Detailing generally means making a surface smooth-and-clean through minimally-abrasive processes, such as with a clay bar used with an appropriate lubricant.
Questions tagged [detailing]
29 questions
37
votes
8 answers
Do I really need to wash the outside of my car?
Some people say they wash the outside car every week as it makes the paint nice etc
Are there any benefits of washing the outside of my car?
Do I really need to wash the exterior of my car every week?
Does it damage my car if I don't wash it for a…
George
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12
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Do solvent/gel-based tire dressings have a tangible impact on tire life and performance?
In this video, the professional detailer talks about how "low-odor" solvent-based tire dressings can harden rubber hosing.
He goes on to say:
"I don't want this stuff on my tire if it makes rubber - y'know - that
hard."
I don't question the…
Zaid
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11
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2 answers
Cleaning and Shining Black, Under Hood Rubber and Plastic Parts
There are various black plastic and rubber parts under my hood I would try to make look nice such as my cold air intake box:
I tried cleaning it with water that had a little vinegar added to it, which pretty much didn't do anything. I bought a…
Robert S. Barnes
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7
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4 answers
How important is it to clay before polishing and waxing?
I've seen a number of mentions of "claying" before polishing, with some people swearing that it's an absolutely necessary step before polishing, while others seem to get good ( or at least pretty decent ) results without this step.
But for a normal…
Robert S. Barnes
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7
votes
2 answers
Cut and Polish: Looking for help on how to do my car
I am looking to do a cut and polish on my Australian made Holden Calais VT commodore (98 model).
I am very new to doing cut and polishes and was hoping someone could point me out to what products what suit my scenario the best keeping in mind that…
Richie
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6
votes
4 answers
To remove this type of "hard, metallicish" sticker?
My very lucky teen daughter just got a wonderful honest '08 Mustang GT; the black paint work is fair.
One of the old dealers left this hideous sticker on it:
It's one of "those" stickers - kind of a metallic firm thing.
You can't really, get your…
Fattie
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6
votes
1 answer
What's the difference between a Compounding, Finishing, Buffing, and Polishing pad?
3M and other companies make numerous different types of foam pads (links are to 3M products),
Compounding
Finishing
Buffing
Polishing
What's the difference between these types of pads? How do I use them? And, in what situation would they be…
Evan Carroll
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6
votes
2 answers
Best way to wash a soft top?
I'm completely restoring my Jeep's appearence. I got my doors stolen a little over a week ago, so I bought new ones which have to be repainted. I'm taking this opportunity to restore all of the Jeep (buffing the paint, restoring the fenders, etc).…
Sponge Bob
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5
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3 answers
Should I clearcoat my headlights after sanding and polishing them?
I had the typical problem of yellow oxidized opaque headlights on my car. So I went through the process of wet sanding and polishing them and now they're crystal clear.
However, I've heard people say that the headlights will quickly ( within a…
Robert S. Barnes
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4
votes
1 answer
What is causing discoloration around door latch
What is causing dull film under left side of door latch and what is best way to get rid of it? Also had same thing around tailgate and other door latch.
David
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4
votes
3 answers
Safely washing engine bay of Ford Focus
I am trying to clean the engine bay of my 2002 Ford Focus SE, which is really grimy thanks to years of neglect, and a valve cover gasket leak that I recently fixed.
I have been reading about how to clean engines properly, but am seeing some…
J. Taylor
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4
votes
1 answer
How to choose between mild and agressive clay "cut"?
I've seen various clays or clay like products listed with different types of "cut" like mild or aggressive, fine or medium.
What are the uses for these different "cuts" and how would I choose which one to use?
Robert S. Barnes
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4
votes
1 answer
How good are clay bar substitutes for "claying"?
I was checking out various different clay bars and ran across this Nanoskin product with quite allot of good reviews which is supposed to be an easier substitute:
I was wondering if anyone here had encountered this product and if it's really a good…
Robert S. Barnes
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3
votes
3 answers
Removing "granny-mirrors"....?
I've had my charming classic Lincoln Town Car,
for a year. On both exterior wing mirrors, it has small round "assistance mirrors" or "granny mirrors":
I believe these were simply added by a user - they are not original equipment, not part of…
Fattie
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3
votes
0 answers
Sealant plus wax, or just sealant?
I was reading in The Haynes Automotive Body Repair & Painting Manual ( 1989 ) that after polishing, you can put a sealant on before you wax in order to give better, longer lasting protection to the paint.
However, when looking at sealants from a…
Robert S. Barnes
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