2021 Telluride Detailing Thread

[gman1868]

I’d really like to go with the Adams since it’s what you use. I just have no where to store it! My storage locker is too small for it to fit. Thanks for the helpful tip regarding water pressure for the foam cannon to work.

What sealant/finisher do you use? Still that yellow bottle? Was it Mother’s or something like that?

Mine is ceeramic coated. If it wasn't I'd do clay bar and paint correction, then apply Griots 3-in-1 ceramic spray on wax. It's one of the top 2-3 based upon real world tests. It lasts for up to a year.

I thnk if you choose any one of top 3 you'll do well.

 

[shaveiceclub]

Mine is ceeramic coated. If it wasn't I'd do clay bar and paint correction, then apply Griots 3-in-1 ceramic spray on wax. It's one of the top 2-3 based upon real world tests. It lasts for up to a year.

I thnk if you choose any one of top 3 you'll do well.

Thanks for sharing this. I’ll pick some up. I have a bunch of Chemical Guys products on the way but I’m not sure if the wax they have is the same as this stuff. I don’t think so. So maybe I can use both? Is that overkill? The video is super helpful!

 

[tpgh]

Just cleaned my car for the first time after turning it in for detailing when it was first picked up from the dealership. I suddenly find myself in need of a pressure washer, pH neutral soap, sealant, and any other essentials you could recommend. I’ve gone back through the thread and added some stuff to my cart based on what’s been used here by all you enthusiasts (Chemical Guys snow foam, etc). The two areas im struggling with are the pressure washer and foam canon. I need a fairly compact pressure washer, as I live in an apartment. The Sun Joes look to big. I see a couple Ryobi options. And a DeWalt option (but the reviews aren’t too good). I see Adams but that would definitely be an investment; is it worth it?

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide

Sounds like compact size is most important. I have a karcher, not even sure which version but they’re all the same size, with a foam cannon and it works just fine for my needs. I don’t solely use it for washing, I use it to suds up the vehicle and then I hand wash it.

 

[gman1868]

Thanks for sharing this. I’ll pick some up. I have a bunch of Chemical Guys products on the way but I’m not sure if the wax they have is the same as this stuff. I don’t think so. So maybe I can use both? Is that overkill? The video is super helpful!

You won't need any or wax or sealant if you use a spray on ceramic coating.

Paint is not really flat. A cross-section under the microscope would look like a mountain range. Wax or sealant only covers the surface but it remains jagged. Creamic coating actually fills in the valleys and makes it truly flat, hence the reason it is so hydrophobic.

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[Lefty]

I plan on using turtle wax hybrid solutions products on my telly. Looks good and easy to apply.

I've been using the Meguiars hybrid ceramic. Mixed results. The protection is outstanding. Water beeding like I have never seen before. However it is proving a chore to put on without having to use good old fashion elbow grease to buff off sections. Its supposed to be wash on, wash off. Its anything but. I plan on switching and trying the turtle wax version when I finish my bottle of Meguiars.

 

[gman1868]

I've been using the Meguiars hybrid ceramic. Mixed results. The protection is outstanding. Water beeding like I have never seen before. However it is proving a chore to put on without having to use good old fashion elbow grease to buff off sections. Its supposed to be wash on, wash off. Its anything but. I plan on switching and trying the turtle wax version when I finish my bottle of Meguiars.

My experience with the Griots is very different. On a prepped surface (wash and clay bar) on a 10 year old car it wipes off easily with a good quality microfiber towel. Never have had to rub vigorously. That's why I think the spray on stuff is an awsome alternative. I'll never use wax or paint sealant again.

I use these towels:
MICROFIBER PLUSH EDGELESS TOWELS

 

[Tellthemride]

I've been using the Meguiars hybrid ceramic. Mixed results. The protection is outstanding. Water beeding like I have never seen before. However it is proving a chore to put on without having to use good old fashion elbow grease to buff off sections. Its supposed to be wash on, wash off. Its anything but. I plan on switching and trying the turtle wax version when I finish my bottle of Meguiars.

I use the Meguiars hybrid ceramic sealant and have not had any issues with it wiping off. I do use a orbital tool to apply a thin layer before wiping off with a microfiber towel though. Apply to one area, let it dry while applying on the second area, then go back to the first area to buff off with the towel. The same Meguiars hybrid ceramic detail spray is also easy to spray and wipe off for me.

 

[arattle]

I use the Meguiars hybrid ceramic sealant and have not had any issues with it wiping off. I do use a orbital tool to apply a thin layer before wiping off with a microfiber towel though. Apply to one area, let it dry while applying on the second area, then go back to the first area to buff off with the towel. The same Meguiars hybrid ceramic detail spray is also easy to spray and wipe off for me.

