*Official* Ask A Detailer Thread

Just want to put in my advice from what I've learned. If anyone is looking for a wax to use I highly suggest using

$21 collinite 845 insulator wax-easy to use carnauba+polymer wax sealant-high gloss shine+durable hydrophobic beading & long lasting paint protection for cars/boats/trucks/rvs & motorcycles (16 fl oz)

collinite 845. For the money I've yet to find a wax that works as good as it and last as long. A wax every one or two months is what I do and it keeps my paint prestine.

 

Doesn't sound long lasting if youre waxing every month or two

 

I thought the same thing when I read his post. If I waxed every month or 2 I would use Butter Wax. Easier to rub on and off.

I'm going with Duragloss #105 this spring. Love the Duragloss Aquawax.

 

Here's a question for you detailing pros out there:

How often is it okay for me to buff out the scratches on my truck? My truck gets light scratches from wheeling, well some light and some a tad deeper, but I can get them almost all out after buffing my truck. I've been buffing these scratches out about 3 times a year. Will buffing these out at the intervals I am, eat through the clear coat? Should I just leave all of the scratches and buff them out once a year? Or is 3-4 times a year fine?

 

Collinite lasts longer than a month or two. I have easily ran it through the winter.

You put it on to thick if it was hard to remove. Collinite is super easy to work with.

 

Detail shop here charges $189 for paint correction. The swirls on mine are driving me insane from when the dealer did half ass washes more than likely. Think it's worth it? And any questions I should ask? Make sure they clay prior?

 

this is why i cant own another black vehicle

 

A trip to the Line-X shop with between $3,000 to $5,000 and you won't have to worry about waxing it or scratches nary again. Or even hail stones.

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-rele...erican-international-auto-show-300386772.html

https://www.google.com/search?q=lin...p47TAhVK3IMKHZUBArUQ_AUIBigB&biw=1024&bih=748

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bc0yhXqJVkE

 

Seems cheap. Make sure they are not going to use a glaze that has temporary fillers that mask swirls.

properly maintain paint and there is no need for line-x.

 

Maybe I don't want to properly maintain my paint anymore.

 

That's fine but don't expect the line-x not to fade or wash out.

 

http://linexoc.com/n-10724-line-x-exterior-spraying-myths-and-answers.html

Wrong! You need to read up on exterior coatings. Take it to the experts and not a "Do it yourself kit."

"LINE-X will fade" - False, We have the answer for fading and it is called LINE-X PREMIUM. Premium couples the abrasion and impact protection you already trust with the UV protection your vehicle needs to stay new-looking forever. LINE-X Xtra is our UV stable option for doing your vehicle in color.

 

"LINE-X will add like 500 lbs" - False, We spray exteriors around 65mils on average. At that thickness you achieve the tough coating you want and don't add a significant amount of weight. Less than 90 lbs on average for a full size vehicle completely sprayed. About as much weight as your cooler stocked with "sodas" and ice.

"LINE-X is to brittle and will chip" - False, LINE-X is the industry's toughest coating. The competitors products can be rubbery and soft which will allow for them to tear easily. Check out some of these videos of just how tough LINE-X is http://www.linex.com/pages/2010/bedliners/xperiments/

"LINE-X will fade" - False, We have the answer for fading and it is called LINE-X PREMIUM. Premium couples the abrasion and impact protection you already trust with the UV protection your vehicle needs to stay new-looking forever. LINE-X Xtra is our UV stable option for doing your vehicle in color.

"LINE-X is expensive" - False, When you consider we are doing as much work as what a paint shop would do as far as masking and removing parts from your vehicle. Than consider the durability of the product VS paint. We are cheaper than a paint job. Most exterior spray jobs fall between $3,500-$5,000.

"The LINE-X texture will be hard to clean... it will cause dirt to stick" - False, If you have a garden hose with a nozzle, or even no nozzle and cut the supply off with your thumb to create pressure you can clean the LINE-X Exterior. It's actually EASIER to clean as you will never have to wax it, or worry about water marks. Literally just hose it off and go.

 

I have yet to see any product that doesn't eventually fade over time. Anything left in the sun long enough will fade.

At work, we recently started working with our local Line-x dealer. So I am quite familiar with it and know it's not a DIY. Hell my avid light bar in Line-x.

 

Yeah depending on what you are doing, that is too often. I wouldn't even do once a year personally, If we are talking major scratches.

 

Okay, TY.

 

What are you using to buff out the scratches? Are you using a machine DA polisher like Porter Cable, Rupes, or Flex? It takes a lot for a DA to burn through paint. Are you buffing the whole vehicle or just getting the scratches?

 

I was using small 3M buffing pads that came in a kit, on a drill, to just buff out the scratches/pinstripes only. I just do slow passes over the scratch until it is gone. This has been working for me because I'm not doing entire panels, just over the scratch.

 

That sounds pretty gnarly.

It really depends on the compounds...IF they are actually removing the scratch, you are obviously losing clear coat to do so. IF the compounds happen to really just be filling the scratches moreso than 'sanding' them away, that is less detrimental in the long run.

 

id question his work at that price. thats incredibly cheap.