My exterior detail process (step by step, feedback please)

I joined up awhile back hoping to hone my skills and learn more about detailing. Ive been doing that, but i still have a lot to learn. Im hoping someone can offer some feedback on how this looks. This is what seems to work best for me, but i still have a few questions on timing and what to use.


1) Wash wheel, tires, wheel wells (dont dry)
2) Wash: Roof & racks, body, glass, trim, grills, etc...
3) Dry body and glass
4) Clay body and glass
5) After clay wash
6) Paint correction
7) IPA Wipedown
8) Protection


Step 8 = Seal/Wax paint, rain X glass, QD the rims to remove water spots, apply tire shine. Miss anything?

Steps 4,5,6,7 are conditional. I only do those steps a 1-2 times a year, unless i scratched up my paint then ill do step 6 & 7 more frequently.

My questions are:

I often forget to clean my jambs...what step should i put that in? 2?

What is a good product to apply to the wheel wells?

Im lost when it comes to protecting the rubber window trim. Ive tried a mothers product that did not seem to do anything. Any suggestions here?

Thats my thought process on my exteriors. When i get time in a bit I will post my interior steps with questions.

Any advice here? Im slowly starting to whittle down the amount of time it takes me. I plan on making this list look nice once its complete and printing/laminating it and keeping it in my equipment box.

 

Cleaning your jambs should be before the body wash so that anything that runs down and out of them doesn't get on clean paint. So like Wheels, jambs, then remaining exterior. For a wash or something, you can wipe them with a damp towel and some QD as they will be clean at that point.

Also don't waste time washing again after claying unless youre using a QD that leaves you unable to tape off body panels. You can use a quick IPA to nip anything that you feel would hinder the inspection.

Depending on how dusty the car is following your polishing you may want to consider a light wash to blast and clean everything out before your protection steps ...again depending on how bad.

 

I generally skip step 3 (drying pre-clay) since I use soap as my lubricant.

+1 on Mike - Compound tends to be dustier than most medium and finishing polishes.

 

Completely agree w/ Mike.... jams, gas door, wheels, tires, and wheel wells before exterior wash. I used to wash after claying too but don't feel its necessary...

Good luck!

 

Mike, Chase, react: Thanks!

Any suggestions for something to put on the wheel well plastics/metal?

 

Chemical Guys barebones is my favorite for wheel wells, i have a truck so the wheel wells are really visible and barebones is my favorite.