Paint treatment
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 22,999
Likes: 11,439
So called waxes are just a temporary feel good products . There are some good products out there that do a lot better job protecting finish . You can do them your self at a much lower cost.
Wax is such a waste of time in todays world.
Wax is such a waste of time in todays world.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 3,268
Likes: 3,085
From: Westchester, NY
The best thing you can do for a DD, in my opinion is a quality sealant or coating. If it isnt a DD or if its a DD you spend a lot of time on, wax it all you want. Or layer a sealant, wax, glaze, etc. But if you're gonna take the time to do all of that, you may as well knock out a paint correction first.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 3,438
Likes: 1,423
From: pensacola fl
I agree there are products that do a lot better job at protection than your basic wax, I wouldnt say wax is a waste of time. Wax has its own place, just as a paint sealant or ceramic coating has its own place.
The best thing you can do for a DD, in my opinion is a quality sealant or coating. If it isnt a DD or if its a DD you spend a lot of time on, wax it all you want. Or layer a sealant, wax, glaze, etc. But if you're gonna take the time to do all of that, you may as well knock out a paint correction first.
The best thing you can do for a DD, in my opinion is a quality sealant or coating. If it isnt a DD or if its a DD you spend a lot of time on, wax it all you want. Or layer a sealant, wax, glaze, etc. But if you're gonna take the time to do all of that, you may as well knock out a paint correction first.
Florida is so bad for pollen, combine that with a waxed vehicle and its awful.
Over the last 2 yrs I have done more coatings than anything else. Customers come back every 6 months for a decon wash and thats it, depending on the coating.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 3,268
Likes: 3,085
From: Westchester, NY
I agree. I only use wax on a customers vehicle when they ask for it. Garage queen usually.
Florida is so bad for pollen, combine that with a waxed vehicle and its awful.
Over the last 2 yrs I have done more coatings than anything else. Customers come back every 6 months for a decon wash and thats it, depending on the coating.
Florida is so bad for pollen, combine that with a waxed vehicle and its awful.
Over the last 2 yrs I have done more coatings than anything else. Customers come back every 6 months for a decon wash and thats it, depending on the coating.
Or even the furniture stores trying to sell the scotch guard fabric protection. I admit I dont know anything about furniture protection, but I'm willing to bet its the same thing you can buy in a can from walmart for 5.99 and spray it on yourself.
Supporter
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 15,787
Likes: 5,615
From: along the shore of Mishigami
Another big rip off is the "dealer prep" on a new bike. The bike comes in a box, some assy. required to put it on the floor to sell, supposed to check fluids and make bike safe for customer operation, then charge someone for something that has to be done, WTF!
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 3,268
Likes: 3,085
From: Westchester, NY
Another big rip off is the "dealer prep" on a new bike. The bike comes in a box, some assy. required to put it on the floor to sell, supposed to check fluids and make bike safe for customer operation, then charge someone for something that has to be done, WTF!
I've negotiated it off the bill for both new bikes I've rolled out of a dealer... but that isn't to say I didnt pay for it. For all I know if I didnt have it taken off I could have gotten the bike itself for 500 less.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 11,722
Likes: 9,152
From: Georgia
I agree. I only use wax on a customers vehicle when they ask for it. Garage queen usually.
Florida is so bad for pollen, combine that with a waxed vehicle and its awful.
Over the last 2 yrs I have done more coatings than anything else. Customers come back every 6 months for a decon wash and thats it, depending on the coating.
Florida is so bad for pollen, combine that with a waxed vehicle and its awful.
Over the last 2 yrs I have done more coatings than anything else. Customers come back every 6 months for a decon wash and thats it, depending on the coating.
I've been home detailing my own vehicles for years, but I would love to spend a weekend on one, without the results being a distant memory a week later. I'm not the "swirl king" that typically does his own "detailing" I actually pay attention and know what I'm doing within the scope of the products I use, but the coating thing would be new to me. Is it something that the average person could do with attention to detail, or does it require specialized equipment and training?
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 3,268
Likes: 3,085
From: Westchester, NY
Your advice has me curious. Are these products available to the public that is outside of the detailing industry?
I've been home detailing my own vehicles for years, but I would love to spend a weekend on one, without the results being a distant memory a week later. I'm not the "swirl king" that typically does his own "detailing" I actually pay attention and know what I'm doing within the scope of the products I use, but the coating thing would be new to me. Is it something that the average person could do with attention to detail, or does it require specialized equipment and training?
I've been home detailing my own vehicles for years, but I would love to spend a weekend on one, without the results being a distant memory a week later. I'm not the "swirl king" that typically does his own "detailing" I actually pay attention and know what I'm doing within the scope of the products I use, but the coating thing would be new to me. Is it something that the average person could do with attention to detail, or does it require specialized equipment and training?
There's probably better products out there, especially if you're doing it for money. For my purposes, his stuff works great and like i said the videos are a big help.
Edited to add: If you're going to do this, you're going to want to do some paint protection first. From what it sounds like you're already on top of it though.
Last edited by BTLorys; Feb 2, 2018 at 02:25 PM.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 3,438
Likes: 1,423
From: pensacola fl
Your advice has me curious. Are these products available to the public that is outside of the detailing industry?
I've been home detailing my own vehicles for years, but I would love to spend a weekend on one, without the results being a distant memory a week later. I'm not the "swirl king" that typically does his own "detailing" I actually pay attention and know what I'm doing within the scope of the products I use, but the coating thing would be new to me. Is it something that the average person could do with attention to detail, or does it require specialized equipment and training?
I've been home detailing my own vehicles for years, but I would love to spend a weekend on one, without the results being a distant memory a week later. I'm not the "swirl king" that typically does his own "detailing" I actually pay attention and know what I'm doing within the scope of the products I use, but the coating thing would be new to me. Is it something that the average person could do with attention to detail, or does it require specialized equipment and training?
The following is just a general overview.
Pro coatings usually last longer, possibly look a little more glossy, etc. "Could", in some cases, be more difficult to install.
Consumer coatings, anyone can buy them. Usually won't last as long, 1-3 yrs depending on the coating and environment.
First time applying a coating I would highly recommend Optimum Gloss Coat. Super easy to use and wipe off. Good durability and looks good.
Coating application is very dependent on the prep before apply the coating. The paint MUST be free of all polishing oils, or durability will suffer.
Most of the coating manufactures make a spray on wipe off or a prep polish that does this. Makes it very easy to do.
My routine is to ALWAYS wipe the car down twice with either a prep spray like Eraser, Panel Wipe, or a IPA+ DI water mixture. I use 6-8 high quality microfiber towels for this. Towels must be high quality or you could mar the paint you just spent hours polishing.
When applying the coating it is important to have a few different types of lights available to ensure that all high spots have been removed. I have fluorescent, LED and halogen.
There is a lot to it, but its not something that you can not do.
Using some of the more higher end coatings gets more involved but the results are that much better. My belief anyway
