TheChamp531

iTrader: (3)

Hey guys, first time in Wash and Wax part of the forums, I have a problem...

What is the best solution to go? When I bought my TL, it had major curb rash and spider webs (I have a good idea that they brought it to drive-in washes ALL the time). I currently have Turtle Wax and used it but it didn't change anything. Is there anything I can buy from stores like OReily/Autozone that will help a lot? I'm assuming someone would tell me to polish my car..

Denzil

iTrader: (1)

There's a few things you could do but that would involve spending some money? Are you willing to fork out the cash?

Wes_R

There's now way around it, your gonna have to polish your car to deal with the spider webs. And more specialist shops like our sponsor Excel is where you can find the right products to help you out.

TheChamp531

iTrader: (3)

How much cash are we talking about? What polish is good (that I can buy at the auto shop places)? Nothing against Excel, but I want to do this, this weekend because this weekend is when I have some time.

vinnier6

iTrader: (1)

there are some meguiars polishes that you can buy at autozone and other places, you will need the mirror glaze products, but a machine is still going to be necessary to work the polish in to remove the defects....

TheChamp531

iTrader: (3)

Does anyone know of a good detailer in Houston/Katy, TX?

I have a place around here called Bubbles Car Wash, they hand wash cars and they have a package to polish and wax car. Bubblescarwash.com

Denzil

iTrader: (1)

IMHO, you don't really want to rush things when it comes to doing things right but if you insist, CarQuest is probably your best bet for Duragloss products. If you want to do things the right way, look into making a minimum $200 investment with Patrick at Excel Detail. Ever since I've made that investment, I haven't looked back.

dmassott

i agree, i just made the investment...udm will be here tomorrow

bmode

Don't let anyone wash your car other than real detailers! Car washing places don't give a crap about your car care needs, they're working a job and are thinking about other things, like quitting time. I'm washing my own car forever with simple Meguiars Gold car wash and conditioning soap using a genuine sheep skin mitt and the two bucket method, drying only with Waffle Weave micro fabric cloths. Check out threads of how to wash and detail your car here in the forum or PM the Excel detail guy for help.

Cleaning and detailing your baby is addicting! What was work is now fun. Good luck wit it.

Rocket_man

To get that black looking good from serious scratches will not be trivial. My Carbon Grey TSX had spiderwebs all over it from a bad dealer car wash, it took me Saturday and Sunday, probably 12 hrs total to clean, clay, polish, and seal the car. And some of the deeper scratches I didn't get out. Luckily the CG hides scratches pretty well. I'm sure a pro would do it much faster than me, but I wouldn't do that much work for $200. I was sore from head to toe!

exceldetail

Ewwwww boy............I hate recommending OTC stuff, as it generally disappoints the end user. I mean they're better then nothing, but its not the "best" you can get. If your concerned about spiderwebs, you really need a machine to assist in their removal.
One thing about spiderwebs, they will never be extinct!! Cars need constant (annual at a minimum) polishing to exfoliate the paint and remove spiderwebs......

TheChamp531

iTrader: (3)

Well I was offered $100 - $180 to polish (machine), clay, wax, etc... They have previous works and they look wonderful, I am still waiting for the $100 guy but the $180 guy is reputable. I understand that this should be done annually and I have no problem with that. I wouldn't mind getting it detailed twice/three times a year all I want are these spiderwebs gone and my TL looking fine.

Denzil

iTrader: (1)

Ah, well glad that you've found something that works for you.

exceldetail

You do realize that if you spent $300.00-$540.00 ($100.00/$180.00 X 3),

1. You could equip yourself with car care equipment and products for nearly the LIFE of ownership?
2. Have every reason to keep coming back to Acurazine Wash and Wax.
3. Have the self satisfaction of a job done to your discriminating taste.
4. Become a teacher to others.
5. Have a ton of fun.....

