A superb Car cleaning, polishing & detailing guide

Rudra Sen · 24th February 2007, 19:43

This Gentleman writes a step by step guide on how he polished and restored his cars paintwork to look as good as new. The article is really detailed and has pictures to explain each step as well. A real eye opener and a fun read, i think, for anyone who is really serious about taking care of their car. Enjoy...

here's the link: 2006 Acura TL in Nighthawk Black Pearl (part 1) – Detailed Image

NOTE: Idiot's guide at this link

Vid6639 · 24th February 2007, 19:52

Nice article Rudraji. For the wax I guess it's a better idea to get the liquid wax or gels. They dont leave the white dried up marks.

The turtle wax leather polish is excellent. It does not shine the leather it gives it a nice dull finish. That's the one which has aloe vera and cocoa butter.

Even the armorall protectant gives a nice dull finish rather than shiny tyres.

Rudra Sen · 24th February 2007, 19:58

They do. Over a period of time.
Toothpick is the only way to clean without damaging the surface.

s0uljah · 24th February 2007, 21:37

Great one as usual Rudra sir !!

Any good places for car detailing in Bangalore besides the Mission Road , CARS R US ?

kpzen · 24th February 2007, 22:17

Excellent Sir..!!!!

The two things i would like to clarify (Pls correct me if i'm wrong)
1.Putting Engine oil on the black bumpers to make the bumpers jet black
2.Clean tyres with Pepsi ...It makes it black but dunno if its harmful to the rubber

Regards
KP

theMAG · 24th February 2007, 22:39

Great writeup Rudraji. I'd saved your earlier article abt car maintenance, altho I've a technique developed that gives eye-watering(mine) results. I'll share it when we meet up next for that closet fear of being riduculed publicly otherwise

Gordon · 24th February 2007, 23:30

Quote:

1.Putting Engine oil on the black bumpers to make the bumpers jet black
2.Clean tyres with Pepsi ...It makes it black but dunno if its harmful to the rubber

Engine oil is meant for the engine. Agreed it will look black but imagine how sticky it would be. Try leaning against you car and you'd get it all stained.

Pepsi....for tyres. 40 bucks for 1.5L and the shine wouldnt last even a day. Tyre foam costs around 150-200 bucks and one spray would last for around 10-15 days. And the whole can would last for around a year depending on the frequency of the usage. Pepsi has an expiry date of 3 months.

hydrashok · 24th February 2007, 23:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by kpzen

2.Clean tyres with Pepsi ...It makes it black but dunno if its harmful to the

............

.............

kpzen · 24th February 2007, 23:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gordon

Engine oil is meant for the engine. Agreed it will look black but imagine how sticky it would be. Try leaning against you car and you'd get it all stained.

No its only sticky for one day .....once u clean it with a dry cloth next day it becomes smooth n shiny.....

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gordon

Pepsi....for tyres. 40 bucks for 1.5L and the shine wouldnt last even a day. Tyre foam costs around 150-200 bucks and one spray would last for around 10-15 days. And the whole can would last for around a year depending on the frequency of the usage. Pepsi has an expiry date of 3 months.

Ya u are right n plus get some firing from parents for wasting pepsi

Quote:

Originally Posted by hydrashok

............

.............

Even i was

when someone told me this....

Note : its all desi jugaad i dont recommend this to anyone

theexister · 25th February 2007, 12:01

I ordered Turtle was products from The professional car care centre 2 weeks back & did a complete platinum wax paste on my Fiesta, of a month old.
I started out with first washing the car with the turtle wax car wash & then drying it out completely.
Then proceeded to waxing the whole car which tool about an hour.
The whole process took me 3 hours & it was worth it. The paprika red is now looking really dark & only fine dust seems to settle unlike earlier when it was really full of dust after one nite.
I shall soon post pics. Im trying too but after my digi cam starting acting funny Im left with no options except my phone cam!!!

