Author Archives: Mike Phillips

50+ Photos from Mike Phillips’ Matte Detailing Class (November 2024)

The goal for this class was to learn how to install a matte ceramic coating to matte paint to make money detailing cars or simply know how to detail your own matte finished car. We had 4 stellar people attend this class and 2 super cool matte finished SUVs for hands-on training. Here’s Shawn, an […]

Flex FX3311 24V Cordless Rotary Polisher Review

REVIEW: Flex FX3311 24V Cordless Rotary Polisher

Read My Other 24V Flex Polisher Reviews! This is the one of three reviews for the new 24 volt FLEX polishers.   Below are the links to the other two tool reviews.  As I worked through using these tools, making videos, and writing these reviews, you can watch the transformation and extreme makeover to the […]

Flex FX3321 Random Orbital Polisher Review

REVIEW: Flex FX3321 24V 15MM Random Orbital Cordless Polisher

Read My Other 24V Flex Polisher Reviews! This is the second of three reviews for the new 24 volt FLEX polishers.   Below are the links to the other two tool reviews.  As I worked through using these tools, making videos, and writing these reviews, you can watch the transformation and extreme makeover to the […]

Flex FX3331 24V Gear-Driven Cordless Orbital Polisher Review & Unboxing

REVIEW: Flex FX3331 24V 8MM Gear-Driven Orbital Polisher

Read My Other 24V Flex Polisher Reviews! This is the second of three reviews for the new 24 volt FLEX polishers.   Below are the links to the other two tool reviews.  As I worked through using these tools, making videos, and writing these reviews, you can watch the transformation and extreme makeover to the […]

How to polish fiberglass gelcoat

How to Polish Fiberglass Gelcoat

Gelcoat protected fiberglass is a common surface material on things like boats, yachts, RVs and car hauling trailers.  Like paint, however, fiberglass gelcoat will oxidize and stain overtime if not properly maintained. In this article, I’ll show the correct way to remove oxidation and staining from fiberglass gelcoat by machine polishing.  For this article, I’ll […]

Wet sanding with 3M Trizact system

How to Wet Sand Paint Using 3M Trizact System

The 3M dry sanding system is actually what I consider like one of the safest sanding systems out there and especially if you’re brand new to sanding. One of the cool things about this system is you can use it by hand or machine. They make these in sheets. This is the 3000 six-inch disc, […]

Black Corvette with a mirror finish

How to Get a Mirror Finish on Your Car

When we talk about how to create a mirror finish for your car’s paint, we’re talking about the things you can do to maximize gloss and clarity while creating that wet look that makes your car look like it just received a high-end custom paint job. Not only does clean, shiny paint make your car […]

How to Polish Aluminum Diamond Plate

How to Polish Aluminum Diamond Plate

Aluminum diamond plate (also called tread plate or checker plate) is used on a variety of surfaces where durability, slip resistance, and corrosion resistance are needed such as stairs, walkways, or in this case, the top of the trailer hitch portion of an AeroVault car hauling trailer. Like regular aluminum, aluminum diamond plate is typically […]

How to Polish Aluminum by Hand

Aluminum is found on a variety of different vehicles and vessels from trucks and cars to trailers and boats. When aluminum is properly polished, it shines like chrome: Over time, however, the surface of aluminum will oxidize and turn dull. Accumulating oxidation, contamination and scratches erase the brilliant shine and leave behind a dirty haze: […]

Before and after aluminum polishing

How to Polish Aluminum | Complete Guide

Polished aluminum looks like chrome with a brilliant shine. Whether it’s on a boat, trailer or wheels, polished aluminum positively glows.  The only downside of polished aluminum is over time, the surface will oxidize and turn dull. Like any metal surface, it will lose shine with time as it accumulates oxidation, contamination and scratches.  The […]