Clear Kote has established themselves as having the best glaze hands down.

Clear Kote Red Moose Machine Glaze - 16 oz | Detailed Image

I always top a glaze with a carnauba wax. If you like the traditional method of application I recommend this one. It is the best wax for the period hands down. Several professional detailers put it side by side with a $8,000 wax and people picked the P21 most of the time.

P21S 100% Carnauba Wax - 6.2 oz | Detailed Image

If you want more of a budget wax I recommend Poorboys.

Poorboy's World Natty's Blue Paste Wax - 8 oz | Detailed Image

For light color cars:
Poorboy's World Natty's Red Paste Wax - 8 oz | Detailed Image

Or if you want a quick spray on wipe off wax I recommend Optimum.

Optimum (OPT) Car Wax - 17 oz | Detailed Image

Use 'autopia' for a discount at checkout. Detailedimage usually has the cheapest prices so I usually shop from them. I shop at autogeek if I need my products right away because they are local and I get my stuff next day.

 

Dont forget quality microfiber towels. My favorite are pakshak towels.

For drying:
MICROPAK 25" x 36" Ultra-Soft Waffle Weave Micro Fiber Towel

Everything else:
MICROPAK 16" x 24" Ultra-Plush Micro Fiber Towel

 

As for the chart, that prewax cleansing polish is more often referred to as a finishing polish. I really do not think it is necessary because a glaze has filling properties, and is made to fill in swirls in hide imperfections temporarily.

One of the best products out there is Poli-seal. Optimum is a very very good brand. Poli-seal is very very soft and is just made to remove very minor imperfections, improve gloss, and leave behind a protection.

Optimum (OPT) Poli-Seal - 32 oz | Detailed Image

If you use Poli-seal, Clear kotes red glaze, and top off with a carnauba wax, your car will look immaculate. Also dont forget to wash, clay, and wash again before hand.

 

Very true on claying a car every 6 months. That's usually the time that I clay my car. However, I clayed my car about 3-4 months ago and it already has contamination because I work in the desert and the highwinds carry a lot of sand. Now the second bad part of that damn desert is that I come out to 1/4" of ice on my car... So, basically what I am trying to say, 6 months is a good rule of thumb on any car however all depending on the circumstances. I've been waxing cars by hand for over 10 years since I had started lowriding. Won best of paint two times with a 66 rag impala. I'm about to start with a d/a so we'll see how that goes lol... I'm going to start on practicing on the ex-wifes car and then my toy hauler lol.

P.S. great picture demonstrating the detailing process... and p.s. love your work bro, keep up the good work!

 

Yeah areas that see conditions that you do should clay more often and make sure you always have protection on the paint.

Also a DA is very beginner friendly because it cannot burn the paint like a rotary buffer could. I also used my parents car to practice lol like I said you can't really cause any damage with a da, but you just might not get the correction you were looking for. DA stands for dual action, which means it spins in a circle, and then there's another mechanism in it that spins the pad in another circular motion. Sort of like earth, that spins on its own axis, then also goes around the sun. So its random, your never in the same place for too long which is what causes burning of the paint when you stay in one same spot with a rotary buffer. You can get a porter cable for a good price now which is what I use. Get some menzerna polishes too.

 

i only use this these days. works great. so easy to reapply i just use after every other wash. lasts about 3-4 weeks no problem.


Prima Hydro

 

Good lord Qb, you are full of information. Very useful information, thanks again. Do you run your own detail business, or work for someone... or is it just something you do on the side?

 

Just do it on the side lol I'm a full time college student living at home

I dont charge enough to make a living out of it, I would need to double my prices to be well, and I know my customers wont like that. I charge dirt cheap for the work that I do, but that way I get more repeat and loyal customers.

 

Hey Cruiserandmax,
Listen to Mr. Experience aka qbmuder13 and then check out his work. The Boyz got Skillz on dout! And the best part is he's happy to let ya know the what and how in detailing. From what I've seen here in the last 6months he's the go to man! with paint detailing questions.....

 

Yeah, I saw you only charged $80. That's a steal, wish you lived in TX, haha. You should look into starting some sort of detailing business... that is of course if there is a market for it in your area. What are you majoring in? I'm also in school right now.

 

Meh, I don't think I have the time to get a business going, especially one that I don't really see a future with. I'm a criminal justice major, going for my bachelors. Although I just recently took a break to get my EMT certification. I figure I get a part time job as an EMT and make some decent money, and should help me when I apply at a law enforcement agency. I have about 4 customers that I regularly so ill pretty much be detailing cars here and there no matter what I'm doing. Can't hurt to have a little extra pocket money.