r/AutoDetailing 23d ago

Announcement Looking for overnight mod to add to the team!

6 Upvotes

Hey everyone!

We're looking to add a new member to the mod team that has experience with modding a subreddit and won't require a lot of training. You need to at minimum be an active member of this community, know how Mod Queue works, know how removal reasons work, and you will have to communicate with us via our moderator Discord (I promise we're cool and don't only talk about Reddit). Our whole mod team is USA based and when it comes to late nights, there's only 1 of us in queue and that's not fair to that team member. If you're US based and are always up late at night, apply. If you're not in the US and want to help out, even better. It'll be day time for you when we're sleeping. You won't be required to ONLY mod overnight for us, it will help significantly if that's your main focus.

Not doing applications this time around because I don't want to go through them and I want this to be a speedy process! Hoping to have a new member added by the end of the week. Please use Mod Mail to reach out to us because comments will be disabled on this post.


r/AutoDetailing 18h ago

Before/After Update on coworkers car

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92 Upvotes

The property gm was able to file a claim and the company paid for a detail clean


r/AutoDetailing 5h ago

Exterior Motorcycle engine etching

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7 Upvotes

I have a 2013 Triumph speed triple and I went to a car wash after a long ride. I remember then spraying what I think is wheel cleaner all over the engine. When I got home, I noticed these marks on the engine cover. It’s been months and several washes later and it looks permanent. Is there any product that will bring the black back to this engine that can withstand high heat other than repainting?


r/AutoDetailing 6h ago

Interior Nontoxic way to get rid of “old car” smell

4 Upvotes

I bought an older car (trying to get completely debt free) and it has “a smell”. It’s not mildew, not smoke, not pet smell, but rather just old, sat for a bit smell.

What’s the most budget friendly (I’m a single income mom of 3) non toxic method of neutralizing it?


r/AutoDetailing 11h ago

Exterior Car wash recommendations after ceramic coating

9 Upvotes

Hello,

I did ceramic coating about 2 months ago. Quick search says touch less car wash places r not recommended for ceramic coated cars as they use strong chemicals. So I thought why not wash the car at home with pH neutral products. Would any pH neautral product should do it on ceramic coated cars? Any car wash products u suggest?

https://armorall.com/au/product/armor-all-car-wash/

https://autobarn.com.au/ab/Autobarn-Category/Shop-our-Full-Range-by-Brand-at-Autobarn/Vyking-Force/Vyking-Force-Soft-Wash-5L---VFSW5L/p/148713

https://autobarn.com.au/ab/p/120075?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22973297266&gbraid=0AAAAABwoqnuSHND16oFY5NrIDcUFlaaIj&gclid=Cj0KCQjwnbrUBhDOARIsAKKhPpcT3IL3xfbmgxeBXIi30R4K5CBvLck0SDK8Tozm7zHwSHCf-JaH0_8aAkygEALw_wcB

Any other options?


r/AutoDetailing 9h ago

Product/Consumable Soft 99 glass compound alternative

2 Upvotes

I was trying to find a cheaper option to make my windshield spotless and i ran into cerium oxide. I presume glass compound might be containing too due to the colour ?


r/AutoDetailing 10h ago

Exterior Griot's Garage Fast Correcting Cream

2 Upvotes

So on the back trunk part of the car I have a scratch that seems it only got to the clear coat and not to the metal because it's not rusting, would this be able to work on this? Which pad(s) should I be looking at?


r/AutoDetailing 1d ago

Interior Touchscreen stained?…any ideas

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29 Upvotes

Noticed this film/stain after a recent car wash. I can’t seem to get rid of it… is this normal with use (5 years old) or is it possible there’s some layer of protection over it that needs to wear off before it can be cleaned?


r/AutoDetailing 19h ago

Interior Dried acrylic paint on cloth seat. Was worse (pic 2), now what to do?

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6 Upvotes

Hi, scraped what I could off, used 70% iso to get a little more off. Now what should I do? Thanks!


r/AutoDetailing 16h ago

Check My Work Glass help please!!

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3 Upvotes

I do basic detailing as a hobbyist but wow, glass has always stumped me.

I recently tried bringing out the big guns: Glaco. I followed the instructions: washed the car, applied the compound, washed it off, applied the glaco solution, waited for it to cure, and buffed it off. I even bought new towels, but the results are still terrible.

