Are we still using paste wax ?

[berettafan]

Hell no i ain't using that stone age crap. Griot's liquids along with their machines/pads are all one needs to get 'er done! And the 'ceramic' spray stuff they have is the real deal.

[onewhippedpuppy]

One other handy tool that I really like is my cordless DA polisher from HF. Polishing my 31’ boat only took two batteries and it’s awesome not having to deal with a cord.

[rfuerst911sc]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

One other handy tool that I really like is my cordless DA polisher from HF. Polishing my 31’ boat only took two batteries and it’s awesome not having to deal with a cord.

I am waiting for Ridgid to come out with a cordless polisher . I can see how it would be easier on our 5th wheel camper .

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by rfuerst911sc

I am waiting for Ridgid to come out with a cordless polisher . I can see how it would be easier on our 5th wheel camper .

My advice is to not be too battery platform dependent. With adapters available you can cross over if you need to. I'm not one to tell you this as I have pretty much all Milwaukee. But I'm stuck at 12v. If I bought 18v I might as well buy DeWalt or Makita, both favorite brands of mine. Or Bosch, or....

Milwaukee 12v and 18v are very different, but there is an adapter that uses an 18v with step down electronics inside. I don't see the need to go down that hole.

Just get the best cordless polisher and don't worry about the all-the-same battery issue. However, you might look into the more feasible battery crossovers so you can use your Ridgid batteries. Some adapters may not exist like Ridgid>HF.

[gregpark]

I have a battery grinder but always seem to go with my corded one for disc sanding or polishing. There's a lot of battery draw for a grinder and sustained on time makes it easier to just use my corded tool

[gregpark]

I talked with my car painter/detailer about ceramic coating. He's completed the pro school for applying ceramic finish and has done many ceramic coating jobs for both individuals and dealers. He kind of talked me out of it. He said it's a good finish for people who run their cars through public car washes and can't be bothered with DIY washing and waxing. He said it doesn't last forever, water will spot it, certain bird droppings are a problem and it's not a miracle armor that will protect against scratches. He's painted and detailed many cars for me and knows i hand wash and wax my own (he's the guy who taught me to use Carnuba vs synthetic waxes) and told me I'm better off to keep doing what I'm doing. I hand wash (rarely with soap) with a soft, long handled brush and keep piling on the Caruba. I wax every surface- glass, plastic, headlights, emblems,etc. (Carnuba doesn't leave white residue in crevices). A car cleans up so much easier when it's well waxed

[cabmandone]

Originally Posted by gregpark

I talked with my car painter/detailer about ceramic coating. He's completed the pro school for applying ceramic finish and has done many ceramic coating jobs for both individuals and dealers. He kind of talked me out of it. He said it's a good finish for people who run their cars through public car washes and can't be bothered with DIY washing and waxing. He said it doesn't last forever, water will spot it, certain bird droppings are a problem and it's not a miracle armor that will protect against scratches. He's painted and detailed many cars for me and knows i hand wash and wax my own (he's the guy who taught me to use Carnuba vs synthetic waxes) and told me I'm better off to keep doing what I'm doing. I hand wash (rarely with soap) with a soft, long handled brush and keep piling on the Caruba. I wax every surface- glass, plastic, headlights, emblems,etc. (Carnuba doesn't leave white residue in crevices). A car cleans up so much easier when it's well waxed

I agree with the points about bird poop and water spotting, but I disagree completely with it only being for people who take their car to a drive thru carwash. I wash my own vehicles. But with a ceramic coating I can use my foam cannon with some Turtle Wax car wash and don't have to touch the car. I've done many, many touchless washes on my RAV4 since I put my ceramic coating on it. The only time I use my wash mitt is when I can the ceramic coating getting fouled by road grime.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by cabmandone

I agree with the points about bird poop and water spotting, but I disagree completely with it only being for people who take their car to a drive thru carwash. I wash my own vehicles. But with a ceramic coating I can use my foam cannon with some Turtle Wax car wash and don't have to touch the car. I've done many, many touchless washes on my RAV4 since I put my ceramic coating on it. The only time I use my wash mitt is when I can the ceramic coating getting fouled by road grime.

This is accurate based on my observations as well. I’ve probably ceramic coated at least 8 cars and one boat so far.

[VINMAN]

"Don't lowball me, I know what I got! "

This popped up on my FB...

[David]

I didn't realize how good ceramic coatings are until I had minor impact on my truck's rear bumper and had to replace a bumper piece with a freshly painted piece.

I bought the Tundra in 2023 during Covid so I paid sticker plus everything they could add including ceramic coating (I refused to pay AMD and didn't).

I've only run the truck through the car wash because it's a truck so I don't care much about how it looks but I hand washed the truck for the first time a few weeks ago after replacing the bumper piece. I was amazed at how the water shed off the ceramic coated parts versus the little panel I replaced. I'm sold.

I'm also a fan of Meguiar's Ultimate Waterless Wash & Wax Spray. 15 minutes to clean the car!

[rfuerst911sc]

So I was recently on FB Marketplace and came across a guy selling a Maguire MT300 DA polisher . New and in the box . Older gent he bought it and never used it . He was about 45 minutes away but a nice drive thru the mountains .

Item was exactly as advertised so I bought it . He wanted $35.00 !!!!! Only thing missing was the wrench to switch out the backing pad . That was easily solved . I did have to buy all the pads but as luck would have it HF had a 40 % off sale on the pads . Sweet 😋 .

So I am fully armed with a 5 " DA and a 7 " rotary . I will start with the 7 " on my fiberglass truck cap to get my feet wet . Next will be the Boxster for that I will use the Maguiars 5 " . And yes I did plug it in and it works

[zakthor]

Coincidence I bought some hook and loop cutting pads at harbor freight yesterday, use them with my random orbital sander. Had a bunch of caked pollen and algae on my truck from sitting out all winter. Three full scrubs with soapy hot water then simple green the stubborn spots on the roof. I polished the hood yesterday with m200 and got the spots out of the clear coat. it came out great. Did half the roof from a ladder before it got too hot for me.

What’s the product to put on the roof? Is there some ceramic in particular that will protect it well? It’s a truck and I don’t care how it looks but when roof is polished it’s time to do whatever’s best.

[jeremygr]

havent used it for ages now, only spray