"7:07" (fanbrain001)
06/17/2019 at 07:07 • Filed to: Mr. Clean, Doritos
0
28|
"7:07" (fanbrain001)
06/17/2019 at 07:07 • Filed to: Mr. Clean, Doritos | 0
| 28 |
I’m turning in my Pacifica lease soon and want to give the paint some attention. I have some clay bars already and some spray lube ( ° °) but it’s a huge minivan and have a lot of surface to cover.
Should I look into a clay mitt for time savings? Or do they actually save time?
Side topic. What’s a good synthetic sealer you all are using these days? My supplies and information are both old and I feel like I’m out of the loop.
ETA: I feel I should mention why I would fully detail a lease return: I have some positive equity in the vehicle because of the miles I haven’t driven, and I want the highest chance at getting that equity back in the form of a check, so I figure some extra elbow grease to make the paint really shine would be worth the effort. The interior still looks new (white leather with 4.5 kids; it’s a miracle it survived so well.)
That’s not a Porsche, but now I want Doritos for some reason.
PartyPooper2012
> 7:07
06/17/2019 at 07:13 |
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you’re going to ... clean a lease (rental).... WHY?
Take off some sweet jumps instead.
404 - User No Longer Available
> PartyPooper2012
06/17/2019 at 07:22 |
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Paging Svend for an explanation...
KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
> 7:07
06/17/2019 at 07:34 |
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If it’s just for a lease return I’d personally use the cheapest products from Walmart to get it done, howeover it’s your choice. I stopped using clay bars long time back. Mitts are faster and cover more area and can be cleaned and reused even if you drop them. Here’s a cheap one from Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078WKHHHG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_YH3bDb64QG3JT
The top branded ones run in $30-$40 range
Sythetic sealant - pick a Meguiar’s product. Any Meguiar’s sealant. I have used this in the past
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002SQZRM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_ZQ3bDbMYWPYE9
Check out the clearance section of Auotgeek.com or DetailedImage.com
Svend
> PartyPooper2012
06/17/2019 at 08:33 |
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Many lease companies I know evaluate the car and it’s condition.
If the value is higher than expected he m ay get money towards the deposit on another lease. Etc.... (well they do here).
But to me it’s common courtesy to return in a good condition or at least cleaned.
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Svend
> 7:07
06/17/2019 at 08:34 |
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What are we playing with?
Make, model, age, colour, has it been looked after or drive through washed? etc...
if you’ll clay and lube. Give the car a good wash. try and remove as much contaminants as best you can so the clay will go further.
Two or three clays should easily do a car.
EDIT. Use the clays, once your happy, give it a wash to remove any residue and dry with a drying aid, looking at a Walmart site, they have an inexpensive, TurtleWax Wax & Dry going cheap at just over $5. Whi ch should do the shop nicely.
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PartyPooper2012
> Svend
06/17/2019 at 08:59 |
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Say it wasn’t leased but rented... basically same thing just shorter term.
I don’t know one person... maybe you excluded that would take the car to a car wash or even wax it, clay bar it.... etc.
Once you return it, they do all that anyway so I see no point.
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Svend
> PartyPooper2012
06/17/2019 at 09:13 |
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Ye’, I’m sad like that. I give a good going over to a car I’ve rented for one day or given as a courtesy car.
But even if it’s rented it’s best to clean the car and walk around it so you don’t get any hidden charges put to your insurance.
I’ve even had detailers be approached after cleaning the car by the customer for a scratch or scuff they hadn’t seen before and blame it on the detailer and the detailer didn’t have much of a leg to stand on because he didn’t do an inspection or a cursory walk around with the customer before taking the keys.
I’ve also had a neighbour be charged £50 for an interior clean by the rental company because one of the kids spilt a drink (allegedly), but because nobody did a cursory clean and check before handing the keys over. The y all come down to, he said, she said.
