Ask the Detailer

I just picked up some Menzerna FG400 compound for some pretty substantial scratches on my black Tundra. I'd prefer not to use this on the whole truck, but instead spot treat the stratches with the compound then polish and seal the whole truck. Any idea if I can get away with this or will the finish look different in the areas where I used the compound?

 

What do you mean by polishing? If you’re talking about an actual polishing product with a DA, you should be fine. That’s what is recommended after using compound anyway. Compound will usually leave a haze in the areas you use it on, so you need to go back over it with a polish.
If I’m interpreting you correctly, it sounds like you’re already going to do that on the whole truck anyway. You may have to spend some extra time in the places you compounded.

 

For cleaner.....soap and water once you seal them.....Sonax Full Effect wheel cleaner prior to that. I've used McKees wheel sealant with success....I redo it every six months. CarPro Dlux is also very good, although the application may be a bit cumbersome on more intricate wheels

 

10-4. So nothing super specific to Matte or Powder Coated wheels as far as sealer? I am going to check with Mckee's but I assume the Paint Coating I have will work on the wheels also.

 

Thx for the response. Yes, I'll be using a DA and another Menzerna polish product for jeweling followed by Powerlock sealant for the whole truck. I just didn't want those spots I used the compound on to look different than the rest of the truck, especially on black paint. I'll give it a shot and see. Thanks!

 

I do not believe so...but double check with Nick and the good folks at McKees

 

Don’t use any acidic wheel cleaners for matte rims!

 

I’m pretty sure you’ll be fine.

 

I searched but didn't find an answer, I used to use the absorber to dry vehicles, I've now switched to microfiber, my question is how do you let it dry after washing vehicles with it? I'm assuming just hang to air dry? Or do you wash and dry them after each use?

 

I wash and dry mine after every use.

 

Same here.

 

Wheel cleaning brush/mit? What do you guys use?

 

I can’t remember exactly which ones I have, but I have on off brand version of these. Thy work great, and I think I paid 20.00 for mine.

Liquid X Original Wheel Woolies Brushes 3 Piece Kit - Includes Angled Caliper Spoke Brush - USA Made - Black - New & Improved

$70 Liquid X Original Wheel Woolies Brushes 3 Piece Kit - Includes Angled Caliper Spoke Brush - USA Made - Black - New & Improved

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0779HTLD7/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_Bo7oDbR1J1P4Q

 

https://carproforum.com/showthread.php?5214-Merlin-s-Majic-Elixer-The-secret-formula-divulged!

 

As others have aid, wash and dry after use. I wash with All Free and Clear, add an extra rinse at the end. Tumble dry on air only, and then hang to allow them to dry completely. If you want to use the best drying towel in the market, pick yourself up a Griots PFM. You can get the smaller size (16x16) at Pep Boys.

 

Griots pure freakin magic towels are amazing like stated above.

I wash all my microfiber separately, with a little all free and clear detergent, some griots MF detergent and sometimes white vinegar. I set a hot water soak, then cold extra rise, and extra spin to get really dry in the washer. tumble dry after cleaning the lint trap well, with no heat and no dryer sheets. Air dry is fine too but I'd need a long line when I wash 20+ towels at a time lol.
My next MF detergent will be 3D Kleen, its $19 a Gallon at detailedimage and gets great reviews. For now I like the griots MF and foam pad cleaner just fine. well worth the investment. They all work as good as new. Treat them right and they will treat you right, they aren't cheap so take good care of them.

 

Has anyone used either of the chemical guys drying towels? They are just a bit cheaper. Just curious

 

Which one are you looking at? Not drying towels, but these are great all around towels for washing and applying sealant:


Chemical Guys MIC_506_12 Professional Grade Premium Microfiber Towels, Gold (16 in. x 16 in.) (Pack of 12)

$35 Chemical Guys MIC_506_12 Professional Grade Premium Microfiber Towels, Gold (16" x 16") (Pack of 12) - Safe for Car Wash, Home Cleaning & Pet Drying Cloths

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00A8MZ7IA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_O0YpDbVG382WS

 

Yes I love those. I was referring to these two.

$11 Chemical Guys MIC_781_01 Waffle Weave Gray Matter 70/30 Blend Microfiber Drying Towel with Silk Edging, 25" x 36"

https://www.amazon.com/Chemical-Guy...ing+towels&qid=1564421741&s=automotive&sr=1-6

$30 Chemical Guys MIC_1995 Woolly Mammoth Microfiber Dryer Towel, 25" x 36", Gray

https://www.amazon.com/Chemical-Guy...ing+towels&qid=1564421772&s=automotive&sr=1-8

 

Haven’t tried those, but that’s a great price for that size.

 

I started with the Chemical Guys waffle weave towels, and they're okay, but no where near as good as the Griots PFM. One towel that does come reasonably close is the Twistress from the Rag company...I think a better value than the CG Waffle weave

 

Griots pfm is the best I wouldn't mess with CG towels. TRC double twistress is a solid towel too, not as good as the griots but good. I have 3 of them lol and 2 griots. I haven't been impressed with any CG towels I have tried to be honest

 

I have a few of these and they do a good job for the money.

Chemical Guys MIC_721 Miracle Dryer Absorber Premium Microfiber Towel, Gold (25 in. x 36 in.)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001TZBQ0S/ref=ox_sc_act_title_6?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

 

Just drove home from the grocery store thru a freaking tsunami. I love the beading from carpros products. This is hydro2 that I recently wiped down with ech2o, ech2o doesnt get the love of deserves. It's such a versatile product. Can be diluted for a waterless wash, rinsless wash, quick detailer, clay lube. And it does contain sio2 even without adding reload to the mix, so whenever you use it you are adding protection and great shine.

 

Yes, it’s perfectly fine. I have three different brands I use, and I honestly don’t see any difference. Shine Supply Micro Clean is a better value at $24.00 per gallon, and Micro Restore is what The Rag Company recommends for their towels, but really I don’t see where any is better than the other as far as performance goes.

 

I just use what's on sale. The CG seems to be 2-3 times what other cost. 3D kleen is the best value at under 20 a gallon

 

Main thing to remember is don’t use fabric softener when drying. It’ll mess the towels up.

 

I got sucked into an autogeek sale yesterday. 25%, free shipping, bogo stuff. Ended up getting BOGO Wolfgang MF restore wash to try, a bunch of stoner tarminator(which is one of my favorite new items I tried recently), new hydro2 bottle which was on sale plus 25% off, new MF towels plus some free towels, and more eraser. But I needed more hydro2 anyway and I got all that and more for about $10 more than what 500ml of hydro2 usually costs so it works out.

 

Almost pulled the trigger yesterday too...the microfiber BOGO really didn't have anything I wanted/needed.....so I passed...seems like they're having lots of sales these days

 

Yeah AG seems to have a new sale every day or 2 and detailedimage does their sales for 3-4 days at a time. It's rare that you would find a day that at least one of the 2 doesnt have some kind of sale. I try to do the BOGO or free shipping deals when I need stuff. I'm fairly well stocked up for now....