This section presents the basic steps involved in vehicle detailing, much of which is accomplished without your Orbot Micro. More instructions on
polisher operation are provided later in this manual.
Washing
a)
Soap.
To wash the vehicle and remove old wax or polish, use cold or warm water and a dishwashing detergent. A standard detergent usually requires 1-2 ounces per
gallon of water. If you do not wish to remove existing wax, then use a car washing soap that has a neutral pH, making it “wax-friendly.” This describes most “car wash”
soap products.
b)
Sponges, mitts and more.
It is important to use an appropriate washing device. This includes wash mitts and sponges made from foams, wool and other materials.
Advancements in detailing tools include specific types of products designed for easy wheel cleaning, safe, yet aggressive bug removal, and a gentle wash while
providing a comfortable fit. They need to be easy to use and assuredly not scratch the surface.
c)
Application tips.
Use a mitt or sponge that holds the car wash solution. The more solution the mitt or sponge can hold, the more lubricating soapy water you can get
onto the surface to be cleaned. Lubrication created by soapy water helps prevent dirt from scratching the surface while being cleaned. Start up high -- away from most
of the grit and grime. Rinse your mitt or sponge out frequently. You do not want to rub grit into the paint and cause swirls or scratches. Prepare two 5 gallon buckets by
filling one half-full with the soap-and-water wash solution and the other bucket three-quarters full with clear rinse water.
d)
Rinse before and after you wash.
Rinse the vehicle thoroughly, starting at the top and working your way down. Pre-rinsing is an important step and should not be
skipped. Then wash the vehicle, then rinse again.
e)
Do it in the shade.
Washing and most other detailing work should be preformed out of direct sunlight. Avoid rapid evaporation which can create hard water spots. Do
not allow chemicals to dry on painted surfaces or trim pieces.
f)
Environment.
Make sure that you are practicing good environmental stewardship. Use appropriate cleaners on paints, wheels and metals. Follow all applicable
guidelines for water containment. Utilize as little water as necessary and never leave a water hose running when not in use.
Claying
g)
Clay bars and optional use.
Clay bars are used to remove paint over spray, tree sap, airborne contaminants and industrial fallout from the cars painted surfaces. Clay
also works well on glass, plastics and many metals. Claying is an optional step performed before polishing. When hard paint contaminants are present, claying first
then polishing can save time over polishing only.
h)
Paint surface check.
Use a plastic sandwich bag or any type of thin plastic bag as a tool to inspect the painted surface. Using a clean plastic bag with your fingers
or hand inside, run your finger tips across the painted surface. Be careful not to drag any loose debris. The plastic increases the sensitivity of your fingertips to
contaminants. Your paint may feel clean and smooth to the bare hand’s touch, but with a plastic bag over your hand, it is a different story! The bumps and roughness
you may feel are contaminants and pollutants that need removed for a show car finish. After using detailing clay, the surface will be as smooth as glass and ready for
polishing.
i)
Application tips.
Thoroughly wash and dry the vehicle. Cut a large clay bar into smaller, more manageable pieces. Begin by spraying a clay bar lubricant over a 2’ x
2’ area. Hold the clay bar so that your hand and finger nails do not touch the painted surface. Glide the clay bar across the area. We recommend that you work in a
consistent direction – not cross hatching. Move the clay bar back and forth, and you will begin to feel it cleaning the surface. When claying entire vehicles, it is best to
begin at the top and then work your way to the lower areas. Inspect the clay bar often and remove large contaminants that could scratch. When the clay bar becomes
dirty you can switch to the clean side or knead the clay to extend its use. Continue the process around the entire vehicle until all painted surfaces, glass, chrome, metal
pieces and coated wheels have been clayed. Then the painted surface will be smooth and ready for polishing and waxing.
j)
Special tips and guidelines.
You can save time by using the clay bar after the final wash rinse, while the surface is still wet. Never allow a clay bar to drop on the
ground. It would be nearly certain to pick up a scratching hazard; if so contaminated, it should be discarded. It is important that you work on the vehicle in a shaded
area, away from direct sunlight.
e)
Re-rinse.
Re-rinse or re-wash the vehicle if necessary to clean up after claying.
