Ask Detailer's Domain

[DetailersDomain]

What polish would you recommend for a one-step polish? I was looking at Menzerna PowerFinish as I've heard and read good things about it.

I won't mind if swirls aren't 100% gone, but if they are 90% gone, I'll be really happy (all cars in the household are daily driven and service washed ) I guess once I get them all good looking, I'll print out some "DO NOT WASH" signs, laminate them and tell my family to put them on when they go into service.

BTW, awesome work!

sure you can use the Menzerna PF2500 aka Power Finish for a one step polish

[dub_Luvin]

So I have been reading a lot on the proper techniques for washing and polishing and such. I currently use the two bucket method to wash my car but what is the best thing to actually was the car with? Microfiber mit, micro fiber cloth or sponge? (I currently use a microfiber mit) Also I use an absorber to dry the car and found that the aren't the best and I should be using a good quality white towel. What do you recommend for drying? Also I heard that you shouldn't use any towels that have a stitched boarder so avoid any fine scratches, do you have such a thing?

[Jesstzn]

So I have been reading a lot on the proper techniques for washing and polishing and such. I currently use the two bucket method to wash my car but what is the best thing to actually was the car with? Microfiber mit, micro fiber cloth or sponge? (I currently use a microfiber mit) Also I use an absorber to dry the car and found that the aren't the best and I should be using a good quality white towel. What do you recommend for drying? Also I heard that you shouldn't use any towels that have a stitched boarder so avoid any fine scratches, do you have such a thing?

I'll give you my take on this ..

1) Wash with a Sheepskin Mitt ... I find that the M/F cloth/mitt or sponge aren't forgiving enough.
2) Dry with a microfiber Waffle Weave towels. Absorbers and natural chamoius are very unforgiving and will cause marring , cotton towels aren't much better.

3) Good quality W/W towels won't scratch .. border or not. In reality your not pressing hard to dry.

[dub_Luvin]

I'll give you my take on this ..

1) Wash with a Sheepskin Mitt ... I find that the M/F cloth/mitt or sponge aren't forgiving enough.
2) Dry with a microfiber Waffle Weave towels. Absorbers and natural chamoius are very unforgiving and will cause marring , cotton towels aren't much better.

3) Good quality W/W towels won't scratch .. border or not. In reality your not pressing hard to dry.

Thanks for that. I will grab one for sure. But I read that a high quality white (so there are no dyes) 100% cotton towel is good to use, just in case you pick up some fine dirt or something it will raise up into the mat of the towel and not put any fine scratches in the clear coat.

Whats the difference between waffle weave and a regular micro fiber (like the ones at costco)?

[Jesstzn]

Thanks for that. I will grab one for sure. But I read that a high quality white (so there are no dyes) 100% cotton towel is good to use, just in case you pick up some fine dirt or something it will raise up into the mat of the towel and not put any fine scratches in the clear coat.

Whats the difference between waffle weave and a regular micro fiber (like the ones at costco)?

Zaino site is the only place I ever saw that suggests cotton towels and thats because they are still old school. I won't use them.

The M/F towels from costco are great for wax removal etc but not a great drying towel . The difference between w/w and the other is the W/W has no nap and no lint and picks up a lot more water.

[dub_Luvin]

Zaino site is the only place I ever saw that suggests cotton towels and thats because they are still old school. I won't use them.

The M/F towels from costco are great for wax removal etc but not a great drying towel . The difference between w/w and the other is the W/W has no nap and no lint and picks up a lot more water.

Thank you for the info and example!

[DetailersDomain]

Thank you for the info and example!

thanks for the assist.

here we have our uber waffle weave drying towel

[hrama803]

I have 09 ZX6R, The windshield is plastic and has scratches from cleaning and wiping down.

How can I get rid of these marks?

thanks!

[DetailersDomain]

do you have an orbital polisher?

[hrama803]

do you have an orbital polisher?

I have means to obtain one...

[Jesstzn]

I have means to obtain one...

I think he means a PC or equal ... not a $35 one ...

[DetailersDomain]

I think he means a PC or equal ... not a $35 one ...

correct you may want to use some fine machine polishes with an orbital on the screen.

[hrama803]

I think he means a PC or equal ... not a $35 one ...

[DubFriendly]

I have a brand new 2012 Candy White GTI with black leather interior. I was told by some people white is the hardest to detail, is that true? all colors werent made equal?

