<HTML>Ron, That is crazy!! That would explain why simply using QD spray on a modern clear will hide swirl marks on a week to week basis. After that the product evaporates. Thanks for that info! Dan Draper DRAPERSAUTOIMAGERY.com</HTML>by Dan - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Concours, Are you talking about uneven gloss from not letting the basecoat flash dry before shooting the clear? Im guessing that is what you are reffering to since the only moisture that could be present are solvents trapped between the base and clear. Im not trying to put you down, just trying to clarify this for the forum. Dan Draper DRAPERSAUTOIMAGERY.com</HTML&by Dan - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>3m adhesive remover should work, if you can't find that, try goof off from home depot. If that doesnt work, cafefully and slowly heat up the silicone with a heat gun or hair dryer, careful not to overly heat up the paint, since that could cause clear coat failure later on down the road. Your job sounds like a pain, good luck to you! Dan Draper DRAPERSAUTOIMAGERY.com</HTML>by Dan - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Try this, clay bar, polishing, then waxing. Spend more time with the clay bar and polishing rather than waxing. After those steps a light coat of wax will do just right. For your trim, look into the SEM paints. Of course you will need to buy masking tape and the appropriate paper to protect from overspray, or you can remove the part from the vehicle. Try to spend more time preparingby Dan - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>I would try to find a local janitor supply store near you. They usually have good solvents that are safe to use on the inside of a car. Dan Draper DRAPERSAUTOIMAGERY.com</HTML>by Dan - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>So is it pretty much a caustic surfactant? Im going to try and find a book on detergents so I know exactly what all this means. Dan Draper DRAPERSAUTOIMAGERY.com</HTML>by Dan - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>I would make my polisher on a stick today, if I had an ac/dc tig welder, no way am I having an all steel square tubing pole. Could you imagine, wow this is going great, but why can't I lift my arms at the end of the day! Dan Draper DRAPERSAUTOIMAGERY.com</HTML>by Dan - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Ron, Isnt TSP pretty much used as a "filler" for soaps, degreasers, etc..? I heard its very cheap and easy for companies to use as a "carrier" of the corrosive cleaners in the products. Dan Draper DRAPERSAUTOIMAGERY.com</HTML>by Dan - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Thats good to know Renny!! Thanks. Where can I get one of those polishers on a pole found on your website on the airplane detailing pic? I was going to weld one together unless I can find a seller. Dan Draper DRAPERSAUTOIMAGERY.com</HTML>by Dan - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Joe, thats exactly what I was thinking. I will service that area..... for a price,lol. Im sure he had someone close by with somewhat normal prices. Hey, what do you charge for 1 single car at 1 location? I finally raised my prices to $45 per car 1 location. Dan Draper DRAPERSAUTOIMAGERY.com</HTML>by Dan - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Thanks for all of your comments guys. Bud, thanks for your comment. If I decide to go air, I will probably end up with a larger gas powered compressor. I will be using the unit pretty much only for DA work, but I will try one first to see if its as strong as the porter cable. Ron, that is a good point. I wonder if 5/16 hose would be better than 3/8 like what the house of kolor guy sby Dan - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Brian, I do stuff like that, but its usually 45 minutes of driving at most. Just charge for the driving as if you were there the entire time and see what the guys says. Try charging him $150, and if he asks tell him you have a minumum, you know, for some people that is a good deal because they dont have time AT ALL to wash a car or take it somewhere. You could be helping thby Dan - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Hi!! I remember watching Bud's setup at the car care expo last year and Keith was waxing a car with an air powered DA. The job was going about as fast as with the porter cable, but easier on the user. Im thinking of making the switch from electric to air because the palm design of the air DA seems easier to control for inexperienced people(my help). Do any of you guys use the aby Dan - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>I was told by a reliable source that honda did not renew their patents on a few of their small engines and now some companys have made exact copies. For a pressure washing rig, I bought a 13 horse electric start "honda" engine, it is very nice, you can hardly tell the knock off from actual honda. If you like the generator then buy it, it should work for a couple years Im gueby Dan - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Ron, So whats the deal with the pads and buffer speed? I would like to try some of the cerious. Dan Draper DRAPERSAUTOIMAGERY.com</HTML>by Dan - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Ron, So whats the deal with the pads and buffer speed? I would like to try some of the cerious. Dan Draper