New to Detailing

M3Dimi · 12-04-2016, 03:48 PM

Hi so I've never washed my own car with any special materials but I've been told multiple times that I should. It's not because I don't want to do the work I just never did it before and don't know what I need to detail or where to begin... wax and all that stuff. So as a beginner where should I start what should I get to detail my car I have noticed that those car wash places are horrible and I want my baby to look brand new so where do I start guys and girls?

Thanks!

Also how long do you guys spend on washing/detailing your cars?

jiggz · 12-04-2016, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M3Dimi

Hi so I've never washed my own car with any special materials but I've been told multiple times that I should. It's not because I don't want to do the work I just never did it before and don't know what I need to detail or where to begin... wax and all that stuff. So as a beginner where should I start what should I get to detail my car I have noticed that those car wash places are horrible and I want my baby to look brand new so where do I start guys and girls?

Thanks!

Also how long do you guys spend on washing/detailing your cars?

Be prepared to get varying feedback on specific brands/products. Lots of good stuff out there, and almost none of it is found at your local auto parts store. Check out the wash/wax sub-forum and do some searching, lots of good, specific stuff in there.

'car wash places' - yes, avoid those at all costs. Those are for people who don't care about the paint on their vehicles.

You could spend 10+ hours easily detailing your car, depending on what all you're doing. I've seen some professionals on here who spent 30+ hours alone doing paint correction.

BimmerRookie · 12-04-2016, 05:41 PM

There's a whole section of the forum dedicated to this sole topic... check there for more info. Most of that stuff is still relevant, the detailing game doesn't change too often. Most people stick to what they know, and what's tried, tested, and proven.

Eliminator 429 · 12-04-2016, 05:46 PM

https://www.ammonyc.com/detailing/basic-car-wash/

I'd highly recommend watching some of Larry's videos. Larry is a true professional and produces great products.

///Motown · 12-04-2016, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eliminator 429

https://www.ammonyc.com/detailing/basic-car-wash/

I'd highly recommend watching some of Larry's videos. Larry is a true professional and produces great products.

+1

MachinesWithSouls · 12-04-2016, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ///Motown

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eliminator 429

https://www.ammonyc.com/detailing/basic-car-wash/

I'd highly recommend watching some of Larry's videos. Larry is a true professional and produces great products.

+1

+2. I've met Larry on numerous occasions. He's a great guy that knows his stuff inside and out.

His AMMO brand is great, but most importantly, watch his videos and learn where to start.

And don't be intimidated! Take your time and enjoy the process. It's very therapeutic.

fred340 · 12-04-2016, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoManyBlueCars

Take your time and enjoy the process. It's very therapeutic.

This is what its all about, nothing beats washing your car after your cup of coffee on saturday morning. Taking your time and realize you took over 1h to clean your car and wheels(instead of 5min at the car wash). Then taking it for a ride all nice and shiny!

Use the two buckets method, helps to reduce the swirls in the clear coat.
One bucket filled with water and one with soap.
http://www.autogeek.net/car-wash-bucket.html

aus · 12-04-2016, 10:15 PM

http://www.m3post.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=189

MachinesWithSouls · 12-04-2016, 10:46 PM

Here my car dialed out with AMMO.

roastbeef · 12-05-2016, 12:45 AM

youtube -> ammo nyc detailing vids.

Blindside_137 · 12-11-2016, 03:34 PM

Love the ammo videos. Asking for most his products for Christmas. Can't wait to give them a try.

su_root · 01-15-2017, 05:58 AM

Checkout Ammo videos and I would also recommend reading through the AutoDetailing Reddit wiki

cclinard1 · 02-13-2017, 01:50 PM

It really depends on what condition your paint is in as to what needs to be done to restoring it.

This Chemical Guys flowchart gives a good explanation of what might need to happen in the correct order.

http://www.chemicalguys.com/v/vspfil...gflowchart.jpg

They also have a good YouTube channel that is helpful.

You'll definitely get a lot of conflicting info about what products/brands are the best.

I've had good success washing the car with a 2 bucket system plus another bucket just for wheels.

R3dliner · 02-13-2017, 01:58 PM

you should first start by perfecting your basic wash. Two bucket wash method or invest in a pressure washer and foam cannon. You can easily spend 6+ hours detailing so if you're not up for that kind of commitment find a good local detailer or hand wash place.

If I go full on detailing wash,clay,compound,polish,sealant,wax this can take up to 10 hrs. you also need to be good at working the porter cable.

cclinard1 · 02-13-2017, 02:35 PM

If it helps...my process for this weekends detail...

Wash - 2 bucket system...Chemical Guys Mr Pink soap with Torq Foam Cannon
Wheels - Chemical Guys Diablo Wheel gel with Chemical Guys Wheel Whoolies

Using the Griot's Garage 6" orbital for below...

Paint decontaminate - Nanoskin Autoscrub Fine Grade with Nanoskin Glide
Compound - Meguiars M105 with Chemical Guys Hex Logic Orange pad
Polish - Meguiars M205 with Chemical Guys Hex Logic White pad
Glaze - Chemical Guys EZ Crème Glaze with Chemical Guys Hex Logic Blue Pad
Paint Sealant - Jescar (Mezerna) Power Lock Plus Polymer Sealant with CG Black Pad
Wax - Chemical Guys Butter wax with CG Red pad
Quick detail - Chemical Guys Hybrid V7 Optical High Gloss Spray Sealant/Quick Detailer

Hope this helps.

12-04-2016, 03:48 PM	#1
M3Dimi Lieutenant 178 Rep 446 Posts Drives: 2008 e92 4.6L M3 6MT Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: California iTrader: (0)	New to Detailing Hi so I've never washed my own car with any special materials but I've been told multiple times that I should. It's not because I don't want to do the work I just never did it before and don't know what I need to detail or where to begin... wax and all that stuff. So as a beginner where should I start what should I get to detail my car I have noticed that those car wash places are horrible and I want my baby to look brand new so where do I start guys and girls? Thanks! Also how long do you guys spend on washing/detailing your cars? __________________ 2008 E92 M3 6MT
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12-04-2016, 05:41 PM	#3
BimmerRookie Major 469 Rep 1,320 Posts Drives: E93 Cavalier Z24 M3 Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (0)	There's a whole section of the forum dedicated to this sole topic... check there for more info. Most of that stuff is still relevant, the detailing game doesn't change too often. Most people stick to what they know, and what's tried, tested, and proven.
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12-04-2016, 05:46 PM	#4
Eliminator 429 Private First Class 48 Rep 156 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Shelby GT350 Evo IX Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: PA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW M3 [0.00]	https://www.ammonyc.com/detailing/basic-car-wash/ I'd highly recommend watching some of Larry's videos. Larry is a true professional and produces great products.
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12-04-2016, 10:15 PM	#8
aus Major General 892 Rep 9,032 Posts Drives: Odysse Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Seal Beach, CA iTrader: (10)	http://www.m3post.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=189 __________________ Let me get this straight... You are swapping out parts designed by some of the top engineers in the world because some guys sponsored by a company told you it's "better??" But when you ask the same guy about tracking, "oh no, I have a kid now" or "I just detailed my car." or "i just got new tires."
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12-04-2016, 10:46 PM	#9
MachinesWithSouls Colonel 4836 Rep 2,442 Posts Drives: 2022 M3 6MT Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (0) Garage List 2022 BMW M3 [10.00]	Here my car dialed out with AMMO. Attached Images __________________ 2022 M3 6MT - Portimao Blue Metallic 2022 X3 M40i - Tanzanite Blue Metallic
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12-05-2016, 12:45 AM	#10
roastbeef Lieutenant General 11586 Rep 12,726 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (4)	youtube -> ammo nyc detailing vids. __________________ Instagram; @roastbeefmike
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12-11-2016, 03:34 PM	#11
Blindside_137 Lieutenant General 6710 Rep 10,598 Posts Drives: 2011.75 SSII E90 M3 ZCP Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Raleigh, NC iTrader: (2)	Love the ammo videos. Asking for most his products for Christmas. Can't wait to give them a try.
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01-15-2017, 05:58 AM	#12
su_root Lieutenant 168 Rep 405 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: CFL iTrader: (0)	Checkout Ammo videos and I would also recommend reading through the AutoDetailing Reddit wiki
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02-13-2017, 01:50 PM	#13
cclinard1 Second Lieutenant 88 Rep 261 Posts Drives: 08 E90 M3 6MT SSII (sold) Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Wilmington, NC iTrader: (0)	It really depends on what condition your paint is in as to what needs to be done to restoring it. This Chemical Guys flowchart gives a good explanation of what might need to happen in the correct order. http://www.chemicalguys.com/v/vspfil...gflowchart.jpg They also have a good YouTube channel that is helpful. You'll definitely get a lot of conflicting info about what products/brands are the best. I've had good success washing the car with a 2 bucket system plus another bucket just for wheels.
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02-13-2017, 01:58 PM	#14
R3dliner Lieutenant Colonel 935 Rep 1,930 Posts Drives: 18 M3 6MT Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: NYC iTrader: (5)	you should first start by perfecting your basic wash. Two bucket wash method or invest in a pressure washer and foam cannon. You can easily spend 6+ hours detailing so if you're not up for that kind of commitment find a good local detailer or hand wash place. If I go full on detailing wash,clay,compound,polish,sealant,wax this can take up to 10 hrs. you also need to be good at working the porter cable.
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02-13-2017, 02:35 PM	#15
cclinard1 Second Lieutenant 88 Rep 261 Posts Drives: 08 E90 M3 6MT SSII (sold) Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Wilmington, NC iTrader: (0)	If it helps...my process for this weekends detail... Wash - 2 bucket system...Chemical Guys Mr Pink soap with Torq Foam Cannon Wheels - Chemical Guys Diablo Wheel gel with Chemical Guys Wheel Whoolies Using the Griot's Garage 6" orbital for below... Paint decontaminate - Nanoskin Autoscrub Fine Grade with Nanoskin Glide Compound - Meguiars M105 with Chemical Guys Hex Logic Orange pad Polish - Meguiars M205 with Chemical Guys Hex Logic White pad Glaze - Chemical Guys EZ Crème Glaze with Chemical Guys Hex Logic Blue Pad Paint Sealant - Jescar (Mezerna) Power Lock Plus Polymer Sealant with CG Black Pad Wax - Chemical Guys Butter wax with CG Red pad Quick detail - Chemical Guys Hybrid V7 Optical High Gloss Spray Sealant/Quick Detailer Hope this helps.
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