*Official* Ask A Detailer Thread

So I've got full nerd on PH and car soaps this evening. Lots of variables including your water quality. To quote Matt from Obsessed Garage, "The key takeaway here is that just because you have a higher PH doesn't mean it's going to damage your wax or just because you have a low PH doesn't mean that it can't strip your wax..."

The conversation between Matt from Obsessed Garage and Dave Phillips a lead Chemist at P&S Detail starts around 16:30 mark in case anyone else is interested...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVCuIInM_Iw

 

I just want a PW thats relatively cheap, I can foam up the truck and rinse it off so I can get a nice clean. My house has terrible water pressure so I want to get something with a low gallons per minute

I was looking at this: https://www.lowes.com/pd/Greenworks...86976-_-local-_-0-_-0&ds_rl=1286981&gclsrc=ds

Looks like it has a 40 degree nozzle and a soap dispensor. Would this be good to go for washing the vehicles?

 

Check out the Karcher Cube. Home Depot has a sale for $120 down from $170. MTM PF22.2 foam cannons are the bees knees. Both items for about $200...

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Karcher...ViBitBh2KCgUKEAQYAiABEgLw3_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

https://www.mtmhydroparts.com/products/mtm-hydro-pf22-2-foam-cannon-14-7022

You can always add a longer hose and necessary fittings if needed...

https://www.obsessedgarage.com/coll...s/obsessed-garage-3-8-high-pressure-hose-v1-0
https://www.obsessedgarage.com/collections/fittings-and-parts
https://www.obsessedgarage.com/collections/karcher-pressure-washer-accessories

 

What kind of nozzle though, I thought 15 degrees with the kube would be too shallow of an angle for washing a motor vehicle

I just wanna order everything I’d need at once and be done, I assume the soap bottles suck ass from the one I linked

 

Soap dispensers on pressure washers are pretty worthless for car washing. Then again a "proper" foam cannon is too but that's another matter.

 

The narrower the angle the sharper the water point hitting the paint. Don't use anything less than 40 degrees.
I've always used the cheap white 40 degree nozzles with the SGS28 gun; even with my gas 3100 PSI pressure washer. You just have to use common sense and think about what you're spraying. (Likely not a concern with 1700 PSI anyway.) Another alternative is an aqua line nozzle or one from obsessed garage as they have rubber tip surrounds.

Most cheap foam cannons will suffice, but in my experience they only offer one adjustment (fan width and not soap increase/decrease adjustment). I always go full rabies with the foam anyway. I use an older Adam's foam cannon, but will be switching to the MTM PF22.2.

For 1.2 GPM and 1700 PSI a 40 degree 1.84GPM nozzle is the recommended option, but the smallest available is 2.0. You'll lose a tiny bit of PSI but gain a small GPM increase.
https://www.mtmhydroparts.com/pages/nozzle-size-calculator
https://www.mtmhydroparts.com/collections/test-test/products/acqualine-nozzle-guard-size-2-0-40
https://www.obsessedgarage.com/coll...les/products/og-spec-mosmatic-nozzle-assembly

For the MTM PF22.2 foam cannon you'll want the smaller 3.0 orfice (1.1mm) for the best foam results and it's included if you buy here:
https://www.mtmhydroparts.com/collections/foam-cannons/products/mtm-hydro-pf22-2-foam-cannon-14-7022

Obsessed Garage swaps a few of the internals to zinc pieces on the cannon if you buy it from them, but they also take a few extras out of the box that you supposedly don't need anyway. Just make sure to select the 1.1mm orfice if you buy from OG.

Make sure the connector on the cannon is compatible with your hose fittings.
Cheaper foam cannon option...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckztGhjSDqg

 

What can I use to clean and make all the vacuum hoses look new again in the engine bay?

 

Haha went with the cheaper options on everything. It has fit my needs perfectly. Thank you for the rec on the foam cannon. The soap dispenser worked well but the cannon is another level.

 

Glad it worked out. My only gripe about the pf22.2 foam cannon is the size of the bottle opening, but it's still the best on the market in my opinion.

 

oh i went with the video one hahahah

 

So one question I have is when you use an orbital to polish, how often are you changing out the pad like for example if you're polishing? And then how would you recommend to wash the pad when you're done? Thanks!

 

My typical process is to change out pads every couple of panels. Need to watch for the pad clogging up with product as it will slow down the correction process. I currently use a Flex pad washer. Previous to that I would fill up a bucket/sink with a cleaner (usually Dawn) and hand wash the pads.

 

I lightly pressure wash the pads

 

How would a detailer address this issue. My truck was vandalized with spray paint.

 

Start with a wash and clay on the area. Then would move up to a machine polish then compound if needed.

General rule is start with least aggressive method first.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WihpfXxGOBo&t=913s

I don't know if this will help.

 

It should come off if that’s what you’re wondering. Just don’t wait too long. I had a customer who ran over a bottle of orange spray paint in her white GMC Yukon and she didn’t notice it for ever a week. Took 15 hours to get it all off

Be careful and try not to burn through the clear coat

 

There is no clear coat on "super white"

 

bruh I had no idea it was a single stage paint

 

Clay bar wont remove that paint. Use the aerosol version of either Goo Gone of Good Off. Spray it on a rag and simple wipe the paint off. Be careful around any decals or plastic/rubber items. The spray will etch those areas. No sense in working your ass of trying to claybar and polish something if it's not gonna work. It looks like there's only a little on that back decal so maybe you could try the clay bar on that. Otherwise you'll have to replace it. Make sure and wash the truck when you are done though. Both products are supposedly safe for bonded paint so it shouldn't be a problem if you don't wash it....but I would. Why take a chance? I did this one cars during the whole 12 years of having a detailing business. Good luckl!!