u/DrCytotek

Hi detailers.
I thought I would share my experience to get some feedback and hopefully learn from my painful and expensive lesson.
I have detailed a few engine bays before and I’ve always done so successfully taking the necessary precautions.
My process was as follows. Blow out all the loose dirt and leaves with a leaf blower. I then foamed Green star APC at a dilution 10 to 1 and agitated with some detail brushes. Then using a pressure hose with a 40° spray and standing far away from the engine of the engine compartment, constantly moving the hose from side to side and not spring in one area. Once the engine compartment is rinsed off completely I used to high-pressure leaf blower and dried off compartment completely until I could see very little moisture. I did follow this up with a dressing MP CK. I closed the engine bay and left it overnight.
In the morning the car started OK but in 10 minutes into the journey, it started idling very roughly. Fortunately, I was nearby my regular mechanic and took it in for a diagnostic as the engine light had come on as well. He diagnosed that the front two cylinders of flooded with water and it shorted the coils and they needed replacement. This was a $700 exercise.
I’m just showing my experience to hopefully highlighted even if you are careful this damage can occur. The car I was working on was a 2005 C230Mercedes.
What would you suggest I change about my technique. Is this something that even should be done at all or is it too risky. I must say I do find it satisfying and it looks great. But after this experience, I’m not so sure.

I have to detail a car this weekend and am running out of these. Order will only arrive next week. Is there anything else I can use besides this?
Preferably something from Canadian Tire of big box store?
TIA

Here’s a question for all you detailers.
I’d like to ceramic coat my wife’s car but can’t seem to find time to do the decon, paint correction and ceramic at one go as the car is being used during the week.
Is it reasonable to do these over a few weekends. If so, how best should I stagger these steps.
TIA.

Im looking to buy roof bars for the X7 so I can use a roof cargo box. Which one did you go for? Curious about cost and appearance. Pics will be great. TIA.
Edit: Sorry it’s for a 2021.

I must admit, I waited for a long time to try this product and I’m disappointed with the results. Having cleaned the seats thoroughly with P&S express I applied the product. Application was very easy and satisfying. There was a mild darkening effect upon application which was perfect, but when the excess product was buffed off, it left a mat almost untreated finish. While my main goal for using this was to add some protection to the leather, I was hoping for a more conditioned (not greasy) finish. The seats look exactly the same pre-and post treatment.🤷‍♂️

I must admit, I waited for a long time to try this product and I’m disappointed with the results. Having cleaned the seats thoroughly with P&S express I applied the product. Application was very easy and satisfying. There was a mild darkening effect upon application which was perfect, but when the excess product was buffed off, it left a mat almost untreated finish. While my main goal for using this was to add some protection to the leather, I was hoping for a more conditioned (not greasy) finish. The seats look exactly the same pre-and post treatment.🤷‍♂️
Keen to hear others experience.

Hello hive.
I need some help.
There’s a fine spray all over my ceramic coated car. Best I can tell is it’s tree sap. You can feel it more that you can see it. It’s fine little bumps.
What’s the best approach.
I was going to do a touchless prewash at 2% PIR followed by snow foam and contact wash with carport reset.
Not sure I should throw in some greenstar to the bucket for more bite. Does this sound reasonable?
What should I do if it’s still present after the above.
Never had to deal with this before so would appreciate any advice.
TIA

This may be a silly question, but can you get a smaller backing plate for a Griots 9 polisher to do the tighter spots on a car. I currently have a 6” plate on.
Or do I have to get a smaller polisher?
Thanks.

I use a ceramic spray as a drying aid with just about every wash.
I have high quality Microfiber towels from TRC and a liquid8tor drying towel.
I find they’re losing their absorbency.
I use rag to riches detergent to wash them but this doesn’t seem to be enough.
Keen to hear others processes to prevent the towels from getting clogged with sealants.
Thanks.

Hi Detailers. I have a problem. I’m obsessive about my wheels. I spend as much time on them as I do on the car. The rims not ceramic coated.
My routine is APC to tires.
Good scrub and then Gyeon iron wheel cleaner to wheel. Let it dwell for a minute then Adam’s wheel and tire dilutes 1:1 to wheel and tire.
Lug nuts, barrel brush and tire mitt to faces. Rinse and the Gyeon wet coat for protection to wheel. Blow dry and dark side to tire.
My question is…is this too much to a weekly wash. Is there an easier routine that achieves a similar level of clean?
Also is Adam’s ok to use weekly or is it too strong?