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How to battle Car Fatigue with Detailing

Just like FOMO, Car Fatigue is a real thing. We look outside and realize our car isn’t pretty like the day we bought it. The headlights are turning yellow, the steering wheel is sticky, french fries under the seat, and the paint is faded/scratched. And next thing you know you’re getting bamboozled by a car salesman asking how much you want your monthly payment to be. (annoying)

How did this happen? I washed my car every year and never waxed it, why is it so ugly now??

Why do I think detailing can help?

It’s the same phenomenon like when a burger tastes better when someone else makes it, or your bed is more cozy when someone else folds the sheets. When you don’t have to put forth the effort to clean your car, it’s simply pure enjoyment and you realize maybe you don’t hate the car so much.

Detailers can also turn back the clock on your exterior surfaces in a few hours. Polishing paint will restore gloss, remove most scratches, and even remove headlight hazing or yellowing. Below you can see how polishing the paint restored damages done by automatic car wash brushes and poor car wash techniques by dealerships and body shops.

Detailing services can seem expensive, however if they restore your exterior to better health and keep you from a $400-$800 per month payment for a while, you’re saving a ton of money! Also I swear my car is faster and gets better MPG after I wax it 🤣

Hit Ric up to see what can be done about your car if you want to fall in love with it again. It’s your last defense before dropping 35k on that new whip!

Ceramic Coating Process

Installing Gtechniq Crystal Serum Light and EXOv4 on a Ferrari California Turbo

THE WASH

We use the 2 bucket method while washing a vehicle in preparation for ceramic. One bucket to rinse, one to wash. This keeps the wash mitt cleaner and prevents additional scratching of the clear coat. Each bucket also has a Grit Guard in the bottom that keeps floating dirt towards the bottom of the buckets. A powerful soap is used to thoroughly clean the surface and heavily degrade any existing wax or road film. A seperate bucket is also used for a thorough wash of wheels and tires

DRYING

With special care, a specific drying towel is used to gently dry the vehicle. It’s important to use a high quality towel so that scratches aren’t introduced during this process.

IRON REMOVER

The second most expensive chemical in the process is used to aid in decontaminating the clear coat. It removes any metallic fallout embedded in the paint which can occur from daily/heavy braking or during delivery via train of new vehicles.

CLAY BAR

A small piece of clay is glided along the entire surface of the vehicle while using a clay lubricant. Clay bar removes embedded dirt that is sometimes invisible to the naked eye but can rob the clear coat of it’s gloss. It’s a critical step in the ceramic process to prepare for machine polishing, otherwise the dirt particles would be grinded into the paint and cause damage.

POLISH

Machine polishing is arguably the most important part of the ceramic coating process. Professional level machines such as a rotary and dual-action (8mm, 15mm, 21mm) are used in one-step and two-step polishing cycles to correct the paint and remove imperfections such as scratches, water spots, oxidization, etc. Different combinations of pads, polishes, and compounds yields the most dramatic results, creating a high shine and deep gloss to a vehicle’s paint.

PREP-WIPE

Polishes are oily in nature which needs to be removed so that the ceramic bonds directly to the paint. A specifically designed chemical and mutiple towels are used to remove polishing oils before ceramic is applied.

GTECHNIQ CRYSTAL SERUM LIGHT

CSL is packaged in a small bottle with a dropper applicator. It’s applied to the paint in small sections and removed meticulously in order to avoid high-spots.

GTECHNIQ EXOv4

After CSL is finished, EXOv4 which is a paint coating designed to adhere to CSL and create even more depth, protection, and gloss. The combination of CSL and EXOv4 is the ultimate protection for your vehicle.

FINALE

The entire process for a vehicle this size takes approximately 10-13hrs plus overnight curing. The end result is an intense, glossy, and slick vehicle which if maintained properly is estimated to last 3-5yrs. Proper maintenance products and processes can be found in a seperate article or by searching the Internet.

For questions about ceramic coatings text/call Eric

Photo credits except for the final shot belong to the talented Homiak Photography

Review: Mckees37 Bug Remover

This product is probably something you wouldn’t put priority on buying, until you find yourself with a 2015 Grand Cherokee in your driveway that was never washed!

After pre-rinsing the bumper I diluted the product 1:1 and let it soak for a few minutes

Then I began to use the Mckees37 bug sponge (it was pre-soaked and soft)

Lightly scrubbing was all that was necessary for this poorly maintained vehicle to look new again. Here is the bumper rinsed and coated with Mckees37 Hydro Blue mixed 4:1

Here is a sideshot of the vehicle coated and ready for pickup. I don’t see a future without this bug remover in my arsenal. Great job Mckees crew!

