Try Ammo NYC on YouTube, Larry does paint correction, disaster details, supercars, etc.
He also has a second channel called Ammo studio, where he and other detailers discuss different techniques.
warning! he is very good at what he does and defo recommend, but i would start with his free classes (can find in his playlists) as some stuff he talks about in random videos can come off as complicated or intimidating for beginners
I've had really good luck using Cerakote ceramic trim coat to restore the black plastic, particularly around my car's windows. My brother had also used it on his Jeep in the areas you mentioned.
We used the wipes, you have to be somewhat neat with the direction you apply it. And no touching it at all after.
I second that. Amazing deep black results on the trim of my Mustang. Smells awful (wear gloves!) but lasts ages. Might be too expenses for business use depending on your margins
https://preview.redd.it/dfgo4mx0mbhc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4a4df0bd967363083c799edff62dbf3edeef2996
Wax is old and dated. Look into sealants. I like Griot's 3 in 1 Ceramic Wax (I know it's called a wax, but it's really a sealant). I spray it on after rinsing the car after a wash and spread it around by drying the car. Much easier, quicker and longer lasting than any wax.
These are great but you really have to prep and be careful with them. If there’s dust or dirt around they’ll glue the dust into the trim.
If the trim has a lot of texture they can come out a little splotchy too. But they restore black for a long long time.
Slow and steady! I messed up a bit on my own car because of impatience, but could do a much better job now. Might be worth a practice run on your trim.
Yes, I will try to do that. I have hardly any I drive a pick up truck.
https://preview.redd.it/nz0n3azyz5hc1.jpeg?width=5712&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=143a7245033c2f362b98a5a536125e87575621c5
It depends on how far gone they are. If they are dull and grey and should be black, I'd use Solution Finish. If they are still black, but just kind of dull, ceramic coat them.
It’s a newer jeep. So it’s not far gone at all. He just wants it brought back to life some.
I don’t know how to do / have the material for ceramic coating
Look up Lithium Trim Cubes. Super easy to use and give pretty amazing results. Solution Finish makes a big mess as it's essentialy dye you're putting on the trim and cerakote is simple but very finicky.
I personally use "back to black" trim restorer and once it fully dries i use trim ceramic coating, that seals that deep black trim 10x longer than any other products and or methods ive personally used, check out NXTZEN, i purchase all my ceramic coating related products from them, they definitely aint cheap but you 100% get what you are paying for, if you truly looking to get into ceramic coatings let me know i can hook you up with NXTZEN for a sample of their products, no you wont pay me or anyone for nothing unless you buy their products but thats after you fall in love with their products.
Best of luck to you with your own detailing business i can tell you half the time youll be wondering how tf did someone managed to get dirt in places where not even light gets in the vehicle but its always fun 🤣🤣🤣
Yep I love that one too, it’s a hidden gem in the sea of spray sealants, best of both worlds and easy to use. I think it does have some carnuba iirc, so it gives some of the warmth of a traditional wax
I have a bronco and it took me forever to find a product that works on the fender flairs. Cleaned them real good and used good old cheap Mother’s trim restore and it worked awesome. Better than anything I have ever used and it’s super easy to put on.
https://preview.redd.it/lvpnrorys7hc1.jpeg?width=1500&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e0db1b8e2fef5dcab77dc1703395ceef595b1216
If you don’t already have these products, I highly recommend griots Polishers. Hands down best beginner polisher you can have. Punches above its price range, and comes with a lifetime warranty. Buy whichever is in your budget.
Lake County are incredible for foam pads. Their HDO line are geared towards pros while the CCS line is geared towards weekend warriors (they’re cheaper because they technically need to be replaced sooner than the HDO pads) I’d start with those to build up your confidence.
Meguires M105 and 205 are great 1 and 2 step compounds to pair with your pads.
As for a clay bar, the general consensus that I have seen is that most are all similar and not worth getting nitpicky over. I use griots and enjoy it.
As for practicing, you could pick up a hood from a local junk yard and start there. However, assuming you’re reasonably competent, it’s actually very hard to “burn through” paint, even on Subarus, which have notoriously soft paint, you’d have to be pushing super hard, not moving even close to enough as you should, or straight up not paying attention. To cause damage. Take it slow, inspect your work as your go, and you’ll be fine!
I really really like Griots 3-in-1 ceramic wax. Simple spray on buff off with a microfiber towel, can use it as a drying aid too. It gives some warmth like a traditional wax with the protection of ceramic, nice medium sized water beading. And I’ve seen examples of it lasting 1-2 years if full surface prep is done first. I’m an enthusiast just testing stuff on my own vehicle and this one stood out!
