[i am not a traitor]

Do we have a detailing thread anywhere on OR? If not, we can use this for questions/tips.

I'll start, what is everyone's preferred method for washing their car windows? I've used the rainx window cleaner for years and think it is fine. I imagine there are better products. Recommendations?

Also, I learned 25 years ago how well using newspaper works to wash windows. Spray on the cleaner and use a crumpled up newspaper to scrub everything off and it leaves a perfect streak free window. That worked much better when newspapers were more of a thing. Now I only get one local newspaper a week so I don't always have it to wash windows. Do any of you guys use newspaper? Have you ever? What do you use now? Microfiber towels?

[linderpat]

Yes I have used newspaper in the past when I had them. They were the best for the job. Now I use rags, mostly cotton. Paper towels are the worst, because of what they are made of, they streak and leave a residue.

How about sap removal? Last year, I clay barred, then buffed, then waxed my shark, attended a big show in Columbus and was put under a tree. I was able to wash off a lot of the sap, but there still are those little sap bumps on the car. Do I need to redo the whole clay/buff/ wax process again? Looking for short cuts.

[i am not a traitor]

Yes I have used newspaper in the past when I had them. They were the best for the job. Now I use rags, mostly cotton. Paper towels are the worst, because of what they are made of, they streak and leave a residue.

How about sap removal? Last year, I clay barred, then buffed, then waxed my shark, attended a big show in Columbus and was put under a tree. I was able to wash off a lot of the sap, but there still are those little sap bumps on the car. Do I need to redo the whole clay/buff/ wax process again? Looking for short cuts.

I imagine so. There was sap on my wife's vehicle and I couldn't get it off with the clay bar. I tried Mother's Speed Foaming Bug & Tar remover and that didn't work well at all. I ended up using a "safe" for paint adhesive remover that I had in the garage that ended up working after several tries.

I've heard good things about this stuff for removing dried on sap: https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/p/d/b40070703/

[fast_freddy]

I'll be following this with interest as I'm embarking on my semi annual (July and November) car detailing extravaganza in the next several days. I've had varying results with all of the usual suspects and recently was pretty please with the 3M polising system with some Griots pads finished with Zymol Wax. I recently got a full complement of AutoGlym products (it's the Auto Valeting product of the King, so you know it's good ) and look forward to the results. Most of my cars are dark (three black, two dark blue, three dark grey and a silver one) and the polishing jobs really show through all except silver. Another member here recommended Zaino products. They use a Vette in their videos and Guido's are particular about their Vettes (screaming chickens too) so it's likely pretty good.

[i am not a traitor]

I'm going to list a few things that I've discovered and have been happy with so far this summer.

3D SiO2 Ceramic Wax: Don't know the longevity yet, but it went on really nice. I haven't seen how it beads up in the rain yet. Happy so far.



P & S Absolute Rinseless Wash: I just discovered "drying aides". So you spray this on the wet vehicle and wipe off with a drying towel. It works so much better than not using it. Give it a try. Just make sure you dilute it for your application.



Sprayway Glass Cleaner: Using this with newspaper is great.

[ranger22]

I've become a big fan of the Gyeon products. I tried out their ceramic coating last spring. I did all of the prep work on my own and then applied the coating. It took two days to prep an old ass Land Bruiser and then about 45 mins to apply the ceramic coating (2 coatings). After doing the coating, I neglected the vehicle. It sat outside in the Texas sun during the spring which is full of storms and lots of heat. 4 months later, after a rain storm, I snapped this pic. It's not perfect, but damn good for zero care on the coating.

IMG_8277.jpg

The product I used was the MOHS Evo ceramic.

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To prep the car, I used the Gyeon Iron Decontamination

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Claybar, I think this was some basic autogeek stuff

Then I used some old blackfire compound and polish with a Milwaukee side grinder (kiding, it's an orbital)

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Before applying the ceramic, I need to use the prep sprayer to clean any residues from the paint correction off.

