***official auto detailing thread***

[Niko49ers]

http://www.wheelsandcaps.com/Nissan-...131127081558:s


These are the exact stock rims on my 240SX.

What are the BEST products to use on them? What would be the BEST possible 'rim routine' I could do to them?

You will need to fill in the chips with touch up paint, wet sand, compound and polish to blend everything.

Awwww chitttt looks like I have some researching to do.

[WSG1]

My Meguiar's G110v2 DA polisher died so I've been looking for a replacement. Surprisingly, there are some great review's for the Harbor Freight DA polisher. And with the current 25% coupon, it comes out to $45 plus tax!

Anyone looking for a polisher should check this thing out. There is a huge thread on autogeek.net about it and some possible mods to make it more quiet and with a longer cord. Its supposed to have more power than the PC or the Megs polisher.

Pick this thing up with the Meg's dual action microfiber kit (which comes with a 5" backing plate) and some 5.5" lake country pads, and you've got a serious polishing setup for a great price!

I bought one of these earlier this year, Only paid $50 for it with a coupon so i couldnt pass it up. It works very well and have had no issues with some serious paint correction work. Eventually i'd like to get a Rupes or something of that nature but this will do for now.

[WSG1]

All done! I feel like I could have used the DA system better but I feel like I did alright for my first time.

Strip wash consisted of:
-1/2oz Megiuars GOLD Car Wash
-2oz Adam's APC
-2 gallons water

I clayed the entire car, vertical planes included.

Got rid of ALL the swirls and there were a TON!

Here's 21 year old paint on a 1993 Nissan 240SX Convertible, detailed by a first-timer:

$200 in Detailing Products


All done!


Like a mirror!


Blurry pic but heres an angled rear shot with the top down


I like this picture...


The flip up lights though...


There are chips in the paint that I don't think the DA system can remove. (Easily seen in the close-up pictures of the front of the car)

That came out very nice

[Niko49ers]

That came out very nice

Thanks man. Looking forward to another 'big detail' for when Spring comes around. At least I'll be doing it in 60-70 degree weather as opposed to fkking 30-40 degree weather.

[scrace]

Big sale from chemical guys.

25% Off.

Here is a sale page as well.

http://www.chemicalguys.com/SearchRe...=112713BFRIDAY

[BrianK.]

Griots Garage Random Orbital Polisher...$99 plus %15 off from detailing . com.


Detailed Image is also having %25 off as well.


@Niko49ers...looks good; everything went well?

[Woody-5]

Cold weather bros, any tips for keeping the ride semi clean through the winter months? Dat road salt, too cold to use the hose at home because the driveway will freeze.

[BigB02z28]

Cold weather bros, any tips for keeping the ride semi clean through the winter months? Dat road salt, too cold to use the hose at home because the driveway will freeze.

Dont have any experience with freezing conditions but maybe a steam cleaner? Seen videos of people using em to clean the exterior of a car up north.

Maybe a rinseless wash made in a bucket w/ hot water?

[BrianK.]

Cold weather bros, any tips for keeping the ride semi clean through the winter months? Dat road salt, too cold to use the hose at home because the driveway will freeze.

Dont have any experience with freezing conditions but maybe a steam cleaner? Seen videos of people using em to clean the exterior of a car up north.

Maybe a rinseless wash made in a bucket w/ hot water?

Yep exactly what BigB said.

It completely sucks trying to keep the car clean when they lay salt down. I just put my cleaned and sealed Winter wheel/tire setup on; a quick run to the store and my wheels were covered in salt dust.

My windshield is always filthy which drives me crazy; hell the whole car is basically dirty all winter.

Definitely invest in a rinse less wash and a steamer would be worth it as well. (Consumer grade steamer is good enough if you're only worrying about your own cars)

*if your car is filthy then a quick trip to the coin-op car wash bay is a must before using a rinse less wash. Use the pre soak option to know everything off first.

[scrace]

Cold weather bros, any tips for keeping the ride semi clean through the winter months? Dat road salt, too cold to use the hose at home because the driveway will freeze.

Optimum No Rinse. Rinseless washes, just keep up on it because you can wash really dirty cars without a hose and the two bucket method.

[Woody-5]

Thanks fellas, will look into rinse less wash

Fukcing winter sucks, need to get a new job in a warmer climate

[BigB02z28]

I know we have a few other detailers who do this for a living in here. Anyone do it legitimately in Texas? Think I'm going to get a brick and mortar location here but I need to look into their laws and regulations here.

