Detailing and paint restoration

[Jackalope501]

Hola Peeps!
Since I am becoming a part of this forum, the least I can do is try to contribute. I set up and ran detailing shops for several years, and I still spin a pad on occasion. I'll be posting some "how-to's" and other information for buffing, oversprays, interior stains and general detailing, and I'll be happy to assist with any questions should they arise. To show some examples, I'll be posting pics of the wife's new toy, the 87 Supra in my shop.

[wayzhack]

Sounds great Jack! Thanks for giving back to the community! Cant wait to read your stuff!!

[Jackalope501]

Let’s start things off from scratch with the products that work best…sort of Detailing 101. I know most people don’t have access to a detail supply warehouse for professional grade products, so we’ll stick to things you can find at your local auto parts store or Walmart. If you know what you’re looking for, you can still get outstanding results without going broke to do it. Let’s begin with our first product, Castrol Super Clean.


This is what it looks like for those who don't know. For general detail cleaning, I buy this by the gallon and cut it 50/50 with water in quart-sized spray bottles.

Pros:
Works as well as higher priced degreasers for about $7.00-8.00 per gallon
Readily available, check your walmart vs parts stores for best price.
Cons:
It’s a degreaser, so it’s caustic. Don’t leave it on polished aluminum surfaces for extended periods of time, and keep it off your finished body paint.


Step 1. Pre-wash:
Take your spray bottle with you to your local self serve carwash. (unless you have a power washer) Spray wheels, tires, and fenderwells just enough to get them wet. Set the wand to soap, and clean them all. You’ll be surprised how much crap you can get out of fenderwells, so don’t be afraid to get in there. After cleaning them all set the wand to rinse and repeat the process, making sure to thoroughly rinse the surrounding body panels as you don’t want degreaser left on them.
If you’re cleaning the engine compartment, hit that as well, but make sure to leave the engine running. Nothing worse than drowning the car so it won’t start. That said, don’t spray anymore around ignition components or air intakes than you have to.

Can't bring up wheels and tires without touching on wheel acid. Plenty of brands out there, basically all about the same. I've always used pro grade products for this, cut 50/50 with water. If you have alloy wheels be very very careful using these products. You can ruin a set of expensive wheels in less than a minute's time...I'm not kidding. Wet the wheel (work one at a time) and spray it evenly, do a normal paced 10 count, then rinse thoroughly. Repeat as needed.



Step 2. Hand Washing:
Hand washing is the best way to clean your car, while doing the least amount of paint damage. Those “no touch” car washes are simply relying on a higher concentrate of butyl chemicals in the soap mix to eat the road film and dirt off your car, and it’s taking the wax with it.
This brings us to product number 2. Blue Coral Wash Soap

Here's your reference photo...

There are dozens of wash soaps available, and Blue Coral is one of the best. Maguiar's is also good. The butyl chemicals are not too harsh, and there are no bullshit additives you don’t need. (polymer or silicon wax) It has a good foaming agent, and rinse agent…so it’s easy to get off when you put the hose to it.
Put just enough wash soap in the bucket to cover the bottom, and fill it with water. Using a sheepskin wash mitt will do the best job of washing the car, while taking off the least amount of wax. Start in the same place on the car every time and move in the same direction…I personally start at the left rear body panel and go clockwise. This keeps you from missing spots that you’ll have to come back to. Wet the car first, then start washing. Keep your mitt wet and keep it moving…don’t be stingy with the soap and water, since you ARE trying to clean it. Move with the body lines of the car, and overlap your strokes twice. Yes, I realize it sounds like a bit much, but I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard, “I know how to wash a car” and they never get it clean. Using these methods, I can wash over 25 cars an hour and never skip anything.




Step 3. Drying:
If you use a chamois to dry, buy the artificial variety. The natural chamois will mildew and rot, and it also strips more wax off. Personally, I use a leaf blower. It’s not only faster than a rubdown, but it also gets water out of rear view mirrors and trim mouldings where it likes to linger.

Next post, we'll take the car in the shop and get to work on the exterior...
Any questions, let me know

[Killa B]

Hello Jack, i have recently worked in a detail shop and i have a Q about clear coat. The clear coat on my 89 has faded off on my front and rear bumper and thats the only place i have a problem with figured it was just a water base primer or lack of waxing from the previous owner. I was wondering if there is something that i can use to prevent this in the future.

[Jackalope501]

Good timing killa, I just got back yesterday. Wife's mom was having surgery over in Europe, so I've been gone a bit. I'll get on the rest of the detail stuff later today.

Now, for the clearcoat problem:

You could be right on both accounts. Nothing protects your finish like regular quality waxing, but if the paint/clearcoat was applied poorly then it's only a matter of time... I'm lucky here, I have access to some very good touch-up guys. No, not the kind that use the little bottles with nail polish brushes, I mean real painters. Contact your high-end dealers locally, because somebody knows a similar crew in your area. Last time I did it, we had a Mustang GT that had been scrubbed over so many parking lot twinkies you could see a lot of rubbermaid yellow on the bottom of the nose cap. They blended it so well, you couldn't find it afterward, for about $75.oo USD. That's extremely affordable if you care about your car, right? Afterwards, keep a quality carnuba wax on it for maximum longevity. Let me know if this helps...

I'll get into exterior finishing later today...

[Jackalope501]

Now that the car is clean and dry, let's take it inside to do our exterior work.
You NEVER want to wax or buff hot paint…period.

Fenderwells:

How many times have you seen a car all buffed out, wheels shined up and tires dressed out…only to have nasty dirty fenderwells? I promise you’ll recognize it now. This is the cheapest way to take 10 years off the appearance of your car, and most people never touch it.
Back at Walmart, pick up a few cans of ColorPlace Flat Black spray paint. Don’t worry, it’s only about .95 cents a can. I know what you’re thinking…why not gloss paint? Trust me, flat is best for this application.
Go into your fenderwells with your spray paint and get to it. Get a coat on everything in there that should be black. You can pull a tire if you need to, but usually turning the wheels to one side or the other is sufficient to cover it. You don’t need to go too heavy…no need for paint drooling onto your garage floor, just get it black. If you’re worried about getting something on the surrounding body, just put a bit of paste wax on the fenders about 4 inches out. (Spray paint won’t get through the wax to the body, you can just wipe it off after.) Once you’ve painted them all, hit it with some tire shine and leave it. For this purpose, I recommend No Touch Tire Care. Here’s what it looks like:




I use this product because it doesn't leave that snotty, greasy look on your tires. Black with a low sheen finish always looks better, unless you're 19 and stupid.

Taking the time to hit your fenderwells is essential for a truly clean appearance. Take the time to treat the exposed areas of your frame and suspension as well, just like we did the fenderwells. You'll typically only need to do this about once a year. This makes a huge difference, try it and see for yourself.

[Killa B]

Thanks, sounds like a good plan. Also on those darker color paints ive learned Collonite Insulator wax works very well!!! Annually follow washes with a nice detailing spray and this single waxing will last you at minimum 6 months (if your one to take care of your paint that is)