Detailed the exterior of the Yaris.

[Herbicidal]

***This is a repost from before we were hacked.***

I took the day off of work for what I call a “mental health” day and decided to detail the exterior of the Yaris. This is the first time since buying the car in June that I've waxed it and I wanted to do it right the first time. :thumbsup:

I started by washing the car with warm water and Dawn. I wanted to strip off the existing wax, if any, to have squeaky clean paint. I dried the car using some microfiber towels. Then I pulled out my Griots Garage paint clay and some Meguair’s Ultimate Quick Detailer to use as the lubricant for the clay. I started working around the car in sections using plenty of the Meguair’s detail spray to keep the clay bar from sticking. After each section I thoroughly dried the area and removed the lubricant residue. The clay bar was not picking up very much until I started on the trunk lid. Wow! Quite a bit of “stuff” came off the paint and into the clay. Right about then, a FedEx truck pulled up to drop off a package and the guy asked what I was doing. I explained about how to use the clay and so forth and showed him the clay piece I was using. He couldn’t believe it! I said I had just washed the car with Dawn and now was using the clay before doing the Meguiar’s 3 step process. He drove away convinced that he needed to clay his car soon! I think it took about 1 ½ hours to clay the whole car. The roof was the worst!

Once the claying was done, I then busted out my Porter Cable 7424 Random Orbit polisher. This tool is a hand and arm lifesaver! I used three different pads: The white one is for cleaning the paint. I used Meguair’s Deep Crystal System Cleaner with this pad. Again, I worked the paint in sections, never allowing the cleaner to fully dry on the paint. It’s a royal pain to remove if allowed to dry (follow the directions on each product’s container for the best results). Once this was done, I proceeded to step 2, the polish. For this I used the black pad. Once this was done came the easy part. Applying the NXT tech wax. As with all the products more is NOT better. Use just enough to get the job done, this also makes removing it so much easier. I applied NXT using a red pad. It goes on like butter! AND, you can do the whole car in one shot, then remove it. A little trick I learned is to put a small microfiber towel under one of the pads on the Porter Cable and use this to remove the wax. This technique works best on the large flat surfaces. Do the tight curves by hand. Just use a clean towel every now and then. To give the wax a longer life, I use the Quick Detailer after every other car wash. It only takes about 15 minutes and the car looks like it was just waxed.

The car is finally done! The metallic fleck in the paint really jumps out in the full sun. I had a heck of time getting a decent picture in the sun without getting sun ‘flares’ in the picture. Anyway, it was a great way to spend the day. I hope you enjoy the pictures. :smile:
_____________________

The clay pad after doing JUST the trunk lid. I used the quick detailer as the "lube" for the clay. The more lube the better so the clay doesn't stick. I did one section at a time, the dried it off with another microfiber towel.
http://www.tundrasolutions.com/gallery/files/6/6/7/3852ff34e6ccd00edcb391612cfdd8b6_5355.jpg


I refolded the clay until I had a nice clean section, then I started on the roof. This is the clay pad after doing JUST the roof!
http://www.tundrasolutions.com/gallery/files/6/6/7/a954b24a17565dbc27fd354de224adce_5354.jpg


Using the Porter Cable with a pad and a microfiber towel underneath to remove the NXT wax. This trick works best on the large flat surfaces.
http://www.tundrasolutions.com/gallery/files/6/6/7/9d7563ca014b486e87c4c0a0ba847b85_5353.jpg


Trying to catch the fleck in the paint.
http://www.tundrasolutions.com/gallery/files/6/6/7/c12f81efff6a7b23b6bbca6f53f89dcb_5352.jpg


All done. The picture turned out a little too bright due to the angle of the sun. :rolleyes:
http://www.tundrasolutions.com/gallery/files/6/6/7/11d0060a8c46398e12d818e68b6cc7b7_5351.jpg


Trying to get a picture in the full sun that shows the metallic fleck in the paint.
http://www.tundrasolutions.com/gallery/files/6/6/7/794dbdbd7f302199d9ad1de73fe942b0_5350.jpg


The 'stuff' I used.
http://www.tundrasolutions.com/gallery/files/6/6/7/19a08026445f7ba128cc3e0fefb04736_5349.jpg

[Bob_VT]

I hate people who live in nice weather areas!!!!!!!!!!! Your perfect wax job makes me feel like crap!

Here in the northeast it has snowed, it's raining now, accumulation of snow expected and its 42 degrees out.

[TEHxFALLEN V1.2]

Would your cleaning combination remove overspray?

[Herbicidal]

I hate people who live in nice weather areas!!!!!!!!!!! Your perfect wax job makes me feel like crap!

Here in the northeast it has snowed, it's raining now, accumulation of snow expected and its 42 degrees out.
I'll take that as a compliment! :biggrin: We are finally due for some rain here later this week.

Would your cleaning combination remove overspray?

I'm not 100% certain, but I would say it's worth a shot. Probably depends on how much overspray you are talking about. Worse case is that your paint is in better condition than before, even if all the overspray is not removed.

[TEHxFALLEN V1.2]

My overspray on my car is pretty noticable, and now that it has been there for a few months... it's actually darkening -_-

[Shroomster]

my question is what do you do with the pads after you use them once? are they washable/cleanable? or do you use once and then throw them out?

this is the question that has been keeping me from diving into full on detailing...

last big detail I did was use Turtle Wax Rubbing compound and then turtle wax polishing compound...

[Herbicidal]

my question is what do you do with the pads after you use them once? are they washable/cleanable? or do you use once and then throw them out?

this is the question that has been keeping me from diving into full on detailing...

last big detail I did was use Turtle Wax Rubbing compound and then turtle wax polishing compound...

Good question and I didn't even think to mention what I do. I read on my Tundra forum (from a professional detailer) that he uses Woolite. That is what I use on the foam pads and the microfiber towels. Warm water, gentle cycle. I wash the pads separate from the towels. You can then let everything air dry or toss in the dryer on a low heat setting but don’t add any of those fabric softener sheets.

I've used the same pads for over 2 years now and other then some discoloration, they still do the job. :thumbsup:

[Shroomster]

Good question and I didn't even think to mention what I do. I read on my Tundra forum (from a professional detailer) that he uses Woolite. That is what I use on the foam pads and the microfiber towels. Warm water, gentle cycle. I wash the pads separate from the towels. You can then let everything air dry or toss in the dryer on a low heat setting but don’t add any of those fabric softener sheets.

I've used the same pads for over 2 years now and other then some discoloration, they still do the job. :thumbsup:

cool, thanks for the info...might be getting one for x-mas (fingers crossed)

[rstb88]

If you do use the woolite just be sure it is the one with no additives, no fabric softeners, very bad for the microfibers and the pads.

[Herbicidal]

Good point. I'm using the one that is for all 'delicates'. :biggrin: And I'm comfortable enough in my manliness that I bought it, not my wife! :headbang:

[Shroomster]

ok.....:wink: lmao...

just one more question so that I understand.....after applying with the buffer when you would remove the layer or whatever, you were putting the towel under everytime or were you removing it all by hand?


I did notice you said you would do the corners and awkward locations by hand but I'm not sure if it pertained to this...


I'm just wanting to know as I did my whole car by hand and if it saves time I'm for it as it took me and the wife like 2 1/2 hours I think to finish my civic hehe

[Herbicidal]

I used the microfiber towel under the pad on the easy to access places. Such as the hood, roof, trunk lid and door panels. I would do the hard to reach places by hand. Like around the tail lights, headlights, nooks and crannies of the front bumper, rear deck spoiler and so forth. Basically places that the polisher doesn't fit very well. I believe you can buy microfiber buffing pads. I just went the cheap route.

Using the Porter Cable machine is a HUGE time saver! Plus there is no way you can move your hand fast enough to duplicate the buffing action of that polisher. The paint will be consistently smoother than doing it by hand. Not to mention you will still have use of your arms when you're done. :tongue:

[Shroomster]

gotcha...hopefully using this will eliminate the "swirl/scratches" hand waxing leaves behind...

[Herbicidal]

Ahhh...F-it! Drive your car over and I'll do it myself! Save you the hassle. I've got some time this Saturday afternoon. :biggrin:

[Stargate YARlantIS]

Great detail Job.....looks Sick as Frack!!!

[Shroomster]

Ahhh...F-it! Drive your car over and I'll do it myself! Save you the hassle. I've got some time this Saturday afternoon. :biggrin:

sure....I'll have to pencil in a few gas stops....

[Herbicidal]

Great detail Job.....looks Sick as Frack!!!
Thanks! Nice little red pocket rocket you got there. :thumbsup:


sure....I'll have to pencil in a few gas stops....

Key word is few!

[rstb88]

Did you get those pads and the backing plate in a combo and where? I'm thinking of getting the edge set for my pc so I have double the pads but not sure. Link for those of you who don't know what the edge is. http://www.autogeek.net/edge-dual-action-starter-kit.html

[Herbicidal]

I believe I bought them from Autopia.com individually. It's been about 2 years so my memory has faded a bit. :rolleyes: I already had the hook and loop backing plate, in fact I think it came with my Porter Cable.

