Just detailed my car... my findings

First I washed my car with Turtle Wax Ice Soap. By far the best soap I have used. + you can buy it anywhere, cheap

Used a clay bar with Klear Kote quick detailer = awesome. Apparently on the directions it says the Klear Kote quick detailer is a polish. Klear Kote is the best when it comes to removing grime and bird poop. In comparison to Meguirars QD and Ultimate QD. I like Meguirars ultimate QD in between details because it seems to make the paint pop a little (have to make sure surface is cool or otherwize it streaks like a ****), and supposidly has hydrophopic something or other that makes water bead...

anywho

After clay

I used Finishing Touch Glaze. I was really excited about this product, but i didn't quite get the results I was looking for. I figured it would go on like FMJ, fill in the swirls, and then easily come off.

FTG goes on like FMJ. I used long sweeping motions, however the product dried extreamly fast and when it did dry it resembled a shell like a dried wax.
Needless to say I really had to add some pressure to get the stuff off.
(I figured I could use sweeping motions considering its a glaze not a polish, but should I really have been working it into the paint more? such as circluar motions?) Then when I took it off it didn't really seem to make the paint POP anymore than normal.

Once I got the FTG off I continued with FMJ. This is by far the best product I have ever bought. Goes on easy, makes the paint look nice and wet, comes off easy, even if you let it dry for a half hour, then makes your paint look amazing.

Finally after 6 hours of curing I applied a coat of Natty's Blue paste wax. Pretty easy to use and it's either this wax or the sealant, but from prior uses, water on my paint beaded and a good 4 months and was still going strong, I just decided better to be safe than sorry with this current detail.

Sorry no pics (no camera), I blew all my money on detailing stuff

Opinions please. I feel like I may have used the FTG wrong. or I was just overly optimistic about it.

 

Ive got all these products.. I never let the fmj set though.. Didnt say it on the bottle...... Ill try that next week..

 

^ last time I detailed I didn't and it turned out fine, but either I or someone else made a post a while ago about it and supposidly you are supposed to let it set in for a while. I think the basis was that the Meguiars QD says to get optimal performace, you should let it sit for x amout of time, which got me thinking about the sealant curing time.

I guess it has the same application as a drive way sealant. It supposed to set for a day before someone goes on it.


edit : here is the thread https://my350z.com/forum/cleaning-de...-sealants.html


Lol after reading that again I had another question. How vital is it to apply more than one coat of sealant? Is layering really worth while. I know there has been some debate over this for waxes, but does the same apply for sealants?

 

Depending on the size of the vehicle, by the time you get to the last panel the first panel should be pretty well set to be buffed out with Full Molecular Jacket. I really like the clarity and protection it offers. Some people prefer the longer lasting Jet Seal 109, but still feel that FMJ offers a slightly better shine and clarity.

 

^ I usually apply FMJ to the whole car then start buffing where I started from, and it comes off with 1 swipe.

Then I just stare at the car for about a half hour. Looking at the reflection of a clean car with no dings, dents, or visible scratches is just awesome. Then I think to myself....

Pissing off everyone who rides in my car, making them walk from the very last spot in the lot is well worth it

Does anyone else have a panic attack when you have to park in a regular spot ( couldn't find an end spot or parallel spot the other day and I had my boss in my car, forced to park in a regular spot!!!! I couldn't help staring out the window of the restaurant crining everytime someone pulled into the spot next to me!) It was like tourture.

 

Unfortunately, no wax protects you against stupidity and carelessness of others.

 

FMJ is a nice sealant and looks great. The only downside is it's durability

 

+1 it goes on really easy and comes off super easy and the look is great but it dosent last long at all.

 

It will last at least 3-4 months though, correct? Is chemical guys jet seal better than FMJ, and can it be used with Finishing touch glaze? (any cleaning agents in it?)

Plus I have a coat of Natty paste wax on top of it. I thought the sealant was more of a "make the paint look wet," as well as a backup incase the elements wear through parts of the wax coat.

 

The sealant offers added protection more than anything else. Full Molecular Jacket just also leaves a great shine. Depending on how frequently you wash and climate FMJ should last 2-3 months. Jet Seal 109 has been said to last a good while longer, but with slightly less clarity and depth. If you detail every 2-3 months, you should be good with either product, especially if you wax monthly as well.

 

Thanks for the info, I guess I should switch my routine just incase. I usually wax every 3-4 months, because with the Natty wax the water was still beading at the 3.5 - 4 month point.

 

How many times would it take to get the swirls out?? Im having problems getting swirls out even after i used poorboys 3.0/2.5/2.0/1, then menzerna glaze, then menzerna sealant, then meguiars nxt wax.. Any tips??

 

What type of machine are you using? PC, Flex, Rotary???

 

Are you using fresh pads and allowing the machine enough time to break down the polishes? Try working in much smaller sections and get the results on the first panel before going on to the next.

 

Im using PC........

 

Im getting better.. Most of my clear coat scratches that i wanted gone are invisible..... Im thinking a combination of 6krpm and constantly going over the same spot in a pattern of motion is what got me better results..

Today was the first time i have used FMJ and i must say yes.. it is seriously worth every cent!! So far all my menzerna products are great.. Still gotta apply one coat of P21s wax and ill be done.. Been at it for over 8 hours..

6krpms is no joke for your hands (serious vibration)..

 

You get use to the vibrations by your fourth car or so. lol Yes, you need ample passes and time to remove imperfections, but at least unlike using fillers, once they are gone they are gone. P21S is a great wax and very easy to apply and remove, hazing time is minimal and not even necessary.

 

Work small areas, I use the PC on high RPM. use Menzerna SIP with orange 4" pad and then PO106ff with 4" white LC pad. gets them out and makes the paint oh so nice. CG FT glaze, then Jet Seal... it is way more durable and provides a great shine as well. I also use FMJ, it all depends on what you want.