*Official* Ask A Detailer Thread

I've always heard good things when it's brought up for a lesser expensive pro grade coating. I know Apex Detailing on Youtube referenced it a lot in the past as he used it for his customers but I believe he's said he stocks a few different coatings as they all have slightly different offerings. Pretty sure IGL has more than one as well. IIRC Kenzo is the name of their pro coating.

Obviously price is going to vary by location but for SE US where I am that doesn't seem bad at all. Obviously he's just going over the paint with the polisher more or less to strip down and clean the paint which should be required for a pro coating warranty. Correction work is where the high dollar labor comes in and could easily push $1100 just for polishing. Smart on the 3-4 days, sounds like he's going to make sure it cures properly before handing it back.

 

Haven't used it, but it looks promising after checking it out online. If your detailer is used to working with a specific product and has experience that can be beneficial and more cost effective for you. Here are a few other choices:
https://theragcompany.com/collections/coatings

 

Cool, thanks for the info. I figured that it was and sounded like a fair price. He is a new business owner and has answers and pictures/videos to back up

 

IGL makes some very good products. I don't find an IGL product named "Ceramic Coating". Yes I know, IGL does make at least one ceramic coating. See the IGL Ecocoat and IGL Kenzo lines. Without knowing which product he will be using, it's going to be hard to make a judgement. Go watch the YouTube videos by "ScottHD".

 

I contacted the detailer because I was a bit confused myself. I guess it is more silica graphene reinforced coating. He carries the whole line of IGL coating but said he would be using the KENZO product on mine for the 1100 dollar quote. Located in NC.

I'm mainly thinking about getting this done for paint protection. My truck could be sitting for 4-6 weeks at a time sometimes. I have 2 places I can park. One is in direct sunlight all day with leaves and sap. The other is in the shade under trees that put out alot of leaves, sap and smaller limbs... well I'm sure you get the point. It is the newest vehicle I've owned by far and just want to partially take care of it since I am sometimes away for up to 2 months at a time.

He says it should be a 5 year coating, again taking 3-4 days on the application process

Pictures for reference. Thanks for the comments






Edit.. BTW- it's for my 2015 metallic grey with a midnight black metallic camper shell

 

If you are going to need to leave it outside for weeks at a time, invest in a good car (truck) cover.

 

I have one. It helps with keeping leaves off of the truck but once moisture get under it the truck stays super damp. If I had someone that could pull off the cover and let it dry every now and then that would be OK but I don't. I've found the cover is only good if you're taking it off every few days

 

There is no doubt the sun is constantly eating into the finish is going to slowly wear away at it. But I'm convinced that parking under trees can be much worse with the various season changes and all the creatures dwelling in it dropping shit down onto the truck. Probably varies on tree species though.

 

Always been curious: So, we put protectant or dressing on the exterior plastics for gloss and protection. BUT do you do that on the rubber as well like around the doors, windows etc? I always wondered well its rubber and can fade and crack like anything else so makes sense to me. But curious if others do this

 

Yes, well I do anyway. I recommend Mother's VLR (vinyl, leather, rubber) for the weatherstripping.
https://mothers.com/products/vlr-vinyl-leather-rubber-care-06524

P&S Detailing products makes a couple of products, but I've never used them.
https://theragcompany.com/collectio...tection/products/ps-detail-products-shine-all
https://theragcompany.com/collectio...detail-products-dynamic-dressing-ready-to-use

For outside plastics and trim (bed, fender flares, bumpers, mud flaps) I've been using Jay Leno's Tire and Trim Care. It's cheaper at Walmart than buying from Leno's Garage. https://www.lenosgarage.com

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Jay-Leno...VrSGtBh1RFAWlEAQYAyABEgJC7PD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

Cool thanks for the suggestions. I have always used 303 aerospace protectant.. supposed to be good idk. Not super high gloss but provides the protection

 

If you want long lasting protection on exterior plastics and rubber trim, try using Cerakoat Trim Coat. It's a bit pricey, but it's advertised to last for 200 washes. It's an actual coating, not a dressing.

It comes in individually wrapped foil packets (10 packets per box) with one one wipe per packet. Just open the packet, pull out the wipe, and wipe on the treatment. It's super easy to do. Cleaning the surfaces prior to applying it important. The entire process took me about 45 minutes on my 2008 Sport 4x4, and the results are excellent. Dark black trim, and the water beading is outstanding.

 

Awesome will def check that out!

 

New to actively caring about how my vehicle looks, had a 2003 camry forever before finally being able to comfortably afford the tacoma. I've had it for about 6 weeks and well.. I hit a plastic rod thing that people put up for when it snows and I have a little white scratch bit that I think should just polish out.

Any recommends on what to get to fix it? I used to use the spray on turtle wax for the camry and call it a day after a wash. Lost all my prior cleaning products so not sure what the best stuff is but would prefer to use that over the random whatever was in the garage stuff I had before. General suggestions beyond the problem spot would be happily received

 

Sorry dont mean to spam but I also put clazzio's on my seats - what should I use to protect them? I got a dog hammock usually up on the back for the two pups (corgi and an aussie cattledog/boxer mix)

 

Depends which ones you got. SOme are vinly, some are all leather, some are a combo of both.

 

I got the one thats the combo of both, leather middle bits and vinyl on the sides

 

303 is really good. Haven't used it personally, but I'm aware of the high uv protection and matte finish it's famous for.

I like this one as it's not too greasy. If you're worried about scratches or holes from dog toenails just put an old towel or comforter down.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Jay-Leno...VJj2tBh1yYAvQEAQYAiABEgKArPD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

OP thanks for this thread.
Got a question on clay . Someone gave me a Mequiar’s clay kit with two bars. One white . One yellow. Is on courser than the other? I can’t tell . Here’s a pic

 

The yellow clay bar is a mother's clay bar and the white is meguiars. They probably had one from each clay bar kit and combined them. I like the mother's clay bars (yellow) a little more, but they're both good and very similar in cleaning abilities.