ok, so i am a complete noob when it comes to detailing. most of the time, i am happy with a good wash and quick detail (i use ICE most of the time). last time i really did wax was about 12 years ago on my old Peugeot 306 convertible with OTS products which in Israel = old school turtle wax in metal can.

so fast forward to present time, i decided that it was time to give my 2010 octane blue a good detailing (5000 miles) since i started to notice that the paint was not smooth to the touch. since i am a noob, i did what most people do and that is to start reading, watching youtube videos, talking to people etc.. now let me tell you, this became over whelming super fast since there are so many products and each person seems to have his own "way" of doing things. luckily for us, we have this forum which already contains quite a few amazing resources and getting someone to help was easy.

after talking to ttsumibuishi, FJF, Oakes etc.. i learned that i really didn't need to go all out with a orbital and super expensive products and FJF put together a killer affordable kit for me for about $70. now all that was left was to actually do the job and i am happy to say that today was the day. it took me about 4 hours to do what needed to be done but that does not include interior, wheels (getting new wheels next week so didn't see the need) and engine. what i did do in the 4 hours was the following: wash, clay, bonding agent, wax, windows, exhausts and lights. the only thing left is the Duragloss quick wax which the people from Eutopia recommend to put 12 hours after the wax coat.

after everything is said and done (pictures will come tomorrow), here is what i learned from this experience:

1) listen to FJF. he might act all tough (i still love you my little teddy bear!) but he knows his shit and will actually tell you what you need and not what you want to hear.
2) Durgloss products ROCK!!! so easy to put on and remove, cheap and looks amazing!
3) a good detail= a great workout. my entire body is in pain
4) Mitsubishi paint= the suck!!! seriously, DIAF mitsu and i hope you go bankrupt.
5) you don't need to spend hundreds of dollars to get good results.
6) clay bar is fun. i love how it starts rough and then turns into smooth sailing (take it as you will ;) )
7) having a garage is a god send when it comes to detailing and working on your car.
8) simple green= simply awesome!
9) you can never have enough microfiber towels
10) i need a vacation :)

that's it for now...

http://www.snirgolan.com/img/v20/p789062251-4.jpg

http://www.snirgolan.com/img/v23/p837393788-4.jpg

http://www.snirgolan.com/img/v21/p650505392-4.jpg

http://www.snirgolan.com/img/v25/p892237411-4.jpg

Awesome. Now all we need is FJF to write out that list for the rest of us.

let me find it for you buddy.

i forwarded you FJF list dude. he was kind enough to even provide me with links to each product so i can't repost it here since these are links to a non vendor.

Thanks bro. Thanks alot.

Maybe we could work out the links and just post the names of the products.

well, off the top of my head, this is what i used:

1) meguiars gold class soap (i had some at home but once that is done, i am switching to DG 901)
2) meguiars clay bar with quick detail (again, i bought it before i got the list)
3) Duragloss #601 bonding agent
4) Duragloss #105 TPP
5) Duragloss aquawax for final step
6) Sonax wheel cleaner (great product)
7) Optimum leather and trim cleaner for interior work
8) Optimum Instant Detailer & Gloss Enhancer for quick detail between waxing
9) Mother's MF pads for applying wax
10) Sonus MF polishing towels and Sonus drying towls


and to qoute to wise words of FJF:

"Like anything, detailing and paint care can be made complicated or easy, depending on the project. These products form a basic kit, if you will. Once you get going and find yourself wanting to take this to a higher level, we can certainly supplement your arsenal to suit."

Excellent! Now what about those spots? Could be water spots baked in or something..might need a tad bit of correction.

I haven't tried Sonax. Let me know how it is.

Also, gotta see your final results in person!! :D I'm letting BFWD cure overnight, and am going to wipe it off around 7am and apply wax. Gahhh!!

its like little tiny brown spots that are raised and feel like dried tar or something. Sonax is great dude, you can come and borrow it and try it in person but this shit really works great.

see my facebook post about tomorrow :)

Ohhhh...yeah ok - I know exactly what you mean, have one on my trunk I think and so far it won't come off. I think it's some sort of tree sap/amber. I'll check yours out though. Tomorrow will probably work!

