r/AutoDetailing • • 19h ago

Check My Work First time ever using a tire dressing (CarPro Perl). Loved it!

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59 Upvotes

This is the very first application of any tire dressing for me (not a professional detailer, just a newly informed vehicle owner). I’d done lots of research on detailing products and CarPro Perl was always mentioned (YT, Reddit, Carcare Forums etc.).

Wasn’t looking for anything stellar but rather just a good enough to restore some of the visual aesthetics of the tires. Must say I’m pleasantly surprised with the outcome. I’m aware it’s a water based product and won’t last very long but I can easily reapply a diluted layer on this base layer. Very pleased so far!


r/AutoDetailing • • 1h ago

Product/Consumable ONR, deep sale on amazon

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• Upvotes

Been waiting for a sale on this. Probably because its the old version 5 but a deal is a deal. Figured id share the wealth.


r/AutoDetailing • • 11h ago

Exterior Pressure washing advice

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15 Upvotes

Pressure washer: Ryobi 2300 psi electric

PW Gun: cheap HF gun

Foam Cannon : QUIVR 1.25/1.1

Soap: CG Honeydew

I picked up a foam cannon and tried with my regular bucket wash soap in it, meguiars d113, it didn't foam very well. Decided to get some dedicated foam gun soap and try it out

I really would like the thick soap to help pull away dirt and grime from cars. But when I put in the usual 2-3 oz of soap for the 1000ml the soap is runny and does seem like it's staying on the panel, just sort of runs off. It's staying on the panel somewhat but not thick like how all the detailers show when they review soaps and foam cannons

What should I do to fix this issue?


r/AutoDetailing • • 4h ago

Product/Consumable Trying to get into detailing

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12 Upvotes

I went 100% percent 2 fast


r/AutoDetailing • • 5h ago

Process Why does it take me so long to wash my stupid car? :-)

7 Upvotes

So I THINK I'm doing it in a simple way:

  1. Hose down care pretty thoroughly with a garden hose

  2. spray whole car down with ONR from a garden sprayer

  3. wipe car with SSS using ONR with one bucket and a grit guard

  4. dry car off

  5. go over all the left over water spots with ONR detail

  6. spray way and shop towels for windows

  7. (optional) go over with Griots 3 in 1

I'm sure is just cause I'm anal and have a new black car, but holy cow it takes me like 1.5 to 2 hours and thats without doing any internal. I FEEL like im just moving right along but damn it takes me forever.


r/AutoDetailing • • 23h ago

Exterior What to do after using a commercial car wash?

6 Upvotes

Hey everyone. Just getting into a little bit of detailing of just my family's cars. My neighborhood is very strict on washing my car in my own driveway so I usually use a local commercial car wash (like cloud or mod wash). After running my car through the wash there, what steps should I take next? I assume drying... but should I use anything else on the car?


r/AutoDetailing • • 8h ago

Exterior Washing options during a Michigan winter

2 Upvotes

Just bought a newer F-150 and the previous owner took very good care of it. I'm not sure if he got a ceramic coat and/or waxed it a lot, but there's no swirling. In Grand Rapids, there's no options I can find for a self serve bay with heat to wash it myself. Only options are touchless, brush drive through washes, and open self serve bays. My garage isn't heated and the truck doesn't fit in there anyway. Anyone else in a similar situation and what do you do for the winter?


r/AutoDetailing • • 20h ago

Product/Consumable Need help picking out cleaning products!

2 Upvotes

Ok, so I’m trying to find products to clean, gloss, wax, and ceramic coat my 24 y/o truck but there’s a bazillion products out there that I’m overwhelmed.

Now my truck is old, but the paint isn’t in serious trouble. The only concern is that there’s sun damage on top of the bed. What products can I get that helps restore the sun damage?

I just need a series of products that will clean, restore, wax and ceramic coat, it doesn’t have to be a single thing.


r/AutoDetailing • • 6h ago

Interior Interior trim mark

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1 Upvotes

Any recommendations on getting this mark out of this trim.

For reference Mazda CX60 takumi. Marks look almost like an oily fingerprint? Only tired interior trim cleaner with a microfibre so far.

TIA


r/AutoDetailing • • 7h ago

Tool/Reusable Active 2.3 Surge with new stubby gun

1 Upvotes

I am fairly certain I know what the issue is, but wanted to validate my thoughts and see whether anyone had additional insight.

I recently purchased a Ridge Washer stubby gun off Amazon to replace the cumbersome wand that came with my Active 2.3 washer. The Ridge gun came with the proper M22 x 14mm adapter to connect the stock Active hose to the gun. I didn't use Teflon tape on the connections but did tighten the fittings prior to washing the car. During the wash, I noticed the Active 2.3 would occasionally surge. A quick 1 second surge every 1-2min when the trigger was off. I initially thought it was air in the system so I turned the washer off and purged the system. The water flow was continuous and I didn't notice any sputtering or air bubbles. I turned the washer back on and the surging still occurred.

To rule out any issues with my washer, I swapped the original Active wand/gun back on and the surging didn't happen. Now, it's worth noting, I always just hand tighten the hose to the Active wand and have been doing so for the past year I've been using it. No issues at all. I typically disconnect everything when I'm done using the washer. Additionally, I used the same nozzle on both the Ridge gun and the wand when troubleshooting to rule out orifice size incompatibility.

This leads me to believe it could either be a faulty stubby gun (ie: small pressure leak in the Ridge stubby gun) or a leak in the connections within the fittings between the hose and the gun? Ie: lack of Teflon tape use.

Thanks in advance for any insight. I want to narrow down the issue before I return the stubby gun as I really did enjoy using it!


r/AutoDetailing • • 8h ago

Interior Using a carpet washer to clean seats/mats/floor?

1 Upvotes

Has anyone used one of these and is it worth it / any recommendations ? I struggle to find proper seat covers that don't cover up the rear seatbelts ( Although if anyone can recommend seat covers for a 2022 Mazda 2 - that's even better. ) so I think I am looking into this just to clean it up routinely - no stains on it but I imagine there's a lot of hidden dirty that can be sucked up.

Any recommendations? I was looking at the bissel proheat and the shark stainstriker - how about solutions any recommendations ? Do I have to use the original stuff and how long would I expect it to last?

Or if It's a bad idea - let me know.


r/AutoDetailing • • 9h ago

Tool/Reusable Anyone use a powered brush head on car carpet?

1 Upvotes

I use a giraffe grandstorm for my car and garage. It handles dirt and small debris fine. Dog hair and dried mud are harder. I loosen both with a rubber brush before vacuuming. It works, but cleaning the same area twice gets old, especially under the seats.

I saw the grandflux has a powered brush head like my home vacuum. It also has a light that might help under the seats.

Can it replace the rubber brush? Does hair wrap around the roller? Anyone tried one on car carpet?


r/AutoDetailing • • 10h ago

Exterior What paint thickness gauge do you recommend

1 Upvotes

I purchased a vvv-group brand gauge and it was total crap - wouldn't calibrate and the reading swung 20-40% in the same spot. Let Amazon send me a replacement model ... same issue.

Looking for a decent / reliable unit that doesn't cost a ridiculous amount - thanks!