Ask the Detailer

Fresh paint needs to cure for about 3-4 weeks before applying wax, sealant or coating.

"In an effort to explain to their customers why paint manufacturers recommend waiting for at least 30 days to pass before applying a coating of wax or a paint sealant, the painter can,

• 1. Try to explain the outgassing process over and over again throughout their career.
  2. Use a simple analogy that the average person can understand without challenging the painter's judgment or expertise.

My personal guess is the second option.

If the simple analogy works, it will accomplish the painter's goal and allow the painter to get back to work, not spend his time explaining the painting process to each customer as they pick up their car. The goal, of course, is to prevent the customer from sealing the paint with some type of wax or paint sealant until the paint has completely dried and the out-gassing process is completely over."

That actual application of a quality ceramic coating is 1-3 hours (or more if shortwave IR lights are used to cure the coating).
This does not include the prep time (yes, you will still need to polish a freshly painted vehicle 1st)

 

Thanks Mike! That's kind of what I thought about the new paint. I just wasn't sure about the total cure time. So best thing wait a month and then take it to the detailer, got it.
Should I look for a shop, that uses the short wave IR light?

 

I removed some old cracking and fading pinstripes on a black truck, how do you or what can you do to get rid of the "shadowing pinstripes"?

 

It’s usually just glue residue. Goo Gone works pretty well.

 

Fresh paint should be cured and outgassed by a months time.

The shortwave IR light is used for cooking/curing/hardening ceramic coatings.
If you are getting it polished and waxed or a sealant applied then it is not needed.
What ceramic coating are you thinking about having applied/installed?

 

Thanks! I am leaning towards the ceramic coating.

 

What ceramic coating are you thinking about having applied/installed?

 

I haven't made it that far yet. I'm on the other side of the world and my truck is still in the body shop.
Do you have a few recommendations? I dont even know who does it in Colorado Springs yet.

 

I know of someone in Denver but they are an hour and a half away.

 

I appreciate the input. When I am closer to going I will start looking and asking more questions. The good thing is, I will have some time to research. Thanks again, Mike.

 

Ive been using techsine and really like the result. I want to polish the paint. What would be the safest product you recomend?

 

Been raining here on and off for over 2 weeks. I'm dying for a decent day to wash my truck and get a coat of P&S bead maker on it.

 

https://loiter.co/i/save-water-by-washing-your-car-during-a-hurricane/

 

I need a little guidance. I neglected my wheels longer than I should have. I would like to clean them thoroughly before winter hits. What is a good wheel cleaner that won't destroy the finish on my Pro wheels? I realize I will have to employ a little elbow grease, but should I use an Iron decontaminator too or just a wheel cleaner, some soap and water and a wax?

 

Thanks Jim! I was supposed to attend that meet up but the selling of my house messed it all up. I'll give the p21 a shot.

 

I spent an hour with a Meguiars clay bar and spray detail stuff and this is what I got (afterwashing). I feel like this paint need a lot of help. Any further recommendations to help along?

 

Hard to tell from the picture. Are you unhappy with the result?

 

I’m not unhappy, just never claybared something before. This truck is especially faded on the hood and was wondering if I was taking the right route.

 

Outside of machine polishing, the clay bar is probably going to be your best bet.

 

what clay bar is the best? just bought my truck a few months ago and need to clay bar and wax next weekend

 

I use a Nanoskin mitt. A little pricey, but much easier and faster. Also reusable.

Nanoskin (AS-016) AutoScrub Fine Grade Wash Mitt

$43 Nanoskin AUTOSCRUB Fine Grade Wash Mitt,Weft Knitted Microfiber [AS-016] Blue, 6" x 8.7"

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DOS0LH2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_yUH1Bb642W1PB

 

What is the procedure with that ? Do you use anything with it ? Then wax afterwards ? What wax do you recommend?

 

My procedure:

Wash truck.
Decontaminate with Iron X.
Use Nanoskin mitt. Just spray some detail spray over an area, rub with the mitt until it feels smooth.
Wash again.

