The reasoning for the use of solvents for the removal of bituminous asphalt is that it dissolves it as a means of removal, as opposed to rubbing it. Asphalt is very sticky and its presence on your paint means that harder particulate matter (dirt/grit) has also stuck to it. By agitating or rubbing the dirt/grit that is contained with the bituminous asphalt will cause surface marring or possibly scby TOGWT - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
The abrasives in ColorX on a 1-10 scale is appox 2 were as the average polish used is approx a 4 on the same scale. So it would be quite some time to 'wear down' the clear coat, but it's always worth paying attention to the abrasive product you use as the clear coat is the same thickness as a single sheet of Saran wrap... Don't ever stop learning;by TOGWT - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
Small black specks (dots): These resemble asphalt (tar) spots but could be the spore of artillery fungus (Sphaerobolus) they look very much like tar spots and are usually about 1/10th-inch in diameter. The term artillery refers to the fact that the fungus actively uses energy to shoot its spore masses, sort of like cannon (an artillery piece). It is a fungus that lives in wood-based mulch, the sby TOGWT - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
This is primarily a car care soft roadster top product- To remove heavier dirt / stains: Renovo Fabric Soft Top Dry Cleaner (www.renovointernational.com) gently lifts dirt, road grime, bird dropping, tree sap and salt from your canvas top without compromising water repellence Periodically (dependant on climatic conditions) apply a UV protection (303TM Aerospace Protectant) to fabric by keepinby TOGWT - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
Ketch / Grumpy can best tell you about adding Teflon to car care products Best wax or Sealant: Is there a best? In my opinion- No! While its true many of the chemicals used in the formulation of car care products are the same (or at least very similar) Having used a variety of different products I can tell one from another and field testing shows that not all have the durability either, sby TOGWT - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Do not use fabric softener (most contain silicone that the towel will adsorb and it will weaken the towels static charge and clog the fibres thereby reducing their effectiveness) towel will also treat the fabric softener as if it was dirt by trying to store the tiny particles of the softener in the towel fibres. This will clog up the micro fibres and render the towel ineffective. Adby jon miller (TOGWT) - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Teflon®: Although Teflon® is an exceptional product when used as intended; it provides no benefit in a wax or polish. According to G.R. Ansul of DuPont's Car Care Products, Specialty Products Division, "The addition of a Teflon® flouropolymer resin does nothing to enhance the properties of a car wax. We have no data that indicates the use of Teflon® fluoropolymer resins isby jon miller (TOGWT) - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>IMO it has one of the best durabilities of any sealant ( Klasse or Acrylic Jett (jeffswerkstatt) a close second)</HTML>by jon miller - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>This 3-part system from Automotive International (A B C Decontamination / Neutralization system (http:// www.autoint.com) comprises; A-Acid Neutralizer, B-Alkaline Neutralizer (Use detailer’s clay and the alkaline wash to remove stubborn ‘water spots’) and C- a pH 7.0 Surface Conditioner, which safely removes both surface and subsurface contamination and neutralizes any residual aciby jon miller - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Fill any minor indentations with Bondo Lightweight Filler 264 and Red Cream Hardener, allowing approx 30 minutes before you shape / sand</HTML>by jon miller - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>At concours events I used to use Pledge after I cleaned the vehicle, its gives a high 'shine' but zero protection ( the modern QD have made this old timer method obsolete) definetly not something to use on an everyday driver though (I've never looked into its MSDS I must admit but I suspect a rich oil/water emulsion.l JonM</HTML>by jon miller - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>As an ‘enthusiast’ detailer these are the ‘steps’ *I* use, as for the products stated they are what I use (there are some 30,000 car care products available, it’s a question of finding what works for you) Sequence of Product Application: *My* recommended products / sequence 1.Pre-Wash- Stage One PreWash 2.Car wash concentrate- Menzerna Auto Shampoo 3.Detailer’s clay- Clay Magic™by jon miller - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Think of how a true polish works, it has abrasives that are encapsulated in oils, which work as both a carrier system for the abrasive and a lubricant for the applicator. The clay lubricant is doing the same thing for the clay's very mild abrasives (instead of being a liquid it's a bar applicator) the abrasives 'shear' the imbedded and abrade the surface contaminby jon miller - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML> Storing your vehicle, ranging from a convertible that's reserved for sunny days to a show car for whatever reason, only requires a few precautions to ensure that it is preserved and will be operational after it’s in hibernation. All cars hate to sit idle, so don't expect to top off the fluids and drive out of the garage. But a little work now can protect a vehicle from rusby jon miller - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Bird Excrement: (Or insect excrement like Gypsy moth, June bug, bees, etc) contain highly acidic concentrates (uric acid) which if left for any length of time the will cause the clear coat to occlude, (a non-transparent clouded area) and / or etch a depression in the paint or glass surfaces, so they should be removed without delay. Birds use gravel to