Archives for September 2009

If you’re a car care enthusiast, you already know that towel-drying is a must if you want to prevent water spots. Well, CR Spotless Water Systems is changing that rule.

Water spots occur because all water is full of minerals, like calcium, magnesium, sodium, and various other dissolved mineral salts. You might have heard of total dissolved solids in reference to tap water. All water has them, and they’re a real problem for detailers. When water evaporates, it leaves these minerals behind on the vehicle in little rings that we call water spots. Eventually, minerals etch auto paint. The etching requires compounding. It’s best to prevent water spots altogether with the CR Spotless Water Systems.

Before CR Spotless Water Systems, you had to towel-dry your vehicle to prevent water spots. We carry many microfiber drying towels that are excellent quality and very safe on paint, but wouldn’t it be great if you could skip that step? Just wash, rinse, and go. You can do exactly that with CR Spotless Water Systems.

Dissolved mineral solids are either positively charged cations or negatively charged anions. The exchange resin in the CR Spotless Systems replaces cations with hydrogen. This exchange produces acids that are neutralized by anion exchange resin. The result of this process is hydroxide. Hydrogen plus hydroxide equals pure, clean water. Without minerals, water just disappears, leaving nothing on the vehicle.

Here’s a list of some of the benefits of CR Spotless Water Systems: You save time because there’s no need to towel-dry! You eliminate the risk of towel-induced paint marring, like swirls and fine scratches. By preventing water spots, you’re also preventing etching. Below-surface paint damage requires time-consuming compounding and, in some cases, paint repair. CR Spotless Water Systems save your paint!

You’ve seen how water spots cloud up a windshield with rough, scaly minerals. CR Spotless Water Systems prevent water spots all over your vehicle. Use CR Spotless Water Systems to wash household windows, too. It’s nearly impossible to dry exterior, second story windows and now you don’t have to.

CR Spotless Water Systems are excellent for individuals and for detailing businesses. Unlike some water purifying systems, the CR Spotless Water Systems generate plenty of clean water to give your vehicle a thorough wash. Choose from 100 gallon medium output units for personal use or opt for the high output 300 gallon units for professional detailing. Wall-mounted and portable systems are available.

CR Spotless Water Systems are easy to use. Hook the system up to your water hose. As water flows through the system, it is automatically “cleaned” of dissolved solids. The water that exits your nozzle is clean, de-ionized water that will not cause water spots!

CR Spotless Water Systems work with replaceable resin cartridges. The TDS meter on the system gives you an accurate reading of the total dissolved solids in the water. When it reads 30 ppm or more, the cartridges need to be changed. An included water restrictor maintains the optimal flow rate of water to ensure that it is thoroughly cleaned as it passes through the resins.

CR Spotless Systems have built-in TDS meters to indicate when the resin needs to be replaced.

CR Spotless Water Systems are not just for mobile detailers. Anyone who has ever tried to remove water spots from any surface will find a use for a CR Spotless Water System. Clean household windows, outdoor furniture, cars, boats, RVs, motorcycles, and ATVs. Easy access to clean, de-ionized water will change how you clean! Save time and enjoy a clean, spot-free vehicle.

The Finish Kare Paint Decontamination System was developed as a method of removing paint contamination beyond what can be removed by washing or claying. If you are familiar with detail clay, you know it is capable of removing above surface contaminants that have bonded to the paint. The Finish Kare Paint Decontamination System is designed to remove what lies below the paint surface.

Airborne chemical compounds and ferrous particles – particles containing iron – actually penetrate the paint and create corrosive compounds that eat deep into the paint’s sub-layers. This is a gradual process that often is not evident until it’s too late. Claying or polishing only removes the particle, not it’s effects, which are continuing to spread beneath the surface.

The Finish Kare Paint Decontamination System is a total solution to paint contamination. Steps 1-3 are specifically formulated to neutralize and remove contaminants to stop any damage being done to the paint and to prevent future damage. Step 4 Finish Kare 218 Poly Wipe Sealant or Finish Kare 2180 Ultra Poly Wipe Sealant seal the paint and forms a anti-static barrier to dust and industrial fallout.

The Finish Kare Paint Decontamination System removes: Vehicle wrap adhesives Industrial fallout Rail dust Acid rain Oxidation Silicone and waxes Tar & road grime Tree Sap Love bugs & other insects Bird droppings Hard water spots

Note: Some decontamination procedures include the use of products containing Oxalic Acid. This acid softens the paint, exterior trim, and aluminum. Damage may not be evident for months. The Finish Kare Paint Decontamination System does not contain Oxalic Acid.

In addition, the system protects against the future effects of acid rain, hard water, industrial fallout, and ultraviolet radiation.

Here’s how the Finish Kare Paint Decontamination System works:

Step 1: Finish Kare 1119 Soil and Coating Remover
Finish Kare 1119 Soil and Coating Remover is a fully biodegradable, alkaline based cleaner with inhibitors for safe usage. It removes outer surface rust, iron oxides, soil coatings, and vehicle wrap adhesives while cleaning and preparing the surface for step two. Dilute 1:4 with water.

