rondre

13 minutes ago, Parad0x said:

I hear you, I make my dealer aware during any visit I do NOT want the vehicle washed or detailed in any way.  I even have a hang tag I hang from the rear view mirror making them aware "Do NOT wash this vehicle" etc etc.  It is important to try and find a good dealer if you have multiple choices near where one lives.

 

I'd personally not let the dealer apply their 'stuff' to the vehicle OP but if it is something that doesn't bother you and you want to test half the hood, by all means, we'd love to hear your findings down the road.  I just feel don't let them introduce swirls or do anything if you're a competent detailer yourself.

Competency - perhaps lol.  Definitely wouldn't consider myself a detailer but enthusiast yes.  I've watched enough videos to know what needs to be done - just haven't done it other than my own vehicles.  Regarding this service, the experimental side of me really wants to see how it compares with APS so I've decided to go ahead and do it.  I did some more research and this is basically a brand new service for them and seems to be not long in the industry - it's essentially a "car wash" with "super soft" cloth fibers that work the sealant in automatically.  Honestly when I saw the video I was scared $hitless to run a brand new vehicle through it - but I've got a decent flashlight to check it out after and I'm going to tape off half the hood for comparison.  I figure if it swirls I'll just have to fix, but at least I can talk smack online w/ proof and help others out with real world experience vs an opinion.  Maybe I'll be pleasantly surprised - but doubt it.

Will keep ppl posted long as RL doesn't get in the way - The way my garage is right now the suv will be outdoor only.  Northern California doesn't see too much bad weather but we're heading to Reno in a week so good chance of some nasty conditions on I-80 - will see how it holds up - I think I might need to do a side panel as well for comparison now that i think of it

Count me in!

I agree with you 100% Paradox - I have a friend who is our all the time mechanic barring recall work and I do my own detailing so there is no additional cost that could be incurred other than them potentially screwing up the paint - but would also include a warranty.

I confirmed it is a sealant and not a coating so I might just polish off half of the hood and put adams paint sealant on the other side so I can get a side by side comparison.  The other advantage is my garage is literally full ceiling to floor with a project i'm working on so I have nowhere to detail it myself.  I think I'll let them do at least one since I can't get a sealant on anytime soon and compare results w/ APS.

Hi everyone,

Just bought a new 2019 Mazda CX-5 and the dealer was doing a promo for free auto-butler service.  I know this wasn't wrapped into the cost of the vehicle as we got it $550 under invoice due to a screw up on their end and I've always declined those dealer packages because I know they're a rip off, however, since this is "free" I'm wondering if anyone has ever heard of auto butler or their service.  I feel like I'm at a crossroads - if I let them perform the service it requires them to "touch it up" every 6 months which basically tells me it's a sealant and not a coating.  This option requires us to bring it in and for the dealer to do the work which could be swirl inducive, but also provides a "warranty" of which I really know nothing about.  On the other hand I have paint sealant already and can probably put a better product on but at my own cost as well.  

Does anyone have any experience or knowledge about the Auto Butler service?  Really not sure which way to go here.

Thanks,

Ron

Wonder if it would be more effective to do a soak and wash by hand over washing machine for so few - my particular washer doesn't do much agitation.  Anyone else hand wash their towels?

6 minutes ago, pirahnah3 said:

There are some great videos out there of turning that HF unit into a two stage unit for very little cost which will improve things and prolong filter life. Im looking at some different setups to be able to best use dust collection on my shop. 

Also - here is a great article on box fan cheap filtration (courtesy of izzy swan sharing in one of his videos also shared)

http://www.americanallergysupply.com/box-fan-air-cleaner.htm

Izzy video: 

I'll probably still do the wen model for the remote and ease of not building so i can use that time towards other projects but in future might do the box fan as well on a mobile cart for area specific.

Just now, pirahnah3 said:

There are some great videos out there of turning that HF unit into a two stage unit for very little cost which will improve things and prolong filter life. Im looking at some different setups to be able to best use dust collection on my shop. 

I've probably seen all of them but I'm probably just going to bite the bullet and setup a super dust deputy.  I have the regular one i've used with my shop vac and it works fantastic - pretty much nothing gets into the main unit.  My garage is like 2.25 size so not enough room to really worry about running piping and the way I have it planned on being laid out a mobile unit will be best so the current single stage works for now - probably in spring (birthday) i'll use the nice weather for stuff but in the meantime i'm either just not going to use stuff in the garage without the dust collector or i'll move to the driveway if not raining.  Don't have much extra $$ for stuff anyways as big trip to ireland next summer so paying off parts of that already purchased

19 hours ago, pirahnah3 said:

Hate to say they are right, but it also sounds like your wood shop could use a dust collection upgrade. Should ask santa for a simple shop vac add on one, makes cleanup so much easier! 

