<HTML>Hi Phil, glad it all worked out for you, I was looking at the gel last time my CarBrite rep called , might go ahead and try it now. We are using the Motorcraft products right now but it's a three step system , its good but a bit time consuming , looking for something a little bit quicker. Jim.</HTML>by Jim Hammill - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Ghost...the images you are trying to show are stored at detailcity.com in an area that you have to log or sign in to...you'll need to find another site to post them from . Jim.</HTML>by Jim Hammill - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Hi Phil, no we dont measure the paint as of right now, although I'd like to be, its on my "to buy " list. It is my understanding that the paint on the vehicle that has not been re-painted , only has about a 1.0 to 1.5 mm of clearcoat on it. We got in to wet sanding for a while but have stopped doing it now. The main reason was that we were never given any formal trainiby Jim Hammill - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Dan, I work at a Ford Dealership and you should be able to get it from your local Ford dealer. If you look inisde the drivers door, on the door pillar itself there should be a white sticker , about 2 or 3 inches square, on that square there should be two paint codes , one for the main color and one for the rails. Hope this helps. Jim.</HTML>by Jim Hammill - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Just to clear something up here..I was talking about the etching marks left behind by acid rain, and not regualr water spots, sorry for the confusion , my bad! Long day with the kids is my excuse !! Jim.</HTML>by Jim Hammill - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Franco , I recently did a 03 Mustang that was heavily spotted, this was the first vehicle that I had buffed out the water spots on and wasnt sure if they truly came out or not . I started off with a foam cutting pad and used Car Brites Workout 1000 , this removed just about all the water marks , there were a few deeper ones where I switched to a wool pad , then went back over them wiby Jim Hammill - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Franco... CarBrite and Malco products make Surface Clarifiers , as do Motorcraft. CarBrite makes two or three that either come in a liquid or a gel, Malco's is a liquid and Motorcrafts is a liquid too. Just to be clear, these will not remove the water spots, just the deposits that cause them. The only way to remove them is to buff them out. Jim.</HTML>by Jim Hammill - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Have used the Car Brite hair brush as well, and quite impressed with it. Someone else posted here about those gloves that GM put in with the spare tire , the ones with little plastic spots on ? Tried this and believe it or not it actually works as well as the brush. Jim.</HTML>by Jim Hammill - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>here is a page that explains how to load images in forums. Jim.</HTML>by Jim Hammill - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Jer, you and I both Pal... I made the decision to go out on my own next year just a few months ago, it was an idea that was ticking away in my mind for some time. Hers everyhting that I have come up with so far. I dont know which area you are in but the first call you should make should be to your local chamber of commerce, get some demographic info from them , then check out the eby Jim Hammill - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Brian, man does tht look bad . Its always hard to judge from pictures as to what the exact cause of the problem is but here are my thoughts. The light colored etching looks very much like acid rain marks to me. The deposits left behind from when the rain dries out actually eat in to the clearcoat and leave those light colored patches. Once the damage is done, you can wash it as manyby Jim Hammill - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Hey Gary , we have been using this for sometime now, so here is what I know about the acids etc . First off, I think some people are a little bit wary of using anything with the word "acid" in it , but I have been using it for over two years and have never had a problem with it, there are simple precautions you should take when using it , but it is perfectly safe to use ,by Jim Hammill - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>it's just called 3M Scratch Remover, got it from the local auto store., as I wasnt at work when I did the truck. We have been usning Tru Grit for about two months now and it is harsh but it is excellent for removing oxidation , acid rain etc.</HTML>by Jim Hammill - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Gary , ever tried "Acrysol" by Kent Automotive ? Bumpers Plus , Whats your opinion on these Valuegard products, tried any others ? I see them recommended quite often in OEM service bulletins . Have you tried any of their other products ? Jim.