Doing a major paintwork correction on a car with deep swirls, scratches, water spots and/or oxidation often requires something called a “compound” or “rubbing compound” that cuts paint faster and more aggressively than a polish. There are a lot of different compounds on the market today using a lot of different technologies. In this article, […]
Category Archives: Guides & Tips
20
May
May
If you like to wash your car regularly, one of the handiest tools you can own is a pressure washer. Pressure washers excel at cleaning just about anything with minimal effort. The high pressure water jet blasts the contaminants away while you simply hold the wand and aim. There are a lot of consumer-friendly options […]
12
May
May
There’s nothing like spending the day on your boat enjoying some relaxing time out on the water. But enjoying your boat is only half of what it means to own one. The other half? Maintaining your boat. Beyond repairs and general upkeep, one of the hardest parts of owning any boat with a gelcoat hull […]
30
Apr
Apr
A paint thickness gauge (PTG, also known as a coating thickness gauge) is an electronic device used in the auto detailing industry to accurately measure the thickness of a car’s paint and/or any protective coatings applied to it. In this article, I’ll explain what paint thickness gauges are used for, how they work, when to […]
28
Apr
Apr
Foam cannons are unique soap-delivery systems for washing cars. They spray layers of thick, sudsy soap foam that help loosen and break down dirt, grime and other types of contamination. Professional detailers love them because they speed up the washing process and provide extra lubrication between your wash mitt and the paint to prevent scratches. […]
13
Mar
Mar
The Harbor Freight Hercules Forced Rotation DA Polisher is an almost exact copy of the Flex XC 3401 VRG Dual Action Polisher, AKA the BEAST — all the way down to the felt ring that lines the inside of the aluminum housing behind the backing plate. I noted this when I first reviewed the Hercules […]
02
Apr
Apr
When it comes to paint correction on cars, people use the terms “compound” and “polish” interchangeably despite the fact that they refer to two completely different things. That’s a big problem. When it comes to doing any type of paint correction, you need to know the difference between a polish and a compound. If you […]
13
Mar
Mar
Sometimes when you’re using a buffer to polish paint on a car it helps to have a smaller pad for smaller sections like A-pillars. But what if you only have one polisher that can only fit big pads? Here’s something you may not know — you can adjust the size of a Bauer 6” DA […]
24
Mar
Mar
When it comes to keeping your car looking good, there are an endless number of different tips and tricks you should know. In this article I’ve written out 50 of the most useful tips I rely on when detailing my own cars or a friend’s. Take some time to read through them and educate yourself […]
07
Mar
Mar
Much like the outside of your car gets dirty over time, so too does the engine and engine compartment inside. Back in the old days you’d spray heavy duty degreasers all over the engine and surrounding surfaces, scrub with a variety of brushes to agitate the degreaser before finally rinsing the loosened, oily sludge off […]