I am curious what product do you like to use to make sure everything is off the surface before ceramic coating?
After compounding/1st stage of polishing, I use the power washer to remove all the dust from crevices and aid in removal of remaining compound on the painted surfaces. Leaf blower to remove most of the standing water and microfibre used to dry is damp. Same thing after the next polishing step or if I use a finishing polish/wax.I am curious what product do you like to use to make sure everything is off the surface before ceramic coating?
303 and Black Again are water based products so they are perfect for upper trim/wipers or interiors but for tires and lower plastic trim, I use oil/solvent based tire shine as they last much longer. I go through so much of it that I buy those in 5 gallon containers. Most oil/solvent based tire shines usually will hype up “long lasting” in their descriptions.What do you like for black plastic trim? I’ve had the best luck with 303 and Black Again. I do the rubber around the windows and the back of the wiper blades too.
Switching to ceramic brake pads is the game changer on get rid of brake dust as well as eliminating any chance of the oxidation spots getting on the wheels and the car itself. Have run ceramic pads for the last 10 years and my wheels never look dusty now. Same price as traditional semi metallic pads so an easy upgrade when it comes to having your brakes done.
Honestly, I’m old school as well just using written daily calendars for scheduling. Most of my customers are regulars who “always want their cars done in June” etc so I used to be able to schedule most of the season before it even started.@GregK Im not a detailer but run a one man biz working on houses, and I’m always curious how other folks do the nuts and bolts behind the scenes work. Really interested when the scope of work isn’t related to my own!
What are you using for scheduling? I manually enter/review my ical on the phone/laptop. But there can be alot of wasted time going back and forth trying to find agreeable times for meetings with a customer. Keeping on top of scheduling is a pita for me. Im kinda thinking of doing some online service like calendly.
How about keeping up with inquiries? Between the quantity of voicemails, emails and text messages I receive, I know Im dropping some balls.
Actually, the leaf blower is great at removing the standing water on wipers especially if they are metal ones with holes in them. Usually will still snap them down after using the leaf blower when drying to make sure all the excess water is off along with wiping the blades clean.@GregK thanks for sharing all your trade secrets this has been an interesting read. Has the leaf blower given you any issues with the windshield wipers?
A piano, I am guessing black enamel on wood?Any suggestions for glossy piano black interior trim? Even IF I manage to get it clean, it starts showing swirls and fingerprints within a day.
I'm pretty sure it is just plastic that was invented by the devil himself. BMW calls it "black high gloss." Looks nice in a showroom but is impossible to keep clean. My defender has rough cut veneer - looks much better and and is far more durable.I am guessing black enamel on wood?
I use a mild polish usually by hand on scratched trim and if it’s very mild swirling, a wax/sealant that has some polish would work.Any suggestions for glossy piano black interior trim? Even IF I manage to get it clean, it starts showing swirls and fingerprints within a day.
I guess I missed the boat on that, as I said many times I am a square nerd of a guy.I'm pretty sure it is just plastic that was invented by the devil himself. BMW calls it "black high gloss." Looks nice in a showroom but is impossible to keep clean. My defender has rough cut veneer - looks much better and and is far more durable.
Let's cut it out with piano black plastic interior trim
Glossy black plastic interior trim is a no-good, very bad idea for interior trim, so let's get rid of it.www.autoblog.com
You using that satellite to take photos again?Here is what Honda glossy black looks like an hour after cleaning - which goes some way to explaining why they wanted rid of it