Kingsford

The only residue that a towel will leave is lint. Is that what you are seeing?

I'm having a hard time seeing what exactly it is. It almost looks like water etching.

I'd remove it before continuing in for a few reasons. For one you'll be able to see if you're happy with your results from CP or if you need to go over it again. Another reason would be, if you went over it with a white pad and FP it could potentially clog up your pad faster.

SHR is now Paint Correcting Polish. I'd probably throw it away or keep it as a piece of nostalgia. It had about a 3 year shelf life and I believe it was discontinued 4-5 years ago.

What are they going to do to you if you're caught?  Lose your business?  Wouldn't give it a second thought.

Exactly. They can ether have someone in a wash bay using a bucket or have all of the bays empty and be losing money.

Pretty sure every coin op place posts that... If they want your business and there is no one else there or waiting in line, they'll be smart not to say anything to you. 

Just go later in the day after the attendant leaves.

I really love my cart from Target. Can't go wrong for $30. (I paid $25, goes on sale frequently).

https://www.target.com/p/storage-cart-white-room-essentials-153/-/A-50659905

Besides a coating, the Ceramic Boost and HGG would be a close comparison. I want to lean toward Boost lasting slightly longer.

Less than 200 miles on both wheels and tires. Will fit 2015-17 Colorado/Canyon. More info below.

Bolt Pattern: 6x120.65
Wheel Diameter: 17"
Wheel Width: 8"
Offset 33
Material: Aluminum
Tires: Goodyear Wrangler All-Terrain Adventure w/ Kevlar 255/65r17

Local pickup only, 60901 area.

Looking for $650.

Sounds like a lot of extra work. Why finish it with a different machine ? If I am applying a coat of sealant I use my PC but that's just to give the Flex a break.

Because of the forced rotation, it makes it harder to get the final little bit. I just found it easier to do 1 or 2 passes with a PC to get the last few little spots using a light polishing pad and light finishing polish. It's just what worked best for me. Others may have different results.

I don't own a Flex any more though because it was too much work and I felt so worn out when using it.

Water etching or hard water build up. Maybe try reapplying the wheel cleaner and properly removing it. If that doesn't work I would try polishing again, maybe by hand.

My Rupes will cut through and then finish amazingly. Just as long as the pad is moving.... maybe I just have tons of learning to do. Or maybe it's the pads I'm using.

Rupes recommends using their pads, obviously from a selling point, but mainly because their pads are made to work with their machine. I have tried several types of pads on my Rupes 15 and the best performer was the Rupes pad.

As I tried to explain in my rambling, this machine (FLEX 3401) is built for power and not necessarily for finesse. Think of heavyweight vs lightweight boxers. IMO this machine is great for removing imperfections quickly. However, I wouldn't want to wear myself out using this machine for light polishing/finishing polishing type of work. This is where I assume the Rupes excels ahead of the Flex. You wouldn't bring a strongman contestant to a jump rope competition would you?! 

I agree its very hard to finish with a Flex and get the results you are looking for mainly because its so powerful. When I had my Flex I always had to finish with a Porter Cable.

I only have pad stall or slowing on contoured panels. I can hold zero pressure and it will stall. I'm really hoping it's my technique and not the machine. Surely I didn't get a defective polisher right out of the box. I hope not.

Can you take a video of it happening while you're polishing? About the only way we will be able to tell if its technique or the polisher itself.

If the pad is not spinning it is because of how much weight you are applying to the Polisher. If you hold the Polisher and don't push down the pad should spin freely, if it does not spin freely when applying no weight there may be an issue with your Polisher. The Rupes is the better option if you are still learning.

Leaking for sure. Tint wouldn't do that and if it did, it would be pealing badly.

Take it through a touchless carwash. You'll find the leak.

Kingsford that is my concern. It looks really big and bulky. I really just want to be able to carry a few bottles and some towels. I fear the geek one might be too big! I do like the way it holds the bottles and the bottom compartment though, that's what draws me to it. Does the Adam's bag hold bottles?

It looks like it can hold 8 bottles. The one I have holds 16 bottles but that isn't produced any more. I ended up returning the geek one. It wasn't for me. I like my Adam's Bags.

I don't have that specific Adam's bag but I can say I had a bag like the other from the the geek store and I hated it.

When I wash my vehicles at the Firehouse, I bring my 2 buckets with the brushes inside of one, foam gun in another, a Rubbermaid tub for towels and everything chemical wise stored in an old Adam's Americana Bag.

Its a lot to bring with but its everything I need.

I would NEVER keep my stuff at the station because I know it will walk away.

Every so often you can find a bag on here for sale. I had 3 at one point and sold 2 but I plan on keeping my last one.

APC with a Utility Towel. If it's really bad, let the APC or L&IC to sit a few seconds and do the work.

A foam gun would be a poor mans cannon. 

A foam cannon is nothing more than a high pressure foam gun. They both do the same thing but a foam cannon just looks cooler. 

Sure the suds might stick better with a cannon to the paint but the whole purpose is to wash the vehicle and not stare at it covered in foam.

----End Rant----

Dilution Ratios - Link to the sticky thread about dilutions.

For every 16oz of water you add 1oz of product.

As far as the Apple Scented Detail Spray returning, I don't have any concrete information on that yet, sorry

Work your magic! 

Depends. Every towel has a different purpose. I find myself using Waffle Weaves the most since they have the most uses. Drying, waterless washing, glass, etc.

There is no best overall. A waffle weave is best at drying but plush is best at removing polishes and waxes. 

Apple scent is my favorite. It was my favorite when Waterless Wash was Apple scented (Not sure if it still is, I just use Rinseless now). 

I'd buy a Gallon of it. Would probably last until next year when it comes back out.

Brilliant Glaze used to be Brilliant Spray Glaze... It was changed for a reason to not be a spray, so I'd assume it won't work out the best.