Detailing Process

The number of number of websites, guides, and reviews about detailing and detailing products is almost overwhelming. It's been my experience that you need only a few go-to detailing products and equipment to cover almost every job. While I'm certain a professional detailer would do better, I am quite satisfied with these results. Next I will detail my basic process.

1. First step is a thorough wash. I use Dawn dish detergent and wash everything using a microfiber wash mit and brushes to get in the crevices. Two bucket method. Sonax wheel cleaner does an amazing job on wheels. I see a lot of professions use a foam cannon, but I've never used one.

2. Next, I use a clay bar and lube to get all the embedded crud out of the paint. I'll also clay bar the wheels inside and out. I do another quick wash after completing the car.

3. Now I'm ready to see what combination of compound and pad is needed. General rule of thumb is to use the least abrasive as possible, however the last three cars used the same combo: Jescar Correcting Compound with a Meguiar's Microfiber Cutting Disk and Jescar Micro Finishing Polish with a Lake Country White pad. I typically use a 5"pad on the Griot's Garage G9 and a 3" pad on the Porter-Cable. I also use smaller pads with a cordless drill to get into the tight spaces. Wipe with IPA and a high quality microfiber. There are lots of buffing guides on internet so I won't go into further detail.

4. Time to ceramic coat. Again, there are more products on the market than car brands. I did some basic research and kept seeing AvalonKing Armor Shield. They often have deals and you can easily score 3 bottles for $99. In my experience one bottle is enough for two coats with enough remaining to put a coat on the wheels. I could not be happier with this product. Incredibly easy to apply and results are amazing. It's like the car is perpetually waxed.

5. Last step is maintenance. I typically do one or two waterless car washes between full car washes. Adams waterless wash and microfiber wash towels work surprisingly well. Just keep folding the towel and always wipe in one direction. After a traditional wash I typically spray the car down with Armor Shield Lite. This product blew me away. It really does rejuvenate the ceramic coating. I literally had a hard time covering my 991 after applying the spray. It kept sliding off!

Here's a link to a guide on AvalonKing's site that covers the entire process.

Supplies

• Griot's Garage G9 Random Orbital Polisher

• PORTER-CABLE Polisher, 6 Inch

• Adam's Medium Grade Clay Bar Detailing Kit

• Jescar Correcting Compound

• Jescar Micro Finishing Polish

• Meguiar's DMC5 DA 5" Microfiber Cutting Disc, 2 Pack

• Meguiar's DMC3 DA 3" Microfiber Cutting Disc, 2 Pack

• Buff and Shine URO-Fiber Microfiber Pad for Car Compounding, Cutting, Buffing, Waxing, and Polishing - 5"

• 5.5" CCS Polishing Pad Kit (Set of 3)

• 3.5" CCS Polishing Pad Kit (Set of 3)

• Meguiar's X2020 Supreme Shine Microfiber Towels - 3 Pack

• Nanoskin Pad Conditioning Brush

• ARMOR SHIELD IX DIY CERAMIC COATING KIT

• ARMOR SHIELD LITE

• IPA (25% alcohol and distilled water)

• Adam's Waterless Wash Microfiber Towel

• Adam's Waterless Wash

• Wash mit

• Waffle drying cloth

• Meguiar's car wash soap

• Sonax wheel cleaner (6 pack)

• Aoodor 14000 Lumen Twin Head LED Work Light

I purchased every item above through Amazon