I've been using Meguiar's hybrid ceramic for a year now. No need to buff it on or off....just have to limit the sprays to one per panel, otherwise it streaks. With a power washer or a hose, need to move the spray around and rinse quickly. She looks good (wish it wasn't a PITA to post pictures here these days).

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[AZTellurideBLK]

Instead of going through 33 pages of stuff, can you guys recommend a good starter kit?! (bucket, etc) I do play on getting the Griots 3-1 ceramic wax. I will (hopefully) be picking up my Telly next Saturday and then driving it back home 800 miles. So she will need a wash for sure when I get back

 

[shaveiceclub]

Instead of going through 33 pages of stuff, can you guys recommend a good starter kit?! (bucket, etc) I do play on getting the Griots 3-1 ceramic wax. I will (hopefully) be picking up my Telly next Saturday and then driving it back home 800 miles. So she will need a wash for sure when I get back

I got the Chemical Guys all season kit. Check it out. Has the essentials. Then comb through these threads for super useful info.

 

[shaveiceclub]

You won't need any or wax or sealant if you use a spray on ceramic coating.

Paint is not really flat. A cross-section under the microscope would look like a mountain range. Wax or sealant only covers the surface but it remains jagged. Creamic coating actually fills in the valleys and makes it truly flat, hence the reason it is so hydrophobic.

View attachment 27238

Yup. I think we covered this topic in the past. I decided to hold off on the ceramic coating. I didn’t believe in the companies on island who were pitching ceramic but couldn’t answer basic questions. I learned more from this group than from them, which is how I knew they didn’t know what they were talking about. I went to three different shops here, all the best rated, and had different levels of detailing done. I couldn’t believe the rip I was paying for. I can’t imagine that they would do any better with ceramic coating. So until further notice, I’m looking for the spray on stuff. Currently waiting for some to arrive in the mail (hard to find stuff on island).

 

[gman1868]

Instead of going through 33 pages of stuff, can you guys recommend a good starter kit?! (bucket, etc) I do play on getting the Griots 3-1 ceramic wax. I will (hopefully) be picking up my Telly next Saturday and then driving it back home 800 miles. So she will need a wash for sure when I get back

You can get all this stuff from Griots or not I bought my 5 gallon buckets at the local box store for $5, differnt colors for the wheel and body. Never use the same equipment for the wheels and body. The brake dust is made of metal and will do serious damage to the clear coat.

- 2 wash buckets, one for body, one for wheels
- 2 microfiber mits, one for body, one for wheels
- Leaf blower for drying aid
- CarPro IronX or similar wheel cleaner
- pH neutral car wash soap
- Separate microfiber towels for cleaning, drying, and spray waxing

• Start with rinsing
• Spray wheels with cleaner
• Rinse, wash, rinse wheels
• Wash car body from top to bottom (Same as wheels, some brake dust accumulates on the lower body behind the wheels)
• Blow water out of seams, nooks, on body, grill, etc
• Dry off with towels

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[gman1868]

One more thing is I would highly recommend getting a clay bar, set of towels for it and a spray like Griots Speed Shine for lubrication. It doesn't take too much effort to ensure you have a clean surface before you apply the 3-in-1 wax.

That being said, if you're washing the car weekly, you definately don't want to apply the wax that often. It will last 6-12 months depending upon how you treat it. Also be aware that automatic car washes will strip off the pray on wax rather quickly and you'd have to wash and clay bar to re-apply the wax.

One more note. In the long term, paint correction will be necessary dur to normal wear and tear of the clear coat. Those steps are Wash, Clay bar, Paint correction, Ceramic wax.

 

[veloduffer]

I think this maybe a better test - Pan tests a car that has been outside (incl. Montreal winters) for over 1 year. Pan - 1 yr durability test of car sprays

 

[gman1868]

I think this maybe a better test - Pan tests a car that has been outside (incl. Montreal winters) for over 1 year. Pan - 1 yr durability test of car sprays

Pan does paid reviews, Scott HD does not.

