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Author Topic: Correct order for a decent home detail  (Read 1738 times)

Offline Leebo310

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Correct order for a decent home detail
« on: September 27, 2013, 02:35:21 pm »
I've read the official guide and numerous posts on here and think I've got the order correct but just wanted to check with some of the experts on here please!
To me there seem to be a lot of "rinses" in there... :)

1 Wash wheels and tyres with brush
2 Snow foam entire car
3 Use detailing brush to get at the more intricate bits including sills
4 Rinse off foam
5 Hand wash with two bucket method
6 Rinse off the hand wash suds
7 Spray on Iron X onto stubborn stains and sediment blobs
8 Rinse off Iron X
9 Clay
10 Rinse
11 Pat dry with drying towel
12 Polish (by hand as don't have a machine)
13 Wax
14 Seal and dress wheels

A couple of things that I'm also not sure about - when is best to do the glass and when is best to do the exhausts?

Any advice gratefully received :happy2:

Cheers
55 plate GTI DSG / Revo remap / Miltek cat back exhaust / Evolution Motorsport Induction Kit / Sony XAV 62-BT head unit/ LED Rear numberplate lights

Offline Frodo-anni

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Re: Correct order for a decent home detail
« Reply #1 on: September 27, 2013, 10:05:06 pm »
Seems a pretty good process list, only thing i do different is to use tardis, de-tar the car before iron-x then clay, again with wash inbetween.

Glass i always do last in and out, but im struggling to get it smear free and not leave lint deposits off my clothes, so development for me there.

Exhausts, i wash as much crud off early on, end of the wash stage, but leave the finer polishing until the end, when i add tyre gel etc..

 :happy2:
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Offline M7AXB

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Re: Correct order for a decent home detail
« Reply #2 on: September 27, 2013, 11:13:36 pm »
You have most things covered, missing tar remover though. I'd recommend the autosmart tardis, really good stuff :smiley:

Offline stealthwolf

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Re: Correct order for a decent home detail
« Reply #3 on: September 28, 2013, 03:17:37 pm »
I would definitely detar before iron-x.

With detailing, I tend to split things up because to do it properly takes 1-2 days min. Hence I will address wheels on one weekend, exhaust on another, glass and plastic/rubber trim on another, and interior/door shuts on another weekend.

The GTI isn't just a machine. It's very much a living, breathing thing.

Offline Leebo310

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Re: Correct order for a decent home detail
« Reply #4 on: September 29, 2013, 09:47:52 pm »
Cool I'll order some Tardis too then.
Do I need to do that and the Iron X on the whole car or just the really stubborn bits?
55 plate GTI DSG / Revo remap / Miltek cat back exhaust / Evolution Motorsport Induction Kit / Sony XAV 62-BT head unit/ LED Rear numberplate lights

Offline stealthwolf

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Re: Correct order for a decent home detail
« Reply #5 on: September 29, 2013, 10:17:09 pm »
I would do the whole car incl wheels. Though be careful how/where you apply them as they can stain/damage plastic.

The GTI isn't just a machine. It's very much a living, breathing thing.

Offline Leebo310

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Re: Correct order for a decent home detail
« Reply #6 on: September 30, 2013, 11:29:05 am »
Cool cheers mate.
Should I use them on the glass too?

Also with regards to cleaning the glass, I really struggle to get decent results. I've just ordered some Muc Off and a DJ Mint Merkin cloth so hopefully that should help me out but I was wondering if you had any amazing tips??!
Simple stuff like should I spray the glass direct or spray onto the cloth??
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Offline xjay1337

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Re: Correct order for a decent home detail
« Reply #7 on: September 30, 2013, 12:10:22 pm »
There's not really a right "order".
There's a process of course etc clean before claying but if you want to wash wheels last you can do that.. I do my wheels last.
Also Iron X you need to spray liberally not just on what you think is heavy deposits. You can't always see iron deposits.

Use a heavy TFR in your first wash and use it strong.
As said Tardis can stain trims if left to dry.
I never bother de-tarring plastic trims in the doors, handles etc. only thing that need it really are the skirts but even then a harsh TFR mix would be safer.