andriver
Detailing Hobbyist
Scott, thanks for taking the time to respond to all our questions. I am using Vanilla Moose products and I really like them. I also use S100 - which I really like.....Andrew
I think Clearkote has a huge winner coming out soon
- Thread starter Scottwax
- Start date
When I last spoke with Everett, he told me about this new product that he was working on..I didn't realize that it was already in testing phase. I'm looking forward to trying it. I'd be willing to pay for a sample to give some feedback and pix....I love the VM ...I gave some to my neighbor last weekend...he couldn't get over the fact that a simple product could make such a huge difference...worked so well, I had to give some to another neighbor Monday night for his black Jeep. Can't wait to see what a new product could do.
Steve @ Guru
New member
paco said:
To be perfectly honest, I took about 20 pictures each until I found the right combo to best replicate that high gloss, exaggerated color...I should have taken notes on what I was doing, but basically I adjusted the white balance settings to darken the subject (car), then used a much longer shutter speed than what the auto setting called for, opened up the aperature more than what auto called for and finally tweaked with the "exposure" and "sharpness" settings.
I was using a Sony Mavica CD-200 digital camera (2.0 mega-pixel); my Canon SLR can be set similarly, so I'm pretty sure the A70 can get really close to what I shot. The best thing to do is to check the auto settings (as recommended by the camera), then go in to full manual mode and start slowly adjusting things until you find the right combo.
Ambient light, the direction of the sunlight, etc., can all affect the required settings - if I went out to take the photo again today, I might have to use completely different settings.
Finally, I spent a little time last night playing with the image in Photoshop, and by using the "auto color", "auto levels" and "auto contrast" controls I really got a sharp looking photo - Photoshop is amazing, and I've just vowed to become more competent with it.
geekysteve,
Photoshop, I said the same thing but never find the time I can barely work with layers. However, simply things can be done that make huge difference with a couple of the standard filters and the brighten feature.
If you length the shutter speed, did you find you had to use a tripod?
Thanks for tips. I figured it was something like that but I thought I would make sure. I wasn't sure if one single one produced the most bang for your buck i.e shutter speed, aperature, white balance etc.
Paco
Photoshop, I said the same thing but never find the time
I can barely work with layers. However, simply things can be done that make huge difference with a couple of the standard filters and the brighten feature.If you length the shutter speed, did you find you had to use a tripod?
Thanks for tips. I figured it was something like that but I thought I would make sure. I wasn't sure if one single one produced the most bang for your buck i.e shutter speed, aperature, white balance etc.
Paco
imported_FUEL
New member
geekysteve said:Call me a hater or whatever you will, but I never believe any photos I see posted on the web. It's simply too easy to "doctor" them, especially if you're good with the camera (like Scott has admitted)...
Allow me to post some examples.
1) Normal photo of Justin's (co-worker) black Firebird. It has not been washed since about 1.5 weeks ago...the paint is pretty dirty, and it shows signs of having acid rain etching, bird dropping etching, etc. Here's the "original" photo:
In this photo, the car looks pretty good - better than it does in person...but now, let's adjust some camera settings and play with f-stops, exposure times, and so on. We end up with a photo like this:
Not bad, eh? I worked all day detailing his car, and this is how it turned out! Looks great, right?! Same car, same conditions, just different camera settings...imagine if I was "decent" with photoshop - I could really make it look great...
Ok, here's example #2:
Same car, same condition, needs a good detailing/wash. If you look closely at the bumper, you'll see waterspots.
And again, after adjusting some camera settings:
Notice how much more glossy and clean the car looks - again, all I did was play with camera settings on my $300 digital camera...
Finally, my Tahoe. It hasn't been washed in about 3 weeks, and has been sitting outside most of the time (in a gravel parking lot).
Looks great, eh? Gotta love that Zaino shine and protection!
Just kidding - that photo was also "saturated" with the camera...
So, take pictures for what they're worth. Scott is a really good detailer, no question about it; but he's an equally good photographer. I'm not trying to take anything away from his work - just trying to prove a few minor points.
I never thought of that. I wish I had his camera skills too!!
imported_Intermezzo
New member
geekysteve said:I'm not trying to take anything away from his work - just trying to prove a few minor points.
Understood, but considering the way you and another member of this forum feel about the "Clearkote bandwagon" and the way you have been insinuating about possible ulterier motives behind it, it's interesting how you feel the need to make your points on this thread.....and not the thousands of other threads that also have very nice pics.
Actually, never mind....it's not all that interesting at all. "Figures....I'm not surprised" would probably be a more fitting description.
Regardless of the picture quality, I think the reaction of the owner of the Red Acura is pretty compelling.
Also, F355 seems to have had some good luck with it too...
ClearKote
If pictures can't be trusted, then how about judges at a Ferrari Concourse?
Rednsxe said:
I talked to Everett today. The wax will be available within 30 days. He is waiting on labels and one more ingredient so he can start production. It will run about the same as a bottle of Moose Wax ($20 or so), but you will get more uses than with the MW since is it is a pure wax and you are not using it to also clean and prep the surface. I got a 4 oz sample that has so far been enough for 7 vehicles (including the Excursion) plus twice on my own car. I have what looks to be slightly less than 1 oz left. Based on that, I'd say you should get a good 25-30 (depending on vehicle size) wax jobs per 16 oz bottle. Not including shipping, that means around 50-75 cents a wax job.