Would you mind PMing me the list as well bud? Thanks!

yeah i have quite a few of them so hopefully we can find a product that works. also, random question but any chance that you know how to remove the "clear coat" that you get with the color pen (the pen with the mitsu paint so you can hide paint marks)? i tried to hide a rock chip and it looks like crap but i can't take it off.

where's our pictures?!?

:ttiwwp:

sorry guys, crazy day. will snap some later on in the garage :)

pictures added to the 1st post :)

Nice flippie floppies! Car looks good too I guess...

If you don't mind, please PM the list to me.

^^ x2 haha :)

Nice job seriously.

ok, here is the list so i don't have to pm the entire world :)

quick detailer:

Optimum Instant Detailer[/URL]

For interior plastics, leather, etc:

optimum Protectant Plus
(http://www.autogeek.net/optimum-instant-detailer-17oz.html)
For tires:

Surf City Garage Forever Black at Pep Boys

Wax:

Duragloss 601 bonding agent

Duragloss 105 - very easy to use, a reference durability product, excellent look, high-end for pennies per coat, great for machine application:

Duragloss Aqua wax for final step

Note: this is a 3 step process and you really should do all 3 for best results.

Car shampoo:

OTC - Meguiars Gold Class, Duragloss 901


Good pads to apply the wax:

Mother's pads

*Gold pad is best for applying LSPs, followed by Red/Blue (same foam, different colors).

Good microfiber to remove the wax:

Sonus Polishing Towels
(http://www.autogeek.net/gallon-duragloss-wash.html)
Drying towels (crucial):

Sonus Drying Towels
[URL="http://www.autogeek.net/sonus-drying-towels.html"]

Some other stuff that i have used or am trying right now:

Mother's lambswool wash mitt
mother's mag and aluminum polish
Sonax wheel cleaner (best shit ever)
still playing with windows cleaning stuff but so far i like rain-x

as for clay bar, this time i have used the meguires OTC clay kit but i just picked up the blue magic clay kit to try next.

Thanks Blonde ! :)

Nice list there. Time to spend some money and time cleaning the car.

What are you using to clean the seats ?

vacuum :) my seats are clean most of the time but if they are dirty, i guess i will just use some fabric cleaner like Resolve.

I don't know how I missed this thread. Very happy everything worked out.

I don't know how I missed this thread. Very happy everything worked out.


worked out amazing bro, i am very happy with the result and the products that i used really made my life easier. i can deal with doing 4-6 hours every 3 months or so :)

Looks good man!! Great job :thumbup:

I have some sonax car wash solution thats pretty good. Going to have to check out that wheel cleaner.

I'm gonna try it out this or next weekend I think. Everything I read is very promising. I like how it turns red. However I wonder if it will cut through brake dust better than the D108 I use currently.

Snir you gotta get 303 aerospace protectant for the engine hose's/plastics. I use it on interior and exterior plastics too, gives it a nice new shine with out the oily greasy dust attacking none sense.

What do you guys use to clean the steering wheel ? It's not really leather right or some sort of semi-leather ?

Good question, I need to start doing something before it ends up shredded like some I've seen. Already can see faint lines deep in the material across the top :(

I'm going to let mine wear away then have it wrapped in purple velvet.

I'm going to let mine wear away then have it wrapped in purple velvet.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-eb61BLIWw

I always try to find the time to detail my car inside out, but I just dont have the time... it pisses me off

car looks good tho esp for being a noob on detailing

looks good!! nice post. and yea detailing is a strain on the back lol

looks good!! nice post. and yea detailing is a strain on the back lol

Very true, good thing blondes got back :shades: 36-24-36 mmmhmmmm

Snir you gotta get 303 aerospace protectant for the engine hose's/plastics. I use it on interior and exterior plastics too, gives it a nice new shine with out the oily greasy dust attacking none sense.

sounds good, i will pick some up :)