Show off that REFLECTION.

Oh, woe is me. After a day of washing and waxing and rubbing and shining and singing along with Lou Rawls on a 30 year old album, I discovered a dirty hidden secret of the forum. For the first time I’m seeing scratches, swirls, and other paint imperfections. Now I have to go through and read all this stuff again to know what to do next.

 

It's something that started very simple then turned into something I enjoy. It can get carried away. I NEVER would have thought I'd ceramic coat my own vehicle, but did my wife's van a few months back. Any questions ask away. People in here have very good knowledge and are willing to share

 

Hoping to get some good detailing work in today. Finally got some food weather. I was going to put some Powerlock on, but came across this old pic where I used Cherry Silica. Might go that route now.

 

Sweeeeeet!!! Looking great Jason!

 

And now you have reached the fail safe point.......

 

Interesting dilemma.....sounds like an opportunity for some experimentation with stacking?

 

Nice enough weather here in Indy to finally give the tundra a good inside out cleaning! Now it just needs to warm up a bit more for camping!

 

FINALLY got to wash her after about 4 weeks I think. Paint isnt looking thr greatest but can still get s decent reflection

 

Looking great Andy!

 

Painted yesterday, should be cut and buffed in a day or so. Just had to show it off

 

Original plan was to do Powerlock and top with Waxaddict Vortex the next day. Considering I just put Powerlock on it in early December, I just went with the Cherry Silica Wax. Turned out well. I didn’t get any pics though. The Pearl doesn’t make for good reflection shots unfortunately.

 

Not a reflection yet, but finally a 60 degree and sunny day here in garbage weather Maryland. Going to knock all three of our cars out today.

 

Getting the same weather in south jersey for the next couple of days...trying to line up a couple customers

 

I went from maybe one job every two weeks to booked out until April soon as warmer weather showed face.

 

Two of the three done. I've made a grievous error and ran out of beer. So while the truck finishes "dripping" off in the garage, I need to go grab a 6 pack! Coming back to Powerlock + Collinite it. Priorities first though...

 

My man. Glad to see ur back at it.

 

Never quit! Just don't want to bore the forum with mom and pop regular details! Winter time is slow but gave me time for fun projects with the truck and car.

 

I'm gonna upload twice because f it. Powerlock down and it hits HARD. Collinite 845 in 3 hours.

 

I had read references to your comments (I am new to the forum) so I’m glad to be catching up in real time. Some of us are not bored at all. There are some top shelf guys contributing to these discussions and I have learned more in a few months of reading than I would have learned in years of doing it on my own. My wife thinks some damaged brain cells from the 60’s/70’s are coming home to roost. I have washed my truck 4 times in the last 7 days (I have a few experiments going on.) This forum has set the bar pretty high for the neighborhood, I thinks some are getting ready to volunteer their trucks for me to practice on

 

Love to read this. I find this is one of the most helpful detail forums around.

 

All our wives think we are nuts btw

 

Glad to hear it! Experiments are always good. That's actually what I'm doing now. All three of our cars have different products on them and I'm testing longevity and durability of all of them. It's the only reason I don't ceramic coat our cars...I like to test new products. I've never had Powerlock + Collinite on such a bland color (Cement) and never truly tested its durability so I'm giving it a whirl.

This is one of the best subforums around for detailing with knowledge. There's quite a few folks who have have doing this for years/decades longer than me and can offer their knowledge and experience (way better than knowledge in my opinion when it comes to detailing). Glad to see ya following along.

 

Yeah the garage lighting helps with these types of shots...but I'm always amazed by this combo. Washed, clay mitt used on some stubborn grime, Powerlock, then Collinite 845. Wheel wells dressed (as well as tires), all trim/badging/tonneau cover cleaned with Meguiars M40, protected with Aerospace 303, steps hit with Mother's Back to Black, wheels coated with Poor Boys, and windows hit with wheel acid and cleaned waterspot free.

 

Looks great brother! I’ve long said that Powerlock seems to do the best job of making bland colors look good. It’s been my go to on MGM for a long time.

Question: How much difference do you think adding Collinite does? I know Powerlock and Collinite is probably the most popular combo among detailers. I’ve done it, and feel like Powerlock looks great on its own. I just never saw enough improvement to justify the effort, especially since both products are on the more labor intensive side.

 

On this color? It made no real difference lol. Cement is so bland. I've used the combo on a dark Metallic Blue Mazda 3 before and it definitely added depth to the color. More contrast in the body lines and fender curves. I'd say more vibrant colors or colors with Metallic properties and darker get the most benefit from collinite.

I just did it on here (expecting collinite not to do much) to confirm it wouldn't change the look at all. Doesn't hurt to have a bit more protection on it, albeit the diminishing returns and likelihood it will degrade in about two weeks since Powerlock is the base and such a solid sealant.

I found the best is to use Powerlock and guarantee you can seclude the vehicle under cover for 24 hours to allow a proper cure and it'll last a very long time. I didn't pull the truck out until this morning. Follow up 3 hours after the initial application with whatever topper you want if you'd like and let it sit overnight.

 

Quotes like this make me jealous. My Tundra won’t fit in my 1959 garage (3 stinkin’ inches too long.)
In my next life I’ll swap out being so debonair and have a deep 5 car garage, complete with rom for detailing and one bay for a 1950’s something that has about 5 different colors on it.

 

Plenty of room to spare!