Clearkote will also be offering a premium wash mitt that is about 9" x 10" and 3" thick. I haven't seen it yet though. They will also be offering slightly larger MF towels than the ones they carry now that will run around 3 for $8 or $9. If they are as soft as the ones they sell now (2 for $8 though, a little pricey), then at $3 each, they will be a decent value. He is also looking into offering specials this summer, including a possible package that comes with wax, glaze, mf towels, wash mitt, car wash soap, Quikshine, and even a bucket! I guess just check the website, because the specials are still in the planning stages.
Mr. Glass is also negotiating with a few retail outlets so his products will be easier to get if prefer to walk into a store. He told me the names of the stores, but I prefer not to reveal them until the deals go through. He does give retail and distributers the latitude to set their own prices, so you may be able to find some products for less at the retail level.
imported_memnuts
New member
Scott, Thanks for the up-date. Please post when we are able to purchase. COOOOL!!!. I can't wait to try a new Clearkote product. :bow
GP Infinity
New member
How have you been? I havent been over here in a few weeks.
Just so I can get caught up, what is your methodology now? what products in what order?
Also, have you gone away entirely from SEPC and S100?
also, please give the Clearkote website for the uninformed (me).. and heck 85 in Dallas is almost like 110 in Phoenix right?
Dana
Just so I can get caught up, what is your methodology now? what products in what order?
Also, have you gone away entirely from SEPC and S100?
also, please give the Clearkote website for the uninformed (me).. and heck 85 in Dallas is almost like 110 in Phoenix right?
Dana
Dana, I still use S100 because I have so little of the Clearkote Carnuba left and I am still observing durability before I make any final decisions. Clearkote's carnuba has a very wet look and deepens the color slightly. S100 is also very wet looking, but leaves the color looking a bit brighter. Both are easy to use, wipe on and wipe off products. S100 may be slightly more cost effective since I can get around 40 wax jobs out of 1 $15 container, while it seems that I will get 25-30 wax jobs out of 1 $20 (or so) pint of Clearkote's wax. I seem to be using about 1/2 oz of product per wax job, so I may be able to get up to 32-35 wax jobs from a pint if I am doing mostly cars. Also, the $20 price is not set in stone, so I guess once Everett starts up production and sees what his actual costs are, the price may change slightly.
I haven't used S100 SEC in a while now. I think Vanilla Moose looks just as good and since it also protects, when topped with S100 or Clearkote's carnuba, durability seems pretty good. If you still have S100 SEC though, I wouldn't toss it out, it is an outstanding product. I just prefer Vanilla Moose and since I can get it at Six Flags Mall and the shop gives me a professional discount, it ends up costing me less overall than SEC.
My overall routine is DACP or Swirl Free (if needed) followed by Vanilla Moose and either S100 or (when available) Clearkote's carnuba.
BTW, Clearkote's website is www.clearkote.net
I haven't used S100 SEC in a while now. I think Vanilla Moose looks just as good and since it also protects, when topped with S100 or Clearkote's carnuba, durability seems pretty good. If you still have S100 SEC though, I wouldn't toss it out, it is an outstanding product. I just prefer Vanilla Moose and since I can get it at Six Flags Mall and the shop gives me a professional discount, it ends up costing me less overall than SEC.
My overall routine is DACP or Swirl Free (if needed) followed by Vanilla Moose and either S100 or (when available) Clearkote's carnuba.
BTW, Clearkote's website is www.clearkote.net
imported_Greg1
New member
No Final Polish anymore?
Greg said:
I normally just use Final Polish on cars that I don't see as often. Cars that I wax every 2 months or sooner, I use Vanilla Moose. If the customer normally goes longer than a few months between waxing, I use Final Polish to make sure their cars bead until the next time I wax. I also use it as an upselling item. Charge a bit extra for longer protection. The Clearkote carnuba seems to work fine on top of Final Polish.
Quickstrike
New member
So if price wasn't an issue you would VM then FP then CK?
Do you prefer the look of VM more than FP? Do you only FP if they "need" the protection or would you do that to every car if it didn't cost more?
Do you prefer the look of VM more than FP? Do you only FP if they "need" the protection or would you do that to every car if it didn't cost more?
Scottwax said:
Quickstrike said:
It is actually more of what the customer is willing to pay. For some of my customers who get their cars waxed every 4-8 weeks, they are not interested in paying more for a sealant.
If the paint is in good condition and they are paying for a 3 step job, then I'd use VM, FP then either S100 or the Clearkote carnuba. If the paint needs more help, but they still just want a 3 step, then I'd most likely use Meguiars Swirl Free, then either VM of FP depending on how often they get their cars waxed, then top with wax.
VM and FP both look similar on the paint. Mild abrasives in both so the cutting action is the same. Both have a bright reflective shine. It pretty much depends on what level of protection you want under the carnuba.