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PartyPooper2012
> Svend
06/17/2019 at 09:21 |
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Eh. I think of it differently as you can tell. I rented a Jeep SUV once. Walked around. marked all the scuffs and stuff. All lights worked. Took possession. Go to put something in glove compartment. Damn door falls off. I called and called and no one answered. By that time I was already half way to my destination. When I returned they car, they obviously didnt check the glove box door and didnt call me about it since, but they care about those cars as little as renters do.
I’ve rented a moving box truck with fake plates - rental company said it was fine. Cops thought differently, but issues tickets to rental company.
I rented a car to drive around mid west (got full coverage). Drove it on salt flats, on dirt roads. Hit a bird and cracked a windshield - not on purpose obviously. But when I returned the car, they started giving me crap about salt on frame and broken this, and bugs on bumper... i said... hey buddy. Full coverage. See you later. He had no leg to stand on. They have plenty of insurance to take care of all that and some.
Last thing I am going to do is waste my money and time to polish someone else’s car
Now... don’t get me wrong. If i borrowed someone’s car - buddy, coworker... wife... someone I will see again, have to live with or work with - I will return that car in same condition. I will drive it more carefully than my own. That’s different.
Rentals though... nah
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Svend
> PartyPooper2012
06/17/2019 at 09:32 |
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Ye’, no worries.
I just like doing it so look for an excuse to give it the beans.
I know that chances are high that the car will never see that sort of attention again.
Many rental companies here check the condition and mileage as they themselves often lease the car from the manufacturer and will get penalised for any damage or excessive mileage. So any damage that isn’t caught will have to come out of their own pockets.
Ash78, voting early and often
> 7:07
06/17/2019 at 09:33 |
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As a fell minivanner, I just use the claybar, but flatten it as much as possible for max coverage (folding/flipping/kneading regularly)
I don’t “dabble” in a lot of new detailing products, but have been using Klasse for about 15 years with great results every time. 1-2 applications of the cleaner, then an application of the sealant is all I normally do.
For a lease, I’d just do one round of cleaner.
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PartyPooper2012
> Svend
06/17/2019 at 09:35 |
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yeah. that makes sense. but I am still not sure why that is your problem as a renter/leaser
For Sweden
> 7:07
06/17/2019 at 09:39 |
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Posted at 7:07 am
random001
> 7:07
06/17/2019 at 09:43 |
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I use both depending on the paint. If
it just feels mucked up, like it’s not smooth, more like very high grit sandpaper, the mitt. If you can actually feel grain and grittiness to the paint, like very low grit sand paper, then the mitt won’t remove the contaminants, and might actually cause more hard than good. a lot of times, you can clay the bumpers and the lower half or third of the sides, and mitt the upper parts, hood, roof, etc. and achieve the same results.
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Svend
> PartyPooper2012
06/17/2019 at 09:44 |
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As I say, for me it’s common courtesy.
But I accept that others see it differently in that they’ve paid for a vehicle to use and returned it and there is no further obligation tha n that.
Each to their own.
Just because it’s not mine or a friends/colleagues, doesn’t mean it doesn’t have a value. It’s still someones property even i f it is a big corporation.
412GTI
> 7:07
06/17/2019 at 09:48 |
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Agree with what the other are saying, I wouldn’t necessarily spend the time on detailing a lease turn in unless you just want practice or the satisfaction from it. The leasing company isn’t looking for crazy cleanliness, just whether the vehicle has damage or not.
I do think the mitts save time, however I find them to be a bit more abrasive and easier to cause marrying than a traditional clay bar. That might be just the brand I used, but such is my experience so far.
As far as sealers go, I really enjoy Adams H20 Guard & Gloss. It’s very easy to use (apply while drying your car) and it offers decent water beading. Nice shine too. P & S Beadmaker is another great product to look into as well.
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PartyPooper2012
> Svend
06/17/2019 at 09:52 |
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I agree, but you paid for the privilege of using their vehicle and the cost includes cleaning.
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Svend
> PartyPooper2012
06/17/2019 at 09:59 |
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Nah, I’m not letting more sponge monkey have my fun, they can get their own fun. Lol.
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PartyPooper2012
> Svend
06/17/2019 at 10:04 |
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it seems to me you just want to wash cars for a hobby...
I have 4 that are filthy. 2 motorcycles. 2 bicycles. 2 lawn mowers... 2 hammers... ok the list would be a lot shorter of things I only have 1 of... wife.. you cant wax her.
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Svend
> PartyPooper2012
06/17/2019 at 10:27 |
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Sounds like fun. I enjoy doing motorbikes from time to time. Just sat on the floor with a load of brushes, products and cloths the occasional swig or two of beer, just passing the time away. Heaven.
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PartyPooper2012
> Svend
06/17/2019 at 10:39 |
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I am PartyPooper2012 and I approve your message
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7:07
> Svend
06/17/2019 at 11:37 |
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2017 Chrysler Pacifica. It’s a dark red, almost black. Looks purple or brown or black, with some red flakes. It’s an interesting paint. “Dark Cordovan P earl C oat” is the official name. Interior is white leather.
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7:07
> Ash78, voting early and often
06/17/2019 at 11:37 |
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I’ve always heard good things about Klasse, I’ll have a closer look at the cleaner and sealant.
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Ash78, voting early and often
> 7:07
06/17/2019 at 11:40 |
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Let’s just say that, in that 15 years, I went back to carnauba wax exactly one time. Never again! :)
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Svend
> 7:07
06/17/2019 at 12:48 |
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You should be okay with a good clay where you need it and then an inexpensive wax or sealant to finish.
merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc
> Ash78, voting early and often
06/17/2019 at 13:53 |
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The klasse all in one is a great product. The sealer is a bit more work for me, but as ash said just a coat of the AIO will do the trick. And just a clay bar with your wash water as a lube will work too. Re wash after the clay and you’re good to go. If you don’t want to use your detailing spray.
If I’m going for a full clay in prep for a ceramic or even a multi layered Klasse polish/sealant, I’ll do a wash with dish soap and clay with dish soap and then a follow up wash with dish soap to get all the contaminates off and make sure the old polishes and waxed are gone before correcting and coating. But that’s a lot more work than you need to do. Even the clay bar isn’t always necessary. It’s one of those things you only do when you have to do. And even then, you don’t have to scrub, just a few passes and that will knock the crud off.
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> Ash78, voting early and often
06/17/2019 at 13:55 |
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I’ve had good luck putting a coat of megs tech wax over the top of a Klasse AIO and sealant coats. Gives a nice shine. But I’m pretty much off all that now, with the ceramic coatings and four kids.... less hassle is fine with me.
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Ash78, voting early and often
> merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc
06/17/2019 at 15:36 |
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That’s basically my “full routine” which is only about once every 1-2 years, as time allows.
Dish soap for max removal, Teflon scrubber for bugs, then touchup paint spots or Scratch-X for dings, then claybar with quick detailer, then AIO (x 2) and Sealant Glaze (x 1-2). If I hurry, I can do the van in 3-4 nonconsecutive hours throughout the day, parked in the garage. I can do a midsize car in about 2 hours.
I do it by hand because I’ve found that orbital polishers are great for large, flat expanses of sheet metal.... but not so good for crevices and corners — it ends up taking longer, but requires less elbow grease. I’m “time lazy” and not “effort lazy” :)
The AIO is super, super easy to use. The SG, a little more finicky — especially if you put it on too thick.
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Ash78, voting early and often
> merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc
06/17/2019 at 15:38 |
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Yep, the gap between “ideal” and “What can I do before the kids start screaming?” is growing every year...and I’ve only got 2 kids.
I used to be able to get up at 6:00 and have a couple hours alone. Now it’s about 30 minutes...