Auto Detailing

[Steelerz37]

Whats the best way to clean an engine compartment? when i bought it i think the guy had just had it done and now its getting grimey again and would like to try to get it cleaned up again.

 

[KrillBee]

I detailed one summer. It was alright, except they didnt really pay me much. I was working along side highschool kids.

It was an okay job, but at the time I was 19, and my employees were really immature and pissing me off!

 

[ajayjuneja]

engine compartment tips are definately helpful -- I've been using a microfiber towel and meguier's quick detailer... anything else to help make an engine look all spiffy?

 

[SVT Cobra]

Originally posted by: Steelerz37
Whats the best way to clean an engine compartment? when i bought it i think the guy had just had it done and now its getting grimey again and would like to try to get it cleaned up again.

if you really want it to look nice I would say just some degreaser, a lot of towels, and then an anti-corrosive polish when you are done...

microfiber towels(the real kind, not the crap at wal-mart or pep-boys) are awesome for the job

 

[SVT Cobra]

Originally posted by: ajayjuneja
engine compartment tips are definately helpful -- I've been using a microfiber towel and meguier's quick detailer... anything else to help make an engine look all spiffy?

their quick detailer works well...I would reccomend a polish afterwards, bring out any chrome, and helps prevent massive buildup the next time you have to clean it off...

 

[Zim Hosein]

Son of a N00b, are you ever going to tell us what you do for a profession?

 

[Steelerz37]

gonna bump this back up since i got some great info and just came back for some more

 

[clickynext]

Originally posted by: myusername
Hey, I did the clay, the polish, and used nu-finish "wax" a week ago. I want to do another coat of nu-finish, and then carnuba (harly) on top of that. Then I will do the black cladding and trim, but not before, because the wax ****** it up.

Anyway, the thing is, the bottle of nu-finish says to apply the second coat after 30 days. Does it really take 30 days for the first one to set? How long should I wait before the 2nd coat of nu-finish, and how long between that and the carnuba wax?

I really don't want to wait to December to detail the trim

I've seen a lot of people say that nu-finish is really bad stuff, especially for black cars. However, I've gotten very good, long lasting results with it so far. I applied for a second time after about a month.

 

[Salvador]

I like Nu Finish. After 150 car washes, the side that I treated with Nufinish is just like new.

 

[clickynext]

Originally posted by: Salvador
I like Nu Finish. After 150 car washes, the side that I treated with Nufinish is just like new.

lol, you only treated one side of it?

 

[Xyclone]

Best way to get coffee stains and ink off of the carpets and rubber cupholders?

 

[Trikat]

I say screw washing and waxing my 02 Grand Am.
For some reason the rear bumper has some clear stuff coming off of it. I don't think it is paint, because it is just some very stiff clear coating.
It was previously a rental car, but I didn't expect the fairly new car to have such a crappy paint job.
There are also some pretty shady paint jobs around other crevices near the bumper and it only adds to the poor quality for the car.

 

[SVT Cobra]

Originally posted by: Xyclone
Best way to get coffee stains and ink off of the carpets and rubber cupholders?

You can try some heavy duty set in stain remover (go to the home cleaning section for a cheaper price) and let it sit for a bit, then take a brush and scrub with a lot of pressure. Then reaply and scrub again until you can fade it as much as you can. You might want to even try some oxy-clean and hot water.

Unfortunately I find with ink (coffee is much easier to get out) that once it hits, if it is not steam cleaned out right away, it is a pain to get it completely off, its also same with women's makeup.


EDIT: Also before you try any cleaner test it in a non visible spot like under the seat to make sure it will not discolor or fade your upholstery. It probably will not, but it always is smart to check.

 

[EvilYoda]

I'm finally getting my car back this week...with Michigan's weather still haywire, I'm going to wash, wax and detail the sucker the next 40+ degree day we get.

I love cleaning the car...so therapeutic (sp?)

 

[Chadder007]

Originally posted by: Descartes
I used to detail my cars quite a bit. This is the only picture I have post-detail of my Z. I used Klasse at the time.

I've been traveling and working a lot, so unfortunately I don't have time to detail. I've taken it to a few detailers and all they did was compromise the finish. When I detailed it there were NO swirls, and after leaving it in the hands of someone else I find swirls all over; it's depressing.

Anyway, yes, if you detail yourself the results can be fantastic.

