Road trip to apply Opti-Guard

[tuscarora dave]

Hi AGO members and a Happy Thanksgiving to all. I'm on the second leg of a 3 stop roadtrip. First I stopped in Boston to meet SeaJay's and BostonDetails. Nice guys for sure. We had coffee, some kibble and talked detailing for a few hours.

On from Boston to Gorham Maine to apply a coat of Opti-Guard on a 2013 GMC Sierra 2500 HD Denali. Only having 400 miles on it, I really wasn't surprised to see the DISO in the paint. Bill (the owner of the truck) and I doubleteamed the paint with SF4500 and our Flex 3401s. Then I applied the Opti-Guard in an instructional manner as to teach Bill how to work with the product moving forward.

Sorry no before photos but hey it was brand new. I wasn't going to take any photos but Bill convinced me to grab a few. I'm pressed for time to move along to Watertown NY where I'll spend the remainder of my vacation road trip at my Brother's house putting the feed bag on for Thanksgiving. I did get 40 photos and will add a few to this thread next week when I get back home from the trip.

Here's what I think is the best photo of the 40 I took. Thanks for looking..TD

 

[mwoolfso]

Nice Dave. Happy Thanksgiving!

 

[bill buxton]

Hi AGO members and a Happy Thanksgiving to all. I'm on the second leg of a 3 stop roadtrip. First I stopped in Boston to meet SeaJay's and BostonDetails. Nice guys for sure. We had coffee, some kibble and talked detailing for a few hours.

On from Boston to Gorham Maine to apply a coat of Opti-Guard on a 2013 GMC Sierra 2500 HD Denali. Only having 400 miles on it, I really wasn't surprised to see the DISO in the paint. Bill (the owner of the truck) and I doubleteamed the paint with SF4500 and our Flex 3401s. Then I applied the Opti-Guard in an instructional manner as to teach Bill how to work with the product moving forward.

Sorry no before photos but hey it was brand new. I wasn't going to take any photos but Bill convinced me to grab a few. I'm pressed for time to move along to Watertown NY where I'll spend the remainder of my vacation road trip at my Brother's house putting the feed bag on for Thanksgiving. I did get 40 photos and will add a few to this thread next week when I get back home from the trip.

Here's what I think is the best photo of the 40 I took. Thanks for looking..TD

I would like to start off by saying " THANKS DAVE " for taking the time to travel, and spend your time with us here. Dave is a special friend to us and considered a member of our family, he never needs an invitation to spend time with us here. This was a great fun project for both of us in all regards. I don't do enough detailing here like I once did and I picked the brain of a master. We made a plan of attack, worked together and executed the plan. Dave had the experience in all the fazes of the project using Opti Guard. He showed me how to apply the product correctly and the end result. Is unbeleaveable.
The truck is 3 months old and only been washed 3 times. It was in fact damaged in the delivery wash process by the dealer by the looks. This was not visible only under the halogen lights. We did correct the small defects and then pulled the Opti Guard trigger. Proof is in the Puddin, it's nothing short of stunning.


This is just my daily driver but will be treated aproperatly in washing and drying, so to keep the paint looking its best....

 

[tuscarora dave]

I would like to start off by saying " THANKS DAVE " for taking the time to travel, and spend your time with us here. Dave is a special friend to us and considered a member of our family, he never needs an invitation to spend time with us here. This was a great fun project for both of us in all regards. I don't do enough detailing here like I once did and I picked the brain of a master. We made a plan of attack, worked together and executed the plan. Dave had the experience in all the fazes of the project using Opti Guard. He showed me how to apply the product correctly and the end result. Is unbeleaveable.
The truck is 3 months old and only been washed 3 times. It was in fact damaged in the delivery wash process by the dealer by the looks. This was not visible only under the halogen lights. We did correct the small defects and then pulled the Opti Guard trigger. Proof is in the Puddin, it's nothing short of stunning.


This is just my daily driver but will be treated aproperatly in washing and drying, so to keep the paint looking its best....

Thanks for the kindness and hospitality Bill. If you're reading this, know that I made it safely to watertown ny and am parked in front of the wood stove where it's nice and cozy.

