car finishes

[devans]

Not sure if this already exists but if not may be worth looking into. I have some free time and want to look at giving my 98' zenith blue 996 a bit of a detail. Sounds professional but in reality a total amateur.
Plan....
1. Wash down with autoglym shampoo, then dry.
2. Wipe over using a clay bar and lube.
3. I suppose i should then use a polish but which one? Every site i go into gives conflicting feedback
4. Then use a good quality wax but which one? Autoglym, Collinite, ZYMOL ????

The car is dark in colour, is it worth members commenting on polishes and waxes used so as we can have a feedback section.

I think i'm right in saying that Zymol will only work if the car has been fully de-waxed. Does the clay bar do this or does another product need to be used first.

CONFUSED

 

[Chrishazle]

If you haven't already found the site, look at www.detailingworld.co.uk - you'll find lots of help there, including downloadable guides (if you can't find them, PM me your email address and I'll email a couple to you).

First, get rid of the cellulose sponge, silicone blade and chamois, buy a merino wash mitt, microfibre wash mitt, microfibre cloths (at least 10!) and have at least 2 buckets. Wash the car thoroughly twice before claying - I used Bilt Hamber regular clay.

You will probably then need a paint cleaner - and if you want to get serious, it's worth investing in a Kestrel DAS6 random action polisher and appropriate pads. As for which cleaner, polish and glaze - read the concours forum here and on detailingworld and take your pick!

Work on one panel at a time - clay strips all protection off of the paintwork so you need to get something back on fairly quickly. I did my 968 recently, not to as perfect as I'd like so there's more to do, but each panel still took about 2 hours!

Don't let this put you off, the results are really worthwhile and subsequent maintenance is much easier.

 

[minny]

As above, if the paint is in good condition, use a good quality shampoo, clay it, polish it and then use a decent wax. Everyone has their favourite - Zaino, Zymol, Raceglaze. Dodo Juice, Collinite (my preference), but its the initial prep work that gives the best results. If your paint has swirls then get someone to prep it properly with a machine and appropriate compound to get rid of them before you do anything else. By hand it will be hard to get rid of swirls/scratches and polishes and waxes will just mask them for a while at best.

 

[Mark_Bennett]

You might also want to look at the posts pinned to the top of the Car Care area of this forum:
http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/tt.asp?forumid=162

 

[devans]

Thanks guys...paintwork is in very good condition so i won't be using a machine buffer. Unless of course i practise first on my wifes vw. All very confusing but as you say, each to his own. Some great tips though on the web sites provided, will look into a bit more and hopefully make a start soon.

 

[Ess_Three]

ORIGINAL: devans

Thanks guys...paintwork is in very good condition so i won't be using a machine buffer. Unless of course i practise first on my wifes vw. All very confusing but as you say, each to his own. Some great tips though on the web sites provided, will look into a bit more and hopefully make a start soon.

I was amazed at the results you get from a machine polisher...and my paint was in good nick.

Have a look here, for some ideas:
http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=70586

We used all freely available, easy to use products on my C4S.