Automotive Tutorial
(CAR & TRUCK) NEW VEHICLE Detailing with DRIVEN Detailing Products
If the vehicle has been waxed recently with a conventional car wax, the vehicle may need to be stripped. To strip conventional car wax, we find that Dawn Dish Soap works just fine. It acts like a degreaser. Place a few drops in a bucket of water until you get plenty of suds. Use a soft sponge to wash the vehicle and then dry the vehicle. Dish Soap is DEFINITELY NOT what you want to use on the vehicle on a regular basis. If used on a regular basis, dish soap will dry out and fade your paint. It’s only to be used to strip wax off the vehicle JUST BEFORE applying DRIVEN Automotive Polish. Some vehicles do not require stripping. If you find our Automotive Polish is streaking when applied; then the vehicle should be stripped of wax buildup. If you apply DRIVEN Automotive Polish to your vehicle on a regular basis, you NEVER NEED to use dish soap or any type of degreaser on your vehicle. DRIVEN Automotive Polish is self cleaning and does not build up or yellow like conventional wax products.
Always wash and dry the vehicle on a regular basis with DRIVEN Wash Concentrate. Place one capful per gallon of water in a bucket. Rinse the vehicle first to remove any loose surface contaminants. Apply the soapy water liberally to the entire vehicle. Then rinse with fresh water and dry with a soft absorbent microfiber towel or chamois. DRIVEN Wash Concentrate will not strip DRIVEN Automotive Polish from the vehicle finish. It contains polymers and oils that add protection and shine every time you wash the vehicle. And no worries, like all DRIVEN Detailing Products; DRIVEN Wash Concentrate is 100 % biodegradable and California Compliant.
Apply DRIVEN Automotive Polish with a damp soft sponge applicator to all painted surfaces, clear coat, fiberglass, metal rims, glass windows, and plastic windows, head light and tail light covers. DO NOT apply the polish to rubber or plastic trim. Rub the polish into the surface and allow the polish to dry. Remove the polish with a soft microfiber towel by buffing to a high gloss. Repeat the application with a second coat of polish for best results. DRIVEN Automotive Polish can also be applied with an electric buffer and soft non-aggressive Red Foam Pad or medium aggressive White Foam Pad. Polish the vehicle at least twice a year; the more often you polish the more non-stick the surface becomes. DRIVEN Automotive Polish gives the vehicle a gorgeous deep wet look and will protect the vehicle like no other. DRIVEN Automotive Polish is the final step. It isn’t necessary or advantageous to apply anything on top of our Automotive Polish.
Although DRIVEN Automotive Polish works well on glass windows, we highly recommend Sealing glass windows with DRIVEN Extreme Duty Glass SEALANT.
Apply DRIVEN Vinyl/Rubber/Leather Protector with a soft damp sponge applicator to leather seats, vinyl dash, door panels, and plastic switches. Allow the protector to absorb into the seats for about 30 minutes. Now use a soft dry microfiber towel to buff the protector into the seats. This will protect the seats against intense sun and heat as well as intense winter cold, and help protect against accidental drink spills; while keeping the seats soft and supple without being greasy or slippery. DRIVEN Vinyl/Rubber/Leather Protector should also be applied to rubber door jams and exterior hard plastic trim.
DRIVEN Quick Spray Concentrate has become a customer favorite from the moment we introduced the product. DRIVEN Quick Spray Concentrate must be diluted with water to work correctly. Mix the concentrate 7 parts water to 1 part DRIVEN Quick Spray Concentrate. The easy way to mix is to add the entire contents (1 pint) into an empty (1 gallon) container; and then fill the remainder of the container with water. Fresh tap water works just fine, but we prefer using distilled water with no minerals (available in any grocery store). Now you have one full gallon of spray ready to use. Pour from the gallon container into a spray bottle. Once mixed, this formula does not go bad with age and holds for years. The spray is used to give your vehicle a quick wipe down in between washing the vehicle.
It’s for the type of person that enjoys wiping down the car on a regular basis and wants to keep the car looking close to perfect. We do recommend dusting the vehicle very lightly first with a high quality car duster to remove any surface dust before using the quick detail spray; this will prevent scratching the vehicle. It doesn’t replace washing a vehicle when it’s dirty; when a vehicle is dirty it should be given a thorough wash and dry. But for a quick wipe down, there is no equal. DRIVEN Quick Spray Concentrate should be applied to the entire exterior of the vehicle; paint, clear coat, fiberglass, glass windows, plastic windows, head lights and tail lights, plastic trim, and all types of metal rims. Spray directly on the surface and wipe off with a soft microfiber towel. Not only will this formula clean the exterior of the vehicle, it adds protection and enhances the vehicle with that deep wet look you have been searching for.
