Car cleaning help?

[stealthy]

ok my car is about a year and a half old,never really waxed it or anything,just an occassional wash.now i feel like actually taking care of it.i notice that the surface isnt smooth,so i was wondering about wetsanding it?ive washed it,and applied a wax to a small spot,but it still wasnt smooth,so what should i do from here to achieve a nice,smooth and shiney finish on a budget?and for the records,idk anything about cleaning products...

 

[x007den]

try using a clay bar


also, watch these videos. should let you get a lot more familiar with different products.

http://www.clubcivic.com/board/showthread.php?t=56795

 

[96greencivic]

Try clay first. Wet sanding is a last resort.

 

[stealthy]

sweet,thanks....then what?

 

[NOFX]

Here's a how to on cleaning your car up.

http://www.clubcivic.com/board/showthread.php?t=52425

 

[x007den]

sweet,thanks....then what?

watch the videos!

 

[stealthy]

ok so the steps are...and in this order...

1.wash
2.clay bar
3.polish
4.glaze
5.waxing

so how often should this whole sequence be done?and what is the process for a more regular cleaning?

and when washing,use a sponge or towel?what kind?

 

[stealthy]

one more thing,for cleaning windows,i suck at it,i normally just use windex. is that stoner invisable glass really that much better?and ive heard of people using newspaper to reduce streaking instead of paper towels....iunno?

 

[NOFX]

As long as you don't have any kind of greasy residue or something on your windows any clean dry cloth can buff out smears on a clean dry window.

 

[Sirk]

autoglym fast glass/meguiars glass cleaner works a treat on windows. meguiars clay bars really give a good finish plus it makes washing/polishing alot easier

 

[Team2000]

Clay bars will make you scratch your head at how much crap it cleans off you car. Its amazing stuff, have seen it in action and I was like woah... it cleaned that up THAT much!!!! Do the Clay for the base clean up and then slap on the protections over it ie: wax.

 

[fgraciano1980]

dont wet sand unless youre good with the rotary buffer. id leave that for a professional.

but yeah like everyone else said:

1. wash
2. clay
3. paint cleaner
4. polish/glaze
5. wax

also i use microfibers to clean my windows, it leaves them spotless and streakless.

i suggest you check out www.meguiarsonline.com and read up.

good luck

 

[fgraciano1980]

i forgot to mention you should clay your windows on the outside too. you wont believe how much crap are on them. that should make window cleaning easier too.

 

[stealthy]

nice,ima go buy some stuff tom and try it out on sunday and let ya know how it goes

 

[stealthy]

ok here is what i got, i guess i forgot to get the meguirs mirror glaze polish stuff (its yellow or something i think right?)hopefully ill have a nice day soon so i can test this stuff out

 

[dogg4217]

try using a clay bar


also, watch these videos. should let you get a lot more familiar with different products.

http://www.clubcivic.com/board/showthread.php?t=56795

Bump for clay bar idea thats the easiest safest way to smooth out the clear coat, then if you are really good you can take a foam pad a soft polish or a wax that hides small scratches and make that s**t shine like showroom new