I then apply a sealant or two. Wax doesn’t protect as well or last as long as sealants do.

As for sealants, there are plenty of good ones. The best aren’t generally available in retail stores. Amazon or detailing supply sites have the good stuff. Depending on time and budget, I have several favorites:

Best combo I’ve used so far is Carpro Hydro2, followed by P&S Beadmaker. These can both be had on Amazon. Gyeon Wetcoat can be used in place of Hydro2. It’s cheaper, but doesn’t go as far.

If you only want to use one product, I’d go with Carpro Reload, or Jescar Powerlock.

GTechniq C2V3 liquid crystal is also a very good product.

You really can’t go wrong with any of these. Beadmaker provides the best shine and slickness, but isn’t as effective as a stand alone in my opinion.

 

As an option to Powerlock, consider McKees HiDef sealant....stupid slick and uber glossy.....with excellent protection. I have a Griots Garage (fine) clay mitt, and also have their detailing clay, which I've found to be on the mild side. My process is very similar to that of War Machine's.....I do occasionally add in a polishing step (after the clay bar), to take care of any micro-marring I might have caused. I just tried new HD One to take care of some existing scratches, and it worked well on my (very soft) 2013 clear coat.

 

I have tried a few McKees products, and just haven’t loved any of them. Nothing wrong with them, I just have others I like better. I know a lot of people swear by them, but I guess they just aren’t for me. That’s the cool thing about the hobby. Tons of great options, and everyone manages to find a line that fits them better.

For example, almost everyone recommends Collinite on top of Powerlock, and I don’t like the combo. I think Powerlock looks better on its own.

 

well said.....I traded someone for some Powerlock and am curious to see how it stacks up against HiDef. McKees is like any other line....some good stuff, some just okay, some not so good. I've never had good luck with their plastic trim restorer, but I know some guys who swear by it. I have a friend who swears by all things Chemical Guys, and one who only orders from Griots Garage.

Just out of curiosity, how did the Collinite 845/Powerlock combo differ in appearance from straight Powerlock?

 

I put Powerlock only on my wife’s MGM Sequoia. It looked great, so I decided to try it on mine. (Black).

Having seen the Powerlock/Collinite combo recommended so often, I figured I’d try it. I put Powerlock on one day, Collinite the next.
It honestly looked duller after the Collinite was applied. To be fair, it could be that I didn’t apply the Collinite properly. I’d thought I hadn’t buffed it enough, so I went back over it. No change. It just looked glossier when I only had Powerlock on it.

It could be user error. Too many people swear by it for it to be a bad combo. It’s been a couple of weeks, and my wife’s still looks shinier than mine does. Considering hers is MGM and mine is black, it’s not something I’m used to. Most people recommend two coats of Collinite, which I only used one, but I can’t imagine that’s the reason.

 

I use a little bit of everything. CG has good towels, and the Honeydew Snow Foam is my favorite for my foam cannon. I also use their microfiber soap.
As for McKees, I’ve tried their tire cleaner, wheel coating, and Hydro Blue. They all worked fine, but I just have others that work better in my opinion.

As for trim Restorer, Solution Finish is probably the best, but it’s not super easy to work with. It’s messy, expensive, and stains everything if you’re not careful. Car Guys trim Restorer is great also.

I’ve recently tried a couple of Poorboys World products. Their wheel cleaner is really good, and is likely to become my go to. I used their trim Restorer for the first time a couple of days ago, and I’m definitely liking it also. I just need to see how long it lasts.

I also got a bottle of this, but haven’t tried it yet:

Poorboy's Natural Look Dressing

Poorboy's World Natural Look (16oz)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004ZLAZ82/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_M0C2BbWPEN40A

 

I read very good things about PoorBoys Bug Squash too...as soon as I run out of my Kenotek Anti Insect, I'll be giving it a try

 

What would be recommeded to do to my truck before winter comes ? The county/state will put down a lot of brine on the road in preparation for an upcoming winter storm. (Brine is a liquid salt basically) Than all the rock salt during and after storm. Other then going to the car wash, what should I do ?