tips for a Noob?

[punx77]

It is my first show next week and I wondered if there are some amazing products I should know about.

What the best Deatail spray, glass cleaner, tire shine. Any products that really come in handy at shows?

I plan on some PB wheel sealer.


Any tips or help would be great. Thanx

[Waynestowels]

I would make sure the prep work is good..., there are no "magic in a bottle" products, but with good prep work it will definately make a difference.

If you plan to drive and do not have an enclosed trailer, make sure to have plenty of microfiber towels and QD.

Since the show is in one week, I would recommend purchasing the new Mothers products, the durability is not as long lasting as Zaino or Einszett, but for a show you are not concerned about durability.

"If" it was me, I would go to the local Harley dealer, pick up S100 wax ans S100 paint cleaner and use as a final prep for the paint after you have polished to remove as many defects as possible.

Between Mothers and S100, you will have plenty of products you can pick up locally and have all week to perfect your paint, tires, wheels, etc, etc

[punx77]

Quote: Originally Posted by Waynestowels

I would make sure the prep work is good..., there are no "magic in a bottle" products, but with good prep work it will definately make a difference.

If you plan to drive and do not have an enclosed trailer, make sure to have plenty of microfiber towels and QD.

Since the show is in one week, I would recommend purchasing the new Mothers products, the durability is not as long lasting as Zaino or Einszett, but for a show you are not concerned about durability.

"If" it was me, I would go to the local Harley dealer, pick up S100 wax ans S100 paint cleaner and use as a final prep for the paint after you have polished to remove as many defects as possible.

Between Mothers and S100, you will have plenty of products you can pick up locally and have all week to perfect your paint, tires, wheels, etc, etc

Ya, I am driving, it is a daily driver show truck. What is the name of the new mothers products?

How do you use the harley cleaners, do I wax then use the other stuff.

What is QD?

What are the names of the Zaino or Einszett?

Any good Glass cleaners or interior cleaners?

What about a detail spray?

Or tire spray?

Is it better to clean before I leave then touch up when I get there since it is only an 2 1/2 hr. trip..

Sorry for all the question but thanx for the help

[rcmaniac]

Quote: Originally Posted by punx77

What is QD?

Quick Detailer [spray]

Quote: Originally Posted by punx77

What are the names of the Zaino or Einszett?

Zaino

Quote: Originally Posted by punx77

Any good Glass cleaners or interior cleaners?

Invisible Glass


Interior.. Get a bucket of water, and grab your microfiber towel.. Dunk it.. Wring it out, and wipe.. do so several times.. it gets it clean.. Also a tip.. Is most of the dust that you get in your truck, is actually dust in your seats that just gets moved around when you get in/out of your truck.. Take your air compressor, and blow into the seats.. If you've never done this before, a shitload of dirt and shit will come flying out.. May be a good idea to have a vaccuum cleaner near by to suck the dust in as its in the air.. but don't have too.. Just a tip..

Quote: Originally Posted by punx77

What about a detail spray?

Quick Detailer [spray] - same thing..
Meguiars Quick Detail is what im using right now.. Only cause I ran into a shit load of it around x-mas time.. Gifts
Below is differant brands of detail sprays that also work very well..
http://www.2020kustoms.com/?products&categoryID=6&PHPSESSID=ed20a90fc53cf8eb9 ba8bff7d867347e

Quote: Originally Posted by punx77

Is it better to clean before I leave then touch up when I get there since it is only an 2 1/2 hr. trip..

Well.. What I usually do is.. The day before the show.. I wash, dry, clay, wax, wash.. Dry.. Then I go over the whole truck with very light amount of detail spray.. Like.. I take 3 sprays to the microfiber towel, and go at a whole panel with that.. And it gets all water spots out really well.. Then I do all my detailing.. Paint fender wells, tire dressing.. Whole 9 yards..

Then next morning.. Take like 5 minutes to get anything you missed.. Drive to the show.. That way all you have to do when you get there is detail it once more.. which shouldn't take too long.. Just go over the truck with spray, clean glass.. dust out the interior again, and dress up pieces.. Maybe 15 minutes to get it done.. That way you have more time to go around and look at everyone elses ride also..

Quote: Originally Posted by punx77

Sorry for all the question but thanx for the help

No problem.. I'm not necessarily a noob, or an expert myself.. I've just been to a few shows and see what other people do..