So now it’s time to brighten and protect that new vehicle with DRIVEN:
Wash Concentrate, Automotive Polish, Extreme Duty Glass Sealant, Vinyl/Rubber/Leather Protector and Quick Spray Concentrate
When used on a regular basis; the vehicle is protected correctly and will not get old.
(Car & Truck) Older Weathered Vehicle detailing with DRIVEN Detailing Products
When a vehicle is oxidized, faded out, has surface blemishes that do not wash off, or has light surface scratches or deep swirl marks, it needs to be compounded (rubbed out) with DRIVEN Finish Restorer. DRIVEN Finish Restorer is clear coat safe and fiberglass gel coat safe. The vehicle should be washed and dried first. You don’t want to rub in any loose dirt or contaminants that will easily wash off with soap and water. If there is old wax buildup that needs to be removed, a few drops of Dawn Dish Soap will work just fine. Place a few drops in a bucket of water until you get plenty of suds. Use a soft sponge to wash the vehicle and then dry the vehicle. Dish soap acts like a degreaser and will strip off the old wax. But we want to emphasize, dish soap is DEFINITELY NOT what you want to use on the vehicle on a regular basis. If used on a regular basis, dish soap will dry out and fade your paint. It’s only to be used to strip off old wax buildup JUST BEFORE compounding with DRIVEN Finish Restorer. DRIVEN Wash Concentrate is the product used to wash the vehicle on a regular basis (discussed further below)
Always wash and dry the vehicle on a regular basis with DRIVEN Wash Concentrate. Place one capful per gallon of water in a bucket. Rinse the vehicle first to remove any loose surface contaminants. Apply the soapy water liberally to the entire vehicle. Then rinse with fresh water and dry with a soft absorbent microfiber towel or chamois. DRIVEN Wash Concentrate will not strip DRIVEN Automotive Polish from the vehicle finish. It contains polymers and oils that add protection and shine every time you wash the vehicle. And no worries, like all DRIVEN Detailing Products; DRIVEN Wash Concentrate is 100 % biodegradable and California Compliant.
Now that the vehicle has been washed and dried, it’s time to compound (rub out) the vehicle with DRIVEN Finish Restorer. Apply DRIVEN Finish Restorer by hand, with a damp microfiber applicator or sponge applicator sections at a time to paint, fiberglass, metal rims, head lights, tail lights and windows (when windows are severely water spotted use DRIVEN Extreme Duty Glass Cleaner discussed further below) DO NOT apply the Finish Restorer to rubber of plastic trim. Rub in DRIVEN Finish Restorer aggressively with a microfiber applicator or sponge applicator and remove the product with a soft microfiber towel before it dries. If necessary go over the section again until the oxidation or blemish is removed. DRIVEN Finish Restorer works very well by hand application, but for incredible results, use with an electric buffer together with a medium aggressive White Foam Pad or heavily aggressive Yellow Foam Pad. Our Finish Restorer works well on all types of metal rims that are oxidized and have brake dust and road contaminant build up. DRIVEN Drill Kit works well on rims, together with an extra aggressive Wool Pad or aggressive Orange Foam Pad included in the kit. It’s also excellent for rubbing out weathered headlight covers that have faded out due to exposure. Head light covers come back quicker and easier with our DRIVEN Drill Kit. Attach the small Wool Pad to your drill; included in the DRIVEN Drill Kit. Some headlights have a clear coat and need to be wet sanded; use 600 or 800 grit sand paper first, followed by 1500 grit sand paper last before compounding. If you notice some peeling on your head lights, it most likely needs to be sanded first. Headlights without a clear coat are really easy to clean up; a Wool Pad included in the DRILL Kit together with our Finish Restorer and within minutes they are done. If they have a clear coat, it takes more time to sand off the clear first.
If the glass windows on your vehicle have been hit by sprinklers and dried in the sun, or the vehicle was washed and not dried in time; Or if weather and exposure has left residue on the glass that no longer washes off, the glass needs to be cleaned with DRIVEN Extreme Duty Glass Cleaner. DRIVEN Extreme Duty Glass Cleaner was designed to clean glass windows that have been damaged by severe weather; Heavy water spots, calcium, minerals, lime scale and salt spray that has built up and does not wash off. DRIVEN Extreme Duty Glass Cleaner is for GLASS WINDOWS ONLY. DO NOT USE ON ANY OTHER TYPE OF WINDOW BUT GLASS. (For windows other than glass use only our Automotive Polish) Generally a damp cloth or a damp sponge work quite well as an applicator for vehicle windows. And that is what we recommend for vehicles. Using the least aggressive applicator is a good way to start, keeping the applicator lubricated with just enough water to lubricate the glass but not dilute the cleaner; working the glass in small sections until the buildup is gone. Starting with light pressure and applying a bit more pressure if necessary. You may have to go over the area several times with a cloth or sponge applicator; allowing the cleaner to stay on for a while, letting the acid do some of the work, and then continuing until the spots are gone. For more severe build up, a more aggressive application is necessary; use more pressure and work with a light duty nylon pad. The applicator itself helps the abrasives “bite in” to be most effective.
