*Official* Ask A Detailer Thread

thank you so much for the pointers and recommendations on some products. I was going to use a pressure washer at the DIY bays, but was curious if you can use the rinse less wash with the bay(given the name of the product I’m assuming I’ll need a different wash). I haven’t watched any videos yet on applying detailer or sealant so this might be a silly question. Do you apply sealant/detailer to the whole frame or is that only used for the flat surfaces like the roof and hood.

Edit:
I forgot to ask about the Gary dean method. Is there a reason you only use MF plush towels and not a wash mitt?

 

Rinseless wash is meant to be used for routine washing to eliminate light dust and surface contamination, using it when the truck is too dirty will lead to a lot of scratches and swirls. use a normal ph neutral auto shampoo (doesn't need to be anything super expensive) and 2 bucket method for an initial cleaning at the DIY bay.

Klasse sealant gets applied to all painted surfaces, hood, roof, fenders, doors, bedsides, tailgate, painted areas of the grille and front bumper.

Plush MF towels with a deep pile will hold more wash solution and give you more clean sides of the towel to touch your paint with than an ordinary wash mitt. Also, as you use each towel they go into the "discard" bucket to be washed for next time. you are never touching the paint with a dirty towel.

 

I was thinking of purchasing the Duprey Neat Steam Cleaner and then follow with my ProTeam backpack canister vacuum if needed. I want to clean a junkyard headliner, seats, and carpet before installing in my truck.
https://dupray.com/products/neat-steam-cleaner

https://proteam.emerson.com/en-us/shop/proteam/proteam-qpbp


My question: Is the Duprey unit to strong for car interiors?

Should I just buy the Bissell Little Green Hydrosteam?
https://www.bissell.com/little-green-hydrosteam-pet-portable-carpet-cleaner-3618.html

I think Duprey would be cool, and useful for so much more. IDK. My biggest worry: I would mess up the headliner.

 

How much would it cost to buy all new interior pieces vs. the cost of that Duprey? How dirty are these pieces and what material is the headliner made of?
I haven't heard of or used a Duprey, but I do have the upright version of the Bissell Hydrosteam and it works really good.

If the interior pieces are trashed and filthy it's not going to matter how much you spend on a professional carpet cleaner. Some things just won't clean 100%.

 

The seats, upholstery, and carpet would be a lot, lot new. A detail job would be a couple hundred. The headliner, seats, and carpet I got from the junkyard are in great shape. The Duprey is about 160$ shipped. The Bissel is 200$ shipped.

I think I am going with the steamer. Just so many uses for it.

 

the steamer should work fine, just be careful not to keep the heat on one area for too long. the headliner adhesive will fail extremely fast under the heat of steam and you can scorch plastic and remove paint or coatings with steam. check out AmmoNYC on youtube, he has a lot of great videos on how to gently clean headliners, and he uses steam for just about everything.

 

I am sure it has already been asked but what do recommend for exterior black plastic restore and maintenance.

 

For routine cleaning, whatever you are using to wash the truck is fine. for a deep clean any decent all purpose cleaner, I like meguiars APC+. For protection meguiars ultimate protectant, stoner trim shine, or amsoil mudslinger are all quick and easy to use and do a great job of providing protection. there are a plethora of ceramic trim restoration products to choose from if you want to fix some fading. keep it simple and skip any products that are a dye.

 

I have used the the Meguiars ultimate black on my wife's Rav 4 but it seems to fade rather quickly.

 

Thats why I said to avid products that claim to dye the plastic back to black, they don't work and bleed onto the paint.

The ceramic trim restoration products add a decent semi permanent protective layer, which by it's nature will reduce the faded appearance.

the product (see here: https://www.meguiars.com/automotive/products/meguiarsr-ultimate-protectant-g14716-152-oz-spray ) I referenced is a protectant, not a dye. use a protectant regularly to prevent further fading/deterioration.

 

Thanks

 

303 aerospace works well, but washes off once it gets wet. If you want something that will last try Gtechnic C4.

 

Got a new set of machined Methods arriving in a day or two, want to coat them with something before mounting. Any suggestions on a good protectant?

 

If you don't already have all the materials and know how, I would just bring them to a reputable detailer and have them ceramic coated, as for upkeep, wash with the same shampoo you use to wash your truck and do a through decontamination every 5k when you rotate your tires.

If you are set on doing the coating yourself and don't have anything yet, I would keep it simple and use something like meguiars ceramic wax. with wheels, coatings are great but routine cleaning and upkeep make way more of a difference than having the latest/greatest ceramic or graphene coating.

 

I've got most everything needed, except for an actual product. Plan was to give them a good wash and use 303 unless someone had a suggestion of a specific product.

 

on wheels, you want some sort of ceramic coating or at least a good synthetic sealant. 303 protectant will protect against UV damage, but it isn't going to stand up to brake dust, road spray, and heat from the brakes that well. since you seem to be set on the DIY route, I use and recommend Klasse high gloss sealant glaze for just about everything.

 

What double-sided tape is best for bonding emblems to metal surfaces and can withstand both cold (-20F) and hot temperatures (120+F)?

 

$6 3m VHB 100x200mm~ (4" X8") Double Sided Foam Adhesive Sheet Tape 5952 Automotive Mounting Industrial Grade Very High Bond 5952 (1 Sheets 100x200mm)

3m VHB or super molding tape.

 

Probably Gtechnic c5. Wash them really good before hand, dry completely, prep with panel wipe, then apply Gtechnic c5 and wipe off per directions.

https://gtechniq.com/shop/auto/kits/wheel-coating-kit/

 

Got a question for a pro out there in taco land. My ass of a neighbor decided to pay an unskilled laborer to rattle can his metal fence white on a windy day. The result is my perdy truck has a misting of white everywhere. I was parked in my driveway two houses down. I’m thinking clay bar for the paint and window but I’m worried about damaging the trim or my LED headlights with something abrasive. Advice is appreciated and thank you in advance.