New Car Advice

[The Guz]

Re: New Car Advice

I would just stick to using UQW. White is different and a glaze would not really amp it up anymore than UQW. If you want to see if it does anything try it on a fender.

[punkguins]

Re: New Car Advice

I am using Chem Guys Glossworkz. It has UV protection but has no wax or sealant properties. Meant to just fill in small swirls and give the wet look...For the time being, since I just washed it yesterday and had already done a good job of using UQW, I won't try applying the glaze until next big wash. The last rains in L.A. definitely took the smoothness off the car until I reapplied the UQW yesterday. If we have another down pour, I might wash, then glaze, then seal...

[The Guz]

Re: New Car Advice

What product are you using for the glaze?

[davey g-force]

Re: New Car Advice

I think that depends on whether the directions on the glaze recommend that the surface be completely stripped before applying. It may not bond properly to a surface with UQW (or any other wax) on it...

[punkguins]

Re: New Car Advice

I was given a glaze to try and was curious if I can apply atop my Meguiars UQW that has been keeping my finish up nicely between washes. In fact, I just washed it today and applied UQW everywhere.

I suppose at worst, the glaze would remove the UQW and I would need to reapply either UQW or ULW. Wasn't sure if a white car would "pop" with a glaze...my son used it on our friend's car he was detailing after polishing with 205 and then he applied ULW and that car looked great. I would like to just apply the glaze only but the contents state it has no wax, is not a sealant but does provide UV protection and anti-static protection (i.e. water based).

[The Guz]

Re: New Car Advice

I guess your saying I don't have to worry about clear coat being polished off for the lifetime of my car? I would like to know if I could polish at least twice a year with an LC orange or black pad and M205 at a setting of 5 and trying to apply 15lbs of pressure. Also, for older cars, does it warrant a gauge to measure paint thickness

If you maintain your car in between polishing sessions, a polishing pad and M205 would be all that you need.

[davey g-force]

Re: New Car Advice

Assuming you have enough paint there to start with, then yes you'll be fine.

If you can afford a PTG then it's a good idea. Actually, I believe there's a few affordable ones around these days but I have no experience with them...

[punkguins]

Re: New Car Advice

M205 would not remove 1 micron. Maybe M105 with a wool pad would, but even that's stretching it..

I guess your saying I don't have to worry about clear coat being polished off for the lifetime of my car? I would like to know if I could polish at least twice a year with an LC orange or black pad and M205 at a setting of 5 and trying to apply 15lbs of pressure. Also, for older cars, does it warrant a gauge to measure paint thickness

[davey g-force]

Re: New Car Advice

M205 would not remove 1 micron. Maybe M105 with a wool pad would, but even that's stretching it..

[punkguins]

Re: New Car Advice

I read on an autopia forum about clear coat and paint thickness. Paraphrasing, clear coat is typical 1.5mils or 38 microns and paint is about 4mils or 100 microns thick (modern cars maybe 100 to 200 microns thick, older cars twice as thick as that).

Also, one of the sources said if you use Meguiars 205 and an black LC pad, you could be taking about 1 micron away each time. This implies after 9 or 10 years ( 2 polishes a year), half the clear coat could be gone.

I figure that experience trumps the numbers. So, for you experienced detailers who have worked on modern paint for longer than 10 years, have you ever seen clear coat dissappear after too many details? And, can I prevent that by putting on a sealant in multiple applications each time I polish?

FInally, they refer to expensive paint gauges to measure the paint before detailing. OK, I gotta a new car so I'm good but do you guys use those consistently? If so, what have you found each time before and after a polish and wax job? Since the digital gauges are really expensive, I also noticed the simple non-powered magnetic one that is like $30 on eBay (vs. $250 or greater for the electronic type). Do those magnetic ones work?

Thanks!

[h_bomm]

Re: New Car Advice

Thanks for the tip. How much do you dilute it to?

It is a 1:1 ratio, so a 50/50 mix. One gallon of Last Touch will make 2 gallons of lube. I just bought some for clay lube as well because like you, I was going through it like crazy. Haven't had a chance to try it yet since its still the dead of winter here, but everything I heard and read, it works really well

[punkguins]

Re: New Car Advice

Thanks for the tip. How much do you dilute it to?

[punkguins]

Re: New Car Advice

Shame we can't see the pics..

Try hosting them on Photobucket (or similar).

posted them in the galleries section of this forum…I assume you search for punkguins. thanks!

[The Guz]

Re: New Car Advice

Look at D155 last touch in the detailer line. You can dilute it down to be used as clay lube.

[punkguins]

Re: New Car Advice

Wondering if anyone has a home brew for clay lubricant. My son has been helping detail my cars and now the neighbors are hiring him but he's going through half a bottle of lube each car. He used the synthetic block (http://www.chemicalguys.com/Chemical...clay_block.htm) and loved it. It did a great job on the windows too. I experimented on the glass with the rinse bucket after he had finished washing the car. The rinse bucket (w/ grit guard) basically has diluted car shampoo and seemed to make an OK lube (at least for windows). He used regular lube for painted surfaces. He's got more customers lined up but the lube goes quick. The thought hear is we could make a clean bucket of diluted car shampoo and see if that lube works for painted surfaces