*Official* Ask A Detailer Thread

I didn't read through this whole thread, but any advice on cleaning the engine bay? Any areas to cover etc?

 

depends on how dirty it is? If its just normal dust/road spray residue, I start early in the morning with everything cold.

Tools:

• assortment of brushes, Harbor freight Paint brushes work well, as do wheel/spoke brushes
• the most milder cleaner possible, I use griots foaming surface wash for everything under the hood
• use as little water and pressure as possible for rinsing. either a steam cleaner, a pressure washer like worx hydroshot, sunjoe cordless, dewalt cordless, or a regular pressure washer but turned off so you are just using the wand with garden hose pressure, you can also make an adapter to connect a PW hose/spraygun to the garden hose.
• Cordless leaf blower or shop vac in reverse for drying

Start with the underside of the hood, let the cleaner dwell for a couple minutes, agitate, rinse, move on. In the engine bay, work small sections, be thorough, and do a quick rinse before moving on.

I do not cover anything but use common sense when rinsing near things like the alternator, electrical connections, ECM, ABS module, and air intake. after a final thorough rinse, blow out as much water as possible, dry painted surfaces thoroughly with a MF damp with QD or a wipe-on/wipe-off spray wax like Megs ultimate quickwax. then leave the hood open and let the sun come up and bake it until it is bone dry. Dress plastics/hoses with 303 or megs ultimate protectant and do it again every 6-12 months depending on how dirty it gets.

 

Seeking advice on how to cover or remove a scratch from a Pro grille.

 

Does the scratch catch your nail?

 

yes

 

If you can catch it with your nail, you will not be able to remove all of it. You might improve the looks some with some polish.

 

If it is an aftermarket pro grille, then it is probably a matte or satin finish, polishing will basically highlit the scratch by making the surrounding area shiny.

 

^^^^ This, and it's too deep. Basically you're looking at paint as your only option.

 

This is an OEM Pro grille. Any idea of paint code?

 

Unfortunately, no. It's going to take one hell of a talented Toyota Parts guy to find you that paint code too. Sorry.

 

If it matches your truck, paint code on the door.

 

Best interior window cleaning solution/cloth? Ive tried so much, and still keep seeing marks/smears inside. Whats the best for cleaning interior glass?

 

I just use Stoners and a microfiber. Try a 2 towel method, one to wipe and clean with, one to dry wipe at the end to make sure all the residue is gone. If you have wax or a film on the window, you might need to wipe it with rubbing alcohol first to remove whatever got on your window (maybe overspray from a dash cleaner).

 

Awesome! Thx!

 

Stoners glass cleaner. I use glass microfiber towels from The Rag Company.

 

Perfect, thx!

 

another vote for stoners here, also, the best way I have found to eliminate streaks and residue with almost no effort is a spray bottle filled with distilled water. After you clean/dry the glass, mist with the Distilled water and use a new MF towel or lint free paper towel to remove the mist and dry the glass. Crystal clear every time without having to put in much effort, even works if the glass is warm/in direct sunlight.

 

I’ll try it, thank you!

 

IGL CERAMIC COATING

has any used this?

The detailer I'm talking to uses this and has quoted me around $1100. That's for a stip wash, a stage one polish (just to clean up paint a bit cuz I'm not to worried about correcting all of the scratches) full clay bar on the entire vehicle then using this ceramic coating. He says it will take him 3-4 days which I'm ok with

This guy has been in the business for over 7 years but has recently started his own business this past year. He seems knowledgeable

Any thought or suggestions on this IGL coating?