gossame1 said:
How many take their 300's to the local car wash, and how many hand wash the car? I know it sounds funny, but what does the best job, also, what kind of wax or polish works best with the finish on the 300 to maintain the showroom luster? Love to hear the input to this! Thanks again,
Brian Carotenuto
My 300c hasn't arrived yet so while waiting I'm leaning all
I can about keeping it looking great.
For those who don't already know there is a great auto detailing
forum with very helpful members:
http://www.autopia.org/
From what I've learned I detailed my 97 Eagle Vision TSI for
practice with great results.
1) Wash with Sonüs Gloss Shampoo
2) Clay car with blue Clay Magic
3) Klasse All-in-One (AIO) applied by Porter Cable Polisher (PC) - 2 coats
For AIO use Sonüs blue finishing pad with PC 4-5 opm
Can be applied by hand.
4) Remove with Sonüs Der Wunder Microfiber (MF) Polishing Towel
5) Klasse SG (Klasse High Gloss Sealant Glaze) 3 coats.
Applied with a microfiber applicator pad very light coat,
no more the 1 oz for entire car.
(min of 24 hour for curing between coats)
6) Remove with Concours Buffing Towel, very soft
7) Top it off with P21S Carnauba
By hand, put P21S on extremely light
8) Removed with Concours Buffing Towel
WOWO Method
In order to apply SG using wipe on, wipe off, you should do the following:
1. Take a terry covered foam applicator and spray it with water. Squeeze the applicator as much as you can so that most of the water is gone. All you should have is a slightly damp applicator. This will make the SG more pliable.
2. Apply a couple of drops of SG to your applicator and apply it to a section of your car (1/3 of the hood, half of the roof, etc) in a front to back motion. Once you have covered the whole section with SG, immediately wipe off the residue with a DRY charisma or MF towel in a front to back motion.
3. Repeat step 2 for every section until the whole car is done.
Notes:
- As mentioned before, wipe the SG off immediately, no dry time is necessary.
- The SG should wipe off very easily leaving behind a slick, smooth, and glossy finish.
- You should use no more than 1oz. of SG per coat on a regular size car.
- Only perform step 1 one time, before applying SG to the first panel. You do NOT need to spritz your applicator with water before applying SG to each section. Once you apply SG to a couple of sections the applicator will be wet enough with SG, negating the need for more water.
-Do not use any water or Quick Detail spray to aid in removal of SG. This will just cause the klasse SG to develop an oily haze/film down the road. I've also experienced this.
-Wait AT LEAST 24 hours before applying another coat of SG. SG needs time to cure and bond to your paint surface. If you've driven the car ANYWHERE, then wash it before applying the next layer, or else you risk swirls on your car.
-Put on three coats of SG, and you will be good to go.
-If you desire more warmth and depth in your paint, then apply a pure carnauba wax (no cleaner waxes) a week after you've applied the third layer of SG. Make sure you wash before you wax. You may experience some streaking or ghosting of the wax. I did, but it wasn't enough to bother me. This is because SG and carnuba (any carnuba) don't entirely get along. Consider yourself warned.
If you decide to put a wax topper over your SG, ensure it is a pure carnuba wax without cleaners. The cleaners in a cleaner wax will strip off your SG, resulting in a wasted effort.
"Want an even higher level of optical light refraction and reflectivity. Here's how. When applying Show Car Polish do the following; On all Top surfaces of vehicle, use a back and forth motion (from front bumper towards windshield). On all Side surfaces (doors, fenders, etc.) use a vertical motion, up and down. This technique will increase the way light attracts and reflects off of Show Car Polish. The body lines and contours of your vehicle will seem to glow."
If you top the SG with a carnauba I'd either use a carnauba based QD like EF Clear Pearl or a QD without polymers or carnauba like Adam's Detail Spray...both are awesome BTW!
If you top your SG with a carnauba topper, use any QD that is compatible with carnauba. Excellent locally available products are Mother's Showtime, Maguire's Final Detail and Final Inspection. Online product - Clearkote Quick Shine, 1Z Lackfinish (diluted), Sonus QD with carnauba and PoorBoy's S&W.