Ask Detailer's Domain

[dub_Luvin]

DD
What is a good product to apply to a jeep soft top and the vinyl windows? How often should the product be applied?

[DetailersDomain]

this would be a great kit.

Raggtopp Vinyl Fabric Cleaner and Vinyl Top Protectant

[pubahs]

DD - I am planning on finally taking my mk3 black jetta out of storage. Its been mostly dust covered, rinsed off and car covered for the past few years. There are swirls, but overall the paint is in good shape considered its an 8/94 build year. Its a mix of original paint and few panels resprayed.

I would like some suggestions of products to clean the car up. I have a PC7424, and previously used Meguiars compounds and polishes but want to see what is new out there. Mostly familiar on how to use polishes, sealants and waxes, but appreciate input.

I Have your washing sponges already, so fire away on some exterior cleaning products. Want to order tomorrow! Thanks

Car in question (note that hood is coming off and replaced with a new one, with new paint >90 days old):

[DetailersDomain]

Meg's D300 with the Uber MF Cutting Pads

followed by Menzerna SF4000 and Uber Green Pad

Wax with 1Z einszett Glanz with an Uber Black Pad

5 inch backing plate if you don't have one.

[pubahs]

Great thanks, ill be ordering today, hopefully it can get out!

Ordered Thanks for your product suggestion/help!

[DetailersDomain]

no problem thanks!

[cleanA3]

Hey Phil , What do you think is the best stuff to clean a steering wheel , Its seems like im getting a film on it and it dosnt want to come off . Ive tried APC and some other stuff but the steering wheel dosnt look like new anymore

[DetailersDomain]

Hey Phil , What do you think is the best stuff to clean a steering wheel , Its seems like im getting a film on it and it dosnt want to come off . Ive tried APC and some other stuff but the steering wheel dosnt look like new anymore

what type of steering wheel is it, leather wrapped? any pictures?> what have you used besides pac?

[cleanA3]

Its a wheel of my r32 , I have used Meg APC , and a small dab off goof off . its just the top part ill try to get a pic for you

[gtdrifter94]

i own a 2000 VW passat Wagon V6, and i currently have the stock 195\65\R15s on the car, and my friend owns a 2002 Audi A41.8T sport package, and his originals are 235\45\R17s. i did the math on the height and everything else so i dnt mess up my trans and speedometer, and the numbers are 25.3469in with mine and 25.6326 for his. i think ill be alright but i dont know the offset differences so i figured id ask what the offset for both cars are so i dont look completely stupid

[Jesstzn]

i own a 2000 VW passat Wagon V6, and i currently have the stock 195\65\R15s on the car, and my friend owns a 2002 Audi A41.8T sport package, and his originals are 235\45\R17s. i did the math on the height and everything else so i dnt mess up my trans and speedometer, and the numbers are 25.3469in with mine and 25.6326 for his. i think ill be alright but i dont know the offset differences so i figured id ask what the offset for both cars are so i dont look completely stupid

Might want to try this in the wheel forum

[csl72]

I have been looking around and can't quite find the info I'm looking for.

I just traded in my 06' GLI and purchased a new Golf R (wow, completely love this thing fwiw) a few weeks ago and I want to get a handle on a few things early on.

1st- Curious about a good process for keeping the matte leather steering wheel that way as long as possible as well as a recommended cleaner if/when needed. Do you recommend putting any kind of protectant on it now, or wait until it needs cleaning and then go with (what?).

2nd- I passed on the dealer offered wonder sealant and was going to put my own on. I've ordered Meguiar's M21 sealant as I have had good luck with their products in the past, particularly their 3 step paint process. I'm unclear about the prep for applying the M21, should I do a dawn wash, paint cleaner, then M21 followed by my wax of choice? Is my presumed process missing something or incorrect?

Thanks

[Jesstzn]

I'm unclear about the prep for applying the M21, should I do a dawn wash, paint cleaner, then M21 followed by my wax of choice? Is my presumed process missing something or incorrect?

Thanks

All I would do is clay .. then assuming its new enought not to need paint correction just a pre clean with a 50/50 mix of rubbing alcohol and water .. spray it on .. wipe off with a soft MF .. then do the M21 ... no need to wax after as 21 protects better then all the OTC waxes out there ... and you can layer it,

[DetailersDomain]

2nd that one just clay or autoscrub

[csl72]

Thanks for the guidance on M21. Any thoughts on the steering wheel and products to preserve/clean it?

[Jimb213]

I seem to have always had an issue with getting wax on the plastic & rubber bits of the exterior, which leads to discoloration that doesn't seem to ever wash away. I just picked up a Golf R a couple weeks ago and am thinking about doing my first detailing session this weekend. Beyond just "be more careful," how can I avoid getting wax on parts of the car where it tends to discolor? And if it does happen, is there something I can do/use to get rid of the white streaks? The car is black, so any mistakes like that will really stand out...

[DetailersDomain]

sure thing you can mask the area with 3m masking tape

or be a little more cautious with how you apply the wax.

if you do get caught up 1Z einszett deep cleaner with a mf towel can remove most of the polish and wax

[Rpc07]

-DD

First let me say I was at the Adams demo yesterday and had a great time
I decided to attack my car on my own I purchased a flex 3401 and the Adams 3 stage polish kit, my car is a 2011 vw jetta with very light swirls. It's always been hand washed but I must admit when I first got it I knew nothing about the 2 bucket system. Once I get the car washed and clayed should I start with the severe swirl remover or do you think that might be a little harsh?

