*Official* Ask A Detailer Thread

Bummer!

What is included in this “full service”?
Quality places aren’t “stupid busy”. Most people don’t give two shits about their cars so the high end places aren’t jam packed.
Most people don’t line up out the back to spend $500-$1,000 on a full detail lol.

I’d only want a pro shop touching my paint. I think my local guy charges $90 for a clay.

Washing the truck and doing the clay bar yourself is not that hard. After 5 years its gonna take awhile.

 

I’ve heard of doing this mod but haven’t tried it yet. May need to upgrade the grease

 

Ceramic coating prep questions: New MGM Tacoma, sat on dealer's lot since June. Only put 1100 miles on it, haven't even washed it yet.
Got the CarPro CQ.UK 3.0 ceramic coating to put on it. Although its new, it endured seven months sitting out in the elements on the lot. Wash and clay bar for sure, but what then? Porter Cable with just a paint cleaner, or a finishing wax, either to bring out the last nth of shine and lustre before the ceramic is put on. Iron product? Finally, what polishing product, one that polishes or just cleans? And what pad? I know how to correct paint that has some age and wear on it, what polish and pads. I don't know how to even begin prepping a new vehicle though. Don't want to use the same semi-aggressive products/pads I use on worn clear coat. Help.

 

What does the product tell you to do?

Do not use any cleaning waxes. The wax will prevent the ceramic coat from bonding to the paint. I’m not sure what a paint cleaner is.

 

Wash then clay bar. Do not use any wax before coating. More than likely you will need a light polish. After polish you need a panel prep spray, this will remove the oils from the polish.

I highly recommend you head over to Autogeek. Most of the product typically have user guides with them. You may want to join the forum over there. You were about to head off to an epic fail using a wax before a coating.

 

Paint cleanser is just another term for a fine or finish polish. So it will clean the paint up of any old wax or sealant but also could correct a little. But otherwise make the paint pop prior to sealant/coating.

This is why I read over and over when it comes to using a machine on the vehicle you need to do test spot (or spots). There is no right answer and don't assume that one persons experience with a particular vehicle will translate over to yours. You can mix and match the pad with a certain level of cut with a chemical with various levels of cut. For instance a less aggressive pad with a more aggressive compound. In your case since you likely don't need to compound you could go straight to the polishes. But if you find your particular polish is too fine, maybe you step up to a little more aggressive pad that has some cut. If the paint is in great condition maybe a pad that has no cut (like a pad for applying wax/sealant) with a fine polish.

 

Well, no actually. I regret if I made you think that, but I can't see where I might have implied that. I haven't used a wax in 20-30 years. Don't even own a wax. I simply need advice on choosing a paint cleaner and if I need to polish lightly. If so, what products. I've studied up on the ceramic process, and I assure you, I know that the surface must be ultra clean to achieve best results.

 

You tube is a wonderful thing, lots of videos on what steps to take. I’m pretty sure you don’t need a Microfiber cutting pad for that new of a truck. Pick any “paint cleaner” of your liking on a test panel. Try out meguiars ultimate compound it’s sold everywhere and a medium foam cutting pad to start. I would defineltey want to compound before a coating. Probably just a few passes is all it needs.

Personally I use Carpro clearcut, or meguiars m100 to correct paint. I use Carpro essence plus to correct ceramic coatings.

https://youtu.be/byKcYsEyWGk

 

I was being fecicious.

Its a polish and should be called nothing but a polish. I’m not a fan of how people market products in the detailing world by making up product names that confuse what the actual product is.

Polishes don’t clean they paint correct. Waxes don’t clean, they paint correct while waxing at the same time.
I also hate sealants marketed as waxes. Waxes are a natural compound. The term “Synthetic wax” is an oxymoron.

When it comes to people who are new to the detailing world these oddly named products cause confusion and risk people doing harm to their vehicle.

And that concludes my rant lol.

 

What pressure washers are you guys running?

My goal this year is to get a new one.
My preference is gas but I will make an exception for an electric one if its something super special.
It needs to be 2 gal/minute to accomodate my foam cannon.

I want to be able to use it on the vehicles but also for household chores.

