*Official* Ask A Detailer Thread

water spots???
anyone got ways to remove them. i was going to wash my truck today, when i got everything ready and hosed down my whole truck and was about to wash it when my friend called and i had to go help him with a emergency. so the truck was left in the hot sun for a hour before i got back. i washed my truck top to bottom then too see waterspots. any help???

 

I would use a clay bar first.

Do you have well water?

 

nooo, tap water man

 

A light polish should do the trick. Clay bar too. If you have never clayed. Clay it, then polish/wax. If you have, a light polish is fine. The best thing you can do is have Meguiar's M105 and M205 handy at all times. ScratchX 2.0 is recommended alot here. Heck, I use it for small finger nail type stuff. M105/M205 will cover a much broader spectrum of correction. ScrtachX is very light in terms of abrassiveness. Buy 32oz smaple bottles from Rick at AutoDetailingSoluitons. Great prices and super guy.

 

Tap water is fine unless you live in an area with a lot of mineral deposits. Leaving any car with water on it in the hot sun will yield the same results.

 

for water spots, what about vinegar? is it a problem for the paint?

 

yes^^^^^^^^^

 

Never tried it. Pink says is ok. Try it. A lot easier on the arm that's for sure.

 

i've read both opinions... betting it's fine in limited use and washing it off shortly after.

 

Personally, I would not use it. But I doubt if it I'd bad for the paint. I like to use the polish so that not only am I removing the water spots, but making the paint look better. If you are going to expend energy, use a product that makes the most of that spent energy. Vinegar may remove the spots, but does nothing for the paint. In fact, you may have to polish after rubbing the paint with the vinegar.

 

anybody having trouble waxing a black car? i am it leaves streaks.especially on the hood

 

What wax are you using and what did yo do to prep the surface?

I just tossed another coat of wax on the Tacoma earlier today.

 

+REP for the OP

 

What are the recommended first detailing steps on a new truck?

I plan to take it is soon and have a pro do it . What steps should I ask, this will be the first such detailing on a new truck?

 

Wash
Claybar
Wash
Jewel the finish, very low cut polish with a no cut pad.
IPA wipedown, 50/50 mix of isopropal alachol and distilled watee.
2 to 3 coats of sealant
2 coats of wax.

Well you asked. A professional detailer should know what you are talking about.

 

Most "pros" wash, one pass cut, one pass jewel, one pass wax. If you want clay, extra. extra wax, extra. sealant, extra. Forget the two washes.

I say do it yourself. You will get just as good results as a pro. It will just take you longer. And all the supplies will cost less than one trip to the "pro".

 

Agreed on doing it yourself. The posted asked what I would do to a new vehicle and for my last 3 new vehicles that has been my process a pro maybe not so much unless the customer is willing to spend the bucks.

 

I used to do the wash, sealant and wax, but I have a bad back now

Is there anything different that I should do now, as this is the first real detaling on a new TACO? and what should I keep doing after the first? Just wash/wax? Is 6 month intervals to long? I will drive mainly highway, sand, limited mud trails.

Is the clay something you do on a new car, or you clay it every year? I think claying makes the paint smoother, so is it required after one treatment?

 

I have had good luck with this product.

 

Sorry if this has been covered before, but I'm having to use my phone right now and just wanted to ask you guys really quick.

I picked up my new Tacoma a few days ago and started the new car detail not long after I brought it home. Apparently I started too late because all I got done was the wash, dry, vacuum and pre-wax polish. I was under the impression that I needed to polish it before wax, but I'm wondering if that was a mistake? Long story short, I ran out of daylight and microfibers and now my paint has a million tiny swirl marks in it. Its not crazy severe, but it just bothers the crap out of me. I think I may have applied too much pressure with the polish also because I was trying to hurry. What can I do to get my paint looking right? Should I wash, dry, clay, polish (lightly) and wax? I'm new to the polishing so I'm sorry to sound like an idiot Any help will be greatly appreciated!


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