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I didn't know about AG being that way. In a way I followed Mike Phillips over there when he left Meguiars. I've never bought anything from AG, but usually use ADS (Auto Detailing solutions). I know a lot of people use Detailed Image as well....any other places that you recommend?
 
Mike puts out a lot of good information. A lot of people followed him over from Meg's, just like a lot of people followed Todd Helme once truthindetailing and its parent company shut down and AG bought everyone out.

ADS has a good reputation, but you may want to look into Kevin Brown's company Buff Daddy: buffdaddy.com as he carries a lot of the Meg's line, but specializes in paint correction and sanding products. The guy is a living legend and has had a major hand in transformation in pro detailing in North America to dual action polishers. Additionally, Phil and his guys over at detailersdomain.com are always a good source of some harder to find things items to include the complete Leather Master line and much more.
 
Agreed on Kevin Brown. I've done some reading on his DA methods.

Thanks for the recommendations. You know I don't really make money on detailing, it's just a hobby because I hate having bad looking paint.
 
Looking to clean and paint my interior panels on a fox body coupe. I needsome tips and helpful hints on how to "properly" do this for a decent finish.
 
This is more of a paint-prep questions and that's not an area I have much expertise. I'd recommend talking to the guys that have a painting background.
 
i'm thinking about using a clay bar on my wifes white jeep compass, it has tiny rust looking dots all over and black dots. do you have any tips, tricks, and product recommendations . something i could buy local.
 
i'm thinking about using a clay bar on my wifes white jeep compass, it has tiny rust looking dots all over and black dots. do you have any tips, tricks, and product recommendations . something i could buy local.

I guess it's called "rail dust" and my fiancees white Avenger had them. Just claybared like normal, and it all came out.
 
You can't.

If you're strictly looking for OTC / local solutions, you're going to be stuck doing it the long hard way with less effective products / results.
 
so i ordered Iron-x. any tips on using this stuff. is it safe if it gets on plastic molding? do i spray the whole car at once or do segments?
 
so i ordered Iron-x. any tips on using this stuff. is it safe if it gets on plastic molding? do i spray the whole car at once or do segments?

Likely, but I wouldn't want it all over plastics.
Make sure to work in the shade.
After washing the car and rinsing it back down, spray on the Iron-X, using a glove hand rub the iron-X around so that you get complete coverage. Wait 15 minutes and hose it all off thoroughly.
 
What do you recommend for doing a light "dusting" of a black car? As in, it just has a bit of dust on it, but doesn't need to be washed. Is a Kozak cloth safe to use as long as you tread lightly?
 
Nothing. Dust is broken down dirt, is broken down sand. Sand had quartz.

If your paint is harder than quartz, you're safe. If not, you're going to cause light scratching.


Best case scenario, use a quick detailer and fluffy clean microfiber towel, but you're still taking a lot of risk on. Be careful.
 
Would you recommend washing it in lieu of using a quick detailer? What are your thoughts on blowing the dust off with compressed air?

Also, this is a brand new (black) paint job. What wax would you recommend that has no polish/abrasive in it?

I wish the Dodo Juice web page was designed by a professional - they want a lot of money for products that they give you no real information on.
 
Would you recommend washing it in lieu of using a quick detailer? What are your thoughts on blowing the dust off with compressed air?

Also, this is a brand new (black) paint job. What wax would you recommend that has no polish/abrasive in it?

I wish the Dodo Juice web page was designed by a professional - they want a lot of money for products that they give you no real information on.

I always recommend a full two-bucket style wash whenever possible. Situations dictate changes, and owners have to make decisions. I have a lot of different types of clients with different needs. I have a great client in Lansing that takes his prized '69 GTO to shows every week. He's learned to curb how much he dusts his vehicle because of the risk of scratches and swirls. He still does, but now it's less than half of what he used to to. I have another client that realized a two-bucket wash wasn't enough because of the hard water where he lives (Clarkston), so purchased a CR-spotless water de-ionizer for when he rinses and couldn't be happier. Most are somewhere in between.

Compressed air to blow things off your car isn't 100% without risk, but nothing is. You tell me what's better: quartz particles blowing at XXXmph across your soft clear-coat, or trying to physically remove quartz particles from your clear-coat? I don't have the answer, but that is what we're talking about.

There are more options for protective products without abrasives and cleaning agents now than ever. Keep in mind there are a lot of varying opinions about higher end waxes. Some say they're not worth it because they don't truly last longer or protect "better" while others would say anything you enjoy and use often is obviously worth the money. Personally, I have no problem spending extra on my baby. I'm not doing so because I think it'll give my car a few extra wheel horsepower, but rather I find I'm more likely to use them, which means my car will end up looking better, staying clean longer, and coming clean with less effort.

Dodo Juice hasn't put much into their website. They realize they're sold through distributors, and have done well because of word-of-mouth. They therefore have spent a disproportionate amount of time on online forums (detailingworld.co.uk) and doing things in person (in Europe and even here in the US). The information I posted in my article on Supernatural ( http://www.detailedimage.com/Ask-a-Pro/product-review-dodo-juice-supernatural-carnauba-wax/ ) I learned from information they've explained and talked about online.

If you are interested in a Dodo Juice wax, I'd recommend buying their sample sizes prior to pulling the trigger on a full tub. Each individual sample tub will get you 3-6 applications.
http://www.detailedimage.com/Dodo-Juice-M35/Hard-4-Panel-Pot-Kit-P245/4-x-30-ml-S1/
http://www.detailedimage.com/Dodo-Juice-M35/Soft-4-Panel-Pot-Kit-P244/4-x-30-ml-S1/

Or get crazy and get the kit to make your own custom blend :D
http://www.detailedimage.com/Dodo-Juice-M35/Home-Brew-Wax-Kit-P598/
 
Awesome. Thanks so much for the helpful advice. I've made two pages of notes after reading all 32 pages of this thread.
 
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