That system looks pretty cool. :thumbsup:

[raz1121]

www.detailersdomain.com is a good spot for porter cables and conpounds.

Make sure you clay before using a porter cable if not the pad can pick the overspray up and swirl it into the paint.

Also i like your rims I rolling flint mica stock right now i need tint and maybe new wheels.

[Chupacabra]

Very warm day today in Connecticut so....I washed the car and put on another coat of sealant. The car looks and feels fantastic!

[sheraz2000]

awesome work.

[Herbicidal]

Thanks! You have a very clean ride too. :thumbsup:

[Shroomster]

argh detail is getting put off AGAIN....maybe next week maybe two weeks.....frigging economy....can't afford to go and get:

- towels
- clay kit
- meguiar's quik detailer liquid >>>>brought back the integrated clear coat on my wife's 92 corolla
- oil for the car
- filter for the car


anyone want to loan me like $500?

[Kaotic Lazagna]

Nice job, Herb. I didn't realize you were in Roseville (unless I just forgot). I was just there last night at the Sonic on Pleasant Grove (I think that was the street). We should do a photoshoot some day.

[Herbicidal]

Nice job, Herb. I didn't realize you were in Roseville (unless I just forgot). I was just there last night at the Sonic on Pleasant Grove (I think that was the street). We should do a photoshoot some day.

Thanks! No worries, Sonic is about 4 miles from where I live. That would be cool, I've seen your pics and it looks like you have a good eye for photography. :thumbsup:

Which reminds me, it's going to be about 65 degrees today, the ol' Yaris needs a bath!

[Kaotic Lazagna]

hehehe. I live about 20 miles from that Sonic. I live in Rancho Cordova, so I would have to go down Sunrise and some other streets to get there. PM me your number and I'll give you a call next time I'm back in the Sac area (in the Bay right now).

[Herbicidal]

PM me your number and I'll give you a call next time I'm back in the Sac area (in the Bay right now).

The Yaris is now sparkly clean! Now I need to paint the eyelids and get them on my ride. :cool:

PM sent.

[texkid]

http://www.tundrasolutions.com/forums/members/herbicidal/albums/our+2008+yaris+%27s%27+sedan.-450/clay-pad-after-doing-just-roof-5354.jpg

I just had one question about that. Do you use the "Two Bucket System"? If not, then that could be why the clay is so dirty. I started using that technique a while back and noticed a difference in the shine of the car. I also noticed that I had to use clay LESS often.

However, if you do use the Two Bucket System, then damn! Good thing you clayed it before waxing.

[Herbicidal]

Hi Texkid,

no, I don't use the two bucket system. Prior to claying the car, I washed the whole thing using Dawn dishwashing liquid and warm water in the bucket. Normally using a dishwashing product is a big no no! However, the goal was to start with squeaky clean paint, i.e no residual wax like 'stuff' left behind. Not to take anything away from the two bucket system, but I honestly, don't think that method would have changed these results noticably.

The roof was the worst, followed by the trunk lid and spoiler followed by the hood. The sides of the car had the least amount of "yuck" embedded in the paint. Which stands to reason as a horizontal flat surface will allow particles to sit there, while a vertical surface wouldn't. I believe that all the Yari shipped to the states come from Japan in containers. I can only imagine the amount of rust and stuff that settles into the uncured paint that comes from these containers that spend their life in a very corrosive environment at sea.

[texkid]

The roof was the worst, followed by the trunk lid and spoiler followed by the hood. The sides of the car had the least amount of "yuck" embedded in the paint. Which stands to reason as a horizontal flat surface will allow particles to sit there, while a vertical surface wouldn't. I believe that all the Yari shipped to the states come from Japan in containers. I can only imagine the amount of rust and stuff that settles into the uncured paint that comes from these containers that spend their life in a very corrosive environment at sea.

Ah! The fact that the most was collected from the top surfaces makes total sense and do agree that the two-bucket approach would've done little. I was assuming that it was from daily driving for too long. Most of my dirt from claying are at the front bumper and rear hatch.

[tomato]

@ OP: Great info! Never heard of claying a car before, but that photo up there with the claybar in your hand speaks 1000 words!

Thanks for the post :thumbsup: with the cool pix. :coolpics:

[Herbicidal]

@ OP: Great info! Never heard of claying a car before, but that photo up there with the claybar in your hand speaks 1000 words!

