Exterior detailing - what do you use ?

Hey guys now that spring is here or almost here the subject is exterior detailing . Do you take it to a guy or DIY ? Are you using the latest ceramics or conventional carnuba? Paste or liquid ? What about polish and clay bar ? By hand or machine ? Lots of videos out there but a lot of different viewpoints . I recently purchased a black C4 . It is my first black car so looking for tips/advice for black but also in general . I had my front hood/bumper painted four weeks ago so I am getting close enough to start thinking about the spring treatment . Any advice appreciated . Generally speaking my paint is in good to very good condition .

Black cars tend to be the most difficult to maintain but not impossible. Here is my maintenance wash process that happens once a week or 2, depending on weather and time: - start with wheels always. I use P&S Brake Buster diluted to 50/50 in a manual foam sprayer. It cleans wheels and tires very well. If your wheels are really bad you can use an iron remover spray but not needed if you wash wheels on regular basis. I use several tools to clean the rim face, barrel and tire. - spray down the car with water via power washer. I suggest getting an in-line water filter that will help remove minerals and minimize water spotting on the paint. I got mine on amazon. - spray foam on the car and let it sit for a few while you fill 2 buckets - 1 with water and one with water & soap. My favorite soap right now is Koch Chemie GSF. You could do 1 bucket if instead of wash mitt you use 2-3 larger microfiber towels. Just fold them after each panel and use a new one on next. Lubrication is key here so you shouldn't need to apply much pressure. Let it glide and work in straight lines from front to back - not circles. - rinse the car with power washer and get the soap off from everywhere. - dry the car. you can use a blower IF your ground is clean and doesn't have any junk on it. Otherwise you'll blow it back on the car. Blow from top to bottom. You can also use a large dry towel. DO NOT use a chamois. It's old tech and will introduce marring on your paint, especially black one. - as you have the car mostly dry apply some protection. I've been using P&S Bead Maker for a while and like it very much. It's a polymer based spray that forms a super slick surface. It's not a ceramic coating and doesn't last super long but if you wash your car regularly it's fantastic. Apply tire dressing. My current favorite is CarPro Perl diluted to 50/50. You can also use it on all black trim. The above is my regular maintenance wash process. Seems like a lot but it's not but then keeping your paint in tip top shape takes some effort. You should only use a clay bar if absolutely necessary and you can feel contaminates stuck to the paint. Using a clay bar will introduce some marring into the paint and mechanical polish is usually needed to get that out. A ceramic coating is a great idea as well but will require the car to get full paint correction for best results. A ceramic coating WILL fail if you don't maintain it. It's not a magic potion that will keep the car clean but will make cleaning much easier. My 19 year old paint looks amazing and gets compliments. I've seen 5 year old cars with far worse paint due to poor or no maintenance.

I am now using Torque detailing spray. For me, the ceramic products are a game changer. But, like any paint job, good prep is key.

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That is quite the regiment you detailed . I don't know any of the products you spoke of I guess I am way behind the times . Also didn't know about the chamois causing an issue . I have always used a synthetic chamois in the past . Thanks for the tips 👍

I had the chance to meet Pete (good guy) over the weekend and see his car which looks brand new. When I get back to Chicago I have some work to do.

Nice post. Q: why wheels/tires first? which iron remover?

Wheels first because it makes a mess, preferably not on your just-washed 911.

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Arguably, wheels and tires collect the most dirt. Also, your pads produce iron particles which can and will bond to your car's body panels. Last thing you want is to wash the car and then go to wheels and get some of that dirt back onto the car. Any self respecting detail shop follows this order and if they don't I'd look elsewhere. For an iron remover I use P&S Iron Buster. It will smell like rotten eggs and turn purple as it dissolves the iron particles. You let it do it's job and get it off. I use P&S for a lot of products and they are great. I usually buy a gallon at a time of shampoo, brake buster and bead maker as it's a lot more economical. https://psdetailproducts.com/

From the studio to the driveway, our recommended wash procedures & products. There's a cornucopia of good products available to the DIY-er today, these are the ones we like! Pro car washing FROM HOME! | Step by step tutorial! You Tube Pro wheel washing FROM HOME! | Step by step tutorial! You Tube Enjoy!

I did my own ceramic treatment on both my truck and my 911 and used Adam's UV treated Ceramic Coating: https://adamspolishes.com/products/c...31164282962017 I love this kit because without the UV light I would have under applied on my first attempt, no doubt. The UV light reveals where the ceramic has cured into the paint with this kit, so you will certainly get 100% application. I use Adam's ceramic water less wash for everyday maintenance: https://adamspolishes.com/products/ceramic-waterless That ceramic waterless is for vehicles that already have ceramic treatment applied - it is not a substitute. Not an Adam's salesman by any means, but I loved the UV dye products and it's easy to just order everything from one store. Been very happy.