Hi there,

I have to detail this guys 1999 sl500 inside and out and i was wondering if my procedure is okay or needs improvement.

Wash
Claybar
Wash
Dry
XMT Ultra Fine Swirl Remover #1 with PC7424 and orange LC pad (white?)
Buff microfiber towel
Zaino Z5 with PC7424
Buff with bonnet on PC7424
Zaino Z2 with PC7424
Buff with bonnet on PC7424

should i tape off when using the pc?

Interior - Armor all clean and protectant wipes
Zaino leather cleaner and conditioner

Wheels-General cleaner and Zaino tire shine

Thanks!

 

Yep, I would recommend taping off the trim and windows to be able to use your PC more freely.

 

I'd scrap the bonnets for PC removal, it's only going to contribute to the risk of adding imperfections, which you want to minimize. Pick up some microfiber towels and remove by hand. The PC is for applying products not removing them.

The steps look fine, other than using an orange pad with XMT #1. If it's a finishing polish, you shouldn't go heavier than a white polishing pad other wise you could introduce micro-marring from using too aggressive of a pad with a light aggressive polish.

Taping the trim is recommended whether using the PC or hand application. It only takes 1 mistake to ruin your trim.

Let us know how you make out!

George

 

Awesome! Thanks for the quick replies.

Yeah I'll switch to the white pad instead of the orange cutting pad and I'll def tape off.

Hopefully I'll reply with some before and after shots.

 

I think you can skip the first wash as the claybar will remove most stuff.
The wash after the claybar should be with Dawn or similar soap.
I'd add multiple coats of Z2 but you may be doing that anyway.

 

BIG NO-NO! If you didn't wash the bulk of the contamination off with an initial wash you'd be creating way more work than a simple wash for yourself to attempt to remove the scratches, swirls and marring you'd create.

If anything you can skip the second wash if you use a quick detailer and microfiber towel to remove the clay lube residue.

DEFINITELY wash before claying.

George

 

im sorry for hi-jackin you thread i have a question...
after applying the Z5 then Z2 ..do we still a WAX? like NXT ect?

 

Nope - not necessary. You can use qd or cs or BOTH after.

 

instead of the orange pad, use the more agressive pad (white) since the polish youre using is pretty abrasive. Another thing i would suggest is instead of removing or buffing off the product using a PC, do it with a MF towel. G/L with the detail!!!

 

its the other way around, the orange (cutting) pad is more aggressive than the white (finishing/polishing) pad.

 

lol...I can only imagine what kind of havok would be created by claybarring a dirty car! Even if there few surface contaminants....that being rubbed into the paint back and forth, yikes! I usually skip the second wash, and I do use quik detailer and a clean microfiber to wipe it down after claying. I wasn't sure if I should wash a second time, glad that you mentioned this.

 

Update pics???