detailing your mx5

[the red baron]

Hi everyone

I was just wondering how does everyone go about detailing their mx5. Do you do the whole step process and what are you favourite wash, paint cleaner, polish, wax products?

I'll seen some great cars around and wonder how much time people actually spend getting their cars like that.

[GP]

When it rains I leave it outside for a while

[Caffeine]

Wash with meguiars gold class liquid wash, then clay bar, scratchx, wash again, gold class liquid polish, quik wax.

Takes a couple of hours but ends up very pretty

Here's a post with pics (I've done 27000km since then!)

viewtopic.php?f=18&t=25408

[Jimmy]

I use Autoglym products. I usually set aside an entire weekend to do it properly, but im quite particular about detail. I'd say that i wash her every couple of weeks and give her the full treatment every 3 months or so.

[the red baron]

Cheers for the help guys.

Might put a decent stint in this weekend.

Think i'll go with the Meguiars Gold Class Liquid Wash, Autoglym Super Resin Polish, just need a good wax.

Are paint cleaner and clay bar worth it? I've got the whole weekend so dont mind spending the extra time.

[marcusus]

Can't comment on paint cleaner, but the clay bar is definitely worth it. Cleans the car up really nicely as it gets rid of all that really hard to remove stuff that might be a bit more embeded in the wax/clear coat. Just be sure you wax after you've used the bar.

[Benny]

The way I detail my car requires virtually no effort whatsoever!

I drive the car to the boys at the carwash on Broadway near the city, and let them do it for me!

It's quick and easy.

[DaleZ]

meguiar gold class car wash..... clay bars.... Meguiar scratch X..... wash again..... Meguiar paint cleaner (works better with darker colour cars!)... deep crystal polish..... NXT tech wax once..... then again, NXT tech wax twice..... If still have time n energy.... third layer of NXT tech wax..... (bought the new NXT tech 2.0 will try soon!)

For fine details..... Autogym glass polish for all glass (inside n outside, even the wiper blades).... Meguiar Natural Shine for the soft top (just a thin layer to make it look natural black)..... Meguiar Soft Gel car wash to wash the rims (best ever to remove brake dust!!).... Meguiar NXT Tyre Shine for the tyres.....

All done.... good as new!!!! But takes a LONG TIME..... only do this once every 6 months..... To keep up the shine.... I use meguiar gold class for every normal car wash..... then follow by a layer of Meguiar Ultimate Quick Detailer.... brings out all the shiny waxy look on the car everytime after a wash!!!

[Uncle Arthur]

Up until yesterday you couldn't actually see the detail of my car for all the dirt.

[Stu]

I used the Mothers California Gold Ultimate Wax System for getting my car ready for the Federation Square display.

Unfortunately it was a dark and gloomy Melbourne winter day when these photo's were taken:




Now performing the following regime:

Wash Weekly
Intensive Detailing: Jambs, under-hood, emblems, etc. Monthly
Paint: Pre-wax cleaner/polish Bi-annual
Paint: Sealer/glaze Every 8-12 weeks
Paint: Wax Every 8-12 weeks
Trim Weekly
Apply correct preservative, protectant, clean cracks Monthly
Wheels Bi-weekly
Bead to hub, polish wheel & lugs Every 2-3 months
Tires Monthly
Full dress, scrub bead to tread Monthly
Glass: Clean Weekly
Polish, clean along seals Monthly
Interior: Vacuum Weekly
Clean stains, vacuum trunk, etc. Monthly
Leather: Condition Monthly
Thoroughly clean leather surface and recondition Every 2-3 months

[the red baron]

Awesome photos! Car looks amazing.

I ended up grabbing a few things over the weekend.

NXT Gen Car Wash, Quik Clay Bar, Autoglym Super Resin Polish and NXT Gen Tech Wax.

Have a whole day Saturday so will be interesting to see the results. My car is a 1990 is isnt in bad condition, good for year but the red just needs a bit of a shine, looking a bit dull at the moment.