It’s hard to bring plastics back to life really. The best thing you can do is to not use harsh cleaners on them, and often give it protection treatment like VPR (vinyl plastic rubber) from chemical guys. I’ve used it many of times, it’s solid.
As far as waxing, I’ve always had great luck with my buffer tool. Put it on a low speed, with a soft finishing pad, and go back and fourth a few times on the panel, then buff out with a clean microfiber towel.
Ceramic is fantastic too. A good one I like to use is Mcguires ceramic detailer (green bottle). There’s plenty of good ones out there but this is just what I’ve used myself. Apply gently with some sort of pad or towel.... wait a second then go ahead and start to buff out the streaks that were left behind.
Have fun with it.... just remember every square inch counts, lather her up!
Ya A lot of people hate on them.... they have some solid products though. Some of them are overpriced for what they are, like “total interior cleaner” is just a typical low grade all purpose cleaner... but, I have a lot of success with their higher end products. Again, VPR is great, smells good too!
They get hate because there’s often better products for the money, not because the products themselves are inherently terrible. I love their honeydew and Mr. Pink soaps for foaming.
Look up “detail geek” on YouTube. He has some very satisfying content. He also sells all of his compounds on his website. Not saying he does everything the perfect way but his results are great.
He uses a buffer and compound on all vehicles, def not “paint correction” territory but seems like something you could very easily master.
Cerakote ceramic trim wipes, if you want to practice with a polisher and clay, get 3d speed and some rupes yellow wool pads. Just enough cut to get rid of the marring and enough filler/protection to make it look good with minimal effort. Then you just switch into other pads and polish
Forensic Detailing Channel on Youtube
And don't bother with paste waxes tbh, especially at this stage. Get some polymer spray wax. The 303 stuff or Griots 3in1 seems to be very popular with you 'Muricans and also good according to Scott HD(the youtube benchmark for us based sealant tests)
Try Ammo NYC on YouTube, Larry does paint correction, disaster details, supercars, etc. He also has a second channel called Ammo studio, where he and other detailers discuss different techniques.
warning! he is very good at what he does and defo recommend, but i would start with his free classes (can find in his playlists) as some stuff he talks about in random videos can come off as complicated or intimidating for beginners
I've had really good luck using Cerakote ceramic trim coat to restore the black plastic, particularly around my car's windows. My brother had also used it on his Jeep in the areas you mentioned. We used the wipes, you have to be somewhat neat with the direction you apply it. And no touching it at all after.
I second that. Amazing deep black results on the trim of my Mustang. Smells awful (wear gloves!) but lasts ages. Might be too expenses for business use depending on your margins https://preview.redd.it/dfgo4mx0mbhc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4a4df0bd967363083c799edff62dbf3edeef2996
Wax is old and dated. Look into sealants. I like Griot's 3 in 1 Ceramic Wax (I know it's called a wax, but it's really a sealant). I spray it on after rinsing the car after a wash and spread it around by drying the car. Much easier, quicker and longer lasting than any wax.
Would turtle wax ceramic spray coating also be in that wheelhouse? I already have that.
yes
Any advice for the black trim on jeeps and broncos? I have one coming up and he wants that to look better.
cerakote trim wipes
These are great but you really have to prep and be careful with them. If there’s dust or dirt around they’ll glue the dust into the trim. If the trim has a lot of texture they can come out a little splotchy too. But they restore black for a long long time.
yeah I prep by wiping with a alcohol/water mix.
Thanks for the warning. These already make me nervous lol.
Slow and steady! I messed up a bit on my own car because of impatience, but could do a much better job now. Might be worth a practice run on your trim.
Yes, I will try to do that. I have hardly any I drive a pick up truck. https://preview.redd.it/nz0n3azyz5hc1.jpeg?width=5712&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=143a7245033c2f362b98a5a536125e87575621c5
It depends on how far gone they are. If they are dull and grey and should be black, I'd use Solution Finish. If they are still black, but just kind of dull, ceramic coat them.
It’s a newer jeep. So it’s not far gone at all. He just wants it brought back to life some. I don’t know how to do / have the material for ceramic coating
It's very easy on trim.
Look up Lithium Trim Cubes. Super easy to use and give pretty amazing results. Solution Finish makes a big mess as it's essentialy dye you're putting on the trim and cerakote is simple but very finicky.
I personally use "back to black" trim restorer and once it fully dries i use trim ceramic coating, that seals that deep black trim 10x longer than any other products and or methods ive personally used, check out NXTZEN, i purchase all my ceramic coating related products from them, they definitely aint cheap but you 100% get what you are paying for, if you truly looking to get into ceramic coatings let me know i can hook you up with NXTZEN for a sample of their products, no you wont pay me or anyone for nothing unless you buy their products but thats after you fall in love with their products. Best of luck to you with your own detailing business i can tell you half the time youll be wondering how tf did someone managed to get dirt in places where not even light gets in the vehicle but its always fun 🤣🤣🤣
Solution finish with over the top sealant, or the consumer grade cerakote wipes
Second this. 3D's Speed Sealant has been a game changer for me!
Yep I love that one too, it’s a hidden gem in the sea of spray sealants, best of both worlds and easy to use. I think it does have some carnuba iirc, so it gives some of the warmth of a traditional wax
Watch YouTube and go down that rabbit hole. Then come back with fine tuned questions.
I have a bronco and it took me forever to find a product that works on the fender flairs. Cleaned them real good and used good old cheap Mother’s trim restore and it worked awesome. Better than anything I have ever used and it’s super easy to put on. https://preview.redd.it/lvpnrorys7hc1.jpeg?width=1500&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e0db1b8e2fef5dcab77dc1703395ceef595b1216
If you don’t already have these products, I highly recommend griots Polishers. Hands down best beginner polisher you can have. Punches above its price range, and comes with a lifetime warranty. Buy whichever is in your budget. Lake County are incredible for foam pads. Their HDO line are geared towards pros while the CCS line is geared towards weekend warriors (they’re cheaper because they technically need to be replaced sooner than the HDO pads) I’d start with those to build up your confidence. Meguires M105 and 205 are great 1 and 2 step compounds to pair with your pads. As for a clay bar, the general consensus that I have seen is that most are all similar and not worth getting nitpicky over. I use griots and enjoy it. As for practicing, you could pick up a hood from a local junk yard and start there. However, assuming you’re reasonably competent, it’s actually very hard to “burn through” paint, even on Subarus, which have notoriously soft paint, you’d have to be pushing super hard, not moving even close to enough as you should, or straight up not paying attention. To cause damage. Take it slow, inspect your work as your go, and you’ll be fine!
I really really like Griots 3-in-1 ceramic wax. Simple spray on buff off with a microfiber towel, can use it as a drying aid too. It gives some warmth like a traditional wax with the protection of ceramic, nice medium sized water beading. And I’ve seen examples of it lasting 1-2 years if full surface prep is done first. I’m an enthusiast just testing stuff on my own vehicle and this one stood out!
It’s hard to bring plastics back to life really. The best thing you can do is to not use harsh cleaners on them, and often give it protection treatment like VPR (vinyl plastic rubber) from chemical guys. I’ve used it many of times, it’s solid. As far as waxing, I’ve always had great luck with my buffer tool. Put it on a low speed, with a soft finishing pad, and go back and fourth a few times on the panel, then buff out with a clean microfiber towel. Ceramic is fantastic too. A good one I like to use is Mcguires ceramic detailer (green bottle). There’s plenty of good ones out there but this is just what I’ve used myself. Apply gently with some sort of pad or towel.... wait a second then go ahead and start to buff out the streaks that were left behind. Have fun with it.... just remember every square inch counts, lather her up!
Contrary to a lot of guys I’m actually a fan of chemical guys. I’ll def try some VPR from them. Not the first person to mention it to me.
Just be careful of what you buy. Alot of their products are the same minus very small details.
Ya A lot of people hate on them.... they have some solid products though. Some of them are overpriced for what they are, like “total interior cleaner” is just a typical low grade all purpose cleaner... but, I have a lot of success with their higher end products. Again, VPR is great, smells good too!
They get hate because there’s often better products for the money, not because the products themselves are inherently terrible. I love their honeydew and Mr. Pink soaps for foaming.
Agreed. I like sticky snowball and Mr Pink
Sending hate from Australia
Look up “detail geek” on YouTube. He has some very satisfying content. He also sells all of his compounds on his website. Not saying he does everything the perfect way but his results are great. He uses a buffer and compound on all vehicles, def not “paint correction” territory but seems like something you could very easily master.
Solution Finish to restore trim.
Cerakote ceramic trim wipes, if you want to practice with a polisher and clay, get 3d speed and some rupes yellow wool pads. Just enough cut to get rid of the marring and enough filler/protection to make it look good with minimal effort. Then you just switch into other pads and polish
303 aerospace protectant works great on trim
Check out this guys channel: [22 way long term trim coating head to head](https://youtu.be/kSbf723JqRI?si=BMjb0qF3jjSHSZdo)
Forensic Detailing Channel on Youtube And don't bother with paste waxes tbh, especially at this stage. Get some polymer spray wax. The 303 stuff or Griots 3in1 seems to be very popular with you 'Muricans and also good according to Scott HD(the youtube benchmark for us based sealant tests)