*Official* Ask A Detailer Thread

The GG6 is a very nice polisher. More power than the HF or PC, plus it has a lifetime warranty. Yes, the Megs Clay is Fine. I'd pick up at least 3 polishing pads for working with the AIO. For wax/sealer, one pad is fine.

It's hard to get correction out of the GG6 with the stock backing plate and 6" pads. I'd pick up a lake Country 5" backing plate and go with 5 or 5.5" pads.

 

Been doing some research... seems chemical guys makes a clay eraser disc like nanoskin...don't remember what my detailer used if it was chemical guys or nanoskin. Far as marring, I plan to use Meguiar's D115 as a lubricant as it's already my waterless wash and they said I can use it a detailer. I'm going with Meguiar's pad system since I want to use microfiber disc pads. They are recommended for carpro essence and then top off with cquartz finest. Carpro said MF is better to use with their essence product (can be AIO). I plan to compound and then use essence and then cquartz finest. I read good things about lake country, but not sure how well it's work with Meguiar's MF cutting and polish discs.

Far as GG6, for first timer and him not wanting to do a lot of work.... do you think it's worth the extra investment versus a HF DA polisher with a lake country or meguair's backing plate?

 

I don't mind doing work, just don't want to spend 10 hrs on it. I figured a good detail is $250, so if I just get the good stuff and use it twice a year, it's worth it. I've done cheaper tools before, and there fine, I just find if you spend a little more money, it's usually makes a difference.

 

This is very true, especially in the detailing world.

 

The GG6 is also a little more powerful than the HF and PC machines. Should work a little faster for you. Not much, but some.

 

FYI- a lot of people like the new nanoskin style. They have their place. Really handy for maintenance use or if you like to Clay often. However, if your vehicle has never been clayed and potentially has years of contamination on it, one might be happier with actual Clay. In my opinion real Clay works a little better on tougher contamination. But once it's decontaminated, the nanoskin style is great to use every few months to clean it up. I like to think of them as two separate products rather than nanoskin replacing Clay. Both have their place.

 

autopia has 25% today and it was the cheapest I could find for the meguiars MF pad system for $71 (coupon made it $53). Autogeek had it for $80 (20%) still more expensive. I got that and carpro essence and cquartz finest...given the 25%, free ship, and no tax... it was worth it. All that plus the HF DA polisher would be about the cost of the GG6 polisher kit. I think it's better the DIY detailer than go with more expensive route...if you want to do that...go with rupes big foot.

I still have my clay harpolith, but if the eraser disc from chemical guys or nanaskin works 80% well...think the clar bar for certain sections would be acceptable to me... saving time. Plus clay is a pain...you are using spray lube and then have to be careful to not let it slip out of your hands while trying to do the whole vehicle... I've dropped the clay before...and it's not cheap. I love what clay does, but I hope to fine a future replacement for clay bar.

BTW, good detail cost a lot more if they are color correcting the paint. Not sure what your $250 detail consists of...just wash, detail inside, apply wax.... or does it include color correction. If they can do all that for $250...might be worth it to let them do it. It's a lot more these days with the paint sealant/coating...but they have to color correct before applying the sealant/coating so it's labor intensive.

 

I apologize if this is been answered before. But I struggle all the time with cleaning my windows both inside and out. They never seem to turn out well. What is your guys advice?

 

What are you using to clean your windows and what kind of towel are you drying them with?

 

Paper towels. And usually this foaming glass cleaner I get from the glass shop I work at. Sometimes Windex.

 

Don't do windex. I use a microfiber towel. If you can get a higher quality MF towel and use the short side...my MF towel has two sides..short and longer. I find the shorter side is very good for glass. Also there are MF towels that works real well on glass. I bought some glass cleaner but I never bothered since Meguiar's D115 waterless wash solution works well on glass for me.

 

Cool. Thanks!

I probably need new towels. Mine don't seem to absorb very well.
I will stick with the commercial glass cleaner on the inside and use a towel.

 

Remind me what to use on tint (aftermarket). Invisible Glass?

 

It helps to use one of those "free and clear" laundry detergents to wash your glass towels. Helps avoid that hazing.

 

After polishing wax how do you clean your Microfiber towels? Washer and Dryer?

 

Yes....if this post is directed to me.

 

I have been using chemical guys MF detergent so it doesn't dry out or ruin the MF towels.

Technically you are suppose to use different color towels and wash the different color separately to not cause the chemicals to get to the other towels but it's not realistic for the home DIY. I pre rinse my MF towel after I'm done and then I put them in a wet bucket until I ready to wash and then use MF detergent.

 

I skip the dryer and let them air dry.

 

Yes or any good glass cleaner that DOES NOT have ammonia in it.

 

I have a few towels so no space to leave them air dry....but I don't let the MF towels dry completely in the dryer...that's bad because if they are crispy dry... it's gonna lead to be a larger chance of scratching the paint. slightly damp and then goes into a bag for future use.