Ask the Detailer

This thread never took off like I hoped, but a few guys shared their go-to’s here. (May not be completely up to date)

https://www.tundras.com/threads/show-me-your-kits-for-detailing.27260/

 

Thanks for some more reading info!

 

I use this.

https://www.carpro-us.com/interior/carpro-inside-cleaner-concentrate-500ml-17oz/

 

I just got some shine supply interior clean and shine and I like it a lot, the one step is nice. Prior to getting that I have always used aerospace 303 for my interior and I will continue to use it now and then. I actually use it as a one step clean and protect, but if an area was heavily soiled or dirty I used either soap and water or a very diluted simple green solution. But I feel the 303 works well as a one step clean and shine product for most of the interior, it's usually just dusty and not dirty. I also use it on my leather (and lexol a couple times a year) 303 works well and is cheap, I bought a gallon of it a couple years ago, was the first real interior detailing product I think I got.
I tried Jason's idea of using the wet beadmaker towel on the interior and that works great. So I will keep doing that on day so apply beadmaker.
I use waxaddict tyre on my exterior plastic when I wanna shine them up, but recently got some carpro perl which may replace that, we will see.

 

Box from autogeek was sitting on my steps when I got home. Forgot I had ordered something. Still dont recall ordering but I did. New lake country backing plate (also got one last week from Amazon, no idea why in ordered this one. Oh well now I have 2), 3 low pile MF towels, i prefer the low pile over the big fluffy ones. they just seem to work better, leave less haze, easier to level and remove product. A second rag company double twistress, I LOVE these towels. And finally have a griots PMF drying towel, I kinda remember ordering this from their clearance section and i have always wanted to try one.
So now I have everything I will ever need and I won't be ordering anything for a long time.....

 

Maybe just combine them. I'll start.

Here's my kit.

 

Love Autogeek. Great company. Anybody tried carpro Reload? Gonna pass on a coating and go with a sealant. It’s either reload or Wolfgang gloss sealant. Wolfgang products are a amazing. Their exterior trim sealant is the best in the biz.

 

A lot of us use reload. I love it. I have used it in late October/early November and it lasts me through the winter until I can get some decent weather in spring. I live in CT and we get a lot of snow, slush, and the roads are heavily treated with salt and chemicals. I truly believe it lasts about 4 months in harsh conditions. I found it to work best after a full decon with IronX, clay, and polish. I know its supposed to used as a topper for coatings but it truly is a great stand alone last step paint protection.

 

Took a picture after she left for work. My CarPro. Very happy with the products from them. Far right is the Merlin mix. I received reload and echo2 samples so I mixed them up.

 

I'm loving Perl. Used it 1:1 on my tires and it worked great. Going to try it on my interior and trim soon.

 

Beautiful arsenals!

 

Reload is my favorite all around sealant. Beadmaker has more gloss, but much less longevity.

 

Wow. I just found this in my basement while cleaning out some crap. Gonna test it out. No idea where it came from

 

Nice find!

 

I have been noticing these grills on the new lexus models. They have this massive hourglass shape with a really intricate web of a grill. I don’t own one, but prob never would since it looks like it would take all day just to clean the grill. Anyone have any experience with that?

 

Nope...no experience with it. But I've thought the same thing when looking at the new '18+ honeycomb grill on the Tundra.
There's times I think they look good, but I would hate to have to detail that damn thing....hell, even to wash it...

 

What is it?

 

https://www.carpro-us.com/brushes-bottles-applicator/carpro-plush-microfiber-gloves-qty-2/

 

Tiny little detailing attachments for vacuum. Worked out really well for the console area, cup holders, dash, vents and all the tight areas. Hard to tell the scale by the pic, but those grey tubes are about as big as my fingers. You connect the step down adapter to the end of vacuum hose, then theres a 2 foot length of 1/2" tubing that you connect the tiny little brushed and pieces to.

 

Need to look into one of those.

 

If it helps your search, it appears it came with my shark vacuum. But the step down adapter fits perfect in my ridgid shop vac hose.

 

A few, simple questions:

1) Is there a SIGNIFICANT advantage of using a spray-on, foaming soap, like P&S Pearl Auto Shampoo with a IK Foam 9 sprayer, PRIOR to washing? [I am thinking of starting to do this, never have before.]

2) The purpose of the two-bucket method with the microfiber mitts is to keep from scratching/swirling your paint, right?

3) What is the difference between something like P&S Beadmaker and Optimum Instant Detailer?

 

1) If there is a good bit of caked on dirt and mud, it is pretty helpful and necessary. You want to get as much of that off as possible before making physical contact with your paint.

2) Yes.

3) Instant detailer is for cleaning light dirt and dust from a vehicle. Some leave some minor gloss and protection, but it’s mostly made for cleaning the paint. Beadmaker is a sealant. It’s designed to protect your paint, not clean it. It is a final step for after the vehicle is clean.

 

WM and Pudge are the go-tos for SURE here. Ill never claim to know as much as them but ill say this shit:

I am totally unimpressed with foam cannons. A good pressure washer removes more surface dirt than suds that sit on the car and run off. I have never seen an advantage to a foam cannon other than being able to cover your whole car in suds.

I dont know how many times i have used one, and when i rinsed the foam off for washing, the same surface stains (not dirt) are still there. useless....

Other than ceramic - the best investment a detailer can make period is a DI water system.

just my 2
,

 

I feel like it is good for a pre rinse when there’s a lot of caked on mud. It’s never my main wash, I always follow up with a normal routine.

 

Not yet. It's a little cheaper and they day easy to apply. But I kinda figure if you are doing all the prep work to coat a car, you might as well use a ceramic that'll last longer.
I bought dallas paint correction ceramic coating called shield for $39 to try out. But it, like cquartz lite only lasts a year or 2. so I'm considering buying real cquartz to use since I'm doing all the prep. If I can get 99% correction done I will get the real stuff, if it's not perfect I'll try the DPC shield

 

You’ve clearly been using the wrong equipment.

https://youtu.be/kkxqv_IyI24

 

This is pretty great.

Crumby Mini Vaccuum

Crumby Mini Vaccuum (Original Version)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FIL4DJ4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_UUmeDb3FZB961

 

I have the same issues with no place to detail inside. You just do the best you can. Try to do it early morning, or late evening. ONR and Ech20 are very helpful.

You’re not likely to make anything worse with a DA. They’re pretty dummy proof. Depending on buddy, you can get one at Harbor Freight for around sixty bucks, or a Griots one from Amazon or AutoGeek for $125.00.

Lake Country pads are generally the best. There’s a lot of good options for compounds and polishes.

In the meantime, paint decontamination can make a huge difference, and there’s plenty of good sealants we can recommend based on budget and how much effort you want to put in.

 

#IHAVEABONER