*Official* Ask A Detailer Thread

Would love to give the VRP a shot because they have it in the gallon, I have a really good silicone dressing I've been using but its really greasy and $9.00 a can with it taking a whole can to do each vehicle after tires and wheel wells.

 

Also, I prefer a spray dressing because majority of the vehicles I detail are offroad trucks with offroad tires so it gets a little tricky getting in the groves.

 

I had mentioned in the original post. I use a chip brush (paint brush) and work over the entire tire with that to get in all the grooves
Follow up with foal applicator, and they terry cloth/ MF follow up to even coat and apply second with the above steps

 

Never tried that, gonna have to give that a shot!

 

X2

 

Some great sales on autogeek/ autopia right now. Don't miss out!

 

Is there a starter kit any of you guys recommend?

I really like the reviews and looks of this waterless starter kit but wasn't sure what you guys would recommend. I just would rather not have to piece everything together and buy it all in one kit. I was looking for waterless in the winter and then I'll do regular in the summer when it is warmer.

$40 Wet or Waterless Wash Wax Kit 144 Ounces. Cleans, Protects, and Shines. Aircraft Quality Just Spray On and Wipe Dry

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00X04JRMU/ref=pd_luc_rh_spmrai?psc=1


Or maybe this one for a regular wash kit:

$119 Meguiar's Complete Car Care Kit - The Ultimate Car Detailing Kit for a Showroom Shine - Includes Products for Cleaning and Detailing for the Interior and Exterior of your Car or Truck

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0012ZEZ8A

 

X2
I try and do my own, but not to your guys level. Would like to step up my game some. Currently use clay bar then followup with either Maguires cleaner or carnauba depending on which car I'm working on. One car has the little scratches down the side. Cleaner wax helps for a while, but they come back.

 

I would point you to a higher end waterless or rinsless wash system if that is the route you are going, and if you want a complete kit, i will post some options for that too.
Big question is, how often, and how detailed do you want to get?
1. If you are doing off roading, or have a lot of travel (bugs, environmental, brake dust, etc etc etc) then nothing is going to replace the hose and bucket. You need the water for lubricity beyond just a WW/RW.
2. If you dont get the vehicle too dirty, and stay on top of weekly washes, for the most part, a WW/RW is going to be just fine. perhaps a once a month deep clean with hose and buket.
(by hose and bucket i mean, all of the normal car cleaning supplies (see post #1) and not just microfiber and WW/RW)

http://www.autopia-carcare.com/mckees-37-waterless-wash-kit-144.html#.WGFWMBsrLIU

http://www.autopia-carcare.com/opt-no-rinse-kit.html#.WGFXEBsrLIU

Here are a couple options i have heard good things about, and have tried with satisfaction. Not much money, and has mostly what you need
(you will be able to save money to an extent by buying buckets elsewhere * firehouse subs has 5 gallon buckets for $2 cash...)

http://www.autopia-carcare.com/wolfgang-rinseless-wash-bucket-kit.html#.WGFXmhsrLIU

and that is the best RW kit i know of!

for a total kit, and just adding some RW/WW/ specialty items that will not be used as often, but you will have all you need for normal maintenance,

now... i may get flamed for this... and accept that... I am not a huge CG product fanboy... nor do i use many of their products.. but this kit for most users is the best priced and most complete kit i know of...

http://www.chemicalguys.com/Complete_Car_Care_Kit_14_Items_p/hol123.htm

and a variant with a bucket if you are into that ...
http://www.chemicalguys.com/Best_Car_Wash_Bucket_Kit_11_Items_p/hol121.htm

I would suggest just sitting down for one hour and reading up for a bit to get comfortable with where you want to go with this... i started out as an enthusiast, and now make money at this....

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...xes-quick-detail-sprays-waterless-washes.html

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-articles/86146-aggressive-approach-washing-car.html

http://www.autopia.org/forums/forum229/

Enjoy!

hope that helps!

-mark

 

Thanks for the write up Mark!

I don't really offroad or anything. I do drive quite a bit for work but its all on pavement. I mean I might end up on the occasional dirt road but that is rare.

I'm basically just looking for a decent startup kit for monthly washes and then a waterless option for weekly/in between. I'm not really seeking perfection as I don't really have time for that, I just want to keep the truck taken care of and looking good best I can.

I'll read up on the links and might be back with more questions later down the line. Thanks man!

 

Happy to help out. There are a ton of great members and detailers here, many far more experienced and knowledgble than I.

Adams also has a great start kit, but the megs you are looking at has almost everything you really need, and I think will suit you just fine
EDIT, that kit has clay bars. All
You need are some detailing brushes (will really help with wheel and tire) otherwise, I think you are set

Oh... and microfibers..... you think you have enough, but you need more.... you always need more!!!
(I need help)

 

Autogeek and autopia are having year end sales!
Check em out

 

Hey really appreciate this thread. Any tips for helping reduced the look of off-road pin striping on my fenders?

 

^ @irishrye

Some people have used a heat gun to bring out the oils in the plastics to bring back the matte finish

For this case, I would recommend sanding to get the scratches out, and then follow up wth solution finish

 

There was some here that put clear matte warp in the black fenders....

 

Is this limited to the flares?

I don't recommend a heat gun at all. I tried that on my Frontier with terrible results. Basically left the plastic looking blotchy.

 

^ thanks for the post
I have never, nor will ever do that for a client.
There is also a pati-dip thread.... lol

 

Yes just the flares. very minor on the paint, can barely see due to the colour. a quick polish will take care of that.

 

What can I do to remove sealer stains from the black trim on my truck?

I have used dial and soaps designed to strip sealers before a detail. Neither one of those work.

I saw a trick on a detailing forum where you can use a pencil eraser to remove them but this only works for wax stains not sealer stains lol.

Anything I can use that will work??? From now on I plan on taping off all trim before applying products.

 

Anyone had any kind of success shampooing the upholstery in a 2nd Gen with cloth seats? Mine have what looks like water stains from some minor spillage and I'd like to minimize them...