Ask the Detailer

Autogeek has several decent kits for sale. For your first polisher, I'd start with the Griots Garage 6" DA. Lifetime warranty and all the power you need. This would be a decent one to start with, although you'll need more pads than what it comes with.

 

Question for you guys. I washed my truck and found some small, light gray colored spots on my passenger side. I think it is spray mist that was caught in the wind from floor tile being cut outside. What would I used to remove them? I can try to get pictures of it tommorrow. Thanks.

 

Without knowing exactly what they are....my first attempt would be a clay bar or clay mitt

 

One ounce each of Ech20 and Reload, ten ounces of distilled water. Perfectly fine for ceramic coating.

 

You can’t go wrong with a kit from The Rag Company. All of their stuff is high quality and fairly priced.

https://www.theragcompany.com/bundles-kits/


I’d say the only better towels on the market are Griots PFM, but they’re really expensive.

 

I've been using The Rag Company towels for a few years, and like Jason said they are high quality. I personally like their eagle edgeless and their window microfiber.

 

You can occasionally pick up the Griots PFM towels at Pep Boys on sale...in my experience, they're far and away the best drying towel on the market

 

100% agree. Not many people are going to pay for them though. I remember you talking about Pep Boys discounting them, but the only ones near me are just service shops.

 

@War Machine I'm going to order the optimum tire coating from the rag co.
They sent me a 15% coupon code too. Trying to get to the free shipping and can't decide what to get to fill the cart. Adding a gallon of beadmaker ($32) is an option, I already have a gallon in my basement. I also grabbed a wash mitt. Was thinking maybe some towels, specifically drying towels, I have a few that work well forgot the brand but are waffle weave. Any recommendations for good towels, drying towels from the rag co.?
Or other products they carry?

 

Their enthusiast bundle is on sale. All good stuff.

https://www.theragcompany.com/gold-enthusiast-auto-detailing-microfiber-kit/

The Double Twistress is an outstanding drying towel, second only to Griots PFM in my opinion.

https://www.theragcompany.com/value-bundle-the-double-twistress-20-x-24-korean-towel-3-pack/

 

Thanks Jason. lots of good stuff but the website is kinda a pain in the ass to navigate, especially on my phone. I'll check out the towels, and what the hell, why not have an extra gallon of bead maker around, right?

 

Maybe a little something for the ladies in your life?

https://www.theragcompany.com/skincare/

 

Lol I saw that section. They really have any kind if rag or towel youd ever need

 

Nice justification move here. Mine has been a bit side eye at the Griots PFM packs I purchased. She will love the waffle weave makeup removers and the ultra fluffy facial cloths.

 

What would be a good “starter kit” put together by random brands/products for foam cannon, soap for foam cannon, tire shine and plastics, interior dash plastic cleaner/protectant? I’m new to this as I have always just bought over the counter from local advanced auto or Walmart and have never used a foam cannon.

 

Does anyone have experience with Simonize? Dealership talked me into it and I was wondering if there’s anything I can put on top of it to last longer?

 

This is a can of worms buddy lol.
I really like carpro products but theres a lot out there.
1 I'd start with 2 buckets and grit guards
2 A good wash soap, I like chemical guys maxisuds2. Good in cannon and bucket and affordable
3 Amazon foam cannon. I got a brand called matcc and it works great, was like $20
4 aerospace 303 is a very versatile products for plastic, rubber, dash, tires, trim, headlights....but for tires alone look into something tire specific like optimum tire coating
5 *** this should be #1 or 2.. lots of good quality microfiber towels and 2 microfiber wash mitts
6 a quick detailer, griots speed shine is cheap, works well and is readily available
7 skip the wax and get some kinda of spray on sealant. I like carpro reload or hydro2, and P&S beadmaker

I could go on and on. I caught the bug 2 years ago and really enjoy washing my truck the 8 months out of the year its above freezing. Now I have all this crap, so be careful haha

 

Only experience I have is their headquarters is in the town I grew up in, Bolton CT, a town of about 4000 people. Never went in the building, i live 1.5 miles from it.

 

So you never wax your truck and just use a sealant after washing your truck? You mind sending me a link of what product you use?

 

Correct i do not use wax anymore. These sealants last months, not weeks like a wax. Are easier to apply, protect better. I don't use them every time I wash. I will use hydro2 or reload 3-4 times a year. And the beadmaker more often just because it leaves the paint so slick and shiny. Sometimes I just wash a d dry, often I will use some kind of quick detailer or beadmaker after a wash.
I use carpro hydro2 https://www.detailedimage.com/CarPro-M53/HydrO2-Wipe-Less-Silica-Spray-Sealant-P901/100-ml-S1/

carpro reload https://www.detailedimage.com/CarPro-M53/Reload-Spray-Sealant-P605/400-ml-S1/

and p&s beadmaker https://www.detailedimage.com/PS-M110/Bead-Maker-Paint-Protectant-P1872/16-oz-S1/

 

What simonize product did they put on the truck? Is it a ceramic coating? They have a ton of "simonize" treatments out there.

 

I believe it’s called Simonize Glasscoat and apparently it’s supposed to last 10yrs and doesn’t require maintenance.

 

If dealer was pushing it, probably snake oil, or overrated. Just seems when dealers are talking uou into it, its in there best interest.
What is it actually supposed to do?
How was it applied? Did you actually see them apply it?

sorry for being cynical, just don't trust dealers much.

 

I didn’t actually watch them apply it but water still beads and it’s been 6+ months. It’s supposed to be like ceramic coating but I’m not sure

 

Probably similar to a ceramic coating. which last 3-5 years. Make it easier to wash and adds a layer or protection over the clearcoat. Still need to maintain and wash it, and I'd definitely use a sealant over it a few times a year.

 

Water still beads on wifes 2 yr old leased Lexus that has nothing but dtive thru washes since day one.
Being cynical again, sorry.

 

Sounds like a ceramic coating. Depending on the price it is a nice option for a brand new truck.

 

https://youtu.be/ji1GG4O9l1U

 

@Pudge Thank you so much! Like I said I’m just beginning but I can see myself getting carried away, but what the heck!