babe_on_wheels · 25th February 2007, 20:10

awesome article rudraji...
it works like a charm even for my dio.....the black shine it had 2 yrs ago is still present..and it still looks brand new and eyecatchin as the first look....

benbsb29 · 26th February 2007, 13:59

For the black rubber or plastic trims on the door as well as bumpers of my ikon, i use the same tyre shine spray, although i do not remember the name of the brand. Spray it on in patches, and wipe with a dry cloth, thus reducing the shine, while at the same time giving it a nice look. The ORV mirrors on the ikon do tend to look dirty pretty fast, and use the same on those too.

esteem_lover · 26th February 2007, 15:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by kpzen

1.Putting Engine oil on the black bumpers to make the bumpers jet black
2.Clean tyres with Pepsi ...It makes it black but dunno if its harmful to the rubber

Regards
KP

Quote:

Originally Posted by kpzen

No its only sticky for one day .....once u clean it with a dry cloth next day it becomes smooth n shiny.....

The whole idea of polishing is to make your car look clean & to prevent dust from settling. Oil would attract dust & would only make your bumper look dusty. There are fantastic polishes for the black plastic parts like the bumpers, handles, beadings etc. They work quite well in giving the car a shiny look & preventing dust from settling on them and they also make the job of cleaning your car that much easier.

kutlee · 26th February 2007, 15:23

Hi,
I too got inspired and coated turtle wax premium and it looks glossy now. I have used it on my Santro earlier. But the colour being silver coulnd't get much detail out of it. I have used Turtle wax black/n/flash (something like that) for my santro bumper, mirrors etc. I think its better to keep tyre foam for tyres only. This might work but might harm the plastics in long term.
Rudra Sir,
Could you kindly elaborate on mainitaining after waxing? I have no idea on how frequently one should wax. Some one told me that once you wax, then you should wax again after 3 days or so. For daily cleaning, spalsh water without wiping to remove dust etc. And once its dry, use dry cloth to make it shine. I have found that the wax looses its smooth surface very soon.

esteem_lover · 26th February 2007, 15:47

Normally, once you wax the car, there is no need to use water to clean your car for the next couple of days unless there are sticky grime sitting on the car. Just dusting the car with those fancy coloured dusters that you get, will do. If necessary soak the blue cloth in water & wring it well until there are no water droplets & just wipe the car part by part. this should do for normal city dust. For sticky dust & grime, Rudra's procedure is fine. But certainly waxing is not recomended for the next couple of months. thats from my experience.

24th February 2007, 19:43	#1
Rudra Sen Team-BHP Support Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 11,746 Thanked: 6,863 Times View My Garage	A superb Car cleaning, polishing & detailing guide This Gentleman writes a step by step guide on how he polished and restored his cars paintwork to look as good as new. The article is really detailed and has pictures to explain each step as well. A real eye opener and a fun read, i think, for anyone who is really serious about taking care of their car. Enjoy... here's the link: 2006 Acura TL in Nighthawk Black Pearl (part 1) – Detailed Image NOTE: Idiot's guide at this link Last edited by GTO : 8th June 2015 at 19:37. Reason: Adding link to simpler guide :)
	(32) Thanks

24th February 2007, 19:52	#2
Vid6639 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 17,709 Thanked: 44,133 Times View My Garage	Nice article Rudraji. For the wax I guess it's a better idea to get the liquid wax or gels. They dont leave the white dried up marks. The turtle wax leather polish is excellent. It does not shine the leather it gives it a nice dull finish. That's the one which has aloe vera and cocoa butter. Even the armorall protectant gives a nice dull finish rather than shiny tyres. Last edited by Vid6639 : 24th February 2007 at 20:01.
	() Thanks

24th February 2007, 19:58	#3
Rudra Sen Team-BHP Support Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 11,746 Thanked: 6,863 Times View My Garage	They do. Over a period of time. Toothpick is the only way to clean without damaging the surface.
	() Thanks