 

[Hoytman]

Glad you made in safely Dave, and I'm glad I could tag along for at least part of the ride. I really enjoyed speaking with you. I also really appreciate the help you gave me today. I think you're going to find your suggestions stunning. I'll post the photo's in a few more days.

Happy Thanksgiving bud!!!!

 

[dcjredline]

YIKES mean looking truck!!!! Nice work you two. Watertown? Nothing there really, went there for my new company and installed their product in the local Applebees and Dennys there. Your 3 hours from me. Have a great holiday Dave.

 

[bill buxton]

Happy you made it to your brothers house safely Dave I am sure he was happy to see you. Best wishes from us here and dont eat too much, hahaha...rops:

 

[Vegas Transplant]

Nothing better than a working vacation rops:

Keep your wheels between the ditches, and the smokies off your britches.
Shiny side up...dirty side down.

See ya on the flip side, 10.

 

[billmac]

Looks nice Dave. Hope you can relax for a few. Be Safe !!!

 

[tuscarora dave]

Well I made it safely back home from my road trip. Jack was glad to see me last night when I arrived back after a week. I drove a total of 1325 miles and used up 49.5 gallons of 93 octane fuel. The work done in Maine covered the fuel cost for the entire trip, all the tolls, any materials involved and I went away ahead of the game with enough cash to buy some goodies at the Watertown Harbor Freight tools location.

I picked up the Platinum series DA, (with the 2 year replacement warranty) 10 foam pads and another set of 6 ton jack stands for the shop. I also picked up a ticket for having a headlight out around Utica NY. After dealing with the police officer and getting my ticket I drove into the next town where I pulled into the first convenience store, got out of the car and bumped the headlight with my fist... Wouldn't you know the light came back on with just a quick bump. I wish I'd of thought to do that in the presence of the police officer that issued the ticket. Well I stopped into an official NY inspection station and paid the inspection mechanic to inspect my lights and sign off on the ticket. It will be squashed as a result of doing this within the allowable time frame.

I had a wonderful time meeting Mike, (BostonDetails) Jason, (SeaJays) working on Bill's (Bill Buxton) truck and just hanging out with him and his wife for a few days and spending time with my brother and his loving family. I am sure glad to be back home with "my girl Jack" who was reported to have been spoiled with T-Bones and Pig Ears while I was away.

I have some additional photos of Bill's truck that were loaded onto a CD that's out in my car right now, I'll bring it in the house after work tonight and add a few photos of it here.

Thanks to all of you who followed this thread and sent your best wishes during my trip. I do appreciate it. TD

 

[tuscarora dave]

Hi AGO members. Sorry it took me a bit longer to get around to posting some additional photos of Bill's truck.

Before I do I'd like to mention that since the first time Bill hired me to drive to southern Maine to tackle the detailing of his company's vehicles, he has become a trusted business mentor and a very good friend to me. If I get jammed up on a personal level, with business problems or just want to talk to a great friend...Bill is always there for me...and I for him. We rarely talk on the phone for less than an hour at a time.

Bill's business, "Bio-Specialists LLC" is a crime scene, trauma scene cleanup business. Often time, Bill's company is working to clean up after a tragic situation has occurred with the family afterward being close by and often in a state of mourning. Bill's compassion and care for these family members is his main concern. Bill places the image of his business and the equipment associated with it in the highest regard as to not burden the families related to these tragic scenes with the worry of who it is cleaning up after they've just lost a loved one.

This is why Bill has me drive all the way from central PA to handle the appearance of his company's vehicles. He trusts my ability as a detailer to leave his company's vehicles looking the best they possibly can. Bill is a real class act business owner and I've added a few photos to recognize his business name.

In this following photo, there appears to be a blemish of sorts on the hood right near the passenger's side fender...It's actually a dog hair laying near the edge of the hood.

The dog hair is from "Isis", the reason that "my girl Jack" didn't accompany me on this particular trip as she usually does. Bill's newest family member, "Isis" is featured in this next photo. I can tell you with absolute certainty...If any unwanted visitor should force their way into Bill's home...They'll surely be sorry they did when they meet up with "Isis".