Also need to find out what I need to do about my business being registered in Florida and business being conducted in Texas.

Finding some things dirt cheap here.

http://houston.craigslist.org/off/4201994313.html

[BrianK.]

I know we have a few other detailers who do this for a living in here. Anyone do it legitimately in Texas? Think I'm going to get a brick and mortar location here but I need to look into their laws and regulations here.

Also need to find out what I need to do about my business being registered in Florida and business being conducted in Texas.

Finding some things dirt cheap here.

http://houston.craigslist.org/off/4201994313.html

Considering doing this full time again?

Wish I could!

Definitely ask those questions over on autogeek; a ton of the professionals over there deal with the laws and regulations and know them well.

[BigB02z28]

Considering doing this full time again?

Wish I could!

Definitely ask those questions over on autogeek; a ton of the professionals over there deal with the laws and regulations and know them well.

Yeah I'll check there. I found the laws for a car wash but it doesn't mention mobile. In Florida that specifically addressed mobile car washing regulations.

I find autopia to be a better site for professionals. It's kind of light the auto section here vs speedtalks. A lot of consumers trying to give professional advice when they haven't done anything more than detail a coworkers car for a coffee.

I just don't want to do it mobile and will take on atleast 1 employee immediately. I've made a lot of contacts in the auto world over here, a lot more than I did in Tampa, so I think word and recommendations will come a lot quicker than I originally thought. I didn't want to start at first because I figured it would take me just as long as school is to get a full time appointment schedule and wasn't worth starting fresh.

[scrace]

2013 Hyundai Equus with 180 miles on it. Swirled out and scratched from the dealership.

[BrianK.]

^Looks good.

Shocking that a dealership let a car leave the lot in that condition....

Saw your thread on the other forum.

How do you like the Black Label coatings?

[4everlurkin]

whats up brosephinas, just saw this thread and wanted to post my brothers detailing page here;

https://www.********.com/MtlAutoDetail

would be cool if you could like his page!!

cheers

[BigB02z28]

Which do you guys like more? Ignore the colors because they completely changed to some random weird **** once uploaded to imgur. No clue why.

[LS1SSChris]

^^1st one

Took my SS out for about a 30 mile cruise today since I haven't driven it in a while and was bored, got home and the car had a light coating of salt in the wheel wells/fenders, has chrome wheels also, fantastic. Won't have time to clean it up until later this week, but any special tips on thoroughly getting the salt off of it besides just washing it?

[scrace]

^Looks good.

Shocking that a dealership let a car leave the lot in that condition....

Saw your thread on the other forum.

How do you like the Black Label coatings?

They are great. Easy application and really enhance the gloss and depth of the paint. I topped it with Pinnacle Sovereign Liquid Wax and it added even more depth to the paint and warmed the look up a little bit.

^^1st one

Took my SS out for about a 30 mile cruise today since I haven't driven it in a while and was bored, got home and the car had a light coating of salt in the wheel wells/fenders, has chrome wheels also, fantastic. Won't have time to clean it up until later this week, but any special tips on thoroughly getting the salt off of it besides just washing it?

Sup Maryland Brah!

If you have all surfaces sealed you could probably just foam and rinse the car to get everything off. Or just do a quick two bucket wash. Should take all of 20-30 minutes.

[BrianK.]

whats up brosephinas, just saw this thread and wanted to post my brothers detailing page here;

https://www.********.com/MtlAutoDetail

would be cool if you could like his page!!

cheers

Would if I could, but don't have ********...sorry dude.

Which do you guys like more? Ignore the colors because they completely changed to some random weird **** once uploaded to imgur. No clue why.

[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/JNtp589.jpg[/IMG

[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/AMQ05E2.jpg[/IMG

First one for sure

^^1st one

Took my SS out for about a 30 mile cruise today since I haven't driven it in a while and was bored, got home and the car had a light coating of salt in the wheel wells/fenders, has chrome wheels also, fantastic. Won't have time to clean it up until later this week, but any special tips on thoroughly getting the salt off of it besides just washing it?

Rinse-less washes and water less washes as long as the buildup isn't too bad. If the buildup is bad, then there is nothing you can do other than a traditional wash.

They are great. Easy application and really enhance the gloss and depth of the paint. I topped it with Pinnacle Sovereign Liquid Wax and it added even more depth to the paint and warmed the look up a little bit.



Sup Maryland Brah!

If you have all surfaces sealed you could probably just foam and rinse the car to get everything off. Or just do a quick two bucket wash. Should take all of 20-30 minutes.