:werd:
I took it to some "professionals" before that said they hand wash the car. I got there a bit early and find the idiot pressure washing my car and some of the paint chipped off. He also buffed the crap out of my other car putting marring into the paint. I then took it to another place to see if they could help get some of the issues out of the paint and then it came back with swirl marks. They told me they had an experienced staff and then when I come to get the car, a boy comes up and tells me that it was the first car he had ever detailed. ARGH!!! "Professionals" never again for me.

 

[Chadder007]

Originally posted by: Son of a N00b

Originally posted by: mugs

where do you take it? how much do they charge? what do they do? Where do you live?

That there is the key. A lot of the guys who just do it on the side, you have no idea what they're actually doing or if they use quality products. Yeah it might look good when you get it back, but it won't last like a good job.

Question - what's best for cleaning leather? My wife has tan leather seats and she a black stain where her belt rubs against her seats. I've tried several different leather care products (including Autoglym, which I think autopia recommended), nothing works.

ouch...ive seen that before

well yes that is definately a good product and it it was just dirty it would have removed it...

So the leather's finish is probably rubbed down..unless you want to get into leather dyes (which are not that hard to match)...there is really ntohing you can do...I would get some silicon leather protectant for the rest of the seats so it can be prevented...just continue use of what you have regulariry.....

Whats a good silicon leather protectant?....what about the leather protectant that is supposed to have "natural leather oils" in it. Im thinking Zaino or Klasse made it....i forget.

 

[Chadder007]

Originally posted by: everman
What's the best stuff for keeping tires looking good? (I've heard that some of those products actually cause damage?)

Best stuff I have ever used is Meguiars Endurance. It looks great and lasts longer than anything else I have ever used.

 

[ballmode]

To Dry a Car use an Absorber or Big Blue Drying Towel.

 

[SVT Cobra]

Originally posted by: Chadder007

Originally posted by: Son of a N00b

Originally posted by: mugs

where do you take it? how much do they charge? what do they do? Where do you live?

That there is the key. A lot of the guys who just do it on the side, you have no idea what they're actually doing or if they use quality products. Yeah it might look good when you get it back, but it won't last like a good job.

Question - what's best for cleaning leather? My wife has tan leather seats and she a black stain where her belt rubs against her seats. I've tried several different leather care products (including Autoglym, which I think autopia recommended), nothing works.

ouch...ive seen that before

well yes that is definately a good product and it it was just dirty it would have removed it...

So the leather's finish is probably rubbed down..unless you want to get into leather dyes (which are not that hard to match)...there is really ntohing you can do...I would get some silicon leather protectant for the rest of the seats so it can be prevented...just continue use of what you have regulariry.....

Whats a good silicon leather protectant?....what about the leather protectant that is supposed to have "natural leather oils" in it. Im thinking Zaino or Klasse made it....i forget.

Zaino I believe you are talking about.

 

[Accipiter22]

Originally posted by: Son of a N00b
Well after seeing the Mr. Clean auto dry thread it made me all sad and empty in my heart...because you can get better results, A LOT better in fact, but most do not realize it...





Anyway I was a professional detailer for about eight years and still do my own cars and friends etc...and I love sharing tips and talking and helping people who would otherwise use Dawn or some Wax as you dry thing....


So I am here to help...have any questions or product recomendations I would be very happy to help you and point you in the right way with that to use and how to use it...so just ask...


Any fellow detailers here?

ok check this out dude....I have a friend, and he was detaling his car, and he was wearing shorts right....and like he was vacuumin the car...and he tripped and the vacuum accidentally got stuck on his...you know....so how would my friend get the vacuum off of his johnson. Time is of the esscence so reply quickly

 

[JMWarren]

Originally posted by: Trikat
I say screw washing and waxing my 02 Grand Am.
For some reason the rear bumper has some clear stuff coming off of it. I don't think it is paint, because it is just some very stiff clear coating.
It was previously a rental car, but I didn't expect the fairly new car to have such a crappy paint job.
There are also some pretty shady paint jobs around other crevices near the bumper and it only adds to the poor quality for the car.

Sounds like that car had it's bumper replaced and painted to match.

Also, I've heard that the petrolum distilates in armour all and most plastic protectants are fairly harmful to plastic in the long run.

 

[Zim Hosein]

Originally posted by: ballmode
To Dry a Car use an Absorber or Big Blue Drying Towel.

100% cotten bath towels have worked for me in the past