I want to keep the interior and exterior in perfect condition. So far Ive been using products from Autozone and a local auto shop. I never knew it can get much better than 20 dollar polish, but now that im here ive been proving wrong.

I have a 100-150 dollar budget for my car exterior detailing products. I dont feel the need for $20+ car shampoo,wash liquid since i usually wash twice with the most expensive product by Meguiar offered by autozone, but if you honestly feel that there is a car wash liquid out there that would be worth it then let me know.

I was also wondering what you would recommend and if 150 dollars or less could get a cheap but decent polisher/ buffer, always wanted one so i guess now is the time.

What im hoping to get-
-Orbiter to Buffer/Polisher
-Polish
-Wax
-Clay Bars
-Buffer pads that fit the buffer recommended.
-Wheel Cleaner
-Wheel Polish

There might be some other stuff that i dont know about so list them in and let me know how to use them.

[DetailersDomain]

thanks for the post.

however the machine is already $170 with the pads and backing plate.

Griot's Random Orbital Polisher Kit

From there you will need to get the proper products.

Wash
Clay
Polish
Wax

Then you would look into the leather product provided your car has leather.

[Jesstzn]

OP even tho it might stretch your budget a bit .. think of it this way .. the buffer will last for years and you could recoup some of the $$ by doing relatives cars etc..

See if this works ..

Your wash soap is fine

Griots buffer & pads from DD $170
Orbiter to Buffer/Polisher
-Polish Meguiars Ultimate compound & Ultimate polish form WalMart $10 ea
-Wax Duragloss #105 $10 ( or maybe Phill has a good econo one
-Clay Bars Mothers kit from WalMart .. $15
-Buffer pads that fit the buffer recommended. Included in the buffer above
-Wheel Cleaner I never use one ... just wash them often so the brake dust doesn't build up
-Wheel Polish Use the duragloss #105


The thing is there is no such thing as a cheap " good" buffer ... the PC or the Griots are all $125 + pads

[DubFriendly]

yea, i understand you have to play to pay, so is that the best buffer for the price? how about something for 200? if not ill get the one listed. and thanks mod for listed items, ill be purchaseing them soon

[6cylVWguy]

I'm not 100% sure where to post this, but this sounds like a good place to at least start.

I have a newish car that unfortunately has a couple of small paint chips due to the std daily grind. I'd like to fill in the chips with some touch up paint, but I haven't the foggiest idea of the correct technique for repairing paint chips. Are there any good DIYs out there or any type of repair kits that people recommend?

I'm afraid that at this point if I attempt to repair the chip, I'm going to do more harm than good. Any guidance here would be greatly appreciated.

[thirtysixspokes]

Phil,
What do you recommend to clean the uber foam pads?

Also, why do you make it so hard for me to keep money in my account! I just sent you the majority of last week's paycheck. Enjoy!

Thanks,
Andrew

[veedubmac]

Phil,
What is the best product to remove the nasty tire dressing dealers or cheap car washed put on tires? Tried Adams APC, but it didn't work too well...maybe didn't agitate it long enough?

[DetailersDomain]

this is a good way to clean them

Grit Guard Pad Washer

or you can do it the old fashion way, use a foam pad brush clean as much dust out as you can.

then use some dish detergent and warm water to clean them out.

then attach to your polisher and spin dry.

[DetailersDomain]

yea, i understand you have to play to pay, so is that the best buffer for the price? how about something for 200? if not ill get the one listed. and thanks mod for listed items, ill be purchaseing them soon

sorry for the delay.

Griots Random Orbital Polisher Kit

[DetailersDomain]

I'm not 100% sure where to post this, but this sounds like a good place to at least start.

I have a newish car that unfortunately has a couple of small paint chips due to the std daily grind. I'd like to fill in the chips with some touch up paint, but I haven't the foggiest idea of the correct technique for repairing paint chips. Are there any good DIYs out there or any type of repair kits that people recommend?

I'm afraid that at this point if I attempt to repair the chip, I'm going to do more harm than good. Any guidance here would be greatly appreciated.

I have not used it but seems like many like Dr. Color Chip.

[DetailersDomain]

Phil,
What is the best product to remove the nasty tire dressing dealers or cheap car washed put on tires? Tried Adams APC, but it didn't work too well...maybe didn't agitate it long enough?

you can use Stoner's Tarminator and a mf towel that you can throw out.

