How to Properly Detail a Vehicle

New to the forum and brand new to Toyota, bought a 2023 Tundra almost 3 weeks ago. That being said I would like to do my own car washes and just have a few questions. I’m planning on buy a foam cannon (nothing crazy just one off of Amazon) then using Meguiars Gold Class Car Wash Soap and their Interior Detailer. I was not planning on getting any wheel cleaner, I planned on using the Gold Class soap and seeing how it goes. Figured if I didn’t really like it I would buy some wheel cleaner. I was thinking of using Meguiars Ultimate Shine Paint Gloss, my truck has a few marks on it which look like maybe a garden hose was rubbed up against it at some point and my wife’s car (Volvo) has a few marks on the paint almost like scuffs but they don’t come off with a rag and elbow grease. Is there anything anyone uses to take care of this stuff? Last question is a compound or polish better for these types of marks/scuffs/scratches or something else?
Any ideas/suggestions?
Also this is a great thread!
Thanks
Jack

 

For extremely light stuff I will use a cleaner wax like Mothers Brazilian carnuba. It has just enough grit to handle light marks. Other than that I would step it up to a compound, and if that didn’t do the trick you’re looking at an orbital with some M105/205.

 

Thank you and I am brand new to detailing my own car, I haven't washed my own car in over 30 years and I'm trying to ease into it. I hope the carnuba wax works because I am not about to use a polisher on my truck LOL, plus after some of what I have read and heard about using compounds I'm afraid I might matters worse.

 

3d one AIO is awesome for this kind of stuff. You could apply buy hand for small areas.

 

Thanks brother

 

Can I apply 3D one over the entire vehicle with just a microfiber towel? And will it give that nice shine/polish? Very reluctant to use a buffer or polisher.

 

Yes but just know the compound component of this will require a lot of elbow grease. I would also get hand waxing pads. You probably won’t enjoy this process much. Honestly you really have to do something dumb to mess up a vehicle using a Griots G9 polisher with good pads.

 

Like I said “dumb”

 

Now high speed with a wool pad you’ll screw up things fast.

 

Ok so the “dumb” side of me is very nervous about screwing this up . I think I might start with the Mother’s Brazilian Carnauba

 

If ur gonna do that I would at least use a product that will last longer then a few weeks.

https://www.detailedimage.com/Jesca...9aklfSXjpIv_2fN3SVlxdEQ6UQzh2FmRoCA6IQAvD_BwE

 

Ultimate Compound worked well on my black Volvo then followed with Meguiars Ultimate Polish, then a good hand wax. I uses Chemical Guys Butter Wet Wax with good results.

 

@War Machine where ya at on this?

 

Oh man this is a worm hole

 

I’m trying to hold on and I know there’s so much to learn and my OCD does not help.

 

Yes but that does not have and cleaners in it or polishing abilities for the swirls he is trying to address.

 

Have you checked out the “ask the detailer” thread?

 

And Carnuba does? Seems like a ton of effort for a wax that will fail in less then a month.

if that is true I stand by my first recommendation of 3d one.


Personally I would use a machine.
HDO pads from Lake county
Rags from TRC
Griots Boss correction cream
Griots Boss polish
And finish with a sealant or coating.
Exactly what I did to the last Taco I touched. But I was trying to suggest a way that the OP is comfortable that still lasts a bit.

 

For starters....3D One is not an AIO. It's a hybrid compound and polish together. A true AIO (all in one) includes some type of protection left behind.....3D One does not...and would give the best results using a DA polisher. I've used it with excellent results....paired with a 50/50 Urofiber pad. The Mothers product you referenced earlier is, technically, an AIO. Meguiars Cleaner Wax is a similar product....both can be applied by hand. Paint correction is tough to do without a polisher.....but not impossible. That being said, do not expect the same results.

Chemical Guys Butter Wet Wax was mentioned earlier....do not waste your time. It's a nice product, and easy to use, but does not last very long.

I'm not suggesting that you're not capable of doing this, but in this case, perhaps your best option is to have a professional detailer handle it. Be prepared to part with some coin, however. They can give you advice on the best way to maintain the vehicles finish.

 

Yes I did they linked this post and another one

 

The Mothers Brazilian Carnuba Cleaner Wax does. That’s the only reason I’m recommending it otherwise there’s a host of other products I’d use.

 

Understood, it’s probably easier than it seems to me. I just envision myself leaving a giant swirl down the side of my truck or worse my wife’s Volvo . I think I’m going to start with Mothers then depending on how it looks maybe progress to 3D one with a lot of elbow grease. Once I’m a little more comfortable I might look into a polisher. I have not bought any supplies yet to clean our vehicles inside and out and I’m trying to keep the expense to a minimum. So the polisher will have to wait, I appreciate all the information and help.

 

Start with that one first!

 

https://www.tundras.com/threads/p-s-beadmaker-review.31713/