*Official* Ask A Detailer Thread

Nothing more special than other brands spray sealants. Their "Seal and Shine" is a more durable product and may be a better choice. As far as auto store products go I've heard better things on the Griot's spray coating (green bottle).

 

Thanks.. it's just that I've seen a lot of reviews of these types of products and that one I mentioned seemed to be a favorite.. at 14 dollars worth a shot

 

Wash (Adam’s shampoo)
Decon (Adam’s iron remover)
Clay bar (Adam’s Visco clay bar)
1 step polish/prep (CarPro Essence on Lake Country orange pad)
IPA wipe
CarPro CQUARTZ UK 3.0

 

I’ve been eyeing the Adam’s Graphene Ceramic coating complete kit and just had a question to ask.
I’ve had my truck since Feb, 3500 miles on it and have been washing, used Chemical Guys mirror finish, butter wax, turtle ceramic spray wax and then car guys sealer and polish on top of it all. Would/should I clay bar it then use the sealer/polish before using the Adam’s kit or can I just go on top of what’s on my truck now? Says to start on top of polish but my paint and all is still in really good looking shape.

 

The recommendation for the polish is not only to make the paint look better but also to remove anything residual left on the paint. Whether that be a dirt film or any of those other products you mentioned you've applied. These will just get in the way of whatever coating you're applying and will hamper the coating bonding to bare paint. You would also want to use a polish that does not leave protection or a sealant behind. To take it a step further it's recommended to use a paint prep spray or isopropyl alcohol wipe to remove any of the oils left behind by whatever polish you use. Don't count on this step to remove the wax or sealant that is left with an "all in one" polish/sealant.

This is usually a requirement for a professional grade multi year coating to qualify for their warranty.

As for the clay, that all depends on if it's contaminated or not. Here is a simple test to check the paint with a plastic baggie:

 

Thanks for the great response. The kit I was looking at does include a prep spray to remove anything left over. I’ll have to pick up a new polish if I decide to go this route. Thanks for the info. Maybe I’ll just stay with what’s on there now and see how that goes. Trying to make sure I keep that metallic black looking good and easier to clean when it needs it.

 

If you’re in doubt as to whether the “prep” spray that comes with the kit actually works, spray some water on the panel and if you see that it is still showing signs of beading, it’s not ready for ceramic. You want all previously used coatings/sealers to be stripped away

 

Any opinions on graphene coating vs ceramic coating on a super white since its single stage paint? I did my wife's car with armor shield but it had clear coat.

 

Don't think there is any advantage on product due to SS or clear. I've not been following graphene that much but I've noticed that it doesn't seem to be better yet than what's already been out. The main claim that seemed promising was less water spotting than ceramic but doesn't seem to be the case. Here is one of my preferred YT channels for info and here is his take comparing it to Cquartz UK which is very much a standard when it comes to DIY coatings.

 

Doesn’t matter. Keep in my super white is not a traditional single stage as it has clear mixed in.

 

Hello all, not sure if this is the right place so please let me know if I have to move this post elsewhere. After installing a new set of rims I have noticed that there is a small chip/flaking in the paint of one of the wheels. While the affected area is extremely small and luckily blends in with the layer below it. I am worried about it getting worse over time. Any recommendations on how to repair this or should I just accept it as it is? Pic below:

 

I would contact the company who you bought the rims from and file a warranty claim. If you try to fix them, you will void that warranty. From what I can see in your picture, the only fix is to repaint the wheel.

 

Turtle wax products best bang for your buck. Ive used their hard shell liquid wax $4 and got better results than the mothers yellow wax. Also, recently tried their Ice seal n shine $9 with amazing results as well. Will try their wheel cleaner next $4. Im not an advance detailer and havent really tried more expensive stuff but so far happy w turtle wax

 

then how can you say best bang for the buck if you haven’t tried any other products? Don’t get me wrong if you like it great. But you haven’t tried anything else to even know.

 

whats out there thats better in turtle wax prices range? I tried mothers wax results not as great.

 

You are not going to find much in that price range. I would recommend Optimum Opti-Seal. Yes, more expensive but you get 32-40 applications per bottle. Certainly easier to apply and remove.

 

I use the optiseal. Good stuff and a little goes a long ways.

 

Hey, so I'm pretty good about washing my truck at least once or twice a month. Every other time I usually rainex my windows and use a few meguires products for interior and exterior plastics and rubbers and such to protect against sun fade and cracking. I always do this after my wash but even though I'm trying to be careful some always gets on the paint windows and metal. I thought about doing this first before washing but was thinking me washing afterwards would just undo what I was trying to accomplish.

Should I wash first then apply products on black door handles, rubber, and other plastics or the other way? Or just be more careful? I use application pads

I tried taking pictures but maybe ill take better ones when sun is out



These are from applying products to the rubber and getting on metal. Its not bad getting the product off the paint but can't seem to get off the metal easily.

1st pic from top to bottom is window, rubber, metal, paint

 

Get some masking tape and tape off around the plastic and rubber. Apply protectant. Remove. Do not use painters tape with edge lock.

A better solution is to use a trim coating like Cquartz Dlux or GTechniq C4. My truck lives outside and I can apply once a year instead of screwing with reapplying after every wash.

 

Cool thanks, I like that better than applying what I use every month or two while using tape. I would hate to tape off every area I use protectant so often. I don't have that much time or patience even though I have a bit of ocd about cleaning


Edit- any one else have input or suggestions?