The start of properly washing and waxing, tips and advice appreciated

[dondonbabyraptor]

Hey all,

These forums have made me into a purchasing monster. Today I decided to go on Amazon and create a cart full of beginner car washing goodies. Any further recommendations? What car wash soap do you guys like? What wax or polish you like? Any tips/videos for first time polishing/buffing out/claying?

So far:
303 Graphene (Courtesy of guess who? Dave @AzScorpion)
303 Aerospace Protectant for interior (Same courtesy)
6 inch black &decker random orbit waxer/polisher to remove swirls
3D speed Car Polish and Wax (for swirls)
Chenille Microfiber Brush mop and mitt
Adam's premium Foam Gun (Not the brand but a foam gun was put into my mind by the devil on my shoulder again, Dave)
8 pc car wheel brush set because my wheels are annoying to clean with all those little machined pockets.
Meguiar's X2000 Water Magnet Microfiber (Going to test this out and see how it works versus traditional microfibers)
Mothers California Gold Instant Detailar(For when I clay the truck)
Mothers Speed Clay 2.0(going to try this out versus traditional clay and see if I like the results)

The process I will be going is: (first thoughts process, updated finalized process on page 3)
1. Car wash with foam gun and microfiber brush/mitt and clean wheels with brush. Apply tire shine.
2. Move into garage, dry off with Water Magnet Microfiber
3. Clay bar/Clay 2.0 with Mothers California Gold Instant Detailer as the lubricant to remove tar/water spots and contaminants.
4. Random orbit buff/polish with 3D speed Car Polish and Wax to remove swirls and imperfections. (will a random orbit buffer remove vinyl stickers or safe to use over them?(refer to post below but short answer, masking tape over vinyls do not buff or wax them))
5. Shine Armor Fortify Coat to apply a sealant type material and shine. Removing this step I think, no need for this many waxes/sealants.
6. 303 Graphene as last step. For this I just use a normal microfiber?(yes, wipe on wipe off, square pad applicator for ease recommended by Jack in post below) or can I use the random orbit?

Am I missing any steps? Any additional products I should use?

Please let me know any tips or advice, will be much appreciated as this is my first time jumping into this side of the world.

EDIT: two links are posted below for cleaning tips, one is a 303 graphene thread created by Dave, another is a cleaning/detailing thread found and linked by Terry below. Few more links spreader throughout post, very helpful ones too.

Thanks for reading,
Brandon

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[rparge]

I really like the Griot's garage synthetic clay "bar."

Works great on the glass as well.

 

[dondonbabyraptor]

I really like the Griot's garage synthetic clay "bar."

Works great on the glass as well.

Appreciate the comment, will check that out.

Edit: Checked it out and I really like the handle for it, seems easy to work with.

 

[FoD]

Appreciate the comment, will check that out.

Edit: Checked it out and I really like the handle for it, seems easy to work with.

Brandon, have you checked out the clay mitt that Dave (@AzScorpion ) wrote about (I'll find the post and edit this post with it?

He also has a fairly detail cleaning write up also.


EDIT: It's in this thread with some other tips too

 

[dondonbabyraptor]

Brandon, have you checked out the clay mitt that Dave (@AzScorpion ) wrote about (I'll find the post and edit this post with it?

He also has a fairly detail cleaning write up also.

I have not, I think I came across his detail cleaning write up today as well. I will try to look back at it. and then also post that link here so others can find it in other places as well Appreciate the comment, Terry.

EDIT: https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/303-graphene-nano-spray-coating.10062/
Was this the detailed cleaning guide or another one you speak of? @FoD

 

[FoD]

I have not, I think I came across his detail cleaning write up today as well. I will try to look back at it. and then also post that link here so others can find it in other places as well Appreciate the comment, Terry.

Posted the edit with the thread

 

[dondonbabyraptor]

Posted the edit with the thread

Ahh, great. Thank you, I found another post with Dave mentioning 303 graphene tips/advice. Appreciate the help. Looks like got a few resources to check out in this thread already.

 

[dondonbabyraptor]

I found out for future users, waxes and buffers should not go over vinyl stickers. Detailers usually put taping mask over the vinyl stripes, stickers, etc. Especially because the vinyl qualities of the stickers will be different, some cheaper, some better. Will not be waxing or buffing the stickered zones then.

 

[Zaph]

What's this washing and waxing stuff you guys are talking about?

I let nature do it's job. Rain is a free truck wash. Sometimes we get a windy rain and that's a really good clean wash. Never washed a vehicle in my life.

I am slightly guilty though. I once washed a motorcycle. Can't have bugs on a bright red Ducati.

 

[OFC Ranger]

303 Graphene does not need to be polished in using an orbital.

Its a product meant to be wiped on, then wiped off.

I use square application pads by Chem Bros;

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BJCN7Z8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Cool thing about graphene is it can go on literally everything. I use it on trim, windows, paint, you name it. Yea you heard me, Rain-X isn't even needed anymore.

Only reason I don't use it on the interior is because it smells like gas.

 

[dondonbabyraptor]

303 Graphene does not need to be polished in using an orbital.

Its a product meant to be wiped on, then wiped off.

I use square application pads by Chem Bros;

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BJCN7Z8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Cool thing about graphene is it can go on literally everything. I use it on trim, windows, paint, you name it. Yea you heard me, Rain-X isn't even needed anymore.

Only reason I don't use it on the interior is because it smells like gas.

Thank you for the insight. Haha Rain-X, I remember that used to be the thing. I really like those application pads, got a nice handle on it to not stress the hand/wrist as much. Will add that to my cart, appreciate the link, Jack!

 

[OFC Ranger]

Thank you for the insight. Haha Rain-X, I remember that used to be the thing. I really like those application pads, got a nice handle on it to not stress the hand/wrist as much. Will add that to my cart, appreciate the link, Jack!

No problem. Dirt cheap too. I usually let them go through a couple of wash cycles then just toss them into my spare cloth bin for some random house project I might be able to use them for down the road (like staining wood)

 

[dondonbabyraptor]

What's this washing and waxing stuff you guys are talking about?

I let nature do it's job. Rain is a free truck wash. Sometimes we get a windy rain and that's a really good clean wash. Never washed a vehicle in my life.

I am slightly guilty though. I once washed a motorcycle. Can't have bugs on a bright red Ducati.

I keep on trying to find new things to mess with this truck and washing/waxing is next up on my "things to waste time on" list. See, you committed the crime of washing once! Join the dark side.

 

[dondonbabyraptor]

A review on reddit of 303 graphene that won review of the month on r/AutoDetailing.

 

[dondonbabyraptor]

Added how to guide wiki section from r/AutoDetailing. Going to run down this rabbit hole later tonight before I sleep. Will update with important guides I found.

https://www.howtoautodetail.com/article-categories/how-to-guides/

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