Jumping Back In!

[willowcatfish]

Hey all,

I have been working all summer doing landscaping, and at this time of the year things really start slow down, so I will be getting back into some winter Detailing.

I have been out of the loop for a while, so I had a few questions. Is ULW still considered a very good wax?

The other thing is, I want to make sure to be cost effective while still providing an excellent product. I have never tried anything from the detaliers line and am wondering if that would help with keeping prices down.

One last question I have, relates to both the Interior Protectant and Exterior Protectant I used last time.

I used Ultimate Black for the exterior trim I was doing on cars, and really struggled to get any quality results from it. It seemed to never really stay on uniformly for me and would come out blotchy looking, adhering to some areas ok, and other areas not that well.

Also what your thoughts are on Ultimate Interior Protectant? I liked it a lot, especially when I buffed it in good after applying, but have noticed a lot of negative reviews about it around the internet, and just wondering what some of that is all about.

Thank you everyone, it's nice to be back, and have a great week!


Ray

[DasBurninator]

Re: Jumping Back In!

Is ULW still considered a very good wax?

ULW is a great sealant, yes.

The other thing is, I want to make sure to be cost effective while still providing an excellent product. I have never tried anything from the detaliers line and am wondering if that would help with keeping prices down.

The detailer line is very nice for keeping cost down. Things like D156 is a great spray wax that lasts a long time (Equivalent of Ultimate Spray Wax). D101 APC is one of my go to products as is D143 wheel and tire cleaner.

I used Ultimate Black for the exterior trim I was doing on cars, and really struggled to get any quality results from it. It seemed to never really stay on uniformly for me and would come out blotchy looking, adhering to some areas ok, and other areas not that well.

Couple things: Ultimate Black has been reformulated in the last year or so. Was the trim scubbed clean with APC and a brush? If it is old trim it sometimes takes a few applications to get an even coat laid down. The plastic might be dried out and just absorbing the product in some spots more than others.

Also what your thoughts are on Ultimate Interior Protectant? I liked it a lot, especially when I buffed it in good after applying, but have noticed a lot of negative reviews about it around the internet, and just wondering what some of that is all about.

That is one I don't have experience with. Been meaning to test it out but might be a bit too shiny for my liking on interior.

[The Guz]

Re: Jumping Back In!

The detailer line will save you a bit more.

As stated up above ultimate black has been reformulated. On top of cleaning the trim prior to application, did you give the trim a final buff to remove any excess product?

Ultimate Protectant can be a bit too shiny. So if you're customers don't like that then this is not the product to use. On textured plastic it is not as shiny. Are you looking for an interior protectant or are you looking to just wipedown the interior?

[willowcatfish]

Re: Jumping Back In!

Thank you guys for your help greatly! You have been very helpful.

You know, you have brought up some really good points here on the Ultimate Black. First off, of the cars I used it on the trim was Very old, faded and dried out. So I probably didn't put enough coats on. And even then, maybe I didn't make sure to really buff off any possible excess to prevent streaking. That streaking always happened when it rained out, the rain drips always made lines.

So I will give the new stuff a try, and correct some of these mistakes. What did Megs do to improve UB from the past?

Michael, as for your question about if I just needed it for wipe down or the interior protected. I am looking for a good quality satin finish protectant to use. I currently own the Interior Detailer just for the wiping off.

Thanks again for your help guys!


Ray

[DasBurninator]

Re: Jumping Back In!

Thank you guys for your help greatly! You have been very helpful.

You know, you have brought up some really good points here on the Ultimate Black. First off, of the cars I used it on the trim was Very old, faded and dried out. So I probably didn't put enough coats on. And even then, maybe I didn't make sure to really buff off any possible excess to prevent streaking. That streaking always happened when it rained out, the rain drips always made lines.

So I will give the new stuff a try, and correct some of these mistakes. What did Megs do to improve UB from the past?

Michael, as for your question about if I just needed it for wipe down or the interior protected. I am looking for a good quality satin finish protectant to use. I currently own the Interior Detailer just for the wiping off.

Thanks again for your help guys!