I already turned into santa and bought a harbor freight dust collector which is surprisingly awesome.  Going forward it will always be used and looking into a regular shop filtration unit or just making a box fan variety.  At this point I'm just very happy that one of my drying towels wasn't one that bit the dust.

I have some dedicated lidded containers for them - what happened was after using the rinseless and some detail spray i was stupidly hanging them on my daughters scooter to take in and wash after.  Ended up knocking them off on the ground - will just make them interior ones oh well - i have some extras. 

I do have a follow up question tho - I'm no professional - just enthusiast trying to keep stuff clean and do it well - but i don't polish often and honestly don't even use much detail spray lately as garage has been cluttered so less opportunity with nothing sitting there.  If I do a maintenance wash I usually only have a few towels used which doesn't even cover the bottom of my washing machine.  Is there any issue with spritzing some of the microfiber reviatlizer and tossing them in a lidded 5 gallon bucket until full enough for a wash?  I know mold might be a factor but if they're allowed to dry first w/ the revitalizer then stored is there an issue or dmg or is it better to just do a small wash? 

Bummer, some good towels in there, thanks for the info guys

My garage is a part time workshop and after detailing my wife's car I was taking the towels in to was and tripped over something and had to drop all the towels on the floor which was covered in sawdust and planer shavings.  The shavings are sticking to the towels like Velcro, is there a way to save them or am I screwed?

I've tried a lot of things as I have the same situation as you.  Tried vinegar - no go, tried just claying - no go - tried meguiars water spot remover (just with a microfiber) - no go, I had to polish mine off.  A friend of mine had etching from over a year of collecting water spots and at the time all i had was griots one step (non-boss) and the meguiars 4inch drill attached DA.  Took about 4 hours but was able to get about 95% of the water spots off so any quality polish should work for you but not sure if that's more of a pain in the *** than doing the vinegar.

I don't have the foam gun but do have the red spray nozzle and love it - looks to be the same as what comes with the guns just w/o the gun attachment part.  I do have a foam cannon (non-adams) and I can actually attest to pre-foaming helping loosen dirt.  I foamed down my truck with the cannon and for some reason started on the side i'd just foamed rather than the one I started foaming on.  By the time I got around to that side a few minutes later the dirt was wiping off very cleanly while on the first side i had to make several passes.  I've never been one to let the foam sit but have been now and finding it does help.  Personally I like the pressure washer method as the foam is thicker and seems to stay on the vehicle longer but that's just based off my use vs what i see in videos.  I have a quick disconnect on the pressure washer and spray nozzle so it's pretty easy to swap between the 2.  The pressure washer is electric and doesn't foam quite as well as my gas powered which was stolen a couple months ago but it still will paint the car white.  If it were me I'd recommend getting a cannon over the gun but if not an option I believe the gun would be a good choice over just the 2 bucket method.

14 hours ago, LSX Maestro said:

What tires are you having issues with? That's more than likely the root of your problem, not the TRC/Brushes/Methods of using. 

Not sure if this was directed at me or not but i've got toyo open country at - haven't washed truck in a while as rain on and off and taking care of wifes car first - hoping in a couple weeks to get back at it.

1 hour ago, ZMAN024 said:

 

You also want to be careful using an air compressor on the interior, too.  If the compressor's tank has any moisture in it and no in-line filter, you'll be forcing that moisture into your fabric seats, carpets, etc.  The issue there is that the moisture is not clean and will contain whatever residue is in the tank....rust, particulate matter, etc.  

Does anyone here use it w/ an inline filter?  I actually just picked one up recently so was thinking of incorporating that.

2 hours ago, shane@detailedreflections said:

 

We always blow every interior out. It’s the best way to do it!

I don't have a car specific blower - any issues just using an air compressor to do this?  I know it's not recommended for the paint but for interior you're going to be cleaning is it a problem?

Another idea that might be hard to pull off - run tape down the middle of a car that is really dirty and do a full detail/correction/polish/seal or wax on half then show the difference of the "before and after".   Since correcting could prob get away with rinseless to get a crisp line.  

Foam Wars - a video that shows a line of foam cannons filled with the same amount of water (preferably distilled for comparison) and show adding the same amount of soaps from the different ones offers - pop each in the pressure washer and shoot - see the difference from the same video, same environment, etc.