Drying
k)
Dry thoroughly.
The vehicle should be completely dry before polishing and waxing. Scratches can easily be imparted when substandard towels are used for drying.
Discarded household towels should never be used to dry a vehicle. They can scratch the surface and produce lint. There are several professional quality tools
including microfiber towels, drying air blowers, water blades, chamois and available to reduce drying time.
What Is Polishing - It Is Important That You Do Not Just Wax
l)
Your paint’s appearance is dependent on being well polished to a highly reflective,
smooth finish.
Polishing removes oxidation, old wax buildup and other contaminants
while cleaning, leveling and shining your paint. Polishing can smooth the edges of larger
imperfections and even remove light scratches. Polishing is important to prepare the
surface for protecting with a sealant or wax.
m)
It is important to remove all of the oxidation, wax buildup and contaminants before
applying a wax or sealant.
You do not want to seal in the contaminants.
Swirls, Scratches and Other Defects Removal
n)
Swirls and holograms are imperfections in paint appearance caused by thousands of
microscopic scratches in the clear coat.
These scratches can be the result of polishing
with a high speed buffer, dirt and sand in the air, rough drying towels and car wash and
snow removal brushes. The removal of swirls and holograms is accomplished by removing
the fine scratches. Your Orbot Micro does this with the right combination of liquid
compounds, polishes and pads and the correct technique.
o)
If a scratch catches your fingernail then it’s likely too deep to remove.
Polishing the scratched area is still recommended. However, do so with the idea that you are
attempting to make the defect less noticeable but not to remove it entirely. Some scratches and swirl marks are too deep to safely remove. Attempting to do so may
result in buffing through the top layer of paint or clear coat and permanent damage. Always test in an inconspicuous area.
p)
Severe scratch and defect removal requires advanced training and the correct combination of detailing liquid compounds and polishes, pad selection and high
speed rotary buffer application.
We do not recommend cutting or compounding paint with a high speed rotary buffer without prior experience.
DETAILING BASICS
4
4
Profile image of
paint with scratches
in and oxidation and
pollutants on the
clear coat.
Profile image of
paint with various
scratches.
DETAILING BASICS
This section presents the basic steps involved in vehicle detailing, much of which is accomplished without your Cyclo polisher. More instructions on polisher
operation are provided later in this manual.
Washing
a)
Soap
. To wash the vehicle and remove old wax or polish, use cold or warm water and a dishwashing detergent. A standard detergent usually
requires 1-2 ounces per gallon of water. If you do not wish to remove existing wax, then use a car washing soap that has a neutral pH, making it
“wax-friendly.” This describes most “car wash” soap products.
b) Sponges, mitts and more
.
It is important to use an appropriate washing device. This includes wash mitts and sponges made from foams, wool
and other materials. Advancements in detailing tools include specific types of products designed for easy wheel cleaning, safe, yet aggressive bug
removal, and a gentle wash while providing a comfortable fit. They need to be easy to use and assuredly not scratch the surface.
c) Application tips
.
Use a mitt or sponge that holds the car wash solution. The more solution the mitt or sponge can hold, the more lubricating
soapy water you can get onto the surface to be cleaned. Lubrication created by soapy water helps prevent dirt from scratching the surface while
being cleaned. Start up high -- away from most of the grit and grime. Rinse your mitt or sponge out frequently. You do not want to rub grit into the
paint and cause swirls or scratches. Prepare two 5 gallon buckets by filling one half-full with the soap-and-water wash solution and the other
bucket three-quarters full with clear rinse water.
d) Rinse before and after you wash
.
Rinse the vehicle thoroughly, starting at the top and working your way down. Pre-rinsing is an important step
and should not be skipped. Then wash the vehicle, then rinse again.
e) Do it in the shade.
Washing and most other detailing work should be preformed out of direct sunlight. Avoid rapid evaporation which can create
hard water spots. Do not allow chemicals to dry on painted surfaces or trim pieces.
f) Environment.
Make sure that you are practicing good environmental stewardship. Use appropriate cleaners on paints, wheels and metals. Follow
all applicable guidelines for water containment. Utilize as little water as necessary and never leave a water hose running when not in use.