Ceramic Coatings...CAN/CAN’T...& some debunking

I wanted to write an article explaining what coatings CAN and CAN’T do. It’s become apparent to me that the general public is very interested in learning about coatings and I’ve become aware that the wrong people are doing the educating. As much as I love the ceramic publicity, the more people that are falsely educated, the worse off I’ll eventually be. Sure at first everyone will want this magical unicorn coating but when 10 people don’t get what they were promised 1,000 people will know about it. At the end I also quickly debunk some stretched truths.

What CAN my ceramic coating do?

Provide a shine that can’t be accomplished with a wax from Autozone. I describe it as nail polish clear coat, candy gloss look

Last longer than wax. Longevity is measured in years not weeks like a wax

Beads! Tighter beads than a wax and better water sheeting abilities. High contact angles because of increased surface tension results in tight beads

Easier to clean. Bugs and bird dookie won’t stick to the surface as easily

The preparation steps before a coating are insanely great for your paint. The vehicles’ surface is gone over 10+ times by hand/machine

What CAN’T ceramic do?

Most importantly, it can’t last without being washed on a regular basis. This statement is multifaceted but I outline maintenance further in another article

Become an invisible force shield for my car like in Star Wars. It is harder and thicker than waxes but it’s not impenetrable and won’t shatter upon impact

Resist rock chips. It’s scratch resistant not scratch proof, it increases surface tension so some rocks may contact the surface on angles where the coating can protect against but if a rock comes flying at your bumper at 90mph head on it will probably chip the paint

These are myths...Debunked!

“My car can’t be keyed now!” False, black bear.

“I have a coating and now I rarely have to wash my car and even when I do, I don’t even need to use soap!” Wrongo, wash frequently, always use soap.

“My car is brand new and doesn’t require many preparation steps, the coating process will only take 1-3hrs.” Response: Still needs it, coating processes should take multiple hours, upwards of 8-10 if not close to 15 on larger vehciles.

How to wash my Gtechniq ceramic coating

You finally have your coveted ceramic coating! A few weeks have gone by and you are missing that show car shine, but there’s hope. Maintaining a coated car is extremely important, the more you keep it clean the longer it will last. Allow me to explain the materials and techniques you’ll need to do ensure your investment lasts to it’s potential.

Extremely thick wash mitt that is unbelievably plush. One of the safest washing tools we've ever tested. Price: $29.99. Brand: DI Acces

Wash mitts. Invest a small amount of money into a quality, soft, wash mitt. This is important because here is where if you skimp you’ll do the most damage to your vehicle. It’s what you rely on to remove contamination from your vehicle carefully so that it doesn’t hold dirt and turn into basically 3000 grit sandpaper that will induce swirls and scratches which is what you just paid to have removed.

This Homer Bucket from The Home Depot is used to mix paint, wash your car and many other household or work-site tasks. Made of plastic mater

Next, grab (3) Home Depot buckets. (These are oddly satisfying to buy.)

A must have for any detailer. Minimize adding imperfections during the wash phase. Simply place the Grit Guard insert into the bottom of a b

Now for a detailing world secret. Purchase 2 Grit Guards to be placed in your wash and rinse HD buckets. This is what will prevent dirty water from contaminating your wash media. (You can find these on Amazon as well)

Time for soap(s)! I’m actually going to recommend two soaps. 1 will be for occasional use the other for general use when the vehicle isn’t as dirty.

High foaming maintenance shampoo great for any car. Enhances gloss off any existing protection. Price: $11.99. Brand: Gtechniq. Size: 250 ml

Use this Gtechniq Wash for the occasional wash. This will keep the coating looking it’s best but not it’s only really intended for a few times a year.

Extremely dense high foam shampoo that coats your entire vehicle in foam. Utilizes a high tech PPM (Part Per Million) formula that produces

Use this as your soap for routine washes

Helps minimize the addition of new imperfections by softening and separating contaminants before using your mitt. Pre-soak your car with a l

Spray tons of suds all over your exterior quickly and easily. Pre-soaking the paint helps make washing safer and more effective. Price: $69.

You may purchase a foam gun (use with hose) or foam canon (use with pressure washer). This tool allows you to completely soak the car in a thick later of soap which drastically increases lubricity and reduces the risk of scratches.

Wheels & Tires Cleaning

Easily clean various wheel types. Two options, one for light and one for heavy cleanings. Price: $7.99. Brand: DI Brushes. Size: Soft.

Great for deep cleaning the tires. Use with the TUF SHINE Tire Cleaner or your favorite degreaser. Price: $4.99. Brand: Tuf Shine.

Buy Mothers 05924 Foaming Wheel & Tire Cleaner, 24 oz.: Tire Care - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

Proper Wash Technique

Designate each of the 3 buckets for the following uses:

Wash

Soap

Wheels & Tires

Place the Grit Guards in the bottom lf the Wash and Soap Buckets

Fill the Wash and Wheel bucket with water. Fill the Soap bucket about 1/4 and add an ounce of soap, agitate the soap by spraying a strong stream of water into the bucket creating foam

Fill foam gun/canon if purchased and spray foam onto surface of vehicle. Start from top to bottom and begin to wash the vehicle. After each panel, rinse the mit free of debris and re-soap the mitt. Rinse as needles. Do not wash in direct sunlight or allow soap to dry on surface.