Cool...very interested in durability tests, since everyone says its so easy to use.

[LS1SSChris]

Sup Maryland Brah!

If you have all surfaces sealed you could probably just foam and rinse the car to get everything off. Or just do a quick two bucket wash. Should take all of 20-30 minutes.

Ok thanks man, was just making sure there were no other special things I had to do, I understand this stuff is very corrosive. Never have driven this car or my past car in salt before.

Fantastic work on that Hyundai btw, wow, now I know who to contact if I ever need some paint correction lol

Rinse-less washes and water less washes as long as the buildup isn't too bad. If the buildup is bad, then there is nothing you can do other than a traditional wash.

Cool, appreciate it man, probably just give her the old two bucket wash towards the end of the week.

[WSG1]

Which do you guys like more? Ignore the colors because they completely changed to some random weird **** once uploaded to imgur. No clue why.

Like the logo, not too sure about the font. You'd be better off with a professional thick lettered font with a gradient added into it to get rid of the "flat" look.

[jlf]

Best products to get at a local store?

Probably like..

Washing product
Waxing product, something with a shine finish
Idk about clay-bar honestly.. My OCD isnt that bad
Something for leather
Something for just a normal cloth interior
Something for interior ( dash, steering wheel, etc )
Wheel cleaner?

Tryna make a list here and put it under notes on my iphone

[scrace]

Best products to get at a local store?

Probably like..

Washing product
Waxing product, something with a shine finish
Idk about clay-bar honestly.. My OCD isnt that bad
Something for leather
Something for just a normal cloth interior
Something for interior ( dash, steering wheel, etc )
Wheel cleaner?

Tryna make a list here and put it under notes on my iphone

I wouldn't buy from a local store.

autogeek.net has 15% off and free shipping on all orders over $75, it's much cheaper and there better products than in a local store.

[BrianK.]

Best products to get at a local store?

Probably like..

Washing product
Waxing product, something with a shine finish
Idk about clay-bar honestly.. My OCD isnt that bad
Something for leather
Something for just a normal cloth interior
Something for interior ( dash, steering wheel, etc )
Wheel cleaner?

Tryna make a list here and put it under notes on my iphone

IMO if you're strictly buying over the counter products, say from Walmart, then stick with Meguiars or Mothers products.

Washing product: Meguiars Gold Class- probably the best option for OTC

Waxing: Meguiars Ultimate Liquid Wax (this is actually a sealant)

Leather: Unless you're driving around in a Bentley or something similar you probably have coated leather. You'll want to use an interior cleaner for it rather than a leather conditioner. (Unless the leather conditioner is made for vinyl/coated leather)

Cloth: Folex for cleaning up spots and I'm not sure what people use as an OTC product to protect cloth.

Interior plastics: Meguiars Interior Detailer

Wheel Cleaner: Mothers wheel and tire cleaner or Meguiars All Wheel Cleaner

These are based on my opinion: I don't use this stuff that much, but have used them before.

*You should consider claying; it's super easy and will take maybe over an hour for your first time until you get comfortable with it. Claying alone will shine up your car and help the wax/sealant last longer on your car.

Edit: ^^what Scrace said: Taking advantage of these sales with free shipping is the way to go. It can be very overwhelming with all the porducts, but just ask. The products are so much better and easier to use.

But if you insist on buying locally then...buy mostly Meguiars IMO.

[BigB02z28]

You guys who mainly detail from your garage (professionally), how do you have it set up? How many lights were enough? What size breaker did you need? I'm constantly tripping the 15's.

Wanting to give it a couple month test run from my garage before I commit to a building. I don't have the connections here that helped me out so much back home. Really starting from scratch.

[Niko49ers]

What drill is used with the speeds 1-6 for the DA buffer system? I see it says to use higher speeds (and more pressure) for compounding/polishing and lower speeds (and less pressure) for waxing. The drill I used doesn't have a numbered 'speed setting'.

[BigB02z28]

What drill is used with the speeds 1-6 for the DA buffer system? I see it says to use higher speeds (and more pressure) for compounding/polishing and lower speeds (and less pressure) for waxing. The drill I used doesn't have a numbered 'speed setting'.

I'm not sure what you're asking... but a Drill isn't a DA.

DA means dual action, rotates and oscillates.

Now I do use a drill for polishing wheels with my Flitz balls, I vary the speed just with the trigger.

[BigB02z28]

Another happy customer. Just a headlight job on a near 700rwhp GTO.





Edit: Another pic he took.