Also would be nice to see a comparison of different soaps with different concentrations - ie reg shampoo with 2 oz added, 3 oz added, 4 oz...5, etc.  It would be nice to have a controlled environment available to showcase the differences.  I've read many posts about ultra foam not yielding any better suds than reg but maybe ultra foam doesn't get foamier past a certain # of ounces while regular does.  Does strip wash foam as good as the rest?  Dunno, but showcasing all in the same context would be pretty sweet.

On 4/7/2018 at 11:40 AM, Chonke said:

I really enjoy videos where people wash or restore random vehicles. Maybe go to a customers house and record the process of how you clean/repair that particular vehicle. Maybe a truck that just got back from offroading, or how to clean a wrapped car, etc...That way we can see how well the products work with abused vehicles and it shows different an creative ways to use your products. 

I think this is an awesome idea and maybe even do it like extreme makeover auto edition.  show up at a random persons house and offer to do a free full detail.  

On 4/7/2018 at 3:26 AM, BRZN said:

Here's a trick I've learned to help stop the squeaking/jumping wiper blades.

 

Step 1.) Wipe the rubber of the wiper blade off with Windshield Wiper Fluid and a paper towel until no more black come off onto the paper towel. Let Dry.

 

Step 2.) Wipe the rubber of the wiper blade down with Glass Sealant. Let Dry. Buff down the Glass Sealant with a clean paper towel.

Thanks, I'll have to try this!

5 hours ago, 8675309'SS said:

I believe the assault of debris and heat generated warranted the argument for a harder coating for wheels— as opposed to difference in paint. But I am not an expert either. 

Makes sense, but still don't know why you couldn't use either on either surface

1 hour ago, 2012srt8 said:

Adams said you can't use the wheel coating on your paint.why would they even bothered with the paint coating to begin with? the description means painted wheels

Well i'm not gonna pretend to be an expert but what would the difference between painted wheels and painted cars be?  Guessing both would have a clear coat over them or mixed in so don't see what the difference would be.  Guessing the paint coating at 7H was maybe ease of application over the larger surface or it might have something to do with the formula producing more shine at a lower hardness?  

Just speculating.

3 hours ago, 2012srt8 said:

maybe I figured it out but for the ceramic coating package,it says 9h coating.adams current coating is 7h.im assuming this means a new and more durable coating is coming

I'm guessing they're using the wheel coating which says it's a 9h and product description says can be used on paint, powder coat, chrome, and polished aluminum.  It's also cheaper than the paint coating if just looking at the bottle

45 minutes ago, Nickfire20 said:

Ive used both.  Not sure if it was together.

 

 But more recently i have used detail spray when drying on the windshield and at other times H2O GnG.   

 

And at other times I used glass boost.  I absolutely love glass boost.  

If i were in your shoes right now.  I would leave Griots out and just do glass boost to seal the windshield.  

 

Ive never had my wipers squeak, but ive had them skip,  and i think i had to much product on at that point, so i cleaned, clay, and added boost,  things were back to perfect.  

what is the longevity you've found with glass boost?  also does it have a cure time?

Received this in last mystery buckets - was pretty excited to check it out.  Unfortunately I never found my original adams glass sealant which i loved and was using up some griots glass sealant which works great as well, just takes twice as long to apply for similar results.  Well in Norcal there's a 2 day rainstorm blowing through so this morning i decided to "boost" my wife's sealed car (bout a month ago with griots) with some glass boost and since i've only had my truck a few months i hadn't yet sealed my windshield so decided to do it since my wipers were squeaky.  Cleaned glass thoroughly and clayed it afterwards then spent a good 15 minutes doing 2 coats of the griots per instructions.  The only non-instruction thing I did was rather than wipe it off once hazed over I misted some glass boost on top and buffed to a ?shine?   Anyways - water was beading like crazy and flying off the windshield around 30mph - but literally less than 5 minutes later and probably 5 wiper swipes in they wipers were squeaking again and low and behold, the glass is no longer sealed.

My wife also reported her wipers were squeaking a little today too.  I'm guessing that maybe the glass boost doesn't play nice w/ the griots variety (no matter, my replacement Adam's one is coming Tuesday), but I'm not really sure - anyone else have any experience using glass boost w/ a non Adams glass sealant?  Does the humidity play a factor in not letting it seal properly?  The only difference between when the stuff i have worked great and today was the addition of the glass boost and less time before water touched the windshield.  I will say during the final buffing off of the sealant and boost that the windshield was suuuuuper slick.

Anyways - not sure if anyone can answer the humidity with glass sealant question or glass boost with other sealant question but wanted to throw this out there.  I'm going to re-coat tonight after work w/o using the boost and see if it's the humidity or the boost - will update with results later.