My checklist...anything else I should add?

I

imported_kgb

New member
Ok, I am making a checklist for detailing. I am so forgetful I have to write myself notes all the time so I am making a checklist so I don't miss anything when I detail. Here is what I have so far.



Bug and tar remover where needed

Wash

Dry

Clay

Polish

Sealant

Wax

Trim cleaner and protectant

Wheels cleaned

Tires cleaned and shined

Wheel wells cleaned

Engine degreased and cleaned



Spot clean carpet seats...trunk also

Vacuum carpet and seats....trunk also

Interior trim cleaner and protectant



Windows-interior and exterior



Mirrors-sideviews and rear views



All personal items replaced back inside vehicle
 
muhaha, 1st reply :D. I keep this checklist in mind, stuff I tend to forget:



wash checklist:

- pop hood to let it cool, wash it last

- clean wheel wells, SG/water

- fender lip

- clean front really well

- damp dryer sheets to remove bugs

- open trunk to wash edges

- clean doorjams & trim

- roll windows down 1-2 inches to clean the top edge

- do inside windows in one direction, outside of windows in other direction to ID streaks easily

- spare tire

- roll the tires to get tire dressing all around
 
I like to start from the inside.



Open hood to cool engine

Wheel wells cleaned

Wheels cleaned

Tires cleaned

Engine degreased and cleaned

Vacuum carpet and seats....trunk also

Spot clean carpet seats...trunk also

Interior trim cleaner and protectant

Windows-interior

Rear view mirror

Bug and tar remover where needed

Wash

Dry

Trim cleaner and protectant

Dress tires

Clay

Polish

Sealant

Wax

Windows-exterior



All personal items replaced back inside vehicle
 
Thanks FNG. The only reason I don't start on the inside is cause I let the Poorboy's EX sit 60 minutes before removal so I do the interior while i wait.
 
Thing that strikes me is you are removing tar before washing. I tend to find most tar along the bottom of the car - where all the road grit is. I prefer to at least rinse off this area before removing tar to avoid scratches.



If the engine is really bad then I prefer to do this before washing as well otherwise I always end up with greasy splashes over the paintwork. Same for wheels and wheel wells - perhaps its just me but when I'm scrubbing the wheels it always sprays onto the paintwork :(
 
Yeah, I agree. My list is nto in order yet ;)



I will wash fist then see what tar, sap, and so on is left. And the engine i will do before I washt he car just so I can get any over spray of degreaser off the car good.
 
I noticed everyone's doing bug & tar removal before washing. Why? :confused: My personal view is that you want to get all the sand and grit off from around the spot first before you start rubbing it with tar remover..... :nixweiss



EDIT: Nevermind! I've been whacked by my slow response times again! :o Good call butchdave!
 
4DSC said:
I noticed everyone's doing bug & tar removal before washing. Why? :confused: My personal view is that you want to get all the sand and grit off from around the spot first before you start rubbing it with tar remover..... :nixweiss
Click to expand...



Read above your post ;)
 
well your avatar isn't cool at all 4DSC, my guess is a burrito :D.



btw, I did a never-detailed CRV over the weekend and the trunk-jam (is that a word?) was lined with lots of dirt and black crud. How do I clean it since I have to have the trunk open to access it? Spray it with SG or some cleaner and then what?
 
gnahc79 said:
btw, I did a never-detailed CRV over the weekend and the trunk-jam (is that a word?) was lined with lots of dirt and black crud. How do I clean it since I have to have the trunk open to access it? Spray it with SG or some cleaner and then what?
Click to expand...

I'm not quite sure what this piece is on a CRV, but if I'm understanding it right and this is a painted metal surface, these areas (and door jambs) are where I really appreciate Poorboy's Spray & Wipe. Then they get all the usual clay and sealant or wax.
 
oh, this isn't just for the CRV, it was just especially dirty in this case. It's the horizontal trunk jam, part of the body, where the bottom of the rear window meets the trunk. Most often there is rubber lining too.

If I spray any cleaner in that crevice, how do I get all the dirt out without totally caking a towel with dirt? I thought about using my wet/dry vac, but the filter would be really dirty in a few seconds.
 
Hmmmmm .... [applying thinking cap] .... Would it be possible first to use a really soft/gentle brush in that area, in order to reduce the amount of dirt/gunk before applying any liquid? .... And after it does get wet, that might be a case in which I'd (carefully) use shop towels for the bulk of the removal.
 
Oh jeez, we're hijacking 2001civicex's thread! Lynn's right, use a soft brush. I use Griot's smaller boar's hair brushes. If I can't somehow spray the area in question directly (spray bottle containing sorta strong car wash solution or P21S Total Auto Wash), then I spray the brush. Same method to rinse. I might clay an area like that too, but only after I wash it as best I can.
 
Yeah, sorry about the continued hijacking, but I have to do this soon also and I was thinking of scrubbing in there with a brush and cleaner, then using a big $1 squeeze bottle for watering hanging plants to flush everything out.
 
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