Several months back I decided that some custom paint is in the future for my Silver Frost 'tour. With that decided, I figured if I'm going to drop $800-$1000 for a partial repaint then I need to get serious about caring for the paint I have so I'll be in the habit when the day finally comes.
That being said, I don't know whether I need to be congratulated or consoled. Here's why: I spent the last week doing a lot of research on detailing. After reading up I bought some micro-fiber towels, MF washing mits, clay bar, etc. In the eight years I've owned the car I believe this may be the first time I've ever bucket washed it! So I should be congratulated for finally doing it right. HOWEVER, I this finally gave me the chance to see how much damage has been done to my paint over the years. You never notice any but the most obvious of chips when you wand-wash. I had many more chips in the paint than I believed, as well as some stains most likely caused by bug guts or bird poo.
So this evening I got the majority of the car washed. Taking a suggestion on the Zaino site, I washed the car this first time with Dawn. It will do a good job degreasing the car and stripping any old wax left on. This is a one-time thing, I'll be using a mild car wash soap in the future once I've properly detailed her. I left the wheels and wheel wells for tomorrow, cause my bad knees were acting up. I was able to begin on the claying. Managed to get the roof done as well as the windshield and front windows before the light gave out. Man, what a difference the clay makes!!! I have a number of spots that the clay isn't strong enough for, and I'll have to go at them with rubbing and polishing compound.
I haven't decided which way to go yet with the polisher/cleaner. I'd like to go Zaino, but I'm in a bit of a time crunch since I've already begun. I read in the faq that NXT is good for this step on a budget detail. Here's my question about this: at the autoparts store, they had Meguiar's NXT All-In-One cleaner/polisher. I searched and searched on here but could never find out for certain if this is the same product. Is there a specific NXT brand, or is it a Meguiar's product?
Here are a couple of other observations/thoughts that occured to me during the wash.
1) I was amazed how clean the wash water stayed while using the two-bucket method! When I finished the car, I could still see the bottom of the bucket because the water was still so clean! I was amazed.
2) Micro-fiber wash mits kick arse!
3) Clay bar. This stuff reminds me of the kneadable erasers we used in art class in high school. The texture was virtually identical, as well as it's self-cleaning characteristics. Since the clay bar is $10-$15 at the store, and since it says to throw it out if you drop it, this can be a costly mistake (I haven't done it yet!). Has anyone considered using the kneadable art erasers in place of the clay? I really feel this is quite possibly the same product put to a new use. If so, it could be a MUCH MUCH cheaper alternative than buying clay from the parts store. Is anyone out there willing to swing by an art supply store, pick some up, and give this a shot?? I would, but there is no art supply store in my podunk town.
I wish I had some pics to post of my progress thus far, but the cops never recovered my stolen camera (gee...shocking). Early impressions are that my baby is gonna be sportin' some sexy looks when I'm done. I'll continue to post my impressions as I use some of these products for the first time. I just wish I had done this from the day I purchased my car.