Generac makes an adjustable one but not sure if anyone here runs one.
https://www.amazon.com/Generac-7019...coding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=YVTTTBFXQ2B9QCG9SQ84

Price is an issue. I just bought a new home and have a long list of new power tools I want. I’m not down for spending $1,500 on a pressure washer when I want a jig saw and table saw this year too lol. Limit is prolly $500ish.

If you guys have any reccomendations I’d appreciate it.

 

Electric ones that are >2gal a min is like 1000-1500 smh. Although you probably save yourself money in the long run vs spending gas. I hear good things about Kranzle 1122TST but it’s expensive.

I no longer use a gas powered pressure washer.

Good luck on your search. They all have there problems and quirks.

 

While I did pick up a Kranzle it's the MTM Kobrajet hose and Mosmatic gun with swivel that I would recommend most. MTM also has a swiveling gun. Not sure about the gas Generac but in the cheap electrics Ryobi and Greenworks already have the fittings ready to adapt a proper hose. While you're at it avoid the ones with hose reels.

With these parts and an electric you could keep the budget under $500. After using a couple of units with cheap hoses I can't tell you how much more of an enjoyable experience not having to fight the cheap pressure washer hose. And with the swivel you can easily remove the kinks in the line as you pace around the truck. Also these parts will likely outlast many cheap pressure washers or if you ever end up with the budget for a Kranzle.

 

Why do you guys prefer electric?

 

I have no need for a gas powered one. Only time a gas one is useful is if I was running a mobile business to clean stuff.

Better question is why do you need a gas powered washer. Gas is expensive depending where you live.

Electric can clean driveway, house, decks, and fence. Gas powered can obviously do better but how often are you using it in a year.

As far as foam cannon goes the the electric can do just as good or even better. I’m not a believer of “quality foam or thick suds” from a foam cannon. I actually own use my electric to clean my driveway and fence. I’m a firm believer of the IK foam cannons now. Use less water and less soap and no need for gas or power.

 

What he said and plus with I hate the running motor of a generator or pressure washer. The Kranzle is damn near silent if it was sitting near you, the rushing water sound is louder than the pump. The Chinese electrics aren't that loud either.

Also you need WAY more GPM +4 or more to do anything worth a damn cleaning around the house.

 

I picked up a troybilt 2800 psi 2.3 gal from lowes on clearance for $180. It was an insane steal, I think the normal price was mid 300s. I think it was on clearance because craftsman is making a pressure washer thats basically the same thing but I think the craftsman might have a Honda motor instead of briggs and Stratton.

As far as electric the kranzzle is the way to go. I hope to upgrade to it one day.

 

I want a gas one because they are higher PSI (2500+ is great for cleaning concrete and stripping old stain off wood) and I can actually fix a gas pressure washer. An electric one breaks I really have no clue where to start other than to chuck it. I also hate having to run extension cords along with the hose. It's a major pain and just one more cord I have to try and not trip over.

The sound of a gas one doesn't bother me. And it takes a hell of a lot of pressure washing to blow through any appreciable amount of gasoline. I've run one for over 2 hours straight and didn't go through a tank of gas. Typically that's more of the issue, is not keeping it full because otherwise you'll have gas going bad inside the tank.

 

A note on the troybilt one I mentioned above is it runs out of gas fairly quick. Not because it’s a crazy gas hog but it has a very small fuel tank. Doesn’t even hold half a gallon is my guess. I can pre rinse, foam cannon, then rinse about 3 cars before it runs out. Perfect for not having the gas sit in there too long.

Edit: it holds 0.3 gallons.
https://www.troybilt.com/equipment/troybilt/2800-psi-pressure-washer-020676

The included hose is junk. Too short for my liking and not very thick material. Not complaing for the price I paid though.

 

That is actually a plus. Since I probably won't use it a whole lot around the house except for the yearly house cleaning and car washes. I don't want to have to worry about draining the tank or doing what I do with my mower and that's run it dry each year. Although with a mower that's easier to time.

 

I had this one from Costco and it was perfect for stuff around the house and the truck $150 bucks like 5 yrs ago o-rings had to be replaced all the time in the wand but other than that it was fine