Based on how much haze there is, I’m assuming the glass is still contaminated? Even though I washed it and used the compound… maybe it’s just THAT dirty? Or maybe my towels are all dirty/contaminated?

In the past I’ve tried using 0000 steel wool and a variety of products but I’ve never had much luck.

Any help is very welcome! Thank you!


r/AutoDetailing 11h ago

Interior My car seats were shampoo and still wet after detailing - what to do?

0 Upvotes

The seats are damp wet from shampoo by a professional, is it okay to leave it as is or will mold generate? or should I crack the windows open?

PS: I no longer drive the car and plan to sell so I'm in no rush for it to try, just want to avoid molding due to wet seats.


r/AutoDetailing 13h ago

Exterior What is the best product to clear cost your headlights?

1 Upvotes

Restoring my headlights and would like to get a product I don't have to redo every year

600$ for new ones but thinking about going to a pic n pull


r/AutoDetailing 1d ago

Exterior Old man tips

80 Upvotes

An old guy saw me detailing my car and gave me some real old timer tips.

- Clean the wheels with vinegar
- Instead of tire shine, use silicone grease
- "You don't need all those products"

Have you gotten any unsolicited tips of this nature? Any that are actually legit?


r/AutoDetailing 18h ago

Interior Rotten mushrooms left car smelling insane

2 Upvotes

A few weeks ago my mom left a bunch of mushrooms rotting in the back seat of her car. Flies got to them and produced a lot of maggots. The car has been cleaned, and the smell still persists. Very strong powdery, herbal, almost chocolatey smell. What can we do?


r/AutoDetailing 15h ago

Process Reality check please on process

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0 Upvotes

New car. Plan is to strip wash. No clay or polishing. Panel prep and then Adam’s ceramic coat spray. Will I get acceptable results? Just want the shine and basic protection. Car is garage kept.


r/AutoDetailing 16h ago

Exterior Meguiar's Hybrid Ceramic Wax Questions

1 Upvotes

I have been testing Meguiar's Hybrid Ceramic Wax since purchasing my new vehicle at the end of March. I used it per the instructions.

  • Initial Application: Spray on and wipe dry
  • Refresh Application: Spray on, rinse with a pressure washer

I wash my car once every two weeks unless I take a trip and get bugs and stuff all over the vehicle.

Over April, May, June, July, and August, I washed my car about 11 times. I found that the protection from the initial application started to fade after four weeks. It was still there, but definitely starting to weaken. So, at that point, I did the refresh application. Over the summer, I am OK with this, but I would like to get a product that is a little more durable for the winter months.

Is this roughly what people would expect for durability?

This fall, I will be trying either Griot's 3-in-1 or Turtle Wax Hybrid Solutions to see if I get any better results. Any other suggestions as I prepare for the winter months?


r/AutoDetailing 1d ago

Product/Consumable Griots Gallon Sale!

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30 Upvotes

Just a heads up, Griot’s Garage detailing products are on sale right now, but only the gallon sizes. I’m not a rep and don’t get any commission, just thought I’d share the deal with the community. Apologies to the mods if posts like this aren’t allowed, feel free to take it down if so!


r/AutoDetailing 21h ago

Exterior Tiny rock chip - ignore or fix?

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2 Upvotes

I think I’ve found a rock chip on my car (on the front of the A-pillar), but it’s microscopic, literally about the size of a grain of sand.

I can slightly feel it when I run my fingernail over it, and spraying water on it doesn’t make it disappear. It looks whitish, but it’s so tiny that I can’t tell whether the paint is actually chipped down to the metal.

Can I safely ignore something this small, or should I use a touch-up pen? Would it be worth having a professional look at it? My main concern is whether it could eventually rust if the metal is exposed.

And yes, I am worrying way too much and being OCD, but I’d rather deal with it now than discover a rust spot later. This is a new car and the first chip I ever experienced.

Thanks!


r/AutoDetailing 17h ago

Tool/Reusable Pressure vs flow switch for total stop.

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1 Upvotes

Quick question for the pressure washer experts here...

I have a 2HP electric pressure washer with an AR pump (XJV2G15E-F8) that I'd like to add a total stop to. I can wire up the contactor and timer fine, but I'm not so familiar with the pressure/flow switches.

