Ask the Detailer

Possible that one of the tires just has something on it that the other three don’t. Could be a chemical was introduced to it at some point? I doubt it’s because you dint use enough dressing. Try cleaning it again, multiple times, and see if that helps.

 

Griots Speed Shine is really good. Optimum No Rinse would be My recommendation. You can use it as a rinseless wash, or make a detail spray out of it. Great for interiors also. Very versatile.

On the bug question, some sprays do work exceptionally well, but you already have everything you need. A spray bottle filled with water, and some Bounce sheets will get bugs off better than just about anything.

 

I personally prefer one bucket and a shitload of towels, but most go with the two bucket method.

 

That what I thought, less scratching and swirls.

 

Thank you guys, really appreciate you taking the time to help.

 

Back in the mid '70's, when raised white letters were all the rage, and we were prettying up our rides for Friday/Saturday night cruising, we scrubbed our sidewalls with Ajax/Comet powdered cleanser and a stiff brush (confession: we also used Armor All ) and it worked great. Never any brown. Well, at least until the Armor All did it's thing.

Old habits die hard and I still use powdered cleanser on the sidewalls. No more Armor All though. I repented and switched to 303.

 

we always ended up using SOS pads for those sidewalls

 

Are you able to give any tips on old cars? My 52 Pontiac has some rust spots on the dash I’d like to take care of without hurting the paint.

 

Okay....I'll be the one to buck the two-bucket trend. It's how I started, because that was the advice I got. I watched a Youtube guy (Russell is his name) who was an advocate for the one bucket, many mitts/towels method. I don't believe that you can rinse all of the dirt your mash mitt/towel picks up by dipping in a second bucket for a few seconds. Do you need a lot more mitts/towels to wash with? Of course you do. Do you end up with more laundry? Of course you do. I just prefer not having a dirty wash mitt touch the vehicle.

 

So you can do a 1 bucket, 2 bucket, 3 bucket, or gary dean method.
1 bucket I've done and would just keep reusing the same bucket and replace water if got to dirty. If mitt got contaminated with some heavy soil, I would just rinse it off with the hose and continue.
2 bucket I use now with the grit guard and every time I do a section, I dip into the clean water bucket and agitate the mitt to get the dirt out the microfibers' grasp.
3 bucket is same as 2 bucket, but with a 3rd bucket for strictly wheels and tires. Typically do wheels and tires first so that anything that gets on body from doing wheels/tires will get washed off when washing the car.
Gary Dean method is using one bucket, but about 20 microfiber cloths. Basically you use one cloth per panel. Once you lift the cloth off the panel, you put it aside to put in the laundry. It never goes back in the water and never touches the car again.

 

I basically have one bucket for wheels, but never really counted that in my wash method, and a bucket for soapy water and wash mitts. I break up the vehicle the same way that Larry Kosilla does in his video, but once finished a section with a mitt, it is separated to go into the laundry. My one bucket for washing gets cleaned out before use......has a Grit Guard in the bottom for anything that escaped the rinse out, and then my wash (soapy) water and all the mitts I will be using. Typically, I use 4-6 mitts per wash, depending on the size of the vehicle. I do have a separate cleaning sponge (not a bug sponge) for the front of the vehicle for bug removal, and use a wash mitt on an extendable pole for roofs of larger vehicles.

 

Same here. I use towels instead of mitts though.

 

Been thinking about switching to towels.....which ones do you use for washing?

 

TRC Eagle Edgeless 500 the vast majority of the time. The Everest by TRC on my truck. Since it’s black, the extra weight keeps me from having to use really any pressure. Kirkland towels from Costco or the CG gold ones for the bumpers, grill, and lower areas.

I like using towels because you get 8 surfaces to use before you have to switch out.

 

Excellent point about having 8 surfaces....never thought of that

 

Hey guys - I have a brand new truck showing up next week.

Should I just wax it or are other things like sealing ... good ideas before I wax it.

I’m essentially a new, the last time I looked at wax products was around 2000 (20 years ago)... so please educate me on what I should get to protect the truck.

Thnx

 

I just saw your question in the other thread and responded to that one too. But lots of options depending on your budget, your skillset/patience, and desire for the finish or daily use. I would suggest to do a good clay job, polish is possible depending on paint, and good sealant or wax. @War Machine can suggest some awesome stuff as well as @Pudge and @briarpatch , but be careful. It can send you down a rabbit hole. Lol give us an idea of what you can do and/or budget. If higher budget, ceramic coating would be a great option.

 

Fotnot,

Thanks, I’m afraid I wouldn’t know what to look for, skill set wise - I don’t have one ... but I know how to wax a car, but have never done much else beyond rubbing compound, and applying some stuff to smooth out scratches.

I grew up a farmer, but I appreciate water beading and rolling off a truck so I’m probably good for doing wax 4 times a year or so. For the first couple of years I’ll probably do it much more frequent.

I would think a new car would not need clay, but I can see I’ll need to do it later on..
I definitely need to learn, and you right about this thread and the guys here..

 

Trust me...clay it. Every vehicle I've gotten brand new I've clayed and it has removed LOTS! Even my wife's vehicles being white, I've gotten alot out and it made it pop even more. So much rail dust and fall out gets on it and just sits on it. Better to do it now and keep up on it down the road.

 

I searched for 3 stage wax... but nothing is coming up... maybe I’ll try searching just for wax...

At the end of the day I would like some recommendations on products, it sounds like Adams is good stuff.

 

I'm not a fan of Adam's stuff. I would try griots or carpro. Griot's 3 in 1 ceramic spray wax would be a great one to try. No more wax on/wax off, spray and wipe and it lasts longer than most any paste wax

 

I would recommend a synthetic clay bar from griots with there speed shine as the lube. I would also say to get a bottle of ironx from CarPro new vehicles tend to have a lot of fallout on them from the factory. This will make sure all contaminants will be off the paint and you will have a perfect surface to protect. @Pudge recommendation of griots ceramic spray is on point and you can get the stuff at autozone if you have one nearby. You could also use CarPro reload as well if you are placing an order online.

 

Thanks guys... I’ll go with Griots & try car pro ironx if I can find it.

Couple of questions

Where do you get your micro fiber towels at - good source ?, and how many should I get... 4, 6 ?

I’m hoping I can find the Griots locally, I’m not sure if Ironx is local or not.

 

The Rag Company is my goto for most types of towels but the Griots PFM drying towel is worth the extra money (get one of the giant extra large towels and it'll dry your whole truck - and then some.) I was skeptical of the value until I tried it. For all the other types, get The Rag Company towels. They have a good quality-to-value ratio.

 

You should be able to get griot pmf towels at autozone. They are awesome towels. You will not find ironx local in most markets. You can order all your needs from autogeek or detailed image they have sales all the time.

 

Some Griots stuff is available locally....I know their PFM towels can be purchased at Pep Boys. Iron-X is not available locally.....when you use it, be prepared for the smell.....like skunk pee

 

The smell is rough. You could check CarPros site and see if there is an authorized dealer or detail shop in your kc area and call them. You won’t need a ton 500ml should get you through a few vehicles

 

There are some detailers out there who use MEguiars Ultimate All Wheel Cleaner on paint to break down iron deposits. I've never done so, but there are Youtube videos available

 

Another question(s)

- Groits standard clay bar Or Synthetic ?

- What kind of soap do you guys use ?

 

Synthetic or mitt.

I use CarPro reset