*Official* Ask A Detailer Thread

Whatever you can come up with. If you have a foam cannon you could try and soak that area when doing regular washes. A long brush perhaps.
https://theragcompany.com/collections/exterior-brushes/products/detail-factory-wheel-brush-kit

I've never worried about it.

Ceramics. Gtechniq C4.

https://theragcompany.com/collectio.../products/gtechniq-c4-permanent-trim-restorer

 

Would you put C4 straight onto old faded plastic 1st gen wheel arches? Or maybe heat gun first?

If those faded arches had Meguiar's Ultimate Black applied 2 months ago, how long would you wait for it to disappear before applying C4?

 

Professional ceramics have an application process. The material needs to be extremely clean. Gtechniq w5 citrus apc is recommend. Make sure the surface is completely dry. Then follow the steps here...

https://gtechniq.com/shop/auto/wheels-trim/c4-permanent-trim-restorer/

Ideally, wash/remove as much of whatever product you have on there so the ceramic bonds to the plastic.

 

Cerakote Trimcoat. Super easy to apply, and they say it lasts for 200 washes. It's an actual coating, not a dressing.

 

yup, I used this on my wife's Rav4 which was all faded. Shortly after doing so the rear bumper cover had to be replaced. I tell people to walk around it and see what they think, nobody believes the bumper is 2 yrs old versus the rest of it being 11 yrs old.

 

Thanks. I'll look for one that'll be long enough.

 

Any good ideas on easy solutions for this? An ‘06 DCSB w fairly rusty frame but nice interior and strong v6 that’s mostly a beach truck. Hood, roof and flares are all pretty baked. Just looking for ideas on sealing this from water intrusion and rust growth. Doesn’t have to look nice.

 

3m weatherstrip adhesive?

 

https://a.co/d/53HotMn
^^?

 

That's the one. Bead it under the weather stripping and give it time to cure.

 

Question to the detailer. So I washed, clayed, polished, ceramic-hybrid[Mother's] my rig a couple months ago. What can I do now to refresh the 'just-waxed' feel?

What would happen if I were to wash, then clay bar now? Would that remove any of my ceramic-hybrid Mother's finish? Completely, partially, or not at all? Would I need to re-apply the wax after another clay bar?

 

Stuff is hella-strong. Really, it's too strong. Lol.

3m weatherstrip adhesive

​

 

Only use a clay bar when it's necessary. It's not something you should need to do occasionally as part of your regular cleaning routine. It will remove contaminates and all or the majority of your coating. For 'refreshing" your finish, I'd suggest you look at Mother's website first. They may make a product specifically design for your coating. Other than that, I'm a big fan of P&S Beadmaker as a topper for giving finishes a little more pop. It only lasts a couple of weeks, but it can also be used as a drying aid. After washing you truck, spray it on the wet paint surface and dry as usual.

 

Thanks for the clarification on clay bar usage frequency. There are so many products claiming to do the same, or similar, so I compared the P&S bead maker to the Meguiers and choosing to compare to Mequiers because I use their hybrid ceramic wax -[I stated using Mother's, above, but was incorrect]. I have no idea if this is the best ceramic, I've only used one ceramic product in my lifetime, this one. Honestly, I have no expertise that qualifies me to compare these 2 items, so I may use both over time, like over the course of one or two years. ~Cheers.

$19 P & S PROFESSIONAL DETAIL PRODUCTS - Bead Maker - Paint Protectant & Sealant, Easy Spray & Wipe Application, Cured Protection, Long Lasting Gloss Enhancement, Hydrophobic Finish, Great Scent (1 Pint)

https://www.amazon.com/PROFESSIONAL-DETAIL-PRODUCTS-Application-Enhancement/dp/B0779KCS7D?crid=33KC6JWTZ6QAN&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.owTcD1OZSIRzYw8L2sYGKnuHBaANhw0MWtaiP9x5V0PI9o89suBf5qGkXpdBcq631ElJ0dv8KUsPszoNJV0o0M2AnceOb8sNkbPoD0A12h8gu8lkX1pO2x1gGQ7khc5-XYRWxPPahPk_hrjNvDqwY9DZqKIN2NctfvSz6P2Cmhwe6TvEHTjk_O_M5B4QTEqPnUC6dkeJMEs88LmjO2nu6X0FCtuwqHzoaHZBo7GflbpCjDkEc55onG6JbPxSCOTU.2F-ut_klCdwnNiABgRMtA5vKjnwUaObo2RUBFglR3OU&dib_tag=se&keywords=p&s_bead_maker_paint_protectant=&qid=1735227911&sprefix=P&S_Bead_Maker%2Caps%2C233=&sr=8-3