Wash wheels using Mother’s Tire & Wheel cleaner

**OLD

Ceramic Process

Congratulations! You made the plunge to protect your investment and picked Ric’s Detailing to install a coating on your vehicle. Since this is a somewhat serious investment I put together this article to show you what our process is and what you’ve paid for. Your vehicle will go through each these steps carefully while it’s in my garage.

First we do the wheels and tires. If we did the wheels after washing the vehicle there’s a high chance that brake dust and wheel grime would be splattered all over your freshly washed car. We use a high quality wheel cleaner that not only breaks down road grime, it also addresses brake dust particles that are embedded onto the wheel’s surface. This action can be seen by the product turning a certain color (purple), this is a reaction the chemical makes when it comes into contact with a metallic particle.

Next is the tires. Many detailers use an all purpose cleaner that isn’t specifically designed to clean tires. I use a tire cleaner that removes dirt and dissolves old greasy tire shines but doesn’t dry out the rubber, it actually rejuvenates the sidewall

After your tires are clean, we move to what’s called an Iron Decontamination process. This is where the surface of a vehicle is sprayed with a chemical that reacts to metallic fallout particles in your paint and removes them. It’s important to remove these before the coating. If not removed these particles usually show themselves as little tiny dots of rust on your vehicle. It can be cause by brake dust or railroad dust from when the vehicle was shipped, so even new cars require this service.

Then we move on to pre-rinsing your vehicle and washing. Vehicles are washed using a foam canon that sprays a thick layer of soapy foam to cut through dirt and minimize risks of scratching the paint as it’s washed. The soap used is specifically made to prep a vehicle for ceramic coatings

After the vehicle is dried, we perform a clay bar service. This is when an automotive clay is rubbed over the paint to pickup embedded contaiminants. In the photo above you can see evidence that the clay bar is working to pick up that dirt.

Now that your vehicle has been decontaminated we can begin the polishing process. This is the step that we have been preparing for all day! It’s the step that will remove scratches and improve the shine and gloss of your vehicle like no other method. Polishing each panel in a 2x2ft section with a dual action polisher takes several hours. This is also cleansing the paint which allows the coating to bond even better.

After polishing the vehicle needs wiped down with a prepartion spray or IPA alchohol. This removes the oils and polish residue so that it doesn’t interfere with the coating bonding

Finally our last step has arrived. The ceramic coating can be applied! Currently I’m offering 3 types of packages, they are all projected to last the same amount of time (3yrs) except the CSL Black package will bead water tighter and produce a glossier, deeper shine and can last around 5 years. Either package will result in high gloss protection. The entire process takes about 12 hrs for a mid sized sedan/SUV.

Mckees37 3 year coating

Gtechniq CSL package includes 1 layer of ceramic coating

Gtechniq CSL Black package includes 3 total layers. 1 layer of CSL + 2 layers of EXO

I take pride in any vehicle that comes to me and I treat it better than my own. I want you to be happy after spending your hard earned money and be educated on everything you purchased. If I’ve done my job right, your vehicle will look better than new! God bless and thank you for allowing me to do what I love.

Review - Mckees37 Fabric Protectant

Our good sir Nick Rutter sent me a bottle of this sauce to try out which I’m always grateful for. I’ve tried many fabric protection sprays over the past year because I not only use them for detailing but also on my couches and bicycling rain gear. To date the only one I found that’s worked to my liking is Gtechniq’s product.

Let’s dive in! This was perfect timing I had just recently used a fabric cleaning drill brush with Mckees37 carpet extractor spray and used my Bissel to rinse and extract the shampoo.

Now that I knew everything was clean, I began to liberally spray the forumla on the carpet floor mat. The smell reminded me a bit of the paint coating but was not harsh. (I think my brain has been requred to release endorphins when I smell Mckees37 sio2 products). Compared to other products such at Gtechniq this shouldn’t need much off-gassing or be unpleasant to your customers. However I did seem to have to use a lot of product to get ample coverage. (Nick I suggest a better sprayer, this one seemed to waste product into the air, mist was too fine)

I waited about an hour to dry and then began introducing water to the mat for testing. As you can see the water is beading nicely.

The mats on this ‘14 Elantra have a weird, course nap which I think hindered beading properties. There was some sections where the water totally soaked in as well but overall I was still content.

In conclusion I’m excited for Nick to release this so I can test this on more fabric! I would recommend this protectant as a detailer. Keep up the good work Mckees37!

-Eric

#mckees37 #detailing

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