Ask the Detailer

There are some things I like Detailed Image better for, and other I like Autogeek and Autopia for. I mostly play it by who is having what on sale, and for how much, etc. I had to get a battery for my wife's Sequoia, and was shocked by the amount of detailing stuff NAPA had....good stuff, too. Autozone, Advanced Auto Parts and Pep Boys are also becoming good sources. I've reached a point where I really don't need anything, but watch sales for stuff I might want to try.

 

I want to circle back around and say this stuff is legit. Still holding up on the Sequoia, and I put it on the red Tundra a couple of weeks ago. It looks great, goes on easy, and seems to be pretty durable. Washed the Sequoia yesterday, and it’s still beading and sheeting like it did on day one.

 

Appreciate the follow up!

 

So I finally got to do all my glass with the Meguiar's Perfect Clarity glass kit. Includes a compound to remove water spots(clay bar didn't work for mine). I have used this on my wife's van a while back and have been happy with it! I even did it on a small outdoor patio ottoman and took pics to show the difference. I didn't do as good a job, but it sits outside all the time getting A LOT of direct sun and had never been cleaned really. Water repels great and cleared up my truck's windows. Also got to use the Griot's drying towels I picked up on a sale from autogeek and love them! Dried the truck so much quicker and easier! Then also got the lil cabinet I keep most of my detailing stuff in since I had some old products and just needed a quick reorganizing.

 

so if you're filling up with gas in near-hurricane conditions and the door gets a way from you and smashes into a metal bracket, and further (after much weeping and screaming at the fates,) you see that there is a chip down to the metal, what would you do? I know a paint shop is in my future (it isn't big but for rust, it doesn't have to be) but I can't go to one until this covid thing is over. So what I have done for now is my wife's clear nail polish.

Any other ideas for better solutions? Nail polish wears off...

 

Paint pen? Dealer and some auotparts stores should have them. Or automotive touch ups .com has

 

You can use a touch up pen from an auto parts store. They generally have them sorted by manufacturer and color. Just try to do a better job than I did.

 

Thanks all. I wasn't thinking auto parts stores. The dealerships around me are closed. I'll have to see if I can get something ordered.

 

Pep Boys has it where you can online and pick up at the store....periodically they have specials on Griots products

 

I came across this product while ordering Cerakote for my brother’s rims. I applied it last weekend and I’m pretty happy with the shine it left on my plastic trim pieces.

Also available on Amazon

$17 CERAKOTE® Ceramic Trim Coat Kit - Quick Plastic Trim Restorer - Ceramic Coating Black Trim Restoration to Last Over 200 Washes – A Ceramic Coating, Not a Dressing

https://www.amazon.com/CERAKOTE-Cer...t&qid=1586963135&sprefix=Cerak,aps,283&sr=8-2

 

How long have you had it and how's the durability? Especially on things like steps. Greasy?

 

Since it has only been on for 3 days so far I can’t tell you about durability but it does not feel greasy at all. It’s a thin ceramic coat which should last much longer than your normal dressings.
If you do decide to try it I would advise to clean the trim thoroughly and either let it completely dry or use compressed air to blow water out of the cracks.

 

Thanks man. I've been looking for something to do my steps and my trim under wipers to renew them, but not be greasy, or have to apply every wash or month or so. I see price is showing about 17 bucks right now. How many wipes did it take you for all your steps?

 

I have chrome steps but it took only 3 wipes to do my front bumper valance rear bumper trim door handles and mirrors

 

Awesome thanks man! Looking for something to spruce up a couple pieces on truck as well as a couple small pieces on my wife's van. Looking like I'll only need close to 5 sheets total....and it comes with 200! lol. I'll maybe consider testing it on my tonneau cover. Last question, is it hydrophobic, or does water not bead up and off? Not sure if it has a protectant that sheets/beads water off

 

Looks to be hydrophobic. And there are 10 wipes/pack. Supposed to last 200 washes

 

oh yea i read it wrong! thanks. But good to know. Just remember to come back here in a few weeks to update how it goes from hold up, if it washes off onto mitt(shouldn't), slicks, fades, etc. Thanks again man!

 

Well, ordered some genuine Toyota touch-up paint online. Sometimes you need to be told the obvious/smacked upside the head before you clue in...

 

Any tips on getting quality sealants/SiO2 products out of finisher pads (Lake Country 5.5" CCS black)? I've been soaking them in Griot's foam pad/microfiber cleaner in warm water and working the substance out by hand but that is a brutal time. Wondering if there's a better way. Heard of using APC but I dont want to cause delamination on the pads over time.

Next best thing is I'm going to end up taking my black LC's and just separate them by product and make pads dedicated to only certain products.

 

There are pad cleaners for sale, but they aren’t cheap. If I did this professionally I might invest in one, but I just soak them, use a brush, and rinse them.

 

Where did you order it from? I ordered a pen from Paintscratch.com because I couldn’t find the Toyota pens for Inferno online. My local dealer almost laughed at me when I asked him if they had one.

 

I’m having a hard time figuring out what I need to use to get rid of some lines in the clear coat from it being in the woods and having brush rub up against it. I’m gonna buy a G9 but what should I be using for polishes/compounds to remove them instead of just covering them up like the dealer did when I bought the vehicle.

 

Believe it or not, ebay. I haven't used them in eons. If you know your paint code, search genuine toyota and then the code.

 

That’s the one place I didn’t check lol. Thanks for the tip!

Edit..Just got one! $15.99 shipped. Thanks again!!

 

Yeah I mean I've seen plenty of them but $100+ for a bucket with an elevated grit guard makes me want to puke lol. I may have to bite the bullet. Wonder how well they work for sealants and SiO2 products though. Thought their primary function was quick cleaning pads while in the process of correcting.

 

They key with sio2 products is to not let the pads/towels even start to dry at all. Change them out frequently and get them presoaking in some water with APC, or try out some lake country "snappy clean" , i use that stuff and love it. Its cheap too.

 

Are any of these 'lines' beyond the clear coat? Can you catch your fingernail in them?

 

No. They are not scratches. I can’t feel them with my fingernail. They are just lines in the clearcoat. I’ll try to snap a pic.

 

I would try a lake country orange foam pad or a buff and shine urofiber with some light polish. Maybe Megs M205, if that doesn't work try the same pad with some compound like megs M105. If that doesn't work get a cutting pad, yellow lake country or megs cutting disc. Start as light as you can and work your way up til you get results. You could just buy a griots kit with pads and polish included but idk much about their polish other than most are excellent

 

Thank you! I will take your advice when I go to order my G9. Loading up my cart at Detailed Image now lol