[buellwinkle]

The best advice I can give you is to check out the detailing forums like Autopia.org and MeguiarsOnline.com

If you know how to polish with a buffer that's the first step (after washing of course) but assuming you are not there yet. Wash the car really well, then get a clay kit (clay bar and QD), press the clay to about twice it's original size and break it in half and use just half for now, spray the car and bar and keep both wet as you glide the bar in the palm of your hand, this will pickup embeded contaminants that will give you the smooth feeling. Every panel I would fold it in half and press it flat again. Whipe the excess QD as you go with a microfiber (MF) towel (get them 20 for $10 at Costco. Then wax the car with NXT Tech Wax. There maybe products that give you a good shine on a perfectly buffed finish but NXT is good at hiding swirls which will get you through the show without buffing. If you drop the clay piece, throw it out, it will damage your car if you use it, just use the half you saved.

If you really want to impress people clean the engine really well and the underside of the hood (an area people miss), then find some Meguiars Hyperdressing and spritz it on, it's amazing stuff, will make your engine compartment look amazing. This place splits the gallons into smaller sizes for us hobbiests - http://www.autodetailingsolutions.com/Meguiar's%20Detailer%20Line%20Prices.htm

[punx77]

thanxs for the help guys,

I looking for the easiest processes since I am in a wheelchair. I will have help but it takes a little longer for me.

Thax for all the suggestings so far.

[JollyRojer]

holy crap theres way more that goes into this then i expected.... my car still has some minor detail blemishes (sombody keyd it 2 days after i bought it, and its got some damage to the bed, previous owner seemd to have gotten his kicks out of leaving metal in the bed and letting it bounce around, leaving huge gouges in the bed)

[comics22]

ewww id just get a rolll on bedliner kit. or a bedliner (i hate mine slides a bit)

[rcmaniac]

Quote: Originally Posted by comics22

ewww id just get a rolll on bedliner kit. or a bedliner (i hate mine slides a bit)

Erm.. Get a spray on bedliner.. Or have a friend hwo knows how to paint, do it for you..

[punx77]

Quote: Originally Posted by rcmaniac

Erm.. Get a spray on bedliner.. Or have a friend hwo knows how to paint, do it for you..

I do have a spray in bed liner, it is actually getting sprayed again. Thanx for the tips, I won 1st place 2cd gen, best of paint, and tied for judges choic, so thanx for the tips.

[LikeaRock]

Mothers Showtime spray isn't bad, but I've noticed it's VERY easy to leave streaks with it, whether you use a smal amount or a large amount. A good OTS product to use would be Megs QD, and I've heard Egale 1 makes one that isn't bad? (I might be mistaken, so don't take my word for it ...)

For a tire shine, it really depends on what you're looking for. Do you want a matte finish or more of a wet finish, and is durability a concern? There's lots of different tire shines out there, and they all leave a different finish. For more of a matte finish, Turtle Wax Wet N' Black looks great after 2 coats, and it dries evenly all the way around. A couple extra coats will leave them looking wet.
For more of a wet finish without the effort, I've heard Megs NXT tire shine and Hot Shine (I think that's the name, I'm not a HUGE fan of the basic Kragens OTS Meguiars products)
Eagle 1 makes some great applicator sponges that are contoured to go around the sidewall and leave a clean, even look all the way around the tire. They work the best on low-pro's though. Using an applicator is easier IMO because you have a MUCH smaller chance of getting excess product all over the rims or anywhere else. Plus it eliminates sling too
Try to stay away from aeresol shines, they have a habit of going everywhere and geting all over the paint, which isn't the best thing for it...However, No Touch tire spray works AWESOME underneath fenderwells. It might take a few apps to get them looking how you want, but it works great.

For a glass cleaner, rcmaniac is dead on. Stoners is an awesome product, and it's safe for tinted windows if you've got them. I even use this stuff on the interior pieces, it's one hell of a product!

I also see you plan on ordering some PB wheel sealant, good stuff. While you're at it (if you want to spend the extra cash), order some of their Polish with Carnauaba and their SSR products. I've also heard of people taking PB'S Natty's paste wax with them to shows if they need to touch up a spot or two

[99s10]

Good tips guys, PunkX77 I see you live in du qoin, IL. I live about 30 minutes away from there, I go to the big 'Ol fair there every year, and of course the titty bars about 15 minutes down the road in Desoto every now and then

[mister880]

what i usually do is since i drive my truck to shows also. wrap your front clip with saran wrap when your driving to the show. do not block where the air is sucked in for the intake(obviously). but wrapping it in saran wrap, yes you look kinda goofy going down the road, but you just prevented all the bugs getting on ur front end.

[Hucko]

lick it clean with your tounge, you'll be amazed by the results