Ask the Detailer

Thanks

 

Whats the lowdown on protecting a travel trailer?
We just upgraded our trailer to this guy:



Whats the low down on paint protection? We plan on covering when not in use, but i would like to get some uv protection on there.
I remember hearing that @Ckatz53 was the man for the question?

 

Our go to has always been Meguiar's Flagship, advertised at a season worth of protection. Recently we have been testing Jescar Powerlock as it's a polymer sealant that apparently does better on gel coat/fiberglass substrates. So far so good...can't go wrong with either.

You wanna go big pickup some Undrdog Marine and coat it!

 

have you tried griots 3in1 on a trailer/rv?

 

I haven't. I've tried Meguiar's Hybrid Ceramic and it seems to do fine but haven't seen that RV back in a minute so couldn't give you any idea on durability of a ceramic wax product on those vehicles.

 

Cool thanks!
I've got about 4 bottles of 3 in 1 on the shelf (store was closing and i cleared them out), so i'll probably give that a try.
I did a quick search and griots said its safe for rv/trailers, they just said it needs the 24hr cure time above 50deg in no humidity.

I'm really tempted to get that underdog marine, its steep though

 

Pricey but I've had great results. Worth it!

 

What is a cheaper plastic protectant that lasts more than a couple washings? Someone recommended Ice Spray Wax.

 

a few of us have used and loved cerakote. it's fairly cheap, typically will last about a year or more, can pick up at walmart or Amazon, and is pretty easy to use (assuming you follow directions @War Machine ).
i've used it on 3 different vehicles and loved it! it's suggested in bottom in the "products discussed" box

 

I have used that on my Corolla with limited success. Was a bit splotchy for my taste. Could have been user error.

 

only time i've personally noticed splotchy applications was where i was trying to make a wipe stretch too far. i think tyipcally 1 pack of wipes it says will do a vehicle, maybe 2. i can't remember. again, thats my personal experience.
I dunno if you're sure if all oils were removed from the plastic surface either. i thought i remember someone saying they used some kind of oil based trim shine kinda stuff and didn't do a good job stripping it out/off.
idk though, it may not be for everyone

 

Solution Finish is awesome. It's a dye so be careful.

 

I just used underdog pro on all the black plastic on the FJ and it seems to work very well.

 

Wear rubber gloves

 

That is good advice. I messed up a brand new pedicure using that stuff

 

Need some thoughts on this faded old black trimming around top and trunk. It shines up with a compound and mf applicator pad. Just looking for anything that would make it a speedier process?
Some of its metal, plastic, aluminum.

Does someone make a stiff fucking q-tip with an applicator pad on the end? Lol. They need to

 

Cerakote will work on both the plastic and metal portions. As always, follow directions perfectly and be careful. If you mess it up, it’s going to stay that way indefinitely. No room for error with this product, but if you get it right you’re good for at least a year.

If you want to take a more forgiving approach, Solution Finish or Shine Supply Trim Shield are great for plastic. Other than Cerakote I haven’t found anything that will make faded metal look good again for more than a week at most.

As for applicators, there are products like this, but they are made for dusting or cleaning nooks and crannies in the interior. Not sure if they would be effective applying product or not.

 

Thanks, I thought about solution finish too. Seems like it'd be easier and last longer to just pull these small parts, repaint and clear them... Just trying to help a friend out for a more permanent solution. The front plastic grill vent is the same and it'd take forever to clean and coat.

 

Carpro Dlux. Works well and is easy to work with.

 

I’d go with underdog pro over dlux. I’ve tried both but UDP out performs In every way

 

On black plastic? Good to know. Planning on trying it on my Tundra

 

Glass is still a pain. Spray away works great so does invisible glass. If you need to get rid of water spots.. liquid barkeepers friend and a scotch pad.

 

On the glass topic, Once every year or two I take about a teaspoonful of cornstarch in maybe a cup of water and use it to wash the inside of my windshield (non tinted) seems to polish the crap off that many cleaners don't get. Makes the glass much eaiser to keep clean. Does anybody do this? Any harm being done?

 

I don’t do this but I can’t imagine it causes damage. My favorite glass cleaner for interior is Blackfire glass if it drips on the dash it doesn’t seem to leave marks afterwards

 

My go to is a magic eraser with CarPro eraser on it to clean the inside of the windshield twice a year. Worked great on my wifes new Corolla, (there was some residue on the inside and this removed it with ease!).

 

What polish and pads should I look at for 2 black paint vehicles that have plenty of swirls in the paint? I’ve never done anything more than just wash, claybar, and wax. Currently using honeydew wash and griots 3 in 1 ceramic wax.

 

Try and get some pictures posted up and you're going to get some better replies.
Are you doing it by hand or using a machine?

 

What’s the best stuff to keep my new Clazzios looking good and clean? Never had leather before.

 

Anyone recommend a good detail garage around West Columbia South Carolina