*Official* Ask A Detailer Thread

Thanks man! That's what I figured.

 

Need an opinion experts. Waxed and detailed the truck towards the end of summer. Went out to my truck this morning and noticed what I thought was some bird shit on the hood like the size of a nickel. Wet a towel down to wipe it off (its been cold lately, so whatever it was hadn't been baking in, nor would I have let it sit for very long). After the initial try I realized this isn't bird shit. Got it wiped off and saw this:

It feels deeper than the rest of the paint. Is this my clear coat coming off or is it the layer of wax from the detail job?

Praying to God it isn't my clear coat.

 

Looks like your clear coat was etched right through.

It does not take long for bird droppings, berries, bugs, sap, etc to damage paint. Especially unprotected paint. The wax you put on at the end of the summer has long dissapeared by now (it lasts maybe 4 weeks).

Unfortunately the panel is toast
I’m sorry.

 

Sadly I have to agree with PackCon here. That looks like the clearcoat got eaten up.

 

Thanks fellas, yea sadly that's what I was thinking. So weird, having the truck for 5 years never had anything like that happen.

Whatever it was worked fast.

Vinyl wrap or repaint? I have never had anything wrapped, been kinda thinking it may be the way to go because it gets quite hot here in the OC and probably wrap the roof while I am at it.

 

I would repaint but a wrap would work well. Either route I would have it professionally done.

In the meantime I would get a sealer and wash clay and seal the hood to prevent your underlying paint from starting to fail.

Any idea what it was that got on the paint?

 

I have no idea what it was. It looked kinda gray and i was kind of in a hurry this morning and just thought it was some bird shit. It rained like two days ago, but it definitely did a number. I never park under trees either, so it may be a mystery forever.

Yea, no way I am painting or wrapping that thing myself. I can't wrap Christmas presents for shit.

 

Well I finally purchased the DA polisher from Harbor Freight. I've read where the backing plate isn't "even" should I worry about this or just give it a shot? My truck has plenty of swirl marks and I would like to remove those.

What pads and polish or compound should i be use? Does it matter that the white is one stage paint?

 

What do I do to prevent my thin ass paint from chipping

 

Vinyl wrap it. Or protective film

 

And if I like my paint and don’t want to wrap the entire vehicle?

 

Protective Film or park it.

 

It depends on the level of swirling.

Almost certainly you do NOT need a compound. Those are for more serious paint damage and they remove a good about of paint.

I like Adams Polishes and Chemical Guys sites that take you through each of their products and have very detailed information on how to use their products.

You will need to do research and watch some detailing videos to get a good idea on what products and pads to use.

Toyota paint is not thin. You want to see thin paint buy a Subaru. They are miserably painted.

If you repaint your whole truck and then park it in the garage and never move it, you will avoid paint chips.

Seriously not using your truck is about the only way you will prevent rock chips. Its just a fact of life.
You can get very expensive clear bra material or bedline the whole truck.

 

I made a rookie mistake yesterday, so I figured I’d share just as a remind to everyone to hopefully not let it happen to them or worse a customers car.

Make sure the darn nozzle on your pressurewasher is secured tightly. Thought it was secured and boom, shot it into my truck.

Live and learn.

 

Clay Block... Or something else? I've had my Taco for 5 years and never done a clay bar... It really needs it. I also really need to clean the engine.

I'm thinking of spending a good $80-$100 for the full service at a trusted detailer in town.... Or just buying a clay Block and cleaning myself. Thoughts ?

And I'm not talking about some mobile car wash it car wash shop... But a huge detail place that's always stupid busy.

 

The only reason for you not to do it yourself is time. IMHO washing, claying and a coat of protection is busy work and not worth paying for the labor.

 

Will be claying this weekend. I purchased the Harbor Frieght DA polisher and am planning to use it for first time maybe this weekend as well. Got the new recommended backing plate and pads. Any other tips? 2019 Cement

 

If $80-100 is the trusted detailer in town then you need to go to another town. Be lucky to get just a hand wash for that price at most Detailers.

Claying is super easy. May take a little longer since it has never been done.

 

What did you get? Yesterday I bought the lake country backing plate and the chemical guys 3 piece hex set off Amazon.

 

you may want to replace the grease that it comes with, its not a good quality and the polisher can be quite loud when using
google harbor freight da polisher grease