Bill's company, "Bio-Specialists LLC" is a contingency sponsor for the "Pro-Allstar series" auto racing circuit, these "Super Late Models" race at tracks from Canada all the way down to Florida. The marketing stakes are high, so the vehicles need to look stellar.

I always have a great time and get some great detailing exposure for my own business each time Bill has me up to tackle his detailing needs. Bill assures me that he'll be calling on me into the future to meet the challenge of his auto appearance needs.

Thanks for looking, and thanks for contributing to the thread..TD

 

[kenallwine]

Looks like you had a great road trip! Excellent job on the HD too!

 

[bill buxton]

Dave,

Just wanna say THANKS YOU FOR BEING A GREAT FRIEND, AND GREAT DETAILER. I wish every person had the chance to meet,and talk to a no BS great guy with the ability to make your vehicle look it's best. My only problem with Dave is, He lives way to far AWAY..!
I am sure if he was closer we would be hooked up doing something togeather for sure.

I just got back from a 3500 mile trip with this truck and I gotta say it looked great no matter what the weather was. I washed the thing in Florida after hammering down 95'th street overnight. Bugs,rain,and salt dust till I hit the first wash. I did a quick wash coin operated wand in hand and just soaped the thing up and straight water rinse. Then a dry with waffel weave drying towel. The amount of dirt that stuck to the towel was very light. The truck was ultra shiny, this was the first wash after the Opti Guard app. Things don't stick to the surface that was what Dave said before we did the application, and he was right on the mark. Clean up was easy and hardly nothing stuck to the surfaces that were treated.

Best guess, this is the product for BLACK vehicles hands down. My other black vehicles would have never cleaned with this soil, this easy. The shine is unreal and we will see how long it lasts. I will be using this as a staple here for a long while. Trailers,trucks,service trucks alike. If longevity,ease of cleaning,ultra shine are what sound good to you this is the ticket no question...!!rops:

 

[tuscarora dave]

Dave,

Just wanna say THANKS YOU FOR BEING A GREAT FRIEND, AND GREAT DETAILER. I wish every person had the chance to meet,and talk to a no BS great guy with the ability to make your vehicle look it's best. My only problem with Dave is, He lives way to far AWAY..!
I am sure if he was closer we would be hooked up doing something togeather for sure.

Thanks Bill. There's no doubt that we'd be working together if I was living up your way. Your friendship is very important and enjoyable to me as well.

I just got back from a 3500 mile trip with this truck and I gotta say it looked great no matter what the weather was. I washed the thing in Florida after hammering down 95'th street overnight. Bugs,rain,and salt dust till I hit the first wash. I did a quick wash coin operated wand in hand and just soaped the thing up and straight water rinse. Then a dry with waffel weave drying towel. The amount of dirt that stuck to the towel was very light. The truck was ultra shiny, this was the first wash after the Opti Guard app. Things don't stick to the surface that was what Dave said before we did the application, and he was right on the mark. Clean up was easy and hardly nothing stuck to the surfaces that were treated.

I'm glad that you're happy with the performance of the Opti-Guard, however...I'd suggest keeping a mixed up bottle of a waterless wash of your choice such as ONR or equivalent, to mist the panels with before doing the drying in an "on the fly" situation like what you describe in the above paragraph. I know you're a 2 bucket traditional wash guy who spares no expense with concern to products and wash media, so this suggestion is for the "on the fly" washing. The Opti-Guard is more scratch resistant than factory paint, but it can be scratched. Especially on black, you'll want to take every precaution possible to safeguard against inducing washing or drying related marring.

Best guess, this is the product for BLACK vehicles hands down. My other black vehicles would have never cleaned with this soil, this easy. The shine is unreal and we will see how long it lasts. I will be using this as a staple here for a long while. Trailers,trucks,service trucks alike. If longevity,ease of cleaning,ultra shine are what sound good to you this is the ticket no question...!!rops:

This above comment makes me think of the amount of time savings that Opti-Guard can provide in the long haul for a guy like yourself who has a fleet of vehicles. As such...Opti-Guard as an LSP will be worth it's weight in gold. Have a great day my friend!! TD