Claying
g) Clay bars and optional use.
Clay bars are used to remove paint over spray, tree sap, airborne contaminants and industrial fallout from the cars
painted surfaces. Clay also works well on glass, plastics and many metals. Claying is an optional step performed before polishing. When hard
paint contaminants are present, claying first then polishing can save time over polishing only.
h) Paint surface check
. Use a plastic sandwich bag or any type of thin plastic bag as a tool to inspect the painted surface. Using a clean plastic bag
with your fingers or hand inside, run your finger tips across the painted surface. Be careful not to drag any loose debris. The plastic increases the
sensitivity of your fingertips to contaminants. Your paint may feel clean and smooth to the bare hand’s touch, but with a plastic bag over your
hand, it is a different story! The bumps and roughness you may feel are contaminants and pollutants that need removed for a show car finish.
After using detailing clay, the surface will be as smooth as glass and ready for polishing.
i) Application tips
. Thoroughly wash and dry the vehicle. Cut a large clay bar into smaller, more manageable pieces. Begin by spraying a clay bar
lubricant over a 2’ x 2' area. Hold the clay bar so that your hand and finger nails do not touch the painted surface. Glide the clay bar across the
area. We recommend that you work in a consistent direction – not cross hatching. Move the clay bar back and forth, and you will begin to feel it
cleaning the surface. When claying entire vehicles, it is best to begin at the top and then work your way to the lower areas. Inspect the clay bar
often and remove large contaminants that could scratch. When the clay bar becomes dirty you can switch to the clean side or knead the clay to
extend its use. Continue the process around the entire vehicle until all painted surfaces, glass, chrome, metal pieces and coated wheels have
been clayed. Then the painted surface will be smooth and ready for polishing and waxing.
j) Special tips and guidelines
.
You can save time by using the clay bar after the final wash rinse, while the surface is still wet. Never allow a clay
bar to drop on the ground. It would be nearly certain to pick up a scratching hazard; if so contaminated, it should be discarded. It is important that
you work on the vehicle in a shaded area, away from direct sunlight.
e)
Re-rinse.
Re-rinse or re-wash the vehicle if necessary to clean up after claying.
Drying
k) Dry thoroughly
.
The vehicle should be completely dry before polishing and waxing. Scratches can easily be imparted when substandard towels
are used for drying. Discarded household towels should never be used to dry a vehicle. They can scratch the surface and produce lint. There are
several professional quality tools including microfiber towels, drying air blowers, water blades, chamois and available to reduce drying time.
What Is Polishing - It Is Important That You Do Not Just Wax
l) Your paint’s appearance is dependent on being well polished to a highly reflective,
smooth finish
.
Polishing removes oxidation, old wax buildup and other contaminants
while cleaning, leveling and shining your paint. Polishing can smooth the edges of larger
imperfections and even remove light scratches. Polishing is important to prepare the
surface for protecting with a sealant or wax.
m) It is important to remove all of the oxidation, wax buildup and contaminants before
applying a wax or sealant.
You do not want to seal in the contaminants.
Swirls, Scratches and Other Defects Removal
n) Swirls and holograms are imperfections in paint appearance caused by thousands of
microscopic scratches in the clear coat.
These scratches can be the result of polishing
with a high speed buffer, dirt and sand in the air, rough drying towels and car wash and
snow removal brushes. The removal of swirls and holograms is accomplished by removing
the fine scratches. Your Cyclo polisher does this with the right combination of liquid
compounds, polishes and pads and the correct technique.
o) If a scratch catches your fingernail then it’s likely too deep to remove.
Polishing the scratched area is still recommended. However, do so with
the idea that you are attempting to make the defect less noticeable but not to remove it entirely. Some scratches and swirl marks are too deep to
safely remove. Attempting to do so may result in buffing through the top layer of paint or clear coat and permanent damage. Always test in an
inconspicuous area.
p) Severe scratch and defect removal requires advanced training and the correct combination of detailing liquid compounds and polishes,
pad selection and high speed rotary buffer application.
We do not recommend cutting or compounding paint with a high speed rotary buffer
without prior experience.
