what to buy next...

[timmb001]

This post is at the request of DetailingDude -

I had asked him where to start when dealing with my Black 96. It does have some minor scratches and one longer scratch on the RR qtr. (~12")

At present I have a new bucket, a new CA WaterBlade (thanks to my daufghter) and the desire to do it right. I am just a little overwhelmed by the number of products available. :confused

So - in an effort to clear it up I sent him an email - He asked me to make a post here so that others could "gleen" the knowledge as well. I will post pics of the car this weekend prior to anything being done or the products that are used and take pics along the way in hopes that those of you that have been reading some of the related posts can enjoy it as well.

DD - I turn it over to you.

 

[DetailingDude]

I'd have posted this earlier but had to coach my little girl's team. They lost on the last play of the game on an official's big time blunder! Grrrrr!

This post is at the request of DetailingDude
As I said when I first came on here and began advising.. I don't at all mind handling things in email or through private messages, but I feel that everybody may be able to benefit from your questions and I might miss something in my analysis that another CAC member can help out on.

I had asked him where to start when dealing with my Black 96. It does have some minor scratches and one longer scratch on the RR qtr. (~12")
Well, here we go! I love black! You will too when you finish it too. One thing that I do with black is try the most mild product for removing problems. I'll have you try a few things before we address those surface scratches.

At present I have a new bucket, a new CA WaterBlade (thanks to my daufghter) and the desire to do it right. I am just a little overwhelmed by the number of products available.
There are a ton of them! First off, remove the CA WaterBlade from the packaging and make it look like you are going to or have used it. BUT DON'T!!! When you have finished the entire process your vette will be so easy to wash and dry that you the 'blade' will be of no use to you. I'll start a new reply on some of the products and tools that I suggest.

I will post pics of the car this weekend prior to anything being done or the products that are used and take pics along the way in hopes that those of you that have been reading some of the related posts can enjoy it as well.
I'd like to work with you on the pictures so that we can create a step-by-step pictoral guide for this site.

 

[DetailingDude]

Your Shopping List

Since you're new to the whole detailing scene I am going to make a basic shopping list for you. Should you encounter any problems along the way I'll add a few more things but for now here's what I recommend. I've put a list of where to buy at the bottom and a few places which sell unique products.

I have also put corporate websites for several wax companies.

Exterior Paint:
For Washing and Drying you'll need
pH balanced Car Wash Solution
4x 100% Cotton Towel (hand towel size)
MicroFiber Drying towel
Leaf Blower (optional but recommended)
Garden Hose and nozzle

For Annual Waxing you'll need
The Ulitmate Clay Bar Guide
Clay Bar
Surface Lubrication Spray
3M General Purpose Adhesive Cleaner
Paint Cleanser
Wax
4x Sponge Applicators
8x MicroFiber Towels
Cellophane Cigarette Wrapper

For Annual Wheel Care you'll need
The Ultimate Wheel Care Guide


Big Blue Drying Towel
100% Cotton Towels
California Car Duster

Independat Shopping Portals:
AutoDetail.com



Wax Companies:
Griot's Garage
Lusso
Meguiar's
Mothers
P21S
Pinnacle
Zaino
zymöl

 

[timmb001]

Ok here is where i am on the shopping list:

pH balanced Car Wash Solution – Mother’s Gold was chosen due to sale price.
4x 100% Cotton Towel (hand towel size) - Check
MicroFiber Drying towel - Check
Leaf Blower (optional but recommended) – (I am going to pass on this one as my wife might think it was for yard work.)
Garden Hose and nozzle – Check, Check

The Ulitmate Clay Bar Guide – prined & avaialble
Clay Bar – Mother’s kit was chosen due to price
Surface Lubrication Spray – (see above)
Wax – Mothers again was chosen due to price
3M General Purpose Adhesive Cleaner – not sure about this one will look for it
Paint Cleanser - not sure about this one will look for it
4x Sponge Applicators – Big bag on sale at local Kragen
8x MicroFiber Towels - Check
Cellophane Cigarette Wrapper – As I dont smoke – I will have to locate this one...

 

[DetailingDude]

pH balanced Car Wash Solution – Mother’s Gold was chosen due to sale price.
good choice

4x 100% Cotton Towel (hand towel size) - Check
Are you 100% sure they are 100% Cotton? Who is the MFR?

MicroFiber Drying towel - Check
Did you get the 'Big Blue Drying Towel"?

Leaf Blower (optional but recommended) – (I am going to pass on this one as my wife might think it was for yard work.)
I showed you response to my GF and she smiled and nodded her head. LOL

Garden Hose and nozzle – Check, Check
I'll be posting an updated drying guide, plus I'll be doing the video of "How To Dry Your Car With Water" which I hope to make available to you rather quickish. So you hose will assist you in drying your car.

The Ulitmate Clay Bar Guide – prined & avaialble
I can tell you the response on that post. The email and thank you's that I have received have been amazing.

Clay Bar – Mother’s kit was chosen due to price
Surface Lubrication Spray – (see above)
Great system. It comes with a 2oz cleaner wax which I am not too fond of. It has a purpose in life, but I hope to get you to a level that you can maintain your Corvette that you don't need a product like that.

Wax – Mothers again was chosen due to price
You should be able to get 20 + applications of wax from thier container.

3M General Purpose Adhesive Cleaner – not sure about this one will look for it
AutoZone, PepBoys are supposed to be carrying it. You can also find it in San Diego at http://selector.3m.com/aad_wtb/view...31,657,476&F=Distributors+in:+CA++San+Diego++


Paint Cleanser - not sure about this one will look for it
Since you're going with Mothers you should get Mothers California Gold® Sealer and Glaze

4x Sponge Applicators – Big bag on sale at local Kragen
I am sure they'll be fine, but they should have a rather 'dense' look.

8x MicroFiber Towels - Check
Make sure you remove the tags. And on that note, where are yours made?

Cellophane Cigarette Wrapper – As I dont smoke – I will have to locate this one...
It is very difficult to find a smoker these days. Except for Joe Millionaire. LOL You can use other types of clear plastic wrappers. I just find that it is easy to store the wrapper in the pack and easiest to use.

Looks like you've almost made it. Have you seen the wheel care guide I posted?

 

[timmb001]

sorry this is taking so long DD and I are working on pics of the car prior to doing anything.

 

[DetailingDude]

sorry this is taking so long DD and I are working on pics of the car prior to doing anything.

I'm working 20 hrs a day right now making sure that everything is set for the video so if it takes you until Monday that would be ok. Thanks for the update.

 

[timmb001]

I will keep taking pics and see if I can capture the little scratches and problem areas. Take your time.

 

[DetailingDude]

I will keep taking pics and see if I can capture the little scratches and problem areas. Take your time.

Some of those shots were from a bit too far away to tell the amount of damage. If you could get a bit closer that would be great.

Also, do you know if it has ever been in an accident?

 

[timmb001]

it has had any kind of accident. I will try to get closer and post those pics in the same location for you to review.