Step 2: Finish Kare SIRR Steel, Iron Rust Remover
Finish Kare SIRR Steel, Iron Rust Remover is a blend of acids and inhibitors that actually opens the pores of the paint, allowing the ferrous particles to be removed by agitation. SIRR Steel, Iron Rust Remover will enter the subsurface of the paint film and neutralize caustic compounds generated by ferrous particles that have penetrated paint film. Use undiluted.

Step 3: Finish Kare 118 Shampoo Super Concentrate & pH Neutralizer
Finish Kare 118 Shampoo Super Concentrate & pH Neutralizer is a heavy-duty, highly active shampoo concentrate and non-clogging, non-hydrolyzing neutral soap system. When used with cold water, it quenches the paint surface, which pops ferrous particles up and out of the paint system. Because of its special blend of chemicals, this shampoo will also neutralize acid rain as well as acidic contamination below the paint surface. Dilute 1 oz. per gallon of water.

Always apply paint protection after using steps 1-3. Finish Kare 218 Poly Wipe Sealant Conditioner is formulated with amino functional polymer resins. These resins chemically create a cationic effect, which allows them to plate to the surface of the finish to form a protective web. This web of polymers allows the paint to breath and withstand temperatures in excess of 300 degrees. Finish Kare 218 does not contain any harmful silicones (i.e. dimethyl silicones). Finish Kare 218 has a moderate amount of cleaning ability.

Finish Kare 2180 Ultra Poly Wipe Sealant has all the advantages of 218, but with less cleaning ability and a little longer durability.

Both Finish Kare 218 Poly Wipe Sealant Conditioner and Finish Kare 2180 Ultra Poly Wipe Sealant have patented anti-static agents that eliminate the attraction of dust and industrial fallout, which is magnetically attracted to a vehicle. Both sealants are available separately.

The Finish Kare Paint Decontamination System is used by body shops for pre-cleaning prior to detailing and by dealerships for new and used car prep.

If you are a detailing professional looking for an effective solution to paint contamination, go with the proven science of the Finish Kare Paint Decontamination System.

Kit includes:
64 oz. Finish Kare 1119 Soil and Coating Remover
31 oz. Finish Kare SIRR Steel, Iron Rust Remover
31 oz. Finish Kare 118 Shampoo Super Concentrate & pH Neutralizer

Lake Country’ s Hydro-Tech Foam Pads are designed specifically for the application of water-based polishes and compounds. European pre-polymer foam prolongs the working time so you have more time to create a flawless finish. Hydro-Tech Inch Foam Pads are ideal for professional, body shop-safe polishes.

Lake Country Hydro-Tech 6.5 Inch Foam Pads are made of imported European pre-polymer foam. This long-wearing, high quality foam is less absorbent in order to keep the majority of polish on the pad’s surface. You’ll experience a longer working time with your water-based polishes and compounds, resulting in less product used to achieve the perfect finish.

Water-based polishes can soak into some foam pads like, well, water. That requires you to keep reapplying polish to the pad. With Lake Country Hydro-Tech 6.5 Inch Foam Pads, water-based polishes work longer and you use less polish. You’ll save time and polish!

The Lake Country Hydro-Tech 6.5 Inch Foam Pads accomplish defect removal and finishing in just one step. This special foam composition leaves no marring so, even after compounding with the blue cutting pad, the finish is nearly wax-ready. Think of these pads as all-in-one polishing and finishing pads.

Lake Country Hydro-Tech 6.5 Inch Foam Pads are available in two varieties:

Cyan Advanced Cutting Foam – The blue foam is designed for compounding and swirl removal. This closed cell pre-polymer foam restores oxidized and heavily swirled paint. Looks can be deceiving; the blue pad looks coarse but actually finishes with no marring. You’ll achieve an almost wax-ready finish in one step. That’s another way the Lake Country Hydro-Tech 6.5 Inch Foam Pads save you time. The blue cutting foam works well with Menzerna Power Finish PO 203 and Meguiars Ultra-Cut Compound. Both polishes have great cutting power and a clean, glossy finish. Use either polish/pad combo on neglected finishes and watch the paint come to life!

Tangerine Ultra Polishing Foam – The tangerine foam is made for light to moderate defect removal and polishing. It has the cutting power just below that of the Lake Country orange light cutting pad, and the tangerine pad leaves a finish like you’d achieve with a gray finishing pad. Use a finishing polish or fine swirl remover to create a deep gloss. Menzerna Super Finish or Wolfgang Finishing Glaze are two excellent choices for this pad.

Like Lake Country’s other premium foam pads, Lake Country Hydro-Tech 6.5 Inch Foam Pads are made with high quality hook and loop backing. The pads work with a 5 or 6 inch hook and loop backing plate. The pads’ size is perfect for a dual action or random orbital polisher.

The flat face of the Lake Country Hydro-Tech 6.5 Inch Foam Pads also helps to keep water-based polishes on the surface of the pad. The flat pads maintain full contact with the paint, and they have enough flexibility to hug the curves and contours of your vehicle.

Lake Country Hydro-Tech 6.5 Inch Foam Pads work with any type of polish but they’re pre-polymer composition makes them ideal for water-based polishes. Water-based polishes are used by body shops and paint shops because the oils in silicone-based polishes will interfere with paint. If you want a professional quality finish, water-based polishes applied with applied with Lake Country Hydro-Tech 6.5 Inch Foam Pads are the way to go. They’ll save you time and polish!