I have a black z that i just wash and thats it. I want to get that shine back that it had when i drove it off the dealership lot. From reading, i understand you have to wash, then clay bar, then polish, then wax. Is there an easy way to do this, like easy to apply or use? I want to do everything by hand without the use of any machines like buffers. Any suggestions of easy to obtain products like from target, local pep boys, or autozone?

 

If you want that shine back, it will that a nice long detailing section!

j3ff
https://my350z.com/forum/cleaning-de...de-w-pics.html (Amazing)

 

thanks for the link. According to the link, doing everything by hand will yield little results. Can i just wash then clay bar, then wax? polishing looks to be tedious and cannot be properly done by hand. i was hoping to use some spray wax(any suggestions?), something easy so i could get that shine back after the wash.

 

Polishing gets rid of the miniscule swirls and spider-webbing. If you showroom shine, that's the only way you're going to do it. Polishing by hand would yield very uneven results at best.

 

You should look into Migliore at your LSP (last step product). There are a lot of stellar reviews right on this website.

Visit www.migliorewax.com

 

If you incorporate a clay bar step. Be sure to wash, clay bar, wash again then go ahead with the polish/wax step.

Clay bar will produce an extremely noticeable difference once you get to the wax removal. You can almost blow off the wax after its been clayed.

 

Claying a car removes all the bonded contaminates and leaves a crazy smooth finish, ^^^and hes right after you take that wax off the difference is night and day

 

There are no short cuts to a great shine on a black vehicle and even more so when doing it by hand. 3M Imperial Hand Glaze will leave a nice wet look to the paint, but only offers mild filling properties. Most of your swirls and spider webs will remain. NXT might help fill in some of the swirls as well, but both will only be very temporary fixes. Your best bet is to invest in the buffer as a long term detailing tool. The following products will pretty much satisfy most of the do it yourself detailing needs and abilities:

Porter Cable

Big Blue Towel

reTHICKulous Towel

Menzerna Power Gloss

Intensive Polish

Final Polish

P21S Carnauba Wax

This gives you the buffer and all the pads you will need, a three step polishing system from the heaviest cutting power to the least, a solid wax that really adds clarity and depth, and the microfiber and drying towel you will need. You can use Natty's wax to save a few bones, or pick up some S100 at a Harley Davidson store too. The waxes cost slightly more than the 3M or Meguiars counterparts, but will offer better results and more consistent finishes. Yes, it is an investment, but over years it is a lot cheaper than paying for detailing and products that will never yield the results you want.

 

thanks for all the info guys

 

you dont need to re wash really. Unless your not using quick detailer as your clay lube. ONR works well.

 

Beginning details should begin with a one-step cleaner-wax: https://my350z.com/forum/cleaning-de...x-ratings.html

As you become familiar with your cars paint, you will be better able to assess its strong and weak points. Then you can choose an additional detailing product to work with. The biggest mistake is to buy 5 bottles of exotic products, and give it a try.