We like the non-abrasive Blue Nylon Pad or the non-abrasive White Nylon Pad available in any grocery store or hardware store. We DO NOT recommend the green nylon pad; it is too abrasive. Our DRIVEN Drill Kit also works quite well for glass that has been badly etched. Use the heavily aggressive Orange Foam Pad included in the kit; keep the pad lubricated with just enough water to lubricate the glass but not dilute the cleaner. Keep the drill moving, triggering the drill to control the speed, and only apply light pressure until the water deposit is gone, then stop. You can also use a Dual Action Buffer with a hard damp heavily aggressive Yellow Foam Pad using the same technique; keeping the pad lubricated with just enough water to lubricate the glass but not dilute the cleaner; keeping the buffer moving until the spots are gone, then stop. DRIVEN Extreme Duty Glass Cleaner is very aggressive; by hand application or machine application, ALWAYS TEST A VERY SMALL INCONSPICUOUS AREA FIRST TO CONFIRM YOU ARE ACHIEVING THE DESIRED RESULT. When used correctly, there is no better product for cleaning water spots on glass. Once the glass is clean, apply DRIVEN Automotive Polish to seal the glass against future damage from the elements.
After compounding with DRIVEN Finish Restorer and cleaning the glass windows with DRIVEN Extreme Duty Glass Cleaner, the final step is to apply DRIVEN Automotive Polish with a damp soft sponge applicator to all painted surfaces, clear coat, fiberglass, metal rims, glass windows, plastic windows, head light and tail light covers. DO NOT apply the polish to rubber or plastic trim. Rub the polish into the surface and allow the polish to dry. Remove the polish with a soft microfiber towel by buffing to a high gloss. Repeat the application with a second coat of polish for best results. DRIVEN Automotive Polish can also be applied with an electric buffer and soft non-aggressive Red Foam Pad or medium aggressive White Foam Pad. Polish the vehicle at least twice a year; the more often you polish the more non-stick the surface becomes. DRIVEN Automotive Polish gives the vehicle a gorgeous deep wet look and will protect the vehicle like no other. DRIVEN Automotive Polish is the final step. It isn’t necessary or advantageous to apply anything on top of our Automotive Polish.
Although DRIVEN Automotive Polish works well on glass windows, we highly recommend Sealing glass windows with DRIVEN Extreme Duty Glass SEALANT.
DRIVEN Extreme Duty Machine Compound (Paste Formula 16 OZ Can) is exceptional for cleaning weathered metal Rims/Wheels. Works on all types of METAL (Polished, Anodized, Painted)
To clean the vehicle interior use DRIVEN MultiSurface Cleaner Concentrate. Professional detailers around the world always tell us it’s our best and most versatile product. This cleaner is designed to clean vinyl, leather, fabric, carpet, including hard rubber and plastic. It is very strong; so you will want to follow dilution ratios on the back of the bottle. Generally, the dirtier the surface, the more concentrate is to be used. DRIVEN MultiSurface Cleaner Concentrate can be used in a spray bottle, in a bucket or in a carpet machine. It can be used with a cloth or a sponge applicator, but probably works best with a soft upholstery brush on leather, vinyl and fabric upholstery. If your interior has gotten dirty from daily use, this is the product you need. Drink spills, kid stains, food stains, pet stains; you name it, DRIVEN MultiSurface Cleaner Concentrate has the power to get all the nasty stuff out and disinfects as it cleans. It’s a very “green” product and contains no solvents; so it won’t dry out any type of material and it’s completely non-caustic. Seats, carpets, floor mats, door panels, dashes, head liners; including dirty bed liners and exterior plastic trim. Get going and get it all done with DRIVEN MultiSurface Cleaner Concentrate.
