*Official* Ask A Detailer Thread

Do not use silicone or any petrolium based products. It will degrade the rubber.

I’m not sure why people rave about 303 but that stuff does not last.

I like Chemical Guys trim gel. Lasts months. But when applying to rubber around the windows, use a Q tip. Downside is it does tend to stain. Keep it off your paint.

It lasts for months and never runs in rain

 

thisss posttt!! Thank you sir. I was very very skeptical about silicone, and 303 as i fear it would actually damage the door seals/ gaskets i would apply the product on.

 

Recommendations on cleaning suspension and getting into all the tight spaces to have some kings shine again?

 

I am not sure if an APC would be good to use on the raw aluminum body, but maybe some non agressive wheel cleaner with a nice brush is what I would probably try to use. If you have a foaming device probably some normal car or wheel soap would do the trick with a brush as well.

 

Unfortunately i've let the shocks get out of hand on cleanliness and may not be able to clean the aluminum body with just soap and successfully be able to get the grime off. I will give it a shot though. Also, what brush would you recommend. If you have one in mind that is.

 

For brushes, if you want quality ones let me know I will look up the website. They are very nice, not too expensive for what they are. But if you want cheap ones the cheap ones on Amazon from like chemical guys work pretty darn well also. Since they are pretty economically priced you can buy a few. I have about 3 of those that I use for interior, and the other 2 for exterior jobs. Let me know if you want links I’ll look them up later tonight and send you em.

 

Just added the Chemical Guys ones to my Amazon cart before reading this haha. I will gladly buy better quality ones though haha

 

https://www.solobrushes.com/products/173-bridled-glue-brush-429/

I use these brushes and they are well made for the price in my opinion. You may even recognize them from some other stores that sell them as detailing brushes, but instead of $60 for one brush you can get more for less buying straight from them.

 

Dealer told me to never clay bar my truck as "there are abrasives on the bar"....I have not seen any scratches as a result of using a clay bar and am quite happy with the results...
I would believe that if one never turned the bar over on itself as the directions indicate. Anyone experience scratches or negative results from a clay bar and wax? I currently use the high end meguiars stuff

thx.

 

Think of clay bars as a necessary evil. Technically they could scratch the paint but you would be doing much worse by not lifting the contaminants from the paint before polishing.

 

Yes, i agree with this and have seen it before i learned how to wash and detail a vehicle. Not that I'm perfect yet, but the dealer had no logic to support their claim. I ignored it and moved on.

Thanks for the response. I'm trying to gather up some thoughts before a battle ensues with the dealer. Depending on how tomorrow goes will depend on how much I will lean on all the kind folks here for real answers and support.

 

What polish are are you guys using for your headlight restorations? I know to wet sand and have the polishing pads but want to know the best compound to use

 

Why would a battle happen with the dealer???

Obviously the dealer doesn’t know anything about detailing or they were trying to angle their high priced paint sealant.

 

Ah, you are getting close. i feel the dealer will take care of everything so don't wanna hype anything up, just yet. i have a meeting with them first thing in the morning and will post accordingly.

So far cool heads have prevailed and hoping to keep it that way.

 

I must have missed there was issue with your truck/dealer.

 

Exactly.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/this-is-why-you-clay-bar-before-polishing.494460/

 

Technically clay bars do cause micromarring (or full on marring if you get something in the clay lol).
However clay bars a very often used just before you do paint correction of some type. So you are going to correct any of the micromarring.

You can clay between corrective details and as long as you use adaquate lube you shouldn’t have a lot of noticable marring.

Touching your paint in any way causes micro scratching. To include washing tge car. But you still wash your car. So their logic is flawed

 

I have some light swirling on my truck and don't have a polisher. What do you suggest?

 

I suggest you get a polisher lol.

Seriously. Paint correction by hand is just not a realistic option. If even possible depending on the level of swirling, will take a long time an excessive amounts of time and energy.

Its worth the money to get the polisher.

You can also pay a detailer but a single polish will probably cost as much as a polisher.

 

Do you have any experience with a Harbor Freight polisher?