*Official* Ask A Detailer Thread

Nice to hear you're making some progress. Clay really works wonders, I always use IronX before clay to dissolve any metal fallout in the paint but clay alone does some amazing things. You're definitely right though, when you clay a car you end up getting pretty intimate with it in the process and find every little imperfection as you go. Keep up the good work! Can't wait to see the. before and after

 

Have a question regarding plastic cure, what is the best way to make it look pretty much brand new?

I've seen a few videos but prefer to here it from well the Tacoma World!

 

Plastic cure? I assume that's an autocorrect typo. What plastic are you referring to? Have any pics you can share? There are Lots of helpful guys here that I'm sure can help, just need some details.

 

Hmm, new to this - first vehicle, don't exactly know if that's what it is but the mirror cover and the grill, can't provide a picture at this fine moment. (Currently dark) But just looks like weathering and etc. has made the "plastic" or whatever to have a dull look. Like 2nd gen pre runner grill how that is supposed to be a nice black - that plastic. Sorry if I'm not being that helpful when the sun decide to come back up I'll be able to provide a picture.

 

All good man. There are a lot of plastic restorations products. I really like shine supply trim shield, they also make a trim paint for severely faded and damaged trim. They work great but arent cheap by any means. https://shinesupply.com/

Solutions finish trim restorer has great reviews and has been recommended to me by some people whom I really trust when it comes to detailing https://www.detailedimage.com/Solution-Finish-M69/Black-Trim-Restorer-P854/1-oz-S1/
Gtechiq makes a permanent trim restorer, it restores it and is also a coating that lasts a long time. This is supposed to be awesome stuff. https://www.detailedimage.com/GTech...4Onl6-Ta5PfywPViOGwIPNRx7yRw-eqwaAieaEALw_wcB

 

I’ll second what Pudge said above. I have used Solution Finish and it works fantastically. Follow the directions and you will be good. And especially the part about not throwing the towels away before they are done reacting. Let them air out for awhile before tossing them.

 

Alright, I'll order some of the Solution finish and give it a try, bet it'll maker her look pretty! Pudge151 do you Thanks recommend all of the Shine products just in case I need to do some other things or just the trim products?

 

So far I have liked all the shine supply stuff I have tried. Their tire cleaner is unreal and I can't recommend that enough. I really dont think you can go wrong with their stuff. The shift soap is really good, the clutch spray is solid, I hear their water spot remover and bug cleaner are both top notch. Their customer service is really solid, often with Jeremy the owner answering your questions.
I mostly use carpro products and I will not switch from some of my staple carpro items, but shine supply is definitely making some really good stuff that is hard to ignore.

 

Alright I'll also give those a try, thanks for everything I'll probably be back on here as my truck gets to a prime state!

 

Feel free to PM or ask any questions. I really enjoy detailing and have gotten into over the last few years. I have tried a lot of products so I'm happy to help other learn from my mistakes lol.
You can't go wrong with shine supply. The interior clean and shine is awesome too, forgot to mention that one.
Are there any particular products you are looking to get?

 

Not really, I'm starting from scratch so I guess it will be trial and error until I get something that I like. Right now just need to redo the trim to make it look nicer and then defog headlights. I guess another question is how to I fix up like rock paint chipping, just get the paint and paint over it or is there a product?

 

Rock chips will need to be touched up. "Automotive touchup" is a good website and believe it or not "dr colorchip" as seen on TV lol.

 

Just went to "Automotive touch up" and ordered some white and clearcoat! So time to make this baby look like new!

 

Epic results

 

Thank you. I was pretty pleased with it. I'm still learning detailing so this was a great experience. I have a lot to learn still but I'm proud of this work

 

What’s the best way to clean the black plastic on the outside of a Tacoma? Primarily the rear bumper since it is textured.

Mine gets dirty pretty fast due to where I live and I’ll scrub at it with soap and water, but I can’t really get it to look like new.

 

You may need an all purpose cleaner with a brush to get is good and clean. You'll wana protect it with something like carpro perl or shine supply trim shield is awesome. If its fading you can try some solutions finish to being back the black.

 

I am going to be trying a few products today that is supposed to work great at cleaning trim. I will let you know if they worth anything or more $$ wasted lol.

 

Looks like Turtle Wax is really stepping up their product line lately, new stuff coming soon. @BillsSR5

 

This is great, they all look like solid items.
About time that the big "old school" brands have jumped on the "hybrid ceramic" stuff train. Seems to have happened just over the last few months with Mother's, Meguiars, 303, and now turtle wax. The technology is too good to ignore so these companies would be crazy for not jumping aboard. All of these types of products are easy to apply, last a long time, look great, and are a great bang for your buck even though they are more expensive than paste or spray waxes and polymer sealants. The "boutique" brands have been making these hybrid ceramic and sio2 products for years and years and I have been using them for a few years, i was hooked once I found out how cost effective and how easy to use there were, not to mention the better and long lasting protection. Its about time that these "older" companies have started making steps to catch up to detailing technoligy and the evolution to these type of products. I have tried the meguiars hybrid ceramic spray and I thought it was pretty good. It just takes a lot or product, seems like this turtle wax stuff does too. A bottle will last 2, maybe 3 uses on a truck and you'll need to buy more. Whereas a similar product, like any hybrid ceramic or sio2 spray from carpro, McKee's, gtechiq or gyeon, you don't have to use nearly as much so it's much more cost effective.
Pretty much the same goes for their new detail spray/waterless wash, and polish. The boutique brands have been using this technology and these ingredients for a almost decade and ounce for ounce needed for use, a brand like carpro is a much better value.