*Official* Ask A Detailer Thread

If anyone wanted to try a boutique wax with some other goodies thrown in this is not too bad a deal.

 

hey so i have a question:

im going to spend all day tommorow preping my truck to sell it. normally i wash it real good then use turtle hard wax then i use NU finsih polish over the wax.


is this neccessary? should i just use the wax or use both or just use the NU finish polish?


and time doesnt matter to me. i cleared the whole day to clean/detail my truck

 

bump for post above

 

I would just do the initial wax and call it a day. Be sure to really do a good job cleaning the interior.

 

At first I thought you were talking about a drive thru car wash.

If you are talking about one of those quarter washes, that usualy take 6 to 8 quarters, then yes when i am on the road I have used tem with my own bucket and soap. Usually works out ok. It is not a good idea to do this if there is a line to use the wash. The guy behind you can get mad due to the length of time you are in the wash bay.

 

Question on backing plates and pads.
I have a Porter Cable D A coming on Monday and was looking for a recommendationn on backing plates, pads for polishing, waxing and buffing.
There's so many out there i figured i'd ask my fellow Tacoma owners opinions.
I have a BSP by the way.

thanks Denis

 

So I gave a friend of a friend a ride home the other night and now I have roofing tar on the (cheesy) cloth arm rest on the door. The guy is a roofer. Anyway, I know cleaning roof tar can make a bigger mess than the little black spot that it is now. Any ideas on getting it clean without opening the can of worms? Just leave it? Cover it with leather?

 

Won't help this time, but keep a bed sheet or two stached in your truck under the seat for just such an emergency.

 

try http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21500

or http://www.meguiarsonline.com/

You should find some help on one of the links.

 

Hey, I been reading that, I want make sure i doing right. Always first claybar kit, polish then wax. that right? Mircofiber remove polish and wax. Also I use Trutle polish, but i begin like meguiars, it good brand.

 

Correct.

Wash
Clay
(rewash, or quick detailer wipedown to remove clay residue)
Compound/Polish
Glaze
Wax/Sealant

 

I have asked my 2 local car washes that do detailing and I asked them what would they recommend for the first ever detailing on a new car, and they said:
Wash, Hand wax

When I asked them if they do:
Wash
Clay
Wash
Polish
Wax
they thought I was from another planet??? They said a new truck only needs wax twice a year.

I drive mine by the ocean, what would be th ebest option wax or sealant?

 

I have some of that turtle was 3 step claybar crap. I used just the cleaner on most of my wifes honda then washed it and waxed it and it really really looks good.

 

Without breaking the bank I would use:
Megs 21 sealant.

Top with Megs #26 Hi-Tech paste wax.

Read the reviews, both are fine products.

You can use the sealant on your wheels once you have cleaned them and future cleanings will be easier.

 

I just sprayed painted using rustuleum primer and paint gloss black my avid off road step rails and light bar.

How should I protect the fininsh now? Is it too early to clay it, polish it and wax it? I wonder what is the best product to use as people will be stepping on it.

I thought the painting was completed, but I just realized that the rustuleum became soft in the resting area, so I had to sand the area and I have to do another coat! I thought it would be dry after 24 hours? I even used the industrial type??

 

If this question had been asked before I apologize,

I just ordered new ultra badlands polished aluminum wheels for my truck. My question for you detailing guys is what is the best cleaner to use that won't dull my wheels? Also how do I protect them in the winter with all the salt and grime on the road?

 

I asked this question in another thread and wanted another opinion. What is the best way to clean and protect...but mostly clean a light brown convertible top. It is canvas.

 

Sorry if this has been asked in the last 35 pages (I read the first page but not the subsequent questions people have asked) .

Do you claybar that textured rocker panel or just leave it? How about painted plastics like fender flares, grille guards, front bumper cover, etc?

 

That paint requires about a week to fully cure. I wouldn't touch it until then. You should be able to handle it after a day or so, but be really careful. Spots of thick paint will still be soft. On my rattle can jobs, I usually pick up a can of clear-coat and spray a few coats over top to protect the paint.

Don't try to buff it, don't try to polish it...you'll take the paint off almost immediately. Wax if you like, but it won't really do anything. Couple thick coats of clear-coat will really protect it... I forget which OTC paint I used but you can find it in any hardware store... I think it was Krylon "Clear" or something, white can. Don't spray it in ANY humid conditions.

Once you have the clearcoat on and its been awhile, you should be able to treat it like normal paint. Polishing takes layers off the clearcoat, just the same on your vehicle. If you didn't have clearcoat, you would be taking off paint, everytime until you ran out at least

 

Almost all aluminum wheels have a clear-coat on them. Treat them just like your car paint. Keep it clean. In the winter-time, keep it clean..... the salt and grime will eat at the clearcoat. Best advice I can give.