Ray

From what you are describing with the trim you used the ultimate black on, it sounds like it was oxidized and needed a good scrubbing prior to applying anything. I've found this makes all the difference in how a trim product ends up working for me. Either spray some APC on a microfiber towel and do a bit of scrubbing with that, or use something like a pad cleaning brush, or a toothbrush and scrub with some APC, then wipe it off with a clean dry towel. It may still take a few applications of ultimate black to bring back the trim. I've also found on rubber trim that cleaning and feeding it with M40 really helps with stuff like ultimate black as well. Check out Mr Stoops reply below in regards to the reformulation of UB

Yes, it has been tweaked, primarily due to some things we discovered while making the new aerosol version, Ultimate Black Plastic Restorer. Prep is still very important in order to get it to bond properly, but once that's done it's super easy to apply and it won't just wash off the first time it gets wet... or the second, or third..... Now, the aerosol is probably more durable overall, but for some areas an aerosol isn't all that easy to use and a lotion just works better.

If you just want something for wiping down the interior and keeping it protected, I suggest Meg's Quik Interior Detailer. The pro version of this can be found in the detailer line as well in gallons. It adds no dressing or gloss, but adds some UV protection.

[willowcatfish]

Re: Jumping Back In!

Thank you DasBurninator, Michael's write up helps explain the New UB. I will just have to prep it well as you all have said, and your directions will help me out with that!

[willowcatfish]

Re: Jumping Back In!

So the car I have lined up this week is my Aunt's daily driver, a 2013 Camry.

What I will be doing in the detail, not in any order, is:

--- Clean windows inside and out.

--- Wash exterior of car(Hand Washed)

--- Just Wax(No Clay or Compound) Hand Waxed (Ultimate Liquid Wax)

--- Some light Bugs/Tar

--- Door Jams and Trunk Jams

--- Clean and Protect Exterior Trim(Ultimate Black Aerosol)

--- Clean and protect Tires(Ultimate Black Tire Spray)

--- Vacuum Entire Inside and Trunk

--- Clean and Protect Weathertech Floorliners(Supreme Interior Protectant)

--- Clean and Protect Interior Vinyl and Plastic(Including instrument Panels and Buttons)In cracks and crevices. (Supreme Interior Protectant)

Again, I am not using a machine DA on this one, I need to save up for one.

I do a Really Good, Solid, Meticulous job when detailing, but I have just have NEVER been able to price out my work right. Would anyone have any tips or suggestions on how much I should charge for a job like this one. There would also be No Machine Carpet cleaning.

Thank you all and have a good one!


Ray

[The Guz]

Re: Jumping Back In!

I would at least clay prior to applying any wax or sealant. It will last longer on a clean surface free of contaminants.

I would be hesitant to put any type of protectant on those rubber floor mats. Quick Interior Detailer may be all I would use.

If you are going to use the aerosol version of ultimate black, I would recommend you mask of any other surrounding areas. It's a pain in the rear to remove overspray from that product. I would stick with the new reformulate lotion version for area's where the aerosol is not needed.

[willowcatfish]

Re: Jumping Back In!

Thank you greatly Michael! I also certainly agree with you on the claying. I am going to have to make this this apart of all my detailing, because usually any of the cars I get to do, are the daily drivers that usually haven't been taking too good of care of their cars paint.

[Top Gear]

Re: Jumping Back In!

I use Ultimate Black on a wide range of plastic, rubber, and even black-painted windshield wipers. The guys are right about the surface needing to be clean and clear, but I've also learned to slob a fair amount of UB on. I clean off the excess carefully, especially at the edges, as it will streak and stick to glass and clears badly. Lastly, because UB will run-off in the rain, etc, I use spray wax on top, Gold Class QW in my case, which is very effective in preventing the run-off. Make sure you have a good weather window for UB, but once it all settles, say overnight, you shouldn't see any blotchy or smeared areas.

[willowcatfish]

Re: Jumping Back In!

Thanks again everyone! This is a pretty supportive forum man.

[Captain Rad]

Re: Jumping Back In!

I agree with The Guz in reference to the rubber floor mats. When I do mine, I take them out of the truck and throw them onto the driveway where I soap 'em up real good and scrub. I let them dry and throw them back in the truck. No protectant. I don't want slippery mats.