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detaildoc

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Everything posted by detaildoc

  1. Yeah, too glossy for me. I prefer a matte look.
  2. Congrats on pulling the trigger on the Flex. I knew you would love that thing.
  3. Ultima Tire and Trim Guard Plus or Zaino Z16.
  4. Yes, that is where I seem to use the most with great results.
  5. I usually use the Ultima after cleaning it with Optimum first since Ultima Interior Guard Plus does not clean. It is a great product. Have you tried the Ultima Interior Cleaning Gel? It works really well too. The Megs Quick Interior detailer is a good product too, but it doesn't protect the dashboard... The Ultima Interior Shampoo? Yes, I have that, it does work great. I use it a lot on the carpet and mats and it works great.
  6. I usually use the Ultima after cleaning it with Optimum first since Ultima Interior Guard Plus does not clean. It is a great product.
  7. An excellent product is Optimum Protectant Plus. SW03ES is right in that modern dashboards do not need protectants due to the coating, plus in addition the glass is made to filter out the UV rays anyway. However, I really like Optimum because it has a mild cleaner and it leaves behind a really pleasant leather scent and a nice matte finish as opposed to the greasy oily look of other products. I really like to use the Ultima Interior Guard Plus on the wood as it leaves a nice gloss.
  8. You can try this: http://www.autopia-carcare.com/usc-3410.html
  9. You're welcome. Like I said though, do not clay unless you are going to polish by machine because the claying will induce scratches on your soft Lexus clearcoat. Oh, you can get clay magic at any local autozone or other auto parts store. As usual, great advice ddoc! Do you recommend that I get the Ultima Elastrofoam Paint Cleaner instead of the clay bar? Do I still have to machine polish after the UEPC? No, forget the Elastrofoam Paint Cleaner. It is a terrible product. It does not remove contaminants as well, it is hard and messy to use and yes, it will still leave swirls on your paint, so yes you will need to polish.
  10. You're welcome. Like I said though, do not clay unless you are going to polish by machine because the claying will induce scratches on your soft Lexus clearcoat. Oh, you can get clay magic at any local autozone or other auto parts store.
  11. Yes I do and actually I will be in San Diego next Thursday July 31 for a morning meeting and then I was planning on maybe staying there to go visit some friends on Friday. I'd be happy to set something up with you. Just sent you a PM.
  12. Welcomed! Haha, a black car, SUCKER! :P I am way to OCD to have a black car, any little scratch or dirt shows very easily. Like someone else said, "black is not a color, it is a part-time job." Nothing looks better though than a well polished black car. Hey, I'm in Riverside, which part of LA are you from?
  13. Don't be sorry, I'm very glad you started it! Like I said before, I had always wanted to detail my car but felt overwhelmed before when I tried to learn about it. It sounds so stupid now. I think I have picked up a decent beginner's understanding and I don't know why I felt that way before. This thread made me feel much more comfortable as the position that you were in months ago is what I was in a couple of weeks ago. I've read this thread through 3 times now and everytime I do, I pick up a few things that I missed before. The best thing about it is that since you guys have been going back and forth with the discussions for months now, I don't have to wait for answers, they're already there. One order arrives Wednesday, the other arrives Friday! The funny thing is that even though I've never done a single detailing myself in my life, I'm already getting requests from friends to do their cars. Hmmm, maybe I should practice my skills on their cars first and THEN do mine ;) That is great. That is how most pro detailers start. First they do their car, then family, then friends, then all of a sudden you are getting paid a little money, then you increase your skills and confidence then you start charging more, etc. Next thing you know, you got a nice little extra income on the side, so you can blow it all in more detailing supplies. :P
  14. Post a picture of the stain, that would be helpful. Using a leather protector is your best defense against stains. My top recommendation would be Leathermasters Protection Cream: http://www.detailersdomain.com/index.asp?P...&ProdID=198
  15. Yeap, UPGP greatly enhances the underlying paint structure, which is why it makes the flakes pop like crazy, but will also highlight the swirls. Sealants generally do that, but especially UPGP, this is why it is highly recommended to have a properly polished vehicle prior to applying a sealant. Just wait 'til you polish your vehicle and reapply UPGP, it will blow you away.
  16. Wow! You went big on your first purchase. You are way deep in the dark side now.
  17. List looks good. Just one recommendation, instead of using the yellow side of the sonus applicator for applying the leather cleaner, I recommend you go to your local hardware store and buy a grout sponge. Shake the bottle, apply the cleaner to the grout sponge and squeeze to create a foam. Foam is a better and safer way to clean leather as supposed to scrubbing it with that harsh applicator. Regarding the Flex, that kit is nice, I would get it. Regarding the backing plate, the new Flex comes with a new backing plate that solves the old issue. I have it, use it a lot and never had a problem with it. Regarding the foam guns, save your money. Foam guns do not really add much, especially since the Ultima Paint Guard Wash already produces a lot of suds and great lubricity. Foam guns are really a gimmick, if you are going to get something like that it is better to invest in a pressure washer with a foam cannon attachment, that will cover your car completely as if with snow, but those are hundreds of dollars and you have to know how to use them or risk damaging your paint. Stick to the 2 bucket system, rinsing your sponge often and you will be fine. I mean, you can get the foam gun for like $65 if you want, but like I said, it won't do much. I also recommend this brush for your wheels: http://store.pakshak.com/ez-detail-auto-brush.html
  18. Haha! It happens to me all the time. My only recommendation is, do not clay until you are ready to polish with the Flex, as claying will definitely induce marring.
  19. I use the ones from Autopia and they work fine: http://www.autopia-carcare.com/mbm-br-296.html and http://www.autopia-carcare.com/mbm-296.html. I like to spray some QD directly on the area to be cleaned to make it easier to remove the wax or polish residue and decrease the chances of marring the paint.
  20. As RJT65 mentioned, this stuff goes a long way, so the way you did it should be fine. Because it is a clear sealant, it is common for people to think that they did not apply enough, when in fact they did.
  21. Haha! That's a great gift. Yeah, I believe it was my post showing ONE of my cabinets full of stuff. I have more stuff in there now and in other cabinets. I constantly find new categories and ways in which to organize my supplies, it is just a sick fun addiction man. You should see my e-mail inbox, it has hundreds of invoices from all my purchases. Ok, one more, I don't recommend you try this at home yet, but I just ordered this wax from Phil at Detailers Domain: http://www.detailersdomain.com/index.asp?P...&ProdID=113
  22. Oh yes, you can get your paint a lot deeper, wetter, and more reflective by using a better quality wax or sealant. NXT is not the greatest and durability is very poor. Another thing I don't like about NXT is that it will really mute the flakes on our metallic paint instead of making them pop. But don't feel bad, NXT was the first wax I tried also. If you like waxes, try P21s 100% or Pinnacle Souveran Paste. Regarding the wax build up, if you are having a build up or difficulty removing it, it is probably because you used too much product. When applying waxes or sealants, a thin application is the rule, as applying a heavy coat does not improve the look, but makes it harder to remove and you end up wasting product. That said, yes a Quick Detailer is a good way to remove excess build up. If the wax or polish was left on rubber seals for a long time, they might already be stained, but you can always give it a try with some P21S Total Auto Wash or using this http://www.autopia-carcare.com/usc-3410.html. Good luck.
  23. Looks great man. Yeah, that color is not the most reflective, but it still looks glossy and wet. If you really want to add more depth and wetness to that color, try Danase Wet Glaze, http://www.danase.com/dapupo.html super easy to apply and remove and looks amazing with UPGP. Now, did you only polish with Sonus or did you add a wax or sealant like Ultima PGP?
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