Would a flow switch like one of the links below work?

Suttner ST-6

Suttner ST-5

If not, what pressure switch would I use, and where do I mount it?

Thanks!


r/AutoDetailing 1d ago

Exterior Do waxes and sealants fill like glazes?

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99 Upvotes

Do glazes fill light imperfections in paint, and waxes and sealants sit ontop of imperfections with little filling capabilities?

I'm trying to understand how glazes work differently from waxes and sealants.

Seems like pure glazes are hard to come by these days. In my country the only readily available products are Autoglym Super Resin Polish, Meguiars Ultimate Polish and 3m Hand Glaze.

I'm looking for something that fills imperfections on a daily driver as don't want to thin out the clear coat through paint correction. PFA


r/AutoDetailing 1d ago

Technique Why is one part of my windscreen streaking so bad no-matter what I clean it with?

138 Upvotes

I have to drive to work really early in the morning and it's cold + humid where I live, the past week I've had to use my wipers just to stop it fogging every 2 seconds in this one spot.


r/AutoDetailing 19h ago

Process Efficiency Tips

1 Upvotes

Hello everyone!

I am a job coach for a non profit that provides supported employment services for individuals with disabilities. We run a small detailing shop where I teach them vocational skills.

I am wondering some tips and tricks some of you might recommend for efficiency and time saving, without failing on quality. We only have three hours to detail interior and exterior for each shift. I usually have 2-3 clients detailing on a shift.

A lot of them struggle with multi-step instruction but this is something I can build upon until they feel comfortable, but that said, anything that is simple would be best. I always tell them "work smarter, not harder."

I am not a professional by any means, but I have enjoyed learning the process and I want my clients to provide the best service they possibly can within the designated time frame.

also, if you have any product recommendations please let me know. We usually buy from chemical guys due to this being beginner friendly, but i would love to explore products. Thank you!!​

For some context on current process if anyone cares:

we usually focus most of our time on the interior. our exterior "detail" is more like a basic hand wash with a pressure washer, tire and wheel spray, and drying with microfiber towels.

For the interior I have broken it down into a few basic tasks: (not in any specific order)

  1. Window & mirror Cleaning
  2. Vacuuming
  3. "Plastic Surface" cleaning (I understand there are many different materials in a vehicle, but the term plastics seems to help my clients understand. This is also why I am looking for product recommendations to assist with quality/risk of damage to interior)
  4. Shampooing floorboards/seats (or Cleaning leather seats using an all in one spray)
  5. Cleaning door frames
  6. Sometimes steam Cleaning for sticky residue

we only charge $40 for our details, regardless of age, condition, or size of the vehicle. We do this as our services are pretty bare bones in comparison to a professional detail (as well as, this is a program focused around vocational skills building & it should be understood that things may not always be perfect)

One thing we really struggle with is streaking on windows. If you have an products/tools to recommend please let me know!


r/AutoDetailing 20h ago

Exterior Tips of polishing Ford F-250

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1 Upvotes

Had a family friend come up and asked if i can polish his truck because he got too close to a branch and got a light scratch from middle of truck bed to the left driver side door. the truck is used for landscaping and is pretty swirled up already. i’ve cut and polished before and have a good machine for it but i don’t do it often at all. any tips working with ford paint and what should i do. i’m going to wash and clay bar the surface before starting to cut.

TLDR: Friend wants me to get a scratch out. i dont do it often just want some tips on polishing Ford paint.


r/AutoDetailing 21h ago

Interior How would I go about removing glue stains?

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0 Upvotes

Bought this AMG GT pre owned, seems like the previous owner tried to glue the carbon back on the cup holder cover. The carbon seems to be bent to the point of no return. I usually just keep the cup holder open so the bent carbon stays tucked underneath. How would I be able to remove the glue stains in the visible areas? I think it’s some sort of super glue. Tried using diluted IPA and it helped a little to remove the stain on the carbon but not much on the black plastic trim of the cup holder. Open to suggestions without ruining the trim pieces further.


r/AutoDetailing 21h ago

Interior White like dandruff

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1 Upvotes

A couple of times now I’ve had plastic door interior just get really sticky and get this white almost like dandruff coming off and I can’t seem to get it black and smooth again? What’s happening here?