Thanks for the post :thumbsup: with the cool pix. :coolpics:

My pleasure! Yeah, I was rather stunned when I 'clayed' the roof and came up with that mess on the bar! I can't believe it's already been like 6 months since I did that exterior detail job! :eyebulge: Dang! Where does the time go? I have been using the quick detailer about every other wash and the water still beads off better than a ducks back. :biggrin: However, I need to make some time to give him a "freshening up" now that the we're heading towards spring. Gotta keep my ride lookin' tight! :headbang: Oh yeah, picked up a Vios badge from Micro Image On Line, so he's getting a new name soon too.

[tomato]

Gotta keep my ride lookin' tight! :headbang:

I hear that! :thumbsup: I bought my car a month ago now, so it's time to think about doing her first wax and everything. I bought the car used, so I don't know what they used before but they are some little spots in the cracks where wax accumulated and wasn't removed. I guess I just need to set a day and get to it.

[firebob]

I only clay the car when it’s new or when you have to strip the wax off the car. If you keep it clean once you have wax on it then there will not be the in bedded build up that the clay is needed for.

I don’t like the 2 bucket system. If it’s that dirty then go to a car wash and spray as much as you can off there first. But I do use a 5 gallon bucket and if it gets dirty then I dump it and make a new one.


Mine is getting the pcv filter mod this weekend and a bath then I will post some post some pics. We need to find a laundry mat for 4 loads of our stuff and a load of the car cleaning stuff from lasts weeks strip and wax after a dealer messed it up.

[tomato]

Well, I bought it used so I don't know what's under the wax right now. I thought maybe I should give it the clay treatment, then wax it myself.

You travel 4,5K miles a week? Wow. How many miles do you have on your Yaris? I have close to 56K on mine.

[counterfiend]

Dont get me wrong, but the car looks good, but your going to do that, then put the butt of the PC on the car, to possibly leave scratchs?
and why would you put our microfibers, and pads on the carpet like that, to just pick up stuff thats going to scratch your car later on?

and they do make bonnets to fit over hard or semi hard foam pads so you dont have to go through the microfiber on a pad deal.

[bobfolgerjr]

I just bought a 2009 4dr Yaris Black. I've owned ton of black cars in the past and have detailed them all never having any problems. This car has me banging my head on the wall.

I used NuFinish first for the first wax and it came at aweful. Then I read about SwirlX and NXT 2.0 and did the car over today. It looks somewhat better, however there seems to be like a grease appearence on the car. Almost as if when taking off the wax it won't come off all the way. I used the best applicators, removers, ect. It just seems to be covered with a haze still.

Any sugesstions.....I almost wish I never waxed it. I only have 900 miles on it.

Any help would be appreciated.

bobfolgerjr@msn.com
Taylor,Pa

[raz1121]

I just bought a 2009 4dr Yaris Black. I've owned ton of black cars in the past and have detailed them all never having any problems. This car has me banging my head on the wall.

I used NuFinish first for the first wax and it came at aweful. Then I read about SwirlX and NXT 2.0 and did the car over today. It looks somewhat better, however there seems to be like a grease appearence on the car. Almost as if when taking off the wax it won't come off all the way. I used the best applicators, removers, ect. It just seems to be covered with a haze still.

Any sugesstions.....I almost wish I never waxed it. I only have 900 miles on it.

Any help would be appreciated.

bobfolgerjr@msn.com
Taylor,Pa

clay bar the entire car to remove that wax or use dawn dish soap to strip the car and then restart with the NXT 2.0

[Herbicidal]

Dont get me wrong, but the car looks good, but your going to do that, then put the butt of the PC on the car, to possibly leave scratchs?
and why would you put our microfibers, and pads on the carpet like that, to just pick up stuff thats going to scratch your car later on?

and they do make bonnets to fit over hard or semi hard foam pads so you dont have to go through the microfiber on a pad deal.

No worries! I set it there very carefully for the picture. The paint really isn't that fragile and I'm not that anal. I think Kaotic Lazagna is, however :tongue:. Have you read what he does to wash and detail his car??? OMG!!! Again, I just set them there for the pic. Thanks for your concern! :thumbsup: I've seen the bonnets (I don't happen to have any), this was just a suggestion if you didn't have them handy.

[Kaotic Lazagna]

No worries! I set it there very carefully for the picture. The paint really isn't that fragile and I'm not that anal. I think Kaotic Lazagna is, however :tongue:. Have you read what he does to wash and detail his car??? OMG!!! Again, I just set them there for the pic. Thanks for your concern! :thumbsup: I've seen the bonnets (I don't happen to have any), this was just a suggestion if you didn't have them handy.

LMAO!!!!!!! I need to clay bar my car again one of these days. Overdue for one.

[Herbicidal]

Realized I had some broken picture links. Just fixed 'em.