Thanks, Ryan

[sseedubbin]

First of all... I have a Black 2012 VW GTI

Went out of town recently to a larger city. Unbeknownst to me I parked by a sprinkler system that left horrible water spots on my roof and hood. Not being in an area with a brushless car wash I didn't try to wash the car. Three days pass, back at home, I wash the car and unfortunately the water spots didn't come out. I tried Meguiars paint cleaner, clay bar, and distilled vinegar. Nothing worked! I can still slightly feel the waterspots. They're definitely smoother than the were post wash.

Freaking out, I contacted a local business that does paint work. Very quality work btw, locally known for their ability to work with paint. They suggested using Purple Power degreaser on the spots. Soaking a terry cloth towel and wiping the spots to breakdown the deposits. I do trust their opinion however, I want a second opinion on this. What do you think? Is this safe? They assured me it wouldn't hurt the clear coat.

Definitely need advice!!

[DetailersDomain]

First of all... I have a Black 2012 VW GTI

Went out of town recently to a larger city. Unbeknownst to me I parked by a sprinkler system that left horrible water spots on my roof and hood. Not being in an area with a brushless car wash I didn't try to wash the car. Three days pass, back at home, I wash the car and unfortunately the water spots didn't come out. I tried Meguiars paint cleaner, clay bar, and distilled vinegar. Nothing worked! I can still slightly feel the waterspots. They're definitely smoother than the were post wash.

Freaking out, I contacted a local business that does paint work. Very quality work btw, locally known for their ability to work with paint. They suggested using Purple Power degreaser on the spots. Soaking a terry cloth towel and wiping the spots to breakdown the deposits. I do trust their opinion however, I want a second opinion on this. What do you think? Is this safe? They assured me it wouldn't hurt the clear coat.

Definitely need advice!!

I haven't heard of this.

If that doesn't work you may need to compound and polish out the etching.

[sseedubbin]

I haven't heard of this.

If that doesn't work you may need to compound and polish out the etching.

Thanks, I guess I'll try it on a small inconspicuous spot and see how it goes. Any specific compound or polish recommended? I know I can look through the thread to find some good ones but.. if you don't mind

[DetailersDomain]

that would be a good idea.

small area. would love to hear back from you on this

[sseedubbin]

I'll keep you posted

[DetailersDomain]

I'll keep you posted

great!

[rp.cavanaugh]

This is my F-150. There are some water spots that won't come out. Oddly they are mostly on the left rear and tailgate. I tried meguiars polishing compound, it made the rest of the truck look great with some eagle one black magic wax on top of it. But these won't come out. Ideas?

[deadbob]

Just used my Autoscrub tonight on my windshield. It was an OEM VW windshield recently installed. There was a film on it, that I just couldn't get off. I tried Stoners, Adam's Glass cleaner, amonia/water mix, clay baring and was just about to break out Bar Keepers Fried. I decided to use the Autoscrub (hey it's suggested to start out on the glass anyways) and it worked wonders. I can't see the film anymore, I wanted to spray the washer fluid to see if the streaks showed up but the glass has never been this clean. So I'll wait until the morning dew sets in.

I do have one question. When I was removing the left over Glide mixture from the glass I noticed some sticky streaks. I'm wondering if it was caused by the film/surface of a new Autoscrub or was it the film that I couldn't get off my windshield? Anyone else noticed anything like it the first time using the Autoscrub?

Thanks

[tuddy]

DD - I'm in the process of currently redoing my interior. I noticed a corner of my carpet wasnt properly secured so I went to put some glue on it. I learned a valuable lesson because something must have been stuck in the can, and a little bit of rogue glue one in a million shot got on my brand new suede steering wheel.

I tried to clean it off with a pencil eraser, but Im worried about trying anything else and making it worse.

Please help me remove this 3m 77 spray before the Peter North jokes start rolling in.

[creckless3]

DD- Just purchased a new 2012 2DR Candy White GTI last week.
Just wondering what package of products you would recommend for weekly detailing of the interior and exterior.

Thanks!

[DetailersDomain]

congrats on the new car. did you have a budget in mind?

will you be using a machine polisher? how much time did you want to spend on the car?

[c0r3y.af]

Phil, please see my thead Here.

I spoke to you yesterday via e-mail about swapping the three included Adam's products for different Adam's products, with the deal of the day.

Which three would you recommend for moderate to severe swirls and scratches on a black Audi?

[creckless3]

congrats on the new car. did you have a budget in mind?

will you be using a machine polisher? how much time did you want to spend on the car?

Thank you!
Not really a budget, but I don't want to go over kill, just want bang for the $ products that do a good job.
I live in an apartment, so sadly I don't have a pressure washer available or a machine polisher.

1-2 hours a week would be great.

Thanks again.

[DetailersDomain]

how will you be washing the car?

what type of interior do you have leather or cloth?

[creckless3]

how will you be washing the car?

what type of interior do you have leather or cloth?

Leather, sorry.

I can go to a friends house (water hose) or use a self wash car-wash.

[itzkv]

What pressure washer would you recommend for ~$150-$200 budget? And what is needed to get the foaming action?

I have a Gilmour Foaming Gun for garden hose but looking to upgrade

[DetailersDomain]

we have not had much luck with pressure washers in that price range.

I would pick up something with 1400 psi plus and with a good warranty.

We use to break them every 2-3 weeks due to our usage.

Hence we moved on to a Kranzle and we have not had an issue with 20-40 cars per month over 2 years.