TheChamp531

iTrader: (3)

I undertand, but I don't want to mess with anything also. I have no experience or even looking at other people polishing, claying a car unless its the typical wax and wash. Is polishing basically polish cream or w/e and using a machine to apply the cream? then claying is clay to get the dust or w/e off? I usually always bring it to a car cleaner to do mine...

exceldetail

Please take a few moments here............

csmeance

Polishing is taking some "cream" with abrasive particles suspended in it, and then rubbing them into the paint with a buffer (PC/rotary). Basically it's like sanding, but its very microscopic and meant to make scratches disappear.

Claying is rubbing detailers clay on the paint to scratch off any contaminants stuck to the paint, like rail dust, etc.

I suggest that when the detailer comes to your house, or you go to drop off the car that you request to see how it is done. As well talk to the person doing it, ask him if you can try it and give any pointers so you can take care of your car.

bmode

That's exactly what I did. I watched the detailing pros do it once, then it made complete sense when I did it. I found out that claying is very simple and extremely effective, and lots of fluid is the key to avoid additional scratches.

TheChamp531

iTrader: (3)

Hey guys back again...

What is a showroom detail? A mechanic place are offering a "showroom" detail for only 89$ (10th year anniversary special supposedly) Is it the same as a regular detail or?

TheChamp531

iTrader: (3)

I am finding detailers charging only $40 for:

·Full Service Wash
·Spa Soft-Clean Wash
·Spot Free Rinse
·Towel Dry
·Interior Vacuum
·Windows Cleaned
·Dash and Console Dusted
·Door Jams Wiped
·Ashtrays Emptied

·Foam Polish
·Air Freshener
·Tire Shine
·In-Tunnel Wheel Cleaner
·Triple-Coat Foam Conditioner
·Clear-Coat Sealant with UV Protectorate
·Underbody Rinse with Rust Inhibitor



·Precision applied high quality polish
·Hand buffed for superior shine and protection
·Spot Free Rinse

for 30 bucks with coupon

TheChamp531

iTrader: (3)

"Buffing" a car is basically polishing it am I right?

exceldetail

In generic terms, yes.
Have you ever seen ads which promise you everything for very little in exchange?
You have all of those items listed in three categories, or is it all included at $40.00?

vinnier6

iTrader: (1)

you get what you pay for.....

TheChamp531

iTrader: (3)

Its a reputable car wash/detailer in Houston, TX. I find others in the 40-100$ range very few over 150$.

powerflow

In general, those 40.00 details/mobile details in Houston are nothing special. I've seen an example before, looked like a quicky machine buff without removing minor scratches and swirls, compound in the crevices here and there, ect. Most people wouldn't know the difference though, between a 50.00 detail and a 250.00 detail. So I'm sure it works out for most people.

Machine buffing/polishing is far superior than a "hand buff". Nobody of a high caliber is spend the many hours and use top notch materials for such a little amount.

Yep 2-3 high end details would pay for materials/tools to DIY.

TheChamp531

iTrader: (3)

Well I dropped my car in at a shop today to get it detailed and they charge 89$ for detail ext. and interior, heard it from a friend they do a decent job, the people that work for them are from the detail shop from bmw/ford/mercedes.

Pics later

exceldetail

Just keep your fingers crossed that the issues get removed, and not covered up.....Iv seldom seen "deals" of this nature come out on the plus side......I mean its all fine and dandy when ya pick it up, but after close inspections, well..........different story. Although you may be totally happy with this arrangement, and I could be 100% wrong, we are a little more discriminating here in WW........Best of luck, seriously....!

vinnier6

iTrader: (1)

detailing and defect removal is hard work, no way around it....hard work cost money....

TheChamp531

iTrader: (3)

Well we'll see and hopefully it comes out well. Dropped it off at 8AM they say 3-4 PM to pick up. They say they take 3-5 hours on each car at least so hopefully it goes well. I'll post pics after. I'll be buying from excel the next time I detail and do it myself thanks for all the help!