Car (paint) care products?

[punkncat]

I just picked up a super cheapy Black and Decker buffer. Used it to "wax" the truck this morning. For some reason I was unable to find any of my car care products aside from the caranuba, and I really NEEDED my compound.

Some years ago I had this stuff that I recall as being called "Black Diamond" polishing compound. Came in a huge black bottle and when you poured some out it was inky black with little silver almost glitter looking bits. It worked exceptionally well and went a LONG way. I had this stuff for a long time and now cannot find it. I looked online and can't find anything that appears to be what I recall. Admittedly the bottle design could have changed many times over the period I owned the original. I seem to recall getting it from a professional, not like "off the shelf"

So, anyway...I have to find a good compound. I don't care for those Meguiars step process compound/polish. Looking for something a bit better than that.
I have my finishing polish/wax taken care of, between the caranuba and Flitz. Got a great metal polish called Bombs Away.

What are y'all using?

[Kala201]

I bought the Chemical Guys V-Line polish and compound kit from Amazon. They have a shop in Hawaii, but they are way overpriced in store. Anyways the kit has several levels of grittiness so you can pick the one you need or work your way through the levels if it’s really bad. For wax I use pretty much any caranuba I can find and then I do 2 coats of the Collinite insulator wax. I don’t always polish my car. If it’s not too bad I just clay bar it after washing.

[punkncat]

I have never attempted to use a clay bar. This was actually my first time using a buffer. I have always done prep and polish by hand, but just can't any more.
The main issue I am trying to deal with is this black residue that is building up on upper surfaces like the roof and hood created by tree sap and sun. Washing it doesn't do shit. I have gone so far as to try hard bristle brushes and such.

[Kala201]

Wow that sucks. In Hawaii it’s mostly keeping the rust at bay and dealing with sun damage and fading. Not a lot of our trees leave sap like that.

As for doing it by hand I hear you on that. I bought the cordless Milwaukee Tools 18v buffer. I use it to apply the product, but wipe it off by hand. Way faster than before.

[Shaftski]

Try bug and tar remover on really nasty spots. Then do clay bar to make sure you get everything. Trying to remove it mechanically may just gum everything up and bog down your polisher and kill the motor. A DA polisher would work better.

[BrickHaus]

I have a huge loctust tree in my yard. It saps everything in the spring, then dumps oatmeal as it blooms. Ive had good luck with ceramic washes like M9thers CMX. To knock that sap off. It seems to help break the adherence, and help it fall off.

im lazy and leave it at that. But you could go and polish it further.

[Chuck E Ducky]

I use 3M and it’s a 3 stage process. Then Ceramic coat it all in after I get the paint smooth. After that you shouldn’t have to touch the paint. The dirt will spray off with just water. I use a leaf blower to dry off the car. If you avoid touching the car it will last a super long time.

[Tarsun2]

https://ammonyc.com/

his website

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYsa8SOy3TkoxI5D17s1u-w

His youtube channel.
He is ANAL about detailing and has allot of great content. The videos are usually something like "FIST was in 15 YEARS...." but he knows allot.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPRiTh3hK-I

i would start here and just keep watching

[uv_halo]

Project Farm on youtube did a head to head comparison of the leading ceramic coating brands. I'd link it if I could but, I can't now. It's worth checking out.