</HTML>by Jim Hammill - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Ok, got my gallon of Diamond Plus paint sealant from Bud, and finally got to try it out today. Tried it on two vehicles, my 96 Explorer and the wifes 94 Nissan. The Explorer was buffed about two months ago so was not buffed this time, the only prep that was done was an acid/alkaline wash , and washed with a neutral ph car wash. The clear was already in a good condition so just putby Jim Hammill - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Hey Mark, two years of vacation after two years of employment ? *L* Where do I sign up new best friend ??</HTML>by Jim Hammill - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>well the other sites loss is our gain as far as I am concerned. Bud has been a priceless source of quality information as fas as I am concerned, and is well respected and liked here. Jim.</HTML>by Jim Hammill - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Jerry. I just posted this but what the hell..! We recently got a new "Detail Wash" from Motorcraft at the Ford dealership I work at. It's a ph neutral wash so it's kind to the paint and existing waxes/sealants. It suds up really nice, and does a good job of cleaning too. Spreads easily over the vehicle. It runs about 37 bucks a gallon, but is highly concentrateby Jim Hammill - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Jerry, your right, Malco make a product called Aqua Gloss, one of those you spray on while the vehicle is wet and wipe the vehicle dry with a terry cloth. The Maclo rep himself told me it would last a couple of days. But it does not leave any white residue on plastic trim or rubber etc. Jim.</HTML>by Jim Hammill - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Not sure about any waxes that wont leave a white coat on anything, Meguiars waxes are pretty good . Try the Hi-Tech Yellow Wax #26, should be able to buy it most auto parts stores. Jim.</HTML>by Jim Hammill - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Good question Gary. We currently use Malco products for all buffing so we dont clean in between steps as much. We also have different procedures depending on the vehicle. Ig it's going to auction then it gets what is needed to make it look pretty , so usually just a wash, clay, surface clarifier if needed , then buffed once with Malco's Rejuvenator. If it's going onby Jim Hammill - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>These ideas are great, but my honest opinion is that if you implement some of these ideas you or your shop supervisor is going to be spending 50% of thier time managing these incentives. I'm not finding fault here but just feel that trying to keep track of and recording everyones times on and off work or timing breaks is going to be a huge drag for managers. Why not just pay thby Jim Hammill - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Havent heard anything about it Tony, and I always like trying new things, we've been trying new things for the last year now and have probably changed about every chemical there is to try. One of our vendors now brings all his new products or samples that he gets to us as he knows we will give it a fair trial and give him constructive feedback on if it works or not. As for newby Jim Hammill - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Havent used it myself, but our dealership uses the 3M stuff. Heard it's very good.</HTML>by Jim Hammill - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Gary, I found these while answering anothe rpost about insurance the other day. Hope this helps. Jim.</HTML>by Jim Hammill - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>John , if it's really not too bad, then you may as well leave them for now . To be honest, driving a black car you'll get scratches just driving around the block. As long as they are not too bad and you can live with them, then let them be. I would still suggest you get a good paint sealnt on your car though. Jim.</HTML>by Jim Hammill - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>kinda looking at going to the Dallas one Bud...just witing for a few things to drop in to place.</HTML>by Jim Hammill - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Ryan, at our dealership we are paid piece work, we get paid a set amount per vehicle, if we take longer we still get paid the same , if less then we make a little bit. It works very well for the most part, but you have to keep an eye on quality. If you set a time limit , for example 4 hours , and somone is at 3 hours 55 minutes and still has an hour's worth of work to do then thby Jim Hammill - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Dan, thanks for the pic. The only product we use in our shop is Metal Brite from Car Brite. We have found this safe to use on all surfaces and it does give a nice shine. It also has a silicone in it that according to the Car Brite webpage says " Leaves silicone film to protect surface against further oxidation ". I have also heard of people putting car wax on wheels to gby Jim Hammill - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Dan , possibly. I have never used this type of wheel cleaner so I dont know what it does. You may find that your wheels are actually coated in a thin protective film, in which case your fine as the Meguiars wheel cleaner is ok on this according to their website. Most OEM wheels are actually clearcoated at the factory with a spray on powder which is baked on to give a smooth shiny lby Jim Hammill - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts