Yay! A detailing forum!!

[OCDetails]

Hey there! I'm glad to see this site has a detailing forum. That is pretty much my area of expertise when it comes to cars. I've been in the car detailing industry for much of the past ten years and there isn't anything I love to do more than talk about detailing processes and products. In fact, I made a whole website devoted to education on how to detail. I don't sell anything through it. I just make some recomendations and try to explain how things work. I hope I can be of some assistance in this forum!

[jay]

So what do you think about Consumer Reports recent rating of Nu Finish?

[jcantanixon]

Originally posted by jay
So what do you think about Consumer Reports recent rating of Nu Finish?

Yah, I found that really strange...as I've tried it before and thought it was garbage. Maybe they've reformulated?

[OCDetails]

To be honest, I haven't used Nu Finish for years. There is much better stuff out there if you look. It may not all be available at your local WalMart, but Nu Finish is still not the greatest stuff in the world. I haven't read what Consumer Reports said about it. Any links?

[jay]

Originally posted by OCDetails
To be honest, I haven't used Nu Finish for years. There is much better stuff out there if you look. It may not all be available at your local WalMart, but Nu Finish is still not the greatest stuff in the world. I haven't read what Consumer Reports said about it. Any links?

Consumer Reports Car Wax Ratings (July 2006)

[OCDetails]

I wouldn't put a lot of stock in that list. They are only testing the mainstream mass marketed products that you can find at any auto parts store. The really good stuff isn't marketed that way. The other thing that makes that list unreliable is the fact that they are comparing carnaubas to glazes to synthetics. That is like comparing a Jeep to a Motorcycle to a Ferrari. They just aren't in the same arena of products. Consumer reports has a habit of not knowing their arse from a hole in the ground. They shouldn't compare apples to oranges and then while munching on the apple state that it is the best damn orange they have ever eaten.

Give me a week or two to get my Pilot cleaned up once I pick it up next week and I'll show you something that knocks the socks off every product on that list. I've used most of those and compared them to other products that aren't available off the shelf. There really isn't much point in buying many of those products once you have used the finer things in life. And I'm not just talking about Zaino or Klasse. There are a lot of synthetics out there that are very impressive.

[jay]

Originally posted by OCDetails
I wouldn't put a lot of stock in that list. They are only testing the mainstream mass marketed products that you can find at any auto parts store. The really good stuff isn't marketed that way. The other thing that makes that list unreliable is the fact that they are comparing carnaubas to glazes to synthetics. That is like comparing a Jeep to a Motorcycle to a Ferrari. They just aren't in the same arena of products. Consumer reports has a habit of not knowing their arse from a hole in the ground. They shouldn't compare apples to oranges and then while munching on the apple state that it is the best damn orange they have ever eaten.

Give me a week or two to get my Pilot cleaned up once I pick it up next week and I'll show you something that knocks the socks off every product on that list. I've used most of those and compared them to other products that aren't available off the shelf. There really isn't much point in buying many of those products once you have used the finer things in life. And I'm not just talking about Zaino or Klasse. There are a lot of synthetics out there that are very impressive.

I first used Klasse recently on my Box, and it kicks Very easy to use. And with my regular routine of washing with Eagle One No Bucket Wash, drying with Wax As u Dry, and using the Quick Detailer between washes, my xB looks pretty sweet.

[John K]

Welcome JNGRBRDMAN!!

[OCDetails]

Originally posted by John K
Welcome JNGRBRDMAN!!

Only a couple boards out there that know me as Jngrbrdman. You are either from Autopia or DetailCity. Either way its always great to run into another neat freak.

[mchan]

hey there,

welcome to the .org. I've been taking more and more interest in detailing now that i have a little bit more time on my hands. I use the two bucket wash method also and have just been using the cleaner/wax and staged product from Meguiers. I would like to get a porter cable polisher some day and learn how to remove swirls and scratches better. Would a Sears orbital buffer do the trick? This would just be for mine and my families vehicles, so I'm not looking at getting something super expensive.

Thanks!

[OCDetails]

Those buffers are only good for applying waxes. They won't polish the paint and remove swirls. If you want to do that then you might as well spend the extra bucks and get a machine that can do it all. A Porter Cable will only cost you around $120. You can get that and a couple pads and all the polishes you need for less than $200 bucks easy. It is an investment in what is probably one of the more expensive items people typically buy. Between your house and your education, not many things cost more than a car. I think $200 is a reasonable amount of money to spend keeing it looking good. That's just me though...

[mchan]

okay, I thought they were more expensive than that. Any suggestions on a good place to purchase and what items I may need? pads, compound etc.

Thanks!

[OCDetails]

You just asked one of my FAQs. Here are my answers.

[mchan]

Hey OCDetails,

Just wanted to say thanks for all your help and info. I purchased the PC and some Sonis product online a few months ago but never got around to using the stuff until yesterday. My sister wanted me to help her get her Miata prepped for sale and your website and post were very helpful.

Pictures here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/9494771@N05/

Everything was good except the stage 3 compound was difficult to remove with the buffing bonnet. What do you use to remove the final wax haze? Also, what power settings do you use on the PC. Pad 1 and 2 for swirl removing calls for an excess of 3500 rpm.

Thanks!

[OCDetails]

Generally I start polishing at a 3 and then kick it up to 5 to work it in. The 3 is just to spread the product around the panel a bit so it doesn't sling all over the place. Every product is different though. It also depends on what kind of pads you are using.

I just use microfiber towels to buff the product off. I don't use those bonnet things. Sonus is big on them, but I think they are crap. They never seem to work very well anyway. If it gives you any problem buffing off, then something that might work is to use a little QD as you go. Even a slightly damp towel is great at getting product off.

VERY nice work on the Miata, by the way! That thing looks better than new. I'm glad I could help indirectly, but all that work gets credited directly to you whenever anyone looks at it.