digest their food and grit and saby jon miller - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>I didn't believe that finish would have been possible with that amount of paint oxidation-even I don't have words enough, so incredulous will have to suffice Waynestowels, I’m thinking out loud – Wouldn’t an acid strong enough to remove oxidised paint also remove the paint underneath? JonM (TOGWT)</HTML>by jon miller - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Tried this product to-day work really well on surface water spots- This glass cleaner (Glass Scrub™) removes insect smear, road oils, mineral deposits, lime scale, tree sap and more. A heavy-duty, cream cleanser that deep cleans auto glass safely and effectively without strong acids, alkalis, phosphates or solvents. It is specifically formulated to clean glass without scratching. Theby jon miller - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>From Google search- Bodyshop Wipes are made from a white, perforated, two-ply strong paper. They feature the following benefits:- Made from pure non-recycled paper - strong and durable in use Pure white in colour - removed dirt can easily be seen Low linting Uses of these wipes include initial cleaning of panels, mopping spills, drying hands, cleaning parts and tools and wiping excesby jon miller - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML> Water Spots: There are two categories of water spots; a) Surface water spots-alkaline watermarks (water spots) are calcium and magnesium salts that deposit on the surface after the water has evaporated, the minute crystals bond to the surface and are not re-dissolvable in water. Rainwater also contains alkaline minerals that alight on the paint film surface and as the water evapoby jon miller - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>On really humid days I supplement the HVAC unit with a stand alone de-humidifier if the cooling coil can't dehumidify the air. Other than that apply the sealant one panel at a time by first drying it with a waffle weave drying towel Have a fan blowing, the air movement may help some to 'dry' the air</HTML>by jon miller - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>The best advice I could offer is "Listen to what these professional detailers are trying to tell you as they "have been there and done that". The cold hard truth about buisness is only a % depends on how good you are at what you do the rest is buisness smarts( and that intangiable ' a little luck') I am not a professional detailer, although I detail for moneby jon miller - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Bud Abraham - Thanks for the info and your insights. NOTE: I think that this forum was instigated for the exchange of information / ideas while leaving your ego at the door. With some recent posts it would seem the sponsor should enforce a minimum mental age before participation requirement</HTML>by jon miller - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>There are specific glass polishing products available (Autoglym, Iz etc) used with an orbital or HS polisher. I have also heard good things about a product called 'Barkeepers Friend' JonM</HTML>by jon miller - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Blue "Constant Pressure" foam backing absorbs any unwanted ‘off-axis’ polishing motions (ideal for the inexperienced user) Constant Pressure Foam Pad Starter Kit: •1-Polish / Cutting Pad (*Yellow) •2-Polish / Light Cutting Pad (*Orange) •2-Polish/ Waxing Pad (*White) •2-Finishing Pad (*Black) •1-5-inch Flexible Urethane Backing Plate *The foam pad colour identifications andby jon miller - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>To remove paint surface oxidation; use detailers clay to remove any surface contaminants, a solvent type chemical cleaner/polish (Klasse All-In-One) and then a suitable abrasive polish (dependant upon how severe the problem) to remove the oxidized paint (Iz Einzett Ultra Paint Polish™ or Paint Polish™) with a cutting foam pad (LC orange or yellow, speed #4) and then apply a sealant anby jon miller - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Probably oil or water-based paints that a solvent type cleaner should remove (dare I suggest to a pro to be careful on the headliner) as it will take friction rubbing to remove dried paint JonM</HTML>by jon miller - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>I’ve used these to successfully remove blood stains albeit fairly recent ones have little/no experience with old/set blood stains as they may have dyed the carpet fabric. Alternate1- wipe down the area with a damp micro fibre towel and remove blood stains using a 2:1 solution cold distilled water / Hydrogen peroxide, this will eliminate the blood and provide a disinfectant. Finallyby jon miller - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Teflon® is a synthetic polymer formula (PTFE) produced by Dupont Chemicals and requires a temperature of 680°F for it to sinter or bond to a surface. I haven’t heard of wheel mfg using Teflon on their wheel surfaces, but then I’m just a dumb Architect and lead a very sheltered life so it may be possible. I have heard many claims by car care products that claim to contain Teflon. Thby jon miller - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Quote: Exactly what is ceramics purpose in paint sealants? Stephen Britz This is what PPG say about their product- PPG’s CeramiClear clear coat is the first automotive clear coat to use nanoparticle technology and raises the standard for combined resistance to scratches mars and acid etch. The patented nanoparticle technology creates a highly cross-linked network at the surface ofby jon miller - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>As I understand it detailing clay was formulated to remove paint over-spray on Japanese production lines before being imported to the US. I haven't found anything better, but the professional detailers make have other options JonM</HTML>by jon miller - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts