*Official* Ask A Detailer Thread

I wouldn't make a habit of using Dawn since it dries out plastics. I usually mix an all purpose cleaner with my car soap of choice.

There are several good brands out there. A lot comes down to personal preference.

 

Didn't realize how much time could be spent on all this. A full weekend, plus Thursday night and Friday night doing prep work. I will take your advise when I do this all again in the fall including a DA polisher. Thank you for the feedback!

I have to say my favorite product of the weekend is the 303, wow. At first I only used on the dash and panels yesterday. Today, did the outside trim, wow what a difference. After reading more I decided to do the tires, wow again. Treated all the rubber door seals and basically every other surface but painted. The difference was substantial. The back tailgate which I pretty much wrote off a while ago looks so much better. Save some money and just buy the 32oz or bigger. Read in a different thread Napa has it on sale for April 2016, I will be there tomorrow.

 

Dawn is only to strip the wax or any oil material prior to doing a color correction or polish... I don't wash with Dawn, actually use Megiuars D115, but it has wax and lubricants...so when I do my polish...I'll just do the Dawn soap that one time and then prep the truck...my goal at least once I get my DA polisher going. Just remember from what my detailer did to my BRZ.

 

Dawn still dries out the plastics. APC would be better. Don't want black plastic being crusty white.

 

anyone use harbor freight random orbital? if so any good? I have some pin stripping from desert and need to remove without dropping $100+ on the buffer

 

I have seen some folks recommend it as a starter orbital. Not sure what it costs but if its something you plan on using you might want to move up to a Porter Cable.

 

Sweet thanks for the heads up!

 

The HF one is listed at 69 but apparently it goes on sale for 50 or there is one of those coupons that they seem to be so famous for.

I personally haven't used one but am seriously considering buying also...

 

it's $70 now... there's a 25% coupon on Sunday takes it down to $52.5 or use the 20% coupon and it's $56. The reviews on it has been good. But mods must be done. You have to take it apart to grease the inside since not enough was applied and changed the backing plate if you want to use it for long time. Or you can use it as it. I've seen some pro detailers saying nice things about it... I just bought one 2 weeks ago and planning to do cut and polish myself for first time after seeing my detailer do it several times...he gave me some recommended products. I don't consider it as a starter polisher if you polish 1 or 2 times a year...should work out well for me then getting a Rupes bigfoot for $300+. For $50+ plus new backing plate and MF pads to cut and polish...it' be a nice package for under $100.

 

Sweet man that's good to hear! I'm looking at it and this kit I saw online with all pads and products for $189 but still searching to make sure. Cry once

 

Anyone have the PC and the Griots. Leaning towards the griots, like the handles better, seems more comfortable. Seems like the handle on the PC would get in the way at certain points. More importantly, seeing if the griots has more power and functionality than the PC.

 

I have run the PC for about 4 to 5 years. Trust me, you will never even put that handle on. It's a DA polisher not an angle grinder. So you don't put that much pressure on it to need the handle. Overall pleased with it. Just get some god earbuds, bc like other less expensive polishers it is a bit loud.

 

Just a heads up: The Harbor Freight 6" DA Polisher is now on sale for $54.99 with coupon.

 

Love the PC..and lost the handle somehow. Anyone got a spare?

 

That is probably the best thing you could have done was lose the handle.

 

To each their own, it works fine for me with the handle

 

I initially started with the handle too. You are actually better off putting your hand on the machine that way you can adjust the pressure on the pad evenly. With the handle, you are not getting pressure even across the pad and probably slowing your correcting time down.

 

I've used floor polish to shine my tires to great success. Had a huge bottle in my garage and it doesn't take much. Even stands up to water fairly well!

 

any compound for scratches and that who deal that autozone or local car places sell any good? Just want something I could buy and use the next day. Thanks

 

Meguiars Ultimate Compound and Polish are both good when used with a machine (DA). Meguiars White Wax also has some cut. It's an all-in-one.