24th February 2007, 21:37	#4
s0uljah Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: BLR Posts: 2,222 Thanked: 26 Times View My Garage	Great one as usual Rudra sir !! Any good places for car detailing in Bangalore besides the Mission Road , CARS R US ?
	() Thanks

24th February 2007, 22:17	#5
kpzen Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Faridabad Posts: 5,609 Thanked: 1,882 Times View My Garage	Excellent Sir..!!!! The two things i would like to clarify (Pls correct me if i'm wrong) 1.Putting Engine oil on the black bumpers to make the bumpers jet black 2.Clean tyres with Pepsi ...It makes it black but dunno if its harmful to the rubber Regards KP
	(2) Thanks

24th February 2007, 22:39	#6
theMAG Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: May 2006 Location: Avon, CT Posts: 7,196 Thanked: 1,821 Times View My Garage	Great writeup Rudraji. I'd saved your earlier article abt car maintenance, altho I've a technique developed that gives eye-watering(mine) results. I'll share it when we meet up next for that closet fear of being riduculed publicly otherwise
	() Thanks

25th February 2007, 12:01	#10
theexister BHPian Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Hyderabad...now moved to Bangalore Posts: 172 Thanked: 7 Times View My Garage	I ordered Turtle was products from The professional car care centre 2 weeks back & did a complete platinum wax paste on my Fiesta, of a month old. I started out with first washing the car with the turtle wax car wash & then drying it out completely. Then proceeded to waxing the whole car which tool about an hour. The whole process took me 3 hours & it was worth it. The paprika red is now looking really dark & only fine dust seems to settle unlike earlier when it was really full of dust after one nite. I shall soon post pics. Im trying too but after my digi cam starting acting funny Im left with no options except my phone cam!!!
	(2) Thanks

25th February 2007, 20:10	#11
babe_on_wheels BHPian Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Thane Posts: 126 Thanked: Once	awesome article rudraji... it works like a charm even for my dio.....the black shine it had 2 yrs ago is still present..and it still looks brand new and eyecatchin as the first look....
	() Thanks

26th February 2007, 13:59	#12
benbsb29 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Brisbane Posts: 10,102 Thanked: 14,180 Times View My Garage	For the black rubber or plastic trims on the door as well as bumpers of my ikon, i use the same tyre shine spray, although i do not remember the name of the brand. Spray it on in patches, and wipe with a dry cloth, thus reducing the shine, while at the same time giving it a nice look. The ORV mirrors on the ikon do tend to look dirty pretty fast, and use the same on those too.
	() Thanks

26th February 2007, 15:23	#14
kutlee Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 1,141 Thanked: 233 Times View My Garage	Hi, I too got inspired and coated turtle wax premium and it looks glossy now. I have used it on my Santro earlier. But the colour being silver coulnd't get much detail out of it. I have used Turtle wax black/n/flash (something like that) for my santro bumper, mirrors etc. I think its better to keep tyre foam for tyres only. This might work but might harm the plastics in long term. Rudra Sir, Could you kindly elaborate on mainitaining after waxing? I have no idea on how frequently one should wax. Some one told me that once you wax, then you should wax again after 3 days or so. For daily cleaning, spalsh water without wiping to remove dust etc. And once its dry, use dry cloth to make it shine. I have found that the wax looses its smooth surface very soon.
	() Thanks

26th February 2007, 15:47	#15
esteem_lover Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Madras/Py Posts: 7,556 Thanked: 513 Times View My Garage	Normally, once you wax the car, there is no need to use water to clean your car for the next couple of days unless there are sticky grime sitting on the car. Just dusting the car with those fancy coloured dusters that you get, will do. If necessary soak the blue cloth in water & wring it well until there are no water droplets & just wipe the car part by part. this should do for normal city dust. For sticky dust & grime, Rudra's procedure is fine. But certainly waxing is not recomended for the next couple of months. thats from my experience.
	() Thanks