Chemical Guys Results

Thanks for the product suggestions.

I bought my truck new in May '17. only about 16k miles on it. A few long trips, but out side of that probably do around 600mi/mo
I take decent care of it - washing regularly as weather allows. Usually a few time a month except in the winter when it's constantly raining. all by hand, never automatic car wash (except, I think the dealer uses an automatic car wash when I take it in for reg maintenance..) In any case I havent noticed any swirl marks or anything that would require paint correction.
Also, it lives outside (not garaged).

Hand wash process:
Pressure wash with 1600psi holding it a few feet back. I go over the whole truck once top to bottom, spending a little extra time on areas with obvious gunk (usually the front end bugs).
I used the foam accessory with some walmart pressure washer car wash soap, but it's not all that great so I switched to using a bucket with Mr. Pink.
Using a

Chemical Guys - MIC415 MIC405 Microfiber Premium Scratch-Free Wash Pad (Chenille)

microfiber mit, I do a section of the car at a time, rinsing again with the pressure washer, scrubbing with soap, and then rinse the soap completely off.
Once the car is completely washed I'll run around again with the pressure washer then dry it with a extra large microfiber towel (bath towel sized).
I dont wash the wheels every time (usually run out of time...) but when I do I wash those last.
The water is usually still fairly clear when I get done with the body. Probably a combination of the high pressure rinse and not going too long between washes.
Usually only takes about 30-45 minutes, 45-60 if you want to include setup and take down.

These products you guys recommended suggest clay bar first. I've never clay bared a vehicle, but it appears to take several hours. If that's the case I think I'll have to take it to the pros as I'm not sure I can take 4 hours of uninterpreted time to clean the vehicle (wash, clay bar, wax) :\
Maybe I can swing it if it's a once a year thing, but I dont think I'm that lucky lol
Ceramic coating may be the way to go... it's expensive, but at least it should last 5+ years, right?

 

During your wash process, if you're using a single wash mitt, I'd recommend the 'two bucket method'....lots of Youtube videos out there showing it. Basically, you have one wash bucket and one rinse bucket, each with a Grit Guard (or similar) in them. I've gotten away from it, and now use a single bucket, switching (frequently) to a clean mitt. Yes, I need several mitts, but I feel like it mitigates the potential for me to mar the paint while washing. For the record, I do the wheels and tires first. Keep in mind, if your dealer washes your car at an automatic wash, there's a really good chance that your paint will get swirled. Even if it's touchless, the soaps that they use are not Ph-balanced, and will degrade any protection (wax) currently on it.

Claying a vehicle is not rocket science, and will not take hours, even on a Tundra. I can clay mine in about 30 minutes, and I really only do it once a year, maybe twice. The down side to claying is that it's generally recommended to polish afterwards, since clay is an abrasive, and can cause some (minimal) marring of the paint.

Ceramics are all the rage, and durability claims and/or warranties vary by manufacturer. You will likely pay some serious coin to have one done professionally, but if you're not really into the detailing side of this, it could be the way to go for you.

 

Thanks for the reply!

30 min isn’t all that bad for claybaring. Maybe I’ll order the stuff for next week.

After I wash next time I’ll pay extra attention and check for swirling.

I wash pretty much top to bottom: starting with the top of the truck, back window and windshield. Drivers side of the truck then the passenger. The around the box. Finally the hood and front 1/4 of the truck.

Why would you start with the wheels? Seems like starting with the dirtiest part of the truck would be counter productive. I also use a mf rag and detailing brushes for the rims and tires - not the mit I wash the body with.

I’m going to go spend more time in the detailing section... lol

 

What do you recommend to get the bugs off? Is there something to put down to help with the ease of getting them off as well?

 

Bounce sheets and water. Nothing better. Cheap and easy.

 

Kenotek Anti Insect or Poor Boys Bug Squash

 

Few weeks back I purchased fine clay eraser mitt by CG. I purchased it hoping it would take off tar from the recent road work. Well I got a bit excited and used to little lube and mard the paint a bit. Next pass use more lube and noticed it was not taking off tar spec. What are you guys using to take off tar? Haven't found the right product.
I did read you can use heavy soap with clay eraser mitt instead of lube not sure if that a good idea? Wondering if I should have gotten the extra fine for my paint. I am afraid if I use it on my whole truck I will mar the pait here and there. Need to be careful with this mitt. Clay bar seems to be a bit safer. Think a medium clay bar will take tar off, and not be so harsh on my newer paint? Really getting into this detailing.