[6cylVWguy]

I have not used it but seems like many like Dr. Color Chip.

Thanks for your recommendation Phil. I'll have to look into that. If there are paint chips that you have to deal with do you have your own specific technique or send the car out to a body shop?

[TheGreenspanator]

I'm afraid that at this point if I attempt to repair the chip, I'm going to do more harm than good. Any guidance here would be greatly appreciated.

If you lose heart, call Carisma... Prices are really good, they do an excellent job on small paint repairs/PDR/etc, and they have racecars http://www.carisma.com/

[DetailersDomain]

Thanks for your recommendation Phil. I'll have to look into that. If there are paint chips that you have to deal with do you have your own specific technique or send the car out to a body shop?

at the shop we don't deal with chips as we may think it looks great but you may think its horrible.

I leave that all to the paint guys.

[6cylVWguy]

If you lose heart, call Carisma... Prices are really good, they do an excellent job on small paint repairs/PDR/etc, and they have racecars http://www.carisma.com/

Good idea--I used them for PDR on my old GTI. I may have to see what it would cost them to repair a few chips.

[6cylVWguy]

at the shop we don't deal with chips as we may think it looks great but you may think its horrible.

I leave that all to the paint guys.

Good point! Your approach seems pretty darn logical.

[DetailersDomain]

Good point! Your approach seems pretty darn logical.

thanks I appreciate that and your understanding.

[leitmotif]

I'm being kind of lazy and not searching the entire thread. I was wondering about a couple of things.

1. What is the best product to use and best method of application for exterior textured black plastic to keep it looking new and not faded grey?

2. What is the best product and application for dashboards/interior that will not leave it greasy/glossy/wet looking?

3. Is something like Maguire's Quick Detail good for bug removal between washes? Is there a better product or method?


Thank you.

[DetailersDomain]

I'm being kind of lazy and not searching the entire thread. I was wondering about a couple of things.

1. What is the best product to use and best method of application for exterior textured black plastic to keep it looking new and not faded grey?

you may want to try Black Wow

2. What is the best product and application for dashboards/interior that will not leave it greasy/glossy/wet looking?

1Z einszett Cockpit

3. Is something like Maguire's Quick Detail good for bug removal between washes? Is there a better product or method?

If you plan on removing bug and tar you have to make sure you rewax the area you sprayed.

1Z einszett Anti Insekt
Stoner Tarminator

Thank you.

take a look at the answers above.

[TheGreenspanator]

I'm being kind of lazy and not searching the entire thread. I was wondering about a couple of things.

1. What is the best product to use and best method of application for exterior textured black plastic to keep it looking new and not faded grey?

The best thing I've tried so far is actually from Surf City- the Black Wow's and stuff are thick oily goop that looks great til it rains, then leaves greasy streaks down your paint/chrome. Surf City's Black Max you can find at local AdvancePepZone- lasts pretty well even through washes/rainstorms, smells pretty awesome, and best of all- I haven't seen it streak, at ALL. Finish looks just as good as some of the more expensive products I've used that ended up streaking in the rain.
Apply with a microfiber towel or foam sponge, let sit briefly, wipe off excess with a dry towel. On especially weathered trim I've done two or three light applications with what I consider great success.

http://www.surfcitygarage.com/shop/b...-trim-dressing

[leitmotif]

take a look at the answers above.

The best thing I've tried so far is actually from Surf City- the Black Wow's and stuff are thick oily goop that looks great til it rains, then leaves greasy streaks down your paint/chrome. Surf City's Black Max you can find at local AdvancePepZone- lasts pretty well even through washes/rainstorms, smells pretty awesome, and best of all- I haven't seen it streak, at ALL. Finish looks just as good as some of the more expensive products I've used that ended up streaking in the rain.
Apply with a microfiber towel or foam sponge, let sit briefly, wipe off excess with a dry towel. On especially weathered trim I've done two or three light applications with what I consider great success.

http://www.surfcitygarage.com/shop/b...-trim-dressing

Thank you!

[Jesstzn]

1. What is the best product to use and best method of application for exterior textured black plastic to keep it looking new and not faded grey?



Thank you.

I use Forever Black Tire Gel on the lowers .. lasts 30+ washes .. give a more natural matte finish. Apply it with a cheapie little kitchen sponge .. it drys in 5 min .. do 2 coats and forget about it for 30 washes.

Hard to see in this pix but this is after a winter up here in CanaDUH.