Amazing Mirror Like Shine - Wash, Clay, Polish then Wax.
 

Hey fellow Z owners!

With a week off from work for the holiday, I decided to (over a three day span) to wash, clay, and polish then wax my Z. I finished this afternoon and was so amazed with the results I thought it would be helpful to some members to share the steps I performed to get these results.

I didn't rush, nor did I complete this detail in one day. I believe not rushing to get this done in one-day was a key factor in the results I received.

1 ½ HRS - On the first day (PM) I wash and dried my car thoroughly. I usually wash my car when the Sun goes down. I do this because I don't like the soap and/or hard water drying on a section of the car when washing another. I personally find washing my car at night (without Sun baking) delivers better results IMHO. I also use the Absorber Synthetic Drying Chamois and my air compressor to blow all the water from the cracks and crevices of the car. Trust me there wasn’t a drop of water left on the car when I was done.

Garaged covered.

2 ½ HRS - On the second day (AM) I taped off all black trim & lights using 3M painters tape. I then used Meguiar’s Mirror Glaze Detailing Clay to remove the contaminants in the paint. My Z is a weekend driver and mostly garage & covered, and despite of that, I was surprise with how much contaminants the clay bar removed. I couldn’t believe how much smoother my car finish felt after using the clay bar. This was only the first step and I was impressed.

2 ½ HRS - Second day (PM) I polished my Z using Meguiar’s Show Car Glaze polish using the Shurhold Dual Action Polisher. I added the final touch by using the Brite Bonnet Final Polish Pad powered by the dual action polisher. Let me just say … this dual action polisher is awesome!

Covered.

2 HRS - Third day in the morning, I waxed my Z using Meguiar’s Hi-Tech Yellow Wax (with premium yellow Carnauba) using the Dual Action Polisher. And for the final time, I used the Brite Bonnet Final Polish Pad once again on the entire car.

It was time well spent while the wife and kids were at work and school. The pictures really don’t do it justice; it looks so much better in person. I hope anyone reading this finds it helpful. Enjoy!

Drive Hard but Safe!

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nice work. I plan on tackling my first detail job on my Z in two weeks, before a car show.

Thanks! I can't stress enough to use the clay bar if you haven't used one already. It's really an important 1st step to a smooth finish.

I wish you well with your detail. :tiphat:

Wow mirror clean....

My car is also a garage whore, I need a orbital buffer now

Wow, your car looks amazing for only 9 hours of work. I just got done with mine last night after over 20 hours throughout 4-5 days on and off. And I definitely believe you about the pics not doing it justice because I've been admiring my own work all day knowing I wouldn't be able to properly capture it in a photo.

Thanks! I must say "The orbital polisher really saved me a lot of time." Did you also us a orbital polisher?

I would love to see a pic of your Z.

There is really a huge sense of accomplishment when you finish detailing your Z to the extent we did. Enjoy admiring all your hard work. I know ... it's a good feeling to sit back and see your Z nice and shiny. :ughdance:

Yup, I used a PC 7424xp. I gotta give a big thanks to Junkman and all the time he put into making his videos for people like me to at least have an idea as to what the hell I'm doing. I haven't got around to taking pics because of Thanksgiving preparations, but even then white cars don't quite "Pop" and make you say "Wow" in photos like other color vehicles when they are freshly fully detailed.

Looks like you came out well by doing this yourself. Nothing like being able to pat yourself on the back.

I'm curious as to why you went with a glaze instead of a polish?

Thanks! Junkman2008, honestly I'm no expert, however, I started to do some research and read somewhere that the #7 Mirror Glaze was the same as a polish without abrasiveness. There were several posts on other forums where people seemed to use it like a polish. So considering it's been garage and covered since buying it new; I though a non-abrasive type of polish would be adequate.

It's a 2010 with only 2040 miles. It's not my daily driver, just weekend fun when I have the time. This car is more like a hobby of mine, I enjoy modding my Z when I have the time.

What's your thoughts. Did I make the right decision? I would like some feedback. I'll tell ya ... it really surprised me how smooth and shiny the paint turned-out.:tiphat:

Regards,

Stino

Well, they definitely passed you some bum scoop on that one. A glaze is NOT a polish. A glaze is a product that is used to fill in paint damage without removing any clear coat (which is what a polish would do). In order to repair the damage in your clear coat, you have to shave it down to the point where no damage resides. The amount that you shave it down depends on how deep the damage is. With the PC, you are NOT going to be shaving down any significant amount of clear coat at any time and that's why it takes so long to repair stuff with a PC. However, that's also what makes the PC so safe for a novice.

By using a glaze, the only thing you're doing is masking the damage. It is still there, and will reveal itself after you've washed the car enough times. Detailers, body shops and dealerships will use a glaze to make your car look perfect when you come to pick it up. However, after a month of washing, all the scratches will eventually show back up. That's why you never see me use a glaze in any of my videos. I want the damage removed, not masked.

Silly question, Junkman... Based on how you described polishes, is it possible to polish your car so many times that you essentially "sand" all of your clearcoat away? Also, if I use a polish like Liquid Glass LG-100 Ultimate, do I still need to wax my car?

Stino, your car looks amazing.

You need to watch these videos to get a better understanding about the first question that you are asking.

As for that product, it sounds more like snake oil than anything and I would not want to put that stuff on my car. If I were you, I would use a true wax on my car. That stuff is NOT a polish or a wax. It's more like some kind of coating.

listen to junkman. He is the pimp of paint and the sultan of shine lol

That looks amazing! I would pay anyone to hook my Z up with a clay, polish and wax detail. I am waaaay to lazy. No one does clay bars around here!

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I will have to borrow that one!