Ask the Detailer

Ammo NYC has some videos on the YouTube channel where he uses the paint from a touch up pen in a syringe with a needle to you don’t get the raised look that I’ve seen with most touch up pen jobs… worth the watch

 

https://youtu.be/WLJnqiBxKtg?t=344. I'll give it a try this weekend.

 

Lol. Ya, I've been down the LK rabbit hole. I forgot about that video. I was more wondering if anyone has used the actual dealership touch up pen and what they thought of the results.

 

i'll be trying to pick one up this friday and give it a shot. will update. hopefully i don't screw up .

 

well i think i screwed up. i can't get it to be even since the scratch is on the side of the bed. it is bumpy now. i read that i have to sand it down with 2k grit paper and then do all this other stuff to it. i'm thinking I should get someone that is in the business to touch up or fix up my touch up. haven't decided yet.

on another note, the touch up paint pen does match the Barcelona red nicely.

 

My preference is for melons to be rubbed on the glass. It doesn't do crap for water sheeting.

 

came back to the truck today to find someone had swung there door open into mine, it seems to have some decent paint transfer to it. A basic microfiber with a detail spray cleaned off a little bit this is what is left. I don’t feel any deep scratches but am left with this so far. Any suggestions on what to do/use. Thanks

 

If that is just paint transfer that you've shown, a polish, or a compound will take that off. Pick yourself up some Meguiars Ultimate Compound or Meguiars Ultimate polish, and it should come right off.

 

I have an air compressor in the garage and use it to blow the water out of the places you mentioned and also the gaps at the bed caps, windows, lights, grille, etc.

 

Alternatively, not having a proper garage, my compressor is usually in the backyard. So, a lot of times I just grab my leaf blower, which works great too.

 

Unless you're standing in the middle of one of those "haboob" dust storms you guys sometimes get I'm gonna say it's a non-issue.

I do it as I'm drying the truck. No problemo.

 

Well, if you don't have the proper tools you can always do like I used to do back in the day. Just dry the truck, including the door jams, then open and slam the doors a few times. You'll get a surprising amount of water out that way.

 

Just got an Air Force Sidekick blower for Christmas.....works great for this, as well as drying tires, wheels, grilles, and around windows.

 

I personally have a Dewalt blower that runs off my 20v batteries from my drills. I flood rinse the vehicle off to get most water off yhe vehicle, then I'll hit the trouble spots with the blower then finish drying. The blower was obtained for I think 50-60 on sale for just the tool. But I usually hit wheels, door seals, emblems, mirrors, and door handles. Those are my main areas that have water drip from them after it's dried and parked

 

Really appreciate a thread like this, and I am looking to get a "starter" polisher set to correct some swirling and scratches. Wife has a black Citadel Durango, and I have a white Tundra Limited. Been looking at the Torq package from chemical guys. Seems to be a cost effective option and not piecemeal a kit from the start. Currently handwash everything with Meguire's gold class, and various Wal-mart supplies for interior, chrome, and trim. Looking to dive a little deeper and correct swirl marks and light scratching noticeable on the wife's car. Any thoughts on this polisher kit, or is there something better out there?

 

I have the torq polisher now and it's a good starter one in my opinion. I kinda wish I had researched a lil more and got the griots g9, but mine is still going after passing over a vehicle about 15-20 times from polishes, compounds, and waxes. Have had it for I think around 5 years now. I did upgrade the products and pads used after a couple uses tho

 

I went with a similar kit, the one with the duffle and more pads and I love it. Did my wife's black challenger and it was very user friendly. Polisher is a little on the heavy side but that works for you in some cases.

 

Couple methods for this. Start with a thorough rinsing first of course. You could put a grit guard in the rinse bucket. Agitate the mitt alot in the rinse bucket then wring it out outside the bucket. I've seen some not use a rinse bucket at all and just rinse out the mitt with the water hose after each panel.

Of course you could also do the James Dean method (I think that's the name), but you'll need about 40-50 microfiber cloths to do it

 

I'd be more inclined to invest in a Griots G9....and there are some kits out there with that polisher in them. It has more power than the TORQ, and comes with a lifetime warranty. The compunds/polishes (Chemical Guys 'V' line) are not very good either. Have a look at autogeek and see what kits they have.

 

Do you have a pressure washer and a foam cannon?

 

Thanks for the suggestion. Autogeek has the G9 kit for 199.99 with the below items. Now will need to get my compounds and polishes in line for getting rid of those pesky swirl marks and light scratches with the wife's black paint. I appreciate the help.

 

You'll need more pads than what comes in the kit. I like the thinner Griots BOSS pads....I find it helps with pad rotation. Too much pressure can stall a free spinning DA like the G9.

 

btw....that's the Garry Dean method

 

you sure about that? lol


for real, thanks for clarifying. i was kinda busy, i should have looked it up haha

 

i got a coworker that just started recently and seems pretty into detailing. he said he uses some Ammo products. anyone ever use their stuff? he was telling me they have a waterless wash that he puts in a pump sprayer and dilutes with water. when spraying it on the car, it foams. then said places like the door jambs, he doesn't usually go in there and wipe it off cuz you don't really need to...it just kinda slides off and doesn't leave a residue. not challenging him, but never seen much of their products and all

 

I've never tried AMMO products......mainly because of their prices. Larry Kosilla does some excellent videos however. He takes every step slowly and does a good job explaining his reasoning for doing things the way he does them.

 

Check the AMMO NYC you tube channel plenty of detailing stuff on there, products are pricey, but the videos have plenty of tips. ONR would give you the same results.

 

Quick question, I had PPF applied to my wife’s Lexus, what can I put in the PPF to protect it and make it last longer? Wax? Ceramic coat? Thanks!!!

 

You can do either on top of the PPF. Treat it like you would your paint and it should last a long time.