$20 Meguiar's G200526EU Hybrid Ceramic Detailer 768 ml Enhances Wax, Coatings and Sealants

https://www.amazon.com/MEGUIARS-Detailer-Enhances-Coatings-Sealants/dp/B0845PPPHC?crid=33Q7R3OV2W9XP&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.bGVjGw_Hay8b8v-Om7V-Md1fpsLCQCV2bWdzPX4PO_pcuuBA4lk1UU-D3Mzcbmp91WNHrkUXBSK1XUnZyMPv4GK8XVRk8qd7YsqGkzRvy-F-eFdSnDkbpAG2W9TAbYH0qN37a0RwnPgcmMgdDTuhlWtmHfSHVceWiS6_3DlXwmkKguyZPHV6gLWJVPRf7UtRr6Z9C3zghXXL0bBAGoB8rI5b7cmrvLLtHjb15fo5Irsyjrr62dP8g61UF5GRsC3XhnlmB13HmY_wO5Vrz80m-gq0_ApWjvySIm3MQaveW2_uz_z879sdc8vC62wFvMaa4QjBJgN754u-HqbApx08SdTo1aq25zTlCEhGtveq3xXSZ1qYUBYsacaGVxRctrqH_e2DpkqMCII9UBcgmp6mdCdl27VKDWJAuOZERpGq9N3Cq8p0v5aLNvTDxnC9U_-h.Ow6BthtFIJOtxMCGhvuZg6Iuy3-4HfdQH3tUnQ-p5sE&dib_tag=se&keywords=HYBRID+CERAMIC&qid=1735225953&sprefix=hybrid+ceramic%2Caps%2C156&sr=8-33&th=1

 

Hey friends, I was wondering if anyone had any tips on getting some light food grease drip stains on the passenger seat?

Also was curious what the best method for buffing out dog claw scratches from the hood. They’re not deep, but I had the dog go up and down the hood and roof to get to our RTT

 

Sonax perfect finish compound, 3" or 5" rupes foam yellow pad depending on polisher size and a 3" or 5" random orbital polisher for the paint.

https://sonaxusa.com/sonax-car-poli...s66uOaKGiSZC3tY0UHWvorjArm8lfbj8XkSscjha4H6ZR

https://theragcompany.com/products/rupes-fine-finishing-foam-pad-d-a-fine?variant=37726118445239

https://adamspolishes.com/products/...KmPHy7W3O-erKp4SldkL0EL9RM3f71pNOZQfvaqekFMbQ

Do you have cloth or leather? I assume cloth seats?

My favorite stain remover for laundry is oxiclean max force. Not a typical interior cleaner for cars, but you might try it with a microfiber and some warm water.



If you have leather seats I'd use a dedicated leather and interior cleaner and follow up with leather conditioner.

https://theragcompany.com/collectio...ts/ps-detail-products-xpress-interior-cleaner

This is one of the best non greasy leather conditioners.

https://www.lenosgarage.com/product...P2899fwiGA729tHv6hmAswyTcMZp-cq-tfNSVQw5viX4Y

 

I've been using the Meguiar's Hybrid Ceramic wax for several years. If you look at the ScottHD channel on YouTube it stands up well against the other spray on/wipe off products. I'm not into the finicky, expensive ceramic coatings. I want something I can spray on (without having to worry about if it gets on the plastic bits) and wipe off (or rinse off, if you want). I usually wax the truck twice a year, it takes less than 15 minutes, and this stuff holds up great. I only hand wash with a PH neutral soap and blow dry with a leaf blower. I know that some of the "pro" dudes will have a conniption fit with my methods, but they work.

$14 Meguiar's Hybrid Ceramic Wax, Easy-to-Use Spray Wax for Car Detailing with the Superior Protective Power of Advanced SiO2 Hybrid Barrier Technology, 26 Oz Spray Bottle

https://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-G19...equiers+hybrid+ceramic+wax,aps,83&sr=8-1&th=1

 

Cool thread ... How did I miss this thread before ??

 

I plan to try out the P&S. Currently using this Ethos one.

$27 Ethos Ceramic Speed Wax - Ceramic Coating for Cars - Ceramic Coating Car Wax Spray - Ceramic Car Wax Polish Hydrophobic Top Coat Polish Formulated With Reactive Sio2 Copolymers

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BNVNLXYG/?coliid=I352F56V323POC&colid=2KZIOD7TFYOR4&th=1

Just tried this product as well.

$23 Griot's Garage Brilliant Finish Synthetic Clay for Car Detailing, Creates a Smooth Paint Surface and Lasts Longer Than Traditional Bars, 10691

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072HHT8NF/?coliid=I2RQ8OO0R1YLDI&colid=2KZIOD7TFYOR4

Seems to do OK. I think it's less effective than a true clay bar, but ease of use if you're just doing a quick detail.