Once the interior has been cleaned with DRIVEN MultiSurface Cleaner Concentrate, it’s time to protect the upholstery with DRIVEN Vinyl/Rubber/Leather Protector. Apply DRIVEN Vinyl/Rubber/Leather Protector with a soft damp sponge applicator to leather seats, vinyl dash, door panels, and plastic switches. Allow the protector to absorb into the seats for about 30 minutes. Now use a soft dry microfiber towel to buff the protector into the seats. This will protect the seats against intense sun and heat as well as intense winter cold, and help protect against accidental drink spills; while keeping the seats soft and supple without being greasy or slippery. DRIVEN Vinyl/Rubber/Leather Protector should also be applied to rubber door jams and exterior hard plastic trim.
DRIVEN Quick Spray Concentrate has become a customer favorite from the moment we introduced the product. DRIVEN Quick Spray Concentrate must be diluted with water to work correctly. Mix the concentrate 7 parts water to 1 part DRIVEN Quick Spray Concentrate. The easy way to mix is to add the entire contents (1 pint) into an empty (1 gallon) container; and then fill the remainder of the container with water. Fresh tap water works just fine, but we prefer using distilled water with no minerals (available in any grocery store). Now you have one full gallon of spray ready to use. Pour from the gallon container into a spray bottle. Once mixed, this formula does not go bad with age and holds for years. The spray is used to give your vehicle a quick wipe down in between washing the vehicle. It’s for the type of person that enjoys wiping down the car on a regular basis and wants to keep the car looking close to perfect. We do recommend dusting the vehicle very lightly first with a high quality car duster to remove any surface dust before using the quick detail spray; this will prevent scratching the vehicle. It doesn’t replace washing a vehicle when it’s dirty; when a vehicle is dirty it should be given a thorough wash and dry. But for a quick wipe down, there is no equal. DRIVEN Quick Spray Concentrate should be applied to the entire exterior of the vehicle; paint, clear coat, fiberglass, glass windows, plastic windows, head lights and tail lights, plastic trim, and all types of metal rims. Spray directly on the surface and wipe off with a soft microfiber towel. Not only will this formula clean the exterior of the vehicle, it adds protection and enhances the vehicle with that deep wet look you have been searching for.
Common sense note from DRIVEN:
Sometimes a vehicle doesn’t have to be old to be weathered. We talk to customers daily that have new vehicles hit by sprinkler water dried in the sun and they just can’t get the water spots and stains off the vehicle. This requires the same attention as a vehicle a decade old that has been neglected for some time and faded due to exposure from the elements.
Protect that vehicle with DRIVEN right from the start and it won’t get old. You’ll be glad you did.
Motorcycles
Quick Spray, Quick Spray and more Quick Spray
Are we repeating ourselves? You bet we are. It doesn’t matter what kind of bike you own. DRIVEN Quick Spray Concentrate is the one you are going to use the most to keep that bike clean. It’s a quick detail spray that comes in a concentrate that you mix with water. Mix it 7 parts water to 1 part DRIVEN Quick Spray Concentrate. The easy way to mix is to pour the entire contents (1 pint) into an empty (1 gallon) container. Fill the rest with water and now you have one gallon of spray ready to use. Regular tap water works fine, but we prefer you mix with distilled water without the minerals (available in any grocery store). Pour from the gallon container into a spray bottle and you are good to go. Once mixed, this formula does not go bad with age and holds for years. Fuel tanks, engines, pipes, head lights, tail lights, all metal, fiberglass, all types of paint, all types of hard rubber and plastic. Wipe down the entire bike and do it often.
We do recommend you give all painted and metal surfaces a couple of coats of DRIVEN Automotive Polish twice a year. Apply the polish with a soft foam pad and remove with a microfiber towel. DRIVEN Automotive Polish works great on all types of bikes and is clear coat safe.
Once the bike has been polished, use the Quick Spray Concentrate on a daily basis to wipe down the bike before and after use. We do recommend owning a high quality duster to dust the bike before spraying down and wiping the bike with our quick detail spray. The spray cleans any fresh contaminants but at the same time it adds a protective layer of polymers and gives the metal and paint a gorgeous high gloss wet look. And it’s so easy to use. Spray directly on the bike and wipe off with a microfiber towel. You can also spray the microfiber towel first if desired and then wipe down the bike. Any way you do it, we know you will be pleased with the result.
Condition the leather seat and leather bags with DRIVEN Vinyl/Rubber/Leather Protector. It’s not greasy or slippery, and as you know, that’s very important for a bike seat.
If the seat is dirty, clean it first with DRIVEN MultiSurface Cleaner Concentrate. The product is highly concentrated and very strong. Just follow directions and use the dilution ratios suggested.
Use DRIVEN Wash Concentrate when you give the bike a full wash down. It does a great job helping the water to repel off the bike when washing and drying to avoid any water spotting.
But can we say this again; Quick Spray, Quick Spray and more Quick Spray. That’s the product you will tell all your friends about.