 

Stoners Tarminator

 

I use turtlewax bug and tar remover before I clay bar. It is extra elbow work but I feel it helps remove a good bit of tar which equals less little scratches from using the clay bar.

I will always polish with my DA random orbital buffer and wax after I clay bar, it removes all the little scratches from the clay bar.

 

Our roads are a mess. Those tar & chipped roads are no good for those OCD about their paint.

 

That's awesome. For some reason this type truck comes to mind for those dirt roads...

 

Haha I bet!

 

Anyone use Mr. Pink in there foam cannon? I just bought some honey dew foam for the cannon and it works great! I need to use up the rest of Mr. Pink. Mr. Pink work just as well as honey dew foam in foam cannon?

 

Mr Pink was where I started...decent soap, but Honeydew was better....much better out of the foam cannon

 

Unless you plan on using the power washer for other, more heavy duty pursuits, an electric will work fine with a foam cannon. I have a SunJoe, and both an Amazon (20.00) foam cannon and an MTM PF22 foam cannon....very pleased with the performance of both.

 

$100 kärcher Electric washer and $20 Amazon MATCC gun gets the job done very well, I don't even use soaps meant for a cannon. I use chem guys maxisuds2 in the gun, then carpro reset in the buckets. I hear reset doesn't foam well.
The key is fill your cannon vessel with hot water almost to the top, then add a couple ounces of soap and play with the settings til you get it right. The foam really does lift and release a lot of junk. I would imagine with a ceramic coating you could get away with rinse, foam, power wash now and then and be totally hands off your paint.
I like to foam the frame and undercarriage now and then with dawn, then power wash it off

 

Lol...that conversation could have ended like this.

 

Which model kärcher do you have? I have the MATCC cannon and want to make sure it’ll fit the washer.

 

I think its called a K2 , I bought an the matcc gun with the karcher adapter from Amazon. I think they sell guns to fit various models

 

Anyone deal with chemical guys customer service. Made a order about two weeks ago of a few things. Arrived in a timely manner, only issue was that the mr. Pink had leaked in the box. Didn't affect anything except for a PITA un box ( having to wash every bottle) and that about 1/4 of the mr. Pink had leaked out. Sent a e-mail with pictures right away but haven't gotten a response back. Not like it really affected much ( still enough soap to make it till next summer), but no response or even acknowledgement that it happened is a little disturbing. Like their products but this definitely puts a bad taste in my mouth.

 

I had something break in shipping once. They were very fast on getting a new one out for me. So I was very happy with the service.

 

Chemical Guys customer service is not the best.....that's why I stopped buying directly from them. When I get their stuff, it's either through Amazon or Autogeek. As a side note, I really use very little from them anymore, there are better options out there

 

I'll give it to the end of the week . That will be over 10 days since the first email. I do believe that I may start looking for my detailing supplies somewhere else. not like 2$ worth of soap is a big deal or anything, But the lack of a response is. To many companies want my business, so I will look there.

 

Almost every detailing product company has exceptional customer service. CG and Dallas Paint Correction are the only ones I’ve heard bad reviews on. Pretty much every one of their competitors would apologize and fix your issue immediately.
I’ve had the same issue with CG soap leaking in the package, but I bought it through Amazon. They refunded me within minutes.

 

Heck, I think the apology is more of the issue than 2$ worth of soap. First time I have ordered from them directly and it will probably be the last. Not the kind of impression I would want to make to a first time customer that does a lot of detailing.

 

I would recommend calling them. They took care of my issue quickly and send replacement items. I've never had an issue with them taking care of damaged products.

 

FWIW worth I had an issue/email out t them with no response.

Also, I had a product leak from Amazon (CG product). Amazon was kind of a pain in the arse. I would have to send back the leaked bottle. They were gonna send a replacement, Bill me and then credit upon the return. Technically not a problem but not worth the hassle. Other issues with amazon (not many) generally resulted in a replacement at n/c. Not that time.

 

I'm curious why people email over taking a minute to call these companies that have people to help. Much faster in my opinion with better results. And when I hear I don't have time for that I really doubt that. But the same people will spend 10 minutes writing a bad review.

 

I like e-mailing because it gives them time to figure out the issue. Instead of dealing with three different people on the phone at once, they can work each issue. Not that I needed them to solve the issue immediately, I expect they ARE busy. but I would expect some type of response within a day or two. Emailing also allows them to see the attached pictures.