^^^^^^^^^ Now you are asking for a lot
We are often facing the question of what is the best way to achieve maximum results using our product line. So I have decided to do a small write up of how “WE” do our detail jobs, I say “We” because there’s many ways to do a detail job, this is what works for us and doesn’t represent the only way to go about it. This is a system that we've used.
Step 1: Vehicle Placement -
To start your detail job, you want to make sure your car is not in direct sunlight and that the surfaces on the outside aren’t hot. If shade cannot be found, you can wait until late evening so the sun isn’t at its full intensity.
Step 2: Vehicle Surface Evaluation -
Vehicle surface evaluation, one of the most important aspects of a successful
detail job, is the evaluation of the vehicle surface. This evaluation will allow us to prepare ourselves with the correct products and steps, things like light scratches, swirl marks and other paint imperfections can be evaluated at this time. From there we will have a plan of what products are needed and in what order.
You want to prep your washing materials first so you won't be running back to get items from storage while water is on the paint or wheels. You can use a pressure washer usually with no problems, just use caution when doing so. You don’t want to get too close to any surface of the car with high pressure water, especially to pin stripes or emblems. Failure to do so can result in inevitable damage
Step 3: Rinsing Vehicle / Pre-Wash -
I start off by rinsing all the loose debris from the top of the car working downwards. You want to make sure to get all of the loose grime off of the surface so you don’t have to use your wash mitt. What I like to do at this point is just hit all the surfaces including, wheels and tires.
I found out with this process we could avoid causing swirl marks, at least to a certain degree. Very often as you wash you may be dragging loose grime which will scratch the vehicle's surface. These steps are by no means a solution, but
rather a preventative action.
Step 4: Tires and Wheels Washing -
Washing the tires and wheels removes all loose contaminates from the exterior
surfaces of the car and leaves a clean and prepped surface ready for other steps in the detail. You will always want to wash the tires and wheels first, so water doesn’t sit on your clean paint and get baked in by the sun. For the tires, wheels and wheel wells you will only need a few things. You will need a separate set of
wash materials so your paint does not get contaminated by the metal particles and dirt on your tires and wheels. Do not use the same wash water or tools on the paint as you did your wheels. I like to have just a simple soft bristled brush.
There’s a big misconception that all wheel cleaners will stain you wheels. All do in part, this is true. The majority of wheel cleaners will indeed stain and damage your
wheels. The formula must work well on plastic wheel coverings as well. The product must be pH balanced and such as will not stain clear coats! Start with your tires and wheels first. Don’t wet the paint. Prepare your wash materials and get started doing the wheels, tires and wheel wells, one-by-one. Don’t do all of them at once; you don’t want any of these cleaners to dry. I like to start out by rinsing the heavy debris from the tire and wheel well area. Most of the time mud and loose dirt accumulate in these areas, and you don’t want to be scrubbing that dirt all over your wheels.
I start out by spraying down all areas. By the time I’ve sprayed everything, it’s had enough time for me to sit and start working. I use the detail brush first to get to the backside of my wheels and get all that brake dust out of there. Nothing looks worse than a clean wheel where you can see a dirty backside. After that step is done, I take my soft bristled brush and work on the face of the wheel. Light agitation is all that is needed. Last I work on the wheel wells with my long handled brush making sure to hit every part in the wheel
well.
Wheel wells are a really important step to a complete detail, and you have to make sure they are spotless. While you are washing, make sure when you dip your wash tools in the bucket to dip them in the rinse bucket first to remove all the dirt and then dip them in the soap bucket so you are getting clean soap. When you are done with each wheel, rinse the wheel and make sure the entire cleaner is off the wheel. Repeat for the other wheels. Make sure to rinse any undercarriage areas that are visible.
Step 5: Preparing to Wash the Vehicle -
Before wetting the paint you will want to prepare your wash bucket and tools for the paint. In this step you will use a car shampoo that is highly lubricated formula with unique foaming quality and quick rinse characteristics
Your goal is to SAFELY lift dirt and grime while helping to prevent swirls resulting from washing. The car shampoo safely removes dirt and grime without removing waxes or sealants. The shampoo is specially formulated to be absolutely harmless and safe for your car surface. The use of the wrong shampoo that doesn't remove the grime and dirt combined with a low quality sponge/applicator will eventually leave Swirl Marks in your paint surface, something that all of us try to avoid.
The car shampoo must be pH 7 balanced, something that you don’t find on those purple gallon jugs at your local store for $2.99.
One of the most common mistakes that customers make is to invest in a good quality wax only to use an inexpensive /low quality car shampoo. Using the wrong type of car shampoo will remove the wax that you had previously applied to protect your investment. Good car shampoos will remove dirt and grime without scratching and will NOT strip the wax. We used a 5 gallon clean bucket of water mixed with a ½ of a lid of car shampoo.(depending on the product is the mix) During the washing process we incorporated one of the most revolutionary products in the market today, the Oxidation block.
Step 5a: Oxidation and Bug Removal -
Oxidation and Bug remover can be used to quickly and safely remove bonded contaminants, droppings and insect grime from automotive finishes.
This product has the same function and is as environmentally safety as clay-based stain removers.
The value and benefits:
1) Just use with water, no need to buy other tools or special detergents for rigid stains.
2) Reduce over half the time of removing contaminants: User friendly and very easy to remove droppings, insect grime and contaminants which have bonded on paint finish.
3) This product also has the same function of clay-based bars. When use properly, this product will work better than any clay bar.
4) Lifespan of product is 20 to 25 uses if properly used and stored.
5) If block is dropped on the floor, simply rinse it down.