[gtfoxy]

Originally Posted by zaimer

Very cool. I had always dreamt of being a detailer, but I was afraid I would lose the passion for it (sort of what you explained). I know I would also want to do high end detailing, where the quality is the primary focus versus pushing cars through. Tell me the SW WI dealer wasn't Runde's. I'm originally from SW WI.

It was in PDC. Huebche Chevrolet. Pretty sure they got shut down during the restructure years ago. I was there back in ‘93.

I’d have to do all the Iowa hog farmer’s trucks when they’d come in.

Big change from that to doing Porches & other high end private cars.

[Jaxcam02]

Originally Posted by jamala00

Just curious... So what else are you having done. I have 3 black vehicles. '09 Harley, '15 Impala, '18 Tahoe. The 2 autos see the soft touch car wash all winter long. (Not hand washing a vehicle in the middle of winter). Every spring they both have paint swirls and what not from the soft touch car wash. Every spring I take them in to get professionally detailed. They come back to me in about 4 hours and the black paint looks like glass. No swirls, looks like it came off the showroom floor. What are you doing that you have 10 hours into it and have another 10-15 hours to go? Honestly just curious.

1. Wash (car, wheels, calipers, tires)
2. Clay Bar (car wheels, calipers)
3. tape off rubber and plastic trim
4. Cutting compound (i am in this process right now)
5. Bring car out into sun. Mark any missed scratches/swirls
6. re-cut over missed/deeper scratches
7. Polishing compound
8. alcohol prep for PPF
9. apply PPF
10. alcohol prep for ceramic
11. apply ceramic
12. finish up with ceramic reload spray

Keep in mind I work full time so I'm having to do this in small hour and a half to two hour sessions so each time I have to prepare my tools, make sure the surface didn't collect any large particulates and clean up each time.

[redcoats1976]

i do an amateur level detail.wash,vacuum,clean wheels,ultimate compound applied with random orbital polisher,and wax over the top of that.the car looks presentable,and i have around $250in the equipment.also get to do my son and wifes cars so the random orbital polisher saves a lot of elbow grease.

[ste1n]

Originally Posted by Glen e

Wipe on, wipe off - Meguires hybrid ceramic spray sealant...nothing easier every 90 days...

https://www.autogeek.net/meguiars-hy...ramic-wax.html

Is it okay if I use this when washing the car and then after I dry the car use car guys hybrid wax?

[Glen e]

I don’t know what “car guys hybrid wax” is…

[ste1n]

Originally Posted by Glen e

I don’t know what “car guys hybrid wax” is…

It is a spray sealant

https://www.carguysdetail.com/products/hybrid-wax

[GroundhogSS]

FYI, I found the Meguiar's ceramic wax at Walmart for $15.97. When I went to their site tonight to verify the price, it was marked down to $12.74.

[SSJ455]

Originally Posted by GroundhogSS

FYI, I found the Meguiar's ceramic wax at Walmart for $15.97. When I went to their site tonight to verify the price, it was marked down to $12.74.

I love the Adam's H2O Guard n' Gloss. I buy it by the gallon! I use it after every wash and it leaves a nice freshly waxed feel.

[Aragorn]

Turtle wax ice seal and shine $9. Not ceramic but well worth the price.

[MackSteelPrivateEye]

I bought this the other day. Haven't used yet, but gets better reviews than the high priced ceramic stuff on the market.

[Aragorn]

Originally Posted by MackSteelPrivateEye

I bought this the other day. Haven't used yet, but gets better reviews than the high priced ceramic stuff on the market.

It is a very good product but just be careful with streaking especially on dark colors. If you do get streaking just add a tad of water and wipe off.

[396ssrat]

Several weeks ago I read a thread on this site about a guy using a product called P&S Bead Maker. I went online and checked it out on you tube. It was cheap enough so I splurged and ordered some, got it and applied it as was shown on you tube. I had a guy come and detail my grandson's gen 6 and it came out very nice. The detail guy told me at first he was kind of indifferent but he also detailed my Silverado and then when finished I asked him to come and look again at the Camaro. This stuff just gets shinier after it cures a while. It actually POPS after a couple hours. The directions say not to expose it to water for 8 hours so I allowed it to dry overnight. It is every bit as nice as was described here in the Camaro forum.
The week after, I applied it to my Silverado and the damned thing looks like new again. It's a 2011. Pretty good stuff.

[Memphis SS]

Op,

There are several waxes and one step spray-on products that will make your car shine and protect the paint but, as other have stated you need to invest in a clay bar and go over the car first to remove the rail dust from transportation and other contamination in the paint. It’s very easy to do and well worth the extra step.

[ZED SLED]

For years I've been doing paint correction with Adams polishes followed by their sealer, glaze, and buttery wax. A couple of years ago I replaced the last 3 steps with Carpro eraser and reload. Any advantage to replacing the reload with Meguire's ceramic wax?