 

[PittPa]

Instead of going through 33 pages of stuff, can you guys recommend a good starter kit?! (bucket, etc) I do play on getting the Griots 3-1 ceramic wax. I will (hopefully) be picking up my Telly next Saturday and then driving it back home 800 miles. So she will need a wash for sure when I get back

I have gone the extra effort in detailing, in fact I won a concours when I showed a vintage cars years ago. So yeah, I get it. As far as taking care of a family hauler that gets driven back and forth to work and on vacations, I have tapered my detailing need down a few notches. I will give you my low cost maintenance regime that barely cost any money and takes little time. Wash the car how you like, I generally like a lot of suds and wash from the top down. I have found a extra large super soft brush meant for car's exterior fantastic for area's like the grill, wheels, and rockers. When washing, feel if the car has any road film on it. It generally gets this behind the wheels up on the side of the car and the back of the car. Also look for bug debri on the front if you want. After washing and when there a still lots of suds on the car, take a synthetic clay bar and clean these areas with some light rubbing. Keep feeling and you will be done when the car feels showroom smooth. Nothing I hate worse is a car that is not clean to the touch. You generally only need to do the areas where the debri accumulates. not the whole car. Also hit any area's where there might be bird droppings. Once done, rinse the car and I use my electric leaf blower along with a silicone squeegee to remove all the water. Generally like to drive it up and down the street also to get any extra water out of the car. Dry it with clean towels out of the sun and then put it in the garage. I have been using Turtle wax spray on ceramic over the last year due to great reviews and results. Can be bought at Walmart for $12?. Follow direction. It's super easy, you can do the car in 30 minutes Buff with a microfiber towel and a water bottle to just spritz the areas you are working on. This helps avoid streaking. Thats it. The car feels buttery smooth, looks great and beads fantastic. I due this every 3 months and it looks better that 99% of the cars I see on the road.

Car Body Brush

store.detailking.com

https://www.amazon.com/Mothers-17240-Single-Unit-Speed/dp/B01MPYDYWT/ref=sr_1_7?keywords=synthetic+clay+bar&qid=1660139281&sr=8-7

Hybrid Solutions Ceramic Wax Spray Coating

Achieve pro-level detailing with our #1 selling Ceramic Spray Coating. Long-lasting shine and protection for up to a year with an easy application. Shop now!

www.turtlewax.com

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[Patsfan29]

I have gone the extra effort in detailing, in fact I won a concours when I showed a vintage cars years ago. So yeah, I get it. As far as taking care of a family hauler that gets driven back and forth to work and on vacations, I have tapered my detailing need down a few notches. I will give you my low cost maintenance regime that barely cost any money and takes little time. Wash the car how you like, I generally like a lot of suds and wash from the top down. I have found a extra large super soft brush meant for car's exterior fantastic for area's like the grill, wheels, and rockers. When washing, feel if the car has any road film on it. It generally gets this behind the wheels up on the side of the car and the back of the car. Also look for bug debri on the front if you want. After washing and when there a still lots of suds on the car, take a synthetic clay bar and clean these areas with some light rubbing. Keep feeling and you will be done when the car feels showroom smooth. Nothing I hate worse is a car that is not clean to the touch. You generally only need to do the areas where the debri accumulates. not the whole car. Also hit any area's where there might be bird droppings. Once done, rinse the car and I use my electric leaf blower along with a silicone squeegee to remove all the water. Generally like to drive it up and down the street also to get any extra water out of the car. Dry it with clean towels out of the sun and then put it in the garage. I have been using Turtle wax spray on ceramic over the last year due to great reviews and results. Can be bought at Walmart for $12?. Follow direction. It's super easy, you can do the car in 30 minutes Buff with a microfiber towel and a water bottle to just spritz the areas you are working on. This helps avoid streaking. Thats it. The car feels buttery smooth, looks great and beads fantastic. I due this every 3 months and it looks better that 99% of the cars I see on the road.

Car Body Brush

store.detailking.com

https://www.amazon.com/Mothers-17240-Single-Unit-Speed/dp/B01MPYDYWT/ref=sr_1_7?keywords=synthetic+clay+bar&qid=1660139281&sr=8-7

Hybrid Solutions Ceramic Wax Spray Coating

Achieve pro-level detailing with our #1 selling Ceramic Spray Coating. Long-lasting shine and protection for up to a year with an easy application. Shop now!

www.turtlewax.com

I truly enjoy your knowledge and write ups here in the forum.

 

[gman1868]

Want some of the best towels for drying or applying spray on ceramic coating? Griots has a special right now. I have no affiliation with them nor do I get paid by them (I Wish! I would have saved a lot of money otherwise

They also have edgeless PFM (blue) towles I use. I use them both for different purposes.

For a limited time only, we are offering a FREE two pack of PFM Terry Weave Towels with any order over $40! Featuring a unique terry weave design which provides more surface area, double lined construction for even more absorbency, and satin edges to prevent scratching, this truly is one of our most versatile microfibers. Hurry though, this deal is only available until 8/25! Use Code EMKCU

 

[gman1868]

Only the best to apply your ceramic coating:

 

[Senator20]

Only the best to apply your ceramic coating:

View attachment 27348

I thought they only used wax?