QD Usage?

R

RAG

New member
I've been getting a lot of questions from my customers lately about using QD. I needed some feedback, as I only use QD right after I wash (to enhance shine) or while polishing to remove residue or dust. Do many of you use QD to clean a dusty car a day or two after washing? This is what many of my customers are looking to do, but this proposition scares me on somebody's car I just polished to perfection. Does this not marr the paint?



Maybe if I told them they could use a California duster and then lightly QD (just as long as the paint isn't too dirty)?
 
Poorboy's S&W and ChemicalGuys Pro Detailer are awesome cleaning QD's, perfect for this purpose. It can be done with light dust using other QD's, but there's less margin for error.
 
I use a QD after every time I drive my car in the winter months when there are no caked on bugs, and if it has not been raining. I just use my best discretion when choosing whether to use QEW, S&W or a normal QD. I use QD more than any other product and if you use common sense, and don't put pressure on the paint, use a quality, soft MF and a slippery QD you will be in good shape. It's when people start trying to remove caked on dirt, tar, etc. that problems arise, or when they use the wrong kind of towels.



If I use QEW or S&W I will always follow it up with a "pretty" QD.



There is kind of an ongoing debate whether or not the alcohol content in most QDs hinders LSP durability. Some say yes, some say no. I personally believe that yes, it may hinder the durability, but I'd much rather have it in there to make it easier to work with, especially since I refresh my LSP so often. Then there are the products like CM, Acrylic Spritz, Z6 etc. that are "fortified" with polymers or carnauba, or whatever, that may actually enhance the life of your LSP. Who knows?
 
You will be fine recommending that they us a QD. Just educate them on the proper use. Maybe even make a little print out to give them for when they ask about QD.
 
Even with hard Audi clear, I don't like to use a QD on even slight dust (~ 1 day). I just prefer to wait and do a proper wash. IMO you may get away with using a QD on some lighter colors, but I'm too paranoid about doing it on my black paint. :nervous:



I will only QD or use S&W after a wash or inbetween polishing/LSP steps.



I think your average customer will definitely keep you in business polishing out all their mistakes of trying to use a QD when the car's surface is too dirty. I doubt if they are as obsessed about proper mf toweling to use in this case either. Conversely, I'm sure some of your customers would never really notice the swirls, etc. they may induce so it might just be fine for them.
 
Yes, clearly it is a tuff delima. Most people wouldn't notice swirls, but I have my customers "trained" so they can see the difference after I detail and polish out their car. I think the absolute worst thing for their paint are the local car washes - and I've educated them on this too. Most of the car washes around this area (San Diego) are so-called hand washes - but they all scratch the piss out of people' cars. I now have many people washing their own cars (I showed them what to use and how to).



chml171 - I hear you on the black. Though I don't own a black vehicle, I have detailed a million of them (I sell myself as a swirl and scratch removal specialist). And damn do they show everything!



Thanks for the replies.
 
I make a light past with a CCD to take off the loose dust then QD, just like you said. Of course I'd be careful with that advice if you think they're going to try to get away with just that when the car's too dirty.
 
[quote name='chml17l']Even with hard Audi clear, I don't like to use a QD on even slight dust (~ 1 day). I just prefer to wait and do a proper wash. IMO you may get away with using a QD on some lighter colors, but I'm too paranoid about doing it on my black paint. :nervous:



Right on, I am exactly the same



I will only QD or use S&W after a wash or inbetween polishing/LSP steps.

Yep
 
hornyjuan said:
So removing bugs with something like a waterlass wash or qd is not reccommended?
Click to expand...



Totally different for removing bugs, you need to get em off there quickly, so using a waterless wash, QD, bug remover definitely. The question is really related to dusting and light particles on the surface. I don't QD the entire car between washes, but I always hit the bugs and bird droppings as soon as I can.
 
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