Ask the Detailer

What is your current process? It’s critical to know the towel/microfiber used along with how it was cleaned. What product are you using?

 

Thanks again! Got after it today. I was surprised how little working time I had with the m205. Ended up missing a spot in the first panel I did, ill have to back and get it anothrr day but it did great with all the other little imperfections.

 

I'm having this "ghosting" issue with pretty much every badge.

I got myself a little drill adapted polisher kit (3" diameter) -since I wasn't doing entire panels- meguiars water spot remover, meguiars polishing compound and even turtle wax rubbing compound. Was able to get the outline from being so noticeable at a few feet with the spot remover and polish, however, still there. Then I tried the rubbing compound (by hand) and TBH... not a lot of change other than the hazing of the clearcoat, only did one letter (A) with little pressure.

It's driving me nuts and would really like to make use of my newly added kit before considering a pro or any more aggressive method.

Any help is appreciated .

 

Ghosting almost always requires a respray. Unfortunately the color underneath the badges is the true vehicle's color. Everything else has been "bleached" by the sun and lightly faded. You never notice it until you've had a vehicle and tried to take the badges off. You can diminish with wetsanding/cutting/polishing...but it will almost always remain.

Edit: was hard to see the pics they're so small. Are you referring to the literal outlining (looks white) of the letters? And not real ghosting of the paint that existed below the emblems themselves?

 

I re-uploaded! sorry about that. Yes, the outline, dunno if thats ghosting or not

 

Looks like it may be adhesive. Have you tried a 3m adhesive remover eraser wheel followed up with Goo Gone?

 

No eraser wheel. For removing the badges I used CarPro TarX & Adhesive remover + plastic razor, made short work of the glue. This seems different, feels like mineral deposits; Fingernails can still catch on the thicker spots after all the buffing.

 

Were they the factory chrome badges that are just 3m'd on? That sounds like they've rubbed into the paint and scratched but that wouldn't make sense with something 3m'd on as it's still slightly raised. I've seen something similar with an overlay badge before that was poorly placed over the OEM badge but not to that extent where it's literally the entire badge outlined...was only a small section.

 

I have been using optimum tire dressing for a year. Now there is lots of buildup....almost like grease on the tire. Any recommendations on what to use to loosen this? I tried a brush on a drill and simple green....doesn't do a thing.

 

A good degreaser works. Even an APC (all purpose cleaner) like optimum power clean. I use it straight (not diluted) and have cleaned off tires caked with tire dressings. Do it multiple times until your foam from agitating is basically white and not having any browning color to it.

 

I would not recommend turtle wax rubbing compound and a drill attachment. That is a recipe for burning through clear coat.

 

Why on earth would I do that?

 

So I’m pretty sure the haze on my windows is from a previous owner smoking in the car. I tried the glass specific microfiber and cleaner but it’s still hazey. Any other suggestions?

 

I've mentioned this before, I'm not a detailer, just follow this thread.
About a teaspoon of corn starch in 1/2 cup of water (ish) should be cloudy and settles quickly. Dip a cloth in that mess and 'polish' your windows. Then use a regular cleaner. Don't drip the cornstarch stuff on upholstery or it dries white. I've never had this cause any problems. But if someone here is concerned with scratching window tint please chine in. Also, I used to smoke. That film is a bear.

 

Heavy smokers film I'll use diluted APC, dry, then use glass cleaner. That film can be tough to get through with just an alcohol glass cleaner.

 

I quickly looked so somebody might have mentioned it already, but run up to WalMart and get some Invisible Glass. Stuff works really well.


https://www.walmart.com/ip/Stoner-I...PZo-KnfiaDiMvwVirwhoCXicQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

I hate glass.

 

What’s the recommendation when it comes to ceramic coating over PPF (Xpel). Is it worth it? Are there drawbacks?

 

I have not heard any drawbacks. Coatings work very well over PPF.

 

Is the process any different in terms of preparation, application and long term care?

 

check this out.

https://youtu.be/7RCgqdGrvrA

 

Keep in mind I’m not a detailer, just a regular guy who likes a clean truck.

I washed my truck on Monday evening. Used some Turtle Wax brand soap that I’m pretty sure has wax in it. I know lots of folks in this thread aren’t fans of TW products, but I had a large container of it and I’m almost done with it. Plus I’m too cheap to throw it out lol. Anyway…wash the truck from roof to wheels, rinse, dry body of truck and dry glass. Then I come back with glass cleaner on all the glass. I use either Invisible Glass or another product that I don’t remember the name of, but it’s also in an aerosol can and was recommended by the guys who installed my new windshield. I use microfiber towels when applying and drying the glass cleaner.

 

I believe that buffing will eventually get rid of it, but man is it taking long.

 

Optimum Power Clean undiluted. It's the last step I do prior to preparing a tire for a coating. It may take several iterations before they are completely clean

 

No lies detected.

 

I just used Optima No Rinse for the first time and i'm not sure what i'm doing wrong.

I wanted to use it as a quick detailer like Merilins Magic Elixir (thats my go to), i diluted ONR down to 16:1 (maybe a little bit stronger, just kinda winged it), and it doesn't really seem to work that well. I'm using a cheap sprayer from Sam's Club, but it was really dificult to wipe away. I'm not sure if I'm doing something wrong, but it was pretty dificult to get it off. I would have to use two towels, one to do a first wipe and another dry one after to try to buff it off.
Not sure if i have it not diluted enough, or maybe i'm using too much per pannel (about 1.5 sprays per panel).

Any advice?

 

Dilution looks right and I always use two towels for sealants, quick detailers, etc. Spray, spread with one same, try and wipe up majority with that towel, then buff with the second towel.

Were you in the sun? Hot panels? Also did you dilute with distilled water? ONR can help reduce hard water spotting but it isn't a magic elixir. If your water is hard, it'll cause smearing issues.

 

Have a bottle of ONR never touched it. Did throw down a coat of Hydro2 on the Tesla today.

 

I used it first thing in the morning, so it was in the sun but it was pretty cool out still.
We dont have really hard water, but i only had about a cup of distilled water left, so i used that and topped it off with bottled water.

Yesterday i used Merlins Magic Elixir (carpro Ech2o and Reset) on the wifes lexus and it just comes off so easily and seems like it did a better job of cleaning and wiping away.

Maybe i'll dump this batch and get some more distilled water and mix a fresh batch.