Ask the Detailer

Every lil bit helps. I’m gonna spend it anyway just helps get a little more.

 

So, it’s been a couple of weeks since I put Cerakote on the nerf bars. It seems to be holding up well, BUT a word of caution. It states on the package to give it a while before it gets wet. The next day, I noticed a spot on the end of both nerf bars. Looks like some water dripped from my door jam, and left a white spot.
I didn’t worry about it at the time. Figured it just kept it from bonding there, and I’d just put some more on the spots when I did my next wash. I went to do it yesterday, and NOPE. The spot wouldn’t wipe off, and applying more Cerakote did absolutely nothing. Now I gotta figure out how to fix it. Tried a towel and soap, then a clay mitt. It barely made a dent.

Day after application:



Now:

 

O I know that’s driving you crazy. Thanks for the heads up. I’ll make sure to keep it bone dry for 24hrs.

 

Did you try APC, mixed 4:1. Should help remove the leftover.

 

I didn’t but I will. At least it’s a good demonstration of how durable it is.

I put some on my daughter’s nerf bars the other day also. I wish I’d taken before and after pics. Hers are about nine years old and were in pretty rough shape. Really faded. It made them look pretty great.

 

oh damn! someone didn't open and close doors a bunch of times like suggested huh? lol. but nah, I was a lil worried about that. I've seen reviews where people said it hardens like ceramic, so it needs to be buffed/sanded down. not sure what it'll take to fix, but hopefully nothing too terribly difficult to fix. thanks for the unfortunate update on it!

 

We’ll see. Probably would’ve been easier if I hadn’t waited almost two weeks to fix it. I definitely like the product though. First thing I’ve found that works on metal nerf bars.
On the good side, the difficulty in removing it convinced me to order another bag to do my Bakflip. Will probably take the whole bag and a lot of time, but I’m confident it will be a good solution.

 

Have any of you guys given thought to the most effective way to disinfect an interior for Covid? I hadn’t considered it really, but my aunt asked about it. Not sure what would best do the job without damaging plastics or leather.
My first thought was an ozone generator, which I have, but I can’t find definitive answer on whether or not they will kill a virus. It’s also not something you want to do very often. @Pudge do you have any input, considering your medical experience?

 

Cheapest/cost effective is to literally wipe everything down with 70% isopropyl alcohol. You'll burn through some bottles, but rubbing alcohol is fine for the interior/hard plastics with light dabbing/rubbing. Leather, use an antibacterial soap and water and scrub lightly. Less is more (dont completely soak everything). Then treat it with a "reconditioning" product if it helps you feel better (most new vehicle leathers are coated with a protective layer and "reconditioning" them actually does nothing for them). I was contemplating starting an interior detailing threads as I have done some gnarly interiors too. Help some folks out. For example...lol

 

Yep those interiors and your process of how you got them to look so good deserves a thread.

 

Thread? how about a medal for bravery.

 

I'll get some stuff together and make a thread later today. I have countless before/after shots of stuff like that and a ton of weird, niche products that work well when you wouldnt expect it. I also made my own carpet/upholstery spray from just testing shit that will get most any stain out and costs about $1.50/gal to make.

 

Roll up the windows and park in the sun. That heat will destroy it

 

Roll up the windows and park in the sun. That heat will destroy it, also the UV light works.

 

Those ozone generators are rough. I have one and use it every now and then but I try and stay away from it.

 

You’d think someone would have enough pride to at least vacuum that shit before bringing it to a detailer.

 

Definitely stay away from it. FYI, they work great for killing wasps in a shed.

 

Man! That is just disgusting. I would hate to walk into that persons home.

 

These are the bastards that only have their car detailed just before they try and sell it. At least that’s been my experience with cars like that most the time. I find most people don’t care for their vehicles that well but that’s a whole different level.

 

Care package! Ready to play...

 

First time using a DA this morning...I have a 2002 red tundra with some pretty bad paint on the top of the cab: clearcoat is peeling there. Most of the rest of the truck doesnt look bad at all and so I have watched a bunch of videos on compounding, polishing, waxing.

Going to the carwash to give a first wash. Then drive home, give a second wash: two buckets, soapy and clean. Using dawn for this first scrub down. I know that this is a strong wash but I think the truck needs it. Then mothers speed clay on a wet surface. Dry. Compound with meguirs, polish with meguirs, and wax with meguirs. No airgun here, so I hope that running a clean rag over the top of the pad can give it a mid job cleaning. If it gets gunked up, I guess I can give it a quick wash as well? I am not touching the roof of the cab at all. I have paint supplies on order to sand, primer, and repaint that.
Hell, if it goes wrong, well it already needs a whole lotta love.

Here goes nothing...

 

Some pics would be helpful. Skip the carwash...the two bucket wash you're giving it at home will suffice. I'll not open up the debate about using Dawn here, so go ahead with that if you want. When you say 'Mothers Speed clay on a wet surface', I'm guessing you mean you're using an appropriate clay lube and not just water. Water is not enough, and you'll do more harm than good.

How may pads do you have, and what brand/color are they? What DA are you running? If you plan on cleaning the pads during the process, make sure they have ample time to completely dry. If the truck is as bad as you say, I'd think about going with an AIO (all in one), as opposed to separate compound, polish and wax steps. You can get surprisingly good results in a lot less time.

 

Thanks. I was just going to use soapy water for the clay.

I have a cheap avid power DA polisher. The pads are yellow, orange, and black. Plus a denim which I think is for after the clear coat repaint.

Let me go snap a photo or two

 

Let me know if these dont work. I already bought the separate compound, polish, wax. Also, it is already mid 80s and the sun is not up. So things will dry out quickly.

 

Those pics arent great. Sorry. Basically the paint looks quite dull.

 

Just my preference but I would go to autozone and grab a bottle of speed shine for your clay process. It’s my go to and works very well. A good decon like ironx would be very effective before you clay and will save you a lot of work.


Edit: speed shine is a griots product.

 

Thanks you guys. I just washed and then used the speed clay with soapy water. I had read so many places that that would work just fine. So, yes I come for advise and disregard it! Sorry.

I guess I could do it again? It looks way better already and the "clay" pulled a bunch off. Now the paint looks very dull and has some decent scratches here and there.

this is an old truck and I am not looking for showroom, but just presentable really.

 

here is the tailgate now

 

I am thinking since the temp here is quite high, I should work smaller sections.

 

You should work in smaller sections regardless. Especially if it's your first time doing some of this. I would try your best to keep in shade or at least the surface as cool as ya can. Products dry up way faster when surface is hot and become more difficult to wipe to check your progress