Thompson & Meguiar’s: 5 Professional Steps To Surface Care

When you have a beautiful car like a Porsche, you want to keep it clean and looking like it just came off the factory floor. The experts at the Thompson Detail Center know just how to keep a car looking its best, and are willing to share some trade secrets with the help of the folks at Meguiar’s. Here’s a step by step list that can help you make your Porsche look like it was cleaned by the professionals.

1) Wash: Start with two wash buckets that contain a Meguiar’s Grit Guard X3003 at the bottom of the bucket. The Grit Guard allows dirt to settle at the bottom of the bucket, and it also acts as a cleaning tool to remove loose debris from the wash mitt. The wash mitt we recommend is the X3002 Meguiar’s Microfiber Wash Mitt. A clean wash mitt is imperative to achieve exceptional results. Dilute Meguiar’s Shampoo Plus Car Wash (D11101), with water, MIXED AT 128:1. Each bucket should contain a wash mitt. Use a third bucket filled with clean water to rinse the wash mitts, before picking up additional wash solution. Rinse the car with a high pressure stream of clean water. Use a hose or an appropriate pressure washer, rinsing from the top down. Start working from the top down with the first wash bucket.

Rinse the mitt in the clean water before picking up additional wash solution. Use this method from the top of the car down to the belt line (the belt line is basically from the top of the wheel well up). Rinse off all soap and residue. Use the second wash bucket and mitt for below the belt line. Rinse the mitt in the clean water every time before picking up additional wash solution. Rinse off all soap and residue. By using this method, you will never reintroduce dirt to your paint.

Once the body of the car is clean, you can even use a third mitt and wash bucket to clean your wheels, tires and door jambs. Always have clean wash mitts on hand. Once a wash mitt becomes too dirty, throw it out and use a brand new wash mitt. Wash mitts can be cleaned & washed in the sink or in a washing machine with cold water and a mild detergent. Rinse thoroughly. Dry on low heat or air dry.

2) Dry: When the washing is complete, dry the car with a Meguiar’s X2000 Water Magnet. Chamois and drying blades can be used, although make sure they are clean. Be careful! Drying blades can create long scratches if dirt is present.

3) Clean/Polish: Cleaning the paint involves removing surface bonded contaminants or below surface defects. To remove above surface bonded containments use Meguiar’s C2000 mild clay and Meguiar’s Final Inspection M34.

To use the clay properly, break off a 1/4 to 1/3 piece of clay and knead it into a pancake shape. Use liberal amounts of Final Inspection as a lubricant and gently glide the clay back and forth in straight lines from front to back. The way the wind blows over the car. As the clay gets contaminated, fold the clay in half so the contamination is folded it on itself. Reform into a pancake and keep going.

Always start from the top of the car and work your way down, just like the wash procedure. The broken piece of clay should be more than enough to complete your vehicle.

If you are removing rail dust, or small metal contaminates, you will need to fold the clay more often or even use additional pieces. You can check out Meguiar’s YouTube Channel for “How to use clay?” for a more detailed demo. Meguiar’s has several different types of clay and lubricants, so you can choose which one you want for your Porsche.

To remove below surface defects we used the Meguiar’s DA Microfiber Correction System. The products we used are in the DMCKIT6 (6” DA Microfiber Correction Kit) and the G110v2 Meguiar’s DA Polisher. The DMCKIT6 includes: 2- DMC6 Compounding Pads, 2- DMF6 Finishing Pads, 1-D300016 Correction Compound, 1-D30116 Finishing Wax, 1-S6BP Short Hook Backing Plate, 1-MGAPRON Meguiar’s Apron and VDETMCG-Detailed Tech Sheet. This system is a safe and effective way to remove below surface defects and minimize paint film removal, while maintaining a show car quality finish.

The easiest way to review the demonstration is to check out the Meguiar’s DA Microfiber Correction System Video on YouTube. This video gives you a more detailed look at the results that can be achieved using the correction system. Several notes to remember:

• Make sure the entire Microfiber Pad is properly primed before starting.
• Make sure all pad fibers are the color of the product and work the product onto the pad with your finger.

Once the pad is primed, use 4 pea sized drops for a fender sized panel. Achieving professional results takes time and practice; these comparisons can vary depending on the surface condition.

The DA Microfiber Pads can be cleaned with a pad conditioning brush or compressed air. Store in an unsealed zip lock bag once clean. Final inspection M34 can be used to add additional gloss and maintain the finish in between washing.

4) Protect: To protect the finish and give the ultimate in gloss and reflection apply M2116 Meguiar’s Synthetic Sealant 2.0 by DA Polisher (set at 4.5) with a W9207 Finishing Pad.

A thin fine coat is all that is needed. Apply over the entire painted surface and let sit for at least 30 minutes before removing with an X2020 Microfiber Towel.

M2116 is an engineered synthetic polymer and it needs time to cross link and cure. Giving M2116 Synthetic Sealant 2.0 the time to cure will rewarded you with perfect reflections and an incredible “wet look” that has long lasting protection.

5) Maintain: Maintenance includes cleaning and preserving all other areas of the car’s interior, glass, and leather. For quick interior cleaning use D14901 Quik Interior Detailer. This product is designed for all interior surfaces, even navigation and touch screens. It will not change the gloss level and leaves all interior surfaces looking like they did from the factory. A Meguiar’s Microfiber Wash Mitt X3002 can be used in combination with the Quik Interior Detailer. Spray the product directly onto the mitt and wipe down all interior surfaces. Make sure the mitt and towels are 100% clean for any sensitive surfaces.

Even light amounts of dirt can scratch instruments panels and liquid crystal screens. For light duty leather cleaning and conditioning, use D18001 Leather Cleaner & Conditioner with the help of a dedicated X3002 Microfiber Wash Mitt. Apply a liberal amount of Leather Cleaner Conditioner on one side of the Microfiber Wash Mitt and wipe down all interior leather surfaces. Use the dry side of the mitt to remove any remaining residue. The combination of the D18001 and the Microfiber Mitt allows for quick and easy leather maintenance. Store the mitt in an unsealed zip lock bag and it will be ready to use the next time.

To keep your glass steak free, use Meguiar’s D12001 Glass Cleaner Concentrate mixed 10:1 with the help of two X2020 Microfiber Towels. Use a wet/damp towel with diluted Glass Cleaner to clean and a dry towel to buff to a crystal clear finish. A professional tip is to make your final wipe up and down on the interior glass and side to side on the exterior glass. If any streaks remain you can tell if the streak is on the inside or the outside of the glass. This one tip has saved many hours for car care enthusiasts who want to achieve flawless looking glass.

About Meguiar’s:

Since 1901, Meguiar’s has earned the trust of millions of consumers and professional detailers by producing the finest surface and car care products in the world. Meguiar’s offers a full range of products for car detailing, marine and RV care, as well as professional auto detailing supplies.