DRAPERSAUTOIMAGERY.com</HTML>by Dan - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Ron, So whats the deal with the pads and buffer speed? I would like to try some of the cerious. Dan Draper DRAPERSAUTOIMAGERY.com</HTML>by Dan - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Hello!!! Right now Im using the meguars compounds and polishes. Im pretty happy with them, but Im trying to find a better way. Those of you that have tried the power gloss, will it really handle 1000 grit scratches? I just find that hard to believe and am reluctant to try it, since it has a $25 price tag for 32 ounces!! How would you describe its leveling abilities. What kind of a jby Dan - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Eric, Im with you all the way brother!! This whole discussion is a complete bore and is competely different from what Anthony started off with!! We all know that on some products with the proper application, you can see with your own eyes, the products protecting againts bird droppings, water spots, etc.., for 6 solid months. As far as appearance goes, thats another story, theby Dan - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Silvya, You could do a search on this forum and find all of those items you mentioned. Theres a lot of past information. Dan Draper DRAPERSAUTOIMAGERY.com</HTML>by Dan - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>It looks like those units are very expensive. If I were to switch from US Filter and get the crs system, I would be paying $171.00 every 600 gallons, just doesnt make sense. Even if you are a parttimer, you could still rent DI tanks and they can pick them up for you when you need recharging. It still will be cheaper depending on what part of the country your in. Dan Draper DRAPERSAUby Dan - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>It's a business, not a "passion", and must be operated as such. Thanks Ron, I have been pondering that sentance for a day and it has helped me out a lot!! So many of us start out detailing because it is fun at first and after that we dont know where to go. Sounds like Joe and I need to get organized and see where that can take us. Simplifying the process might help. Dby Dan - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Thanks guys for your help. My price to operate has gone up slightly, but I would like to be other places making more. Sometimes we have new customers that cant be serviced for 1-2 weeks and thats frustrating when you have these weekly customers already taking time up on your schedule, you know? So Ive decided to raise my prices and change the structure a little bit. Instead of maintanby Dan - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Simplify the detailing process is all I can think of, get the guys on a system if you don’t already. Posting the written process near the chemicals on a board in your van(a brief simplified process), so your guys have no excuse for forgetting, and on top of that have a check list, even for washes. Just something to guide them with the steps needed at what times. Then you will have timby Dan - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Thanks Kieth, Im going to have to do this. I was going to do it in a letter, but thats a little chicken sh@% for me. Just have to find a time where they are not busy, thats a tough one, because I hardly ever see them, the only ones I see are the housekeeper and the car. Thanks for the advice Dan Draper DRAPERSAUTOIMAGERY.com</HTML>by Dan - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Ive had this lingering thought since some customers have been with me for 5 years now to raise my prices. I have about 7 customers that I service weekly and for some reason have not raised the price on them. They are almost like family to me and ( I know what your going to say, dont mix friends and business) raising the price feels like stabbing them in the back. I also would like toby Dan - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Bud, After 26 washings I dont believe that the caustics in the soap they use will show true damage yet. It takes about 6 months to 1 year to see failing clear coat after using an automatic car wash. I have first hand experience because my friend used to take her car to one at a gas station, it didnt take very long for the paint system to fail. They should do a year long test,by Dan - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Mike, I forgot, shoot some self etching primer, just to be safe, before you spray high build primer. Good luck! Dan Draper DRAPERSAUTOIMAGERY.com</HTML>by Dan - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Mike, You sould be able to get 3D products anywhere in the US. 3dproducts.com, try it. I dont use much from them, only heavy cleaners degreasers, tire dressing, and leather/vinly cleaner, and that liquid towel clean. Dan Draper DRAPERSAUTOIMAGERY.com</HTML>by Dan - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Try to heat the part up with a heat gun, then carefully try to pull the dent out as much as possible. Sucks its plastic otherwise you could just stud weld it and slide hammer that sucker out. After you pull out the plastic as far as you can, reasonably fill it with some SEM bumper fix(plastic fixer), sand, then lightly fill with some body filler. Then shoot the area with some high buby Dan - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts