Q & A On Detailing Your Car/Paint Finishes......
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From: Upstate NY
Vehicle: 2010 Genesis 2.0T
Q & A On Detailing Your Car/Paint Finishes......
Okay..here's another FAQ and Q & A that I wrote up for everyone. Enjoy! 
Why do I need a car wash soap??
Car wash soaps are specifically designed to remove dirt, and soil usually found on car surfaces, while having a small effect on the wax. Soaps like dish washing detergent are set up to remove oil and grease...hence wax finishes. Contrary to what some people think...always wash your car a section at a time from the bottom up, and rinse from the top down. Soaps have "surfacants" that clean and cut the surface tension allowing the rinse water to flow off in sheets instead of flowing in channels. Wash and rinse the wheelwells last. And then do the tires and rims. That way, no dirt or grease from your wash mit gets on the body afterwards.
Make sure you wash and clean your wheels when they dry and cool to prevent streaking and staining. As a precaution, test the cleaner you are using on teh wheels and rims to make sure it's compatible. Most cleaner are pretty easy to use. Just spray on and rinse off, and always use a brush with soft bristles so that you don't scratch your rims. Clean one rim at a time. Don't run around the vehicle trying to keep each wheel at the same stage of cleaning. Cleaners shouldn't be allowed to dry or remain on the wheels longer than what the directions state. After you've cleaned the wheels, you can follow up with a chrome or rim polish. This may result in a little more elbow grease...but naturally...the results are kick ass!! Just make sure to choose the right kind of polish for your application. wink.gif
What are "new" and "new-like" finishes??
New and new-like finishes that have kept a high gloss appearance. Normal maintenance of these finishes will help to keep the new-car appearance and prevent oxidation.
What is oxidation??
It's the dulling or hazy appearance of your cars paint caused by weathering from outdoor exposure. In order to stop or correct this, it's best that you remove the oxidized layer of paint by using a cleaner wax, polish, or rubbing compound, depending on how bad your paint is oxidized.
How often should I wax my car??
If your a freak like me...every weekend. *lol* But to be honest, there is no exact length of time that any wax will last. Factors on that are kind of wax you use, type and color of your paint, the amount of exposure your car gets outside, and the actual quality of the wax. Generally speaking, when the "water beading" and the finish appearance indicates that the wax is gone, you should re-apply more wax.
What are cleaner waxes??
Cleaner waxes are wax/polish combinations. They contain mild abrasives that are able to remove minor paint imperfections, as well as wax and prduce a high gloss finish.
What are polishes??
Polishes are formulated blends of oils, solvents, and water designed to remove minor paint surface imperfections like scratches, light oxidation, water spots, and swirl marks, left from rubbing compounds. Polishes may or may not contain waxes or silicones. Make sure to read the bottle carefully when buying some, to get the type you want.
What is a swirl mark??
Swirl marks are curved minor scratches left in the paint surface by a rubbing compound or a woll buffing pad. They can be removed by using a polish or a cleaner wax.
What is silicone??
Anyone that thinks of breast implants is gonna get slapped! *lol* J/K Silcone is a chemical polymer that has excellent water repellant features, and a very slipper feel. Silicones are commonly used in waxes to enhance the usage and the ease of removal. It also helps increase durability and gloss.
What are rubbing compounds??
Rubbing compounds are specifically formulated suspension of oils, solvents, and water produced in either a liquid or a paste. They're designed to remove paint surface imperfections such as scratches, oxidation, stains, and acid rain etching. They can be applied by hand or machine.
Whare the difference between rubbing compounds and cleaners??
There's a small difference between them. They vary by the types of abrasives, mineral particle sizes and chemiclas they contain. But all in all, they both provide the same thing. Rubbing compounds though do have a higher degree of aggressiveness. That's why you'll see painters rub out the top coat of a freshly shot paint job right after it's all cured and dried. Then use a good strong wax or glaze afterwards. wink.gif
What are glazes??
A glaze is a polish that's safe for use on fresh paint. They also have different levels of aggressiveness. Alot of glazes will also remove paint imperfections. Glaze is the ebst thing to use on freshly It only does minor polishing and it's main use is to only enhance surface gloss and the luster of fresh paint. It needs to be reapplied often until the new paint is cured and can be waxed safely.
What is cured paint??
This basically means all OEM automotive paints applied at the factory and any new refinished paints that are more than 30 days old.
What is fresh paint??
This means any kind of paint that is refinished or freshly shot at a body shop, and have not freshly cured. New paint jobs are deemed fresh for the first 30 days or so.
What is single stage paint
Single stage means the colored top coat paint applied to most older cars and to some new cars, that do not have a clear coat. People will skimp out sometimes and not want the clear shot on. In this case, you need to find paints that are designed for single stage paint jobs. They're alot more durable, and able to take the abuse given out to the paint job on a daily basis.
What is orange peel??
Orange peel is the texture of a painted surface that has "hills and valleys" or bumps that resemble the skin of an orange. Excessive orange peel is considered a paint condition defect and can be effectively repaired by sanding it down, and re-shooting the paint again.
Well, there ya have it....this wasn't anything big, but figured I would just write up a quick FAQ on basic questions that some people may have.
Why do I need a car wash soap??
Car wash soaps are specifically designed to remove dirt, and soil usually found on car surfaces, while having a small effect on the wax. Soaps like dish washing detergent are set up to remove oil and grease...hence wax finishes. Contrary to what some people think...always wash your car a section at a time from the bottom up, and rinse from the top down. Soaps have "surfacants" that clean and cut the surface tension allowing the rinse water to flow off in sheets instead of flowing in channels. Wash and rinse the wheelwells last. And then do the tires and rims. That way, no dirt or grease from your wash mit gets on the body afterwards.
Make sure you wash and clean your wheels when they dry and cool to prevent streaking and staining. As a precaution, test the cleaner you are using on teh wheels and rims to make sure it's compatible. Most cleaner are pretty easy to use. Just spray on and rinse off, and always use a brush with soft bristles so that you don't scratch your rims. Clean one rim at a time. Don't run around the vehicle trying to keep each wheel at the same stage of cleaning. Cleaners shouldn't be allowed to dry or remain on the wheels longer than what the directions state. After you've cleaned the wheels, you can follow up with a chrome or rim polish. This may result in a little more elbow grease...but naturally...the results are kick ass!! Just make sure to choose the right kind of polish for your application. wink.gif
What are "new" and "new-like" finishes??
New and new-like finishes that have kept a high gloss appearance. Normal maintenance of these finishes will help to keep the new-car appearance and prevent oxidation.
What is oxidation??
It's the dulling or hazy appearance of your cars paint caused by weathering from outdoor exposure. In order to stop or correct this, it's best that you remove the oxidized layer of paint by using a cleaner wax, polish, or rubbing compound, depending on how bad your paint is oxidized.
How often should I wax my car??
If your a freak like me...every weekend. *lol* But to be honest, there is no exact length of time that any wax will last. Factors on that are kind of wax you use, type and color of your paint, the amount of exposure your car gets outside, and the actual quality of the wax. Generally speaking, when the "water beading" and the finish appearance indicates that the wax is gone, you should re-apply more wax.
What are cleaner waxes??
Cleaner waxes are wax/polish combinations. They contain mild abrasives that are able to remove minor paint imperfections, as well as wax and prduce a high gloss finish.
What are polishes??
Polishes are formulated blends of oils, solvents, and water designed to remove minor paint surface imperfections like scratches, light oxidation, water spots, and swirl marks, left from rubbing compounds. Polishes may or may not contain waxes or silicones. Make sure to read the bottle carefully when buying some, to get the type you want.
What is a swirl mark??
Swirl marks are curved minor scratches left in the paint surface by a rubbing compound or a woll buffing pad. They can be removed by using a polish or a cleaner wax.
What is silicone??
Anyone that thinks of breast implants is gonna get slapped! *lol* J/K Silcone is a chemical polymer that has excellent water repellant features, and a very slipper feel. Silicones are commonly used in waxes to enhance the usage and the ease of removal. It also helps increase durability and gloss.
What are rubbing compounds??
Rubbing compounds are specifically formulated suspension of oils, solvents, and water produced in either a liquid or a paste. They're designed to remove paint surface imperfections such as scratches, oxidation, stains, and acid rain etching. They can be applied by hand or machine.
Whare the difference between rubbing compounds and cleaners??
There's a small difference between them. They vary by the types of abrasives, mineral particle sizes and chemiclas they contain. But all in all, they both provide the same thing. Rubbing compounds though do have a higher degree of aggressiveness. That's why you'll see painters rub out the top coat of a freshly shot paint job right after it's all cured and dried. Then use a good strong wax or glaze afterwards. wink.gif
What are glazes??
A glaze is a polish that's safe for use on fresh paint. They also have different levels of aggressiveness. Alot of glazes will also remove paint imperfections. Glaze is the ebst thing to use on freshly It only does minor polishing and it's main use is to only enhance surface gloss and the luster of fresh paint. It needs to be reapplied often until the new paint is cured and can be waxed safely.
What is cured paint??
This basically means all OEM automotive paints applied at the factory and any new refinished paints that are more than 30 days old.
What is fresh paint??
This means any kind of paint that is refinished or freshly shot at a body shop, and have not freshly cured. New paint jobs are deemed fresh for the first 30 days or so.
What is single stage paint
Single stage means the colored top coat paint applied to most older cars and to some new cars, that do not have a clear coat. People will skimp out sometimes and not want the clear shot on. In this case, you need to find paints that are designed for single stage paint jobs. They're alot more durable, and able to take the abuse given out to the paint job on a daily basis.
What is orange peel??
Orange peel is the texture of a painted surface that has "hills and valleys" or bumps that resemble the skin of an orange. Excessive orange peel is considered a paint condition defect and can be effectively repaired by sanding it down, and re-shooting the paint again.
Well, there ya have it....this wasn't anything big, but figured I would just write up a quick FAQ on basic questions that some people may have.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,924
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Vehicle: 2005 MINI Cooper S
Lo&Show, I use Meguiars for about all my cleaning...is that good? It seems to keep the car looking pretty nice and hasn't faded the paint or anything. Wadda think?
oh yeah...nice FAQ smile.gif
oh yeah...nice FAQ smile.gif
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 760
Likes: 0
From: Fayetteville NC
Vehicle: 2000 Tib
for about $15 you can get a book on auto detailing at barnes & nobles...its worth the $$$ for sure!
they explain what you need and why you need it...especially for stuff that most ppl dont know...such as paint chips and repairing them (like i did today and the last couple days) man it is SO worth the $$$!
they explain what you need and why you need it...especially for stuff that most ppl dont know...such as paint chips and repairing them (like i did today and the last couple days) man it is SO worth the $$$!
Thread Starter
Administrator
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 23,226
Likes: 9
From: Upstate NY
Vehicle: 2010 Genesis 2.0T
QUOTE
Originally posted by Zaibatsu JVX:
Lo&Show, I use Meguiars for about all my cleaning...is that good? It seems to keep the car looking pretty nice and hasn't faded the paint or anything. Wadda think?
oh yeah...nice FAQ
Lo&Show, I use Meguiars for about all my cleaning...is that good? It seems to keep the car looking pretty nice and hasn't faded the paint or anything. Wadda think?
oh yeah...nice FAQ
To be 100% honest...when it comes down to detailing your ride, it's all personal taste. That's why I didn't state different companies in this FAQ. Everyone likes their own products.. If you like it, and it gets the job done..then stay with it. I've always used Mothers Gold on my projects and all my customers cars. I like it alot, and it works. Meguiars is a good line of products. If you like it..then thats what's important.
wink.gif