Screenshot 2024-08-26 at 8.09.02 PM.png

Applying the ceramic is super easy. You drip a few drops onto the applicator that comes with the bottle, then run it across the paint in the same pattern you use to paint correct, but you cover a much smaller area about 12x12". Once you've covered the area, you wipe it off with a microfiber before it dries and voila, you're done. So little effort to apply such a nice, lasting surface finish. We've come a long way from fighting with carnauba to get it to set just right only to have it cook off in a few hours of sun exposure.

I washed my wife's car this past weekend. I had previously washed it and then I applied the Gyeon ceramic detailer because I didn't have the time to prep and do a full MOHS application. Using this detailer is as simple as spraying it onto a microfiber and then wiping it onto the car. The bottle says it can be used as a drying agent, though I've never tried it as one. I'm intrigued and will check out the drying agent use case soon. Regardless, I was amazed as how well the water was beading and how easily her car cleaned up. It was damn near the equivalent of a full ceramic coating. While her car lives in garages, she does drive it through all weather and it had been months since I touched it. So I was really amazed at how well it worked.

Screenshot 2024-08-26 at 8.16.28 PM.png

One last plug, I really like "The Clean Garage." They sell high quality stuff and ship really fast. I find them to be really helpful when trying to figure out power washer parts as well. They are having a 5 year celebration, so if you guys are looking to buy stuff you can get 15% off through Thursday 8/29 with the code "5YEARS"

[i am not a traitor]

There is a detailing shop local to me that sells the Gyeon brand stuff and have been tempted to try it.

[ranger22]

There is a detailing shop local to me that sells the Gyeon brand stuff and have been tempted to try it.

I like the Gyeon glass cleaner too. It works better than any spray I’ve used, though I’m no expert.

[fast_freddy]

I'm in "prep season" getting my cars ready for winter. The past two days I've completed two cars and used Auto Glym Super Resin Polish https://www.autoglym.com/srp-super-resin-polish.html prior to waxing with Zymol carnuba wax. The results are nothin short of spectacular. There isn't a single microscratch on either car. The Basalt black one (Panamera) is a mirror finish. The Adorite Silver one (Benz S600) is even better only because it's grey. The paint is the smoothest I've ever had. I apply it with a Griots finishing pad and random orbit sander. The left over haze dries very quickly with a talc like quality and wipes off very easily. Prior to the Resin Polish I used the two finest 3M grits and the Auto Glym was far shinier than the 3M Ultra fine, by a margin.

Still have four more to do (I need to order more) before they get tucked away until April. I couldn't be happier.

[i am not a traitor]

I'm in "prep season" getting my cars ready for winter. The past two days I've completed two cars and used Auto Glym Super Resin Polish https://www.autoglym.com/srp-super-resin-polish.html prior to waxing with Zymol carnuba wax. The results are nothin short of spectacular. There isn't a single microscratch on either car. The Basalt black one (Panamera) is a mirror finish. The Adorite Silver one (Benz S600) is even better only because it's grey. The paint is the smoothest I've ever had. I apply it with a Griots finishing pad and random orbit sander. The left over haze dries very quickly with a talc like quality and wipes off very easily. Prior to the Resin Polish I used the two finest 3M grits and the Auto Glym was far shinier than the 3M Ultra fine, by a margin.

Still have four more to do (I need to order more) before they get tucked away until April. I couldn't be happier.

Never polished a vehicle. It scares me.

[ranger22]

Never polished a vehicle. It scares me.

Using modern tools and products and on modern clearcoated paint, it’s pretty hard to f-up unless you’re an absolute moron. Single stage paint is another story.

[i am not a traitor]

Never polished a vehicle. It scares me.

Using modern tools and products and on modern clearcoated paint, it’s pretty hard to f-up unless you’re an absolute moron. Single stage paint is another story.

Well that is reassuring!

[N_Jay]

Never polished a vehicle. It scares me.

Using modern tools and products and on modern clearcoated paint, it’s pretty hard to f-up unless you’re an absolute moron. Single stage paint is another story.

Using any power polishing on a car, even with clear coat you need to be carful wherever the body lines add to the pad pressure.
If you cut through the cleR coat you won't know till the next time.