Auto Detailing

[SVT Cobra]

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, if you have any questions or product recomendations I would be very happy to help you and point you in the right way with what to use and how to use it.


Also any fellow detailers here?

 

[sleuth bandit]

I just pay to have my car detailed, so much easier.

 

[ajpa123]

I got major brakedust on my 97 maxima wheels. What's the best thing to use to get them back to their original shine?

 

[SVT Cobra]

Originally posted by: sleuth bandit
I just pay to have my car detailed, so much easier.

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

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

What are some of the common small spots people miss when cleaning their own cars? (specifically in the interior)

I just take the armor all wipes and use those along with vacuuming the carpet, seats, etc. Anything else you reccomend I do on the interior?

 

[sleuth bandit]

Originally posted by: Son of a N00b

Originally posted by: sleuth bandit
I just pay to have my car detailed, so much easier.

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

I live in western ny. I take it to a local detail shop. They usually charge from 50-80 bucks.

 

[Codegen]

YOu wouldn't happen to know how to get jizz off of the seats, would you?

 

[mchammer]

Have an old Taurus, the paint is in ok shape, but quite dirty. I want to clean it up, but I want to be gentle becuase it does not have much clear coat left on it. I'm not concerned about swirl marks at this point.

 

[Mermaidman]

What about corroded spots caused by bird crap? The spot is about the size of a nickel and the paint looks like it's cracked.

 

[SVT Cobra]

Originally posted by: ajpa123
I got major brakedust on my 97 maxima wheels. What's the best thing to use to get them back to their original shine?

since an acid is hard to come by without getting it off line and dangerous to use I reccomend an alkaline of course

eagle one orange wheel cleaner is the best consumer product I have used...spray on and let it sit for about five minutes...then moiston the wheel again and wipe down...then spray some more on and scrup with a brush what ever tough spots are left...


do one wheel at a time you will have better results...

 

[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.

 

[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.

 

[SVT Cobra]

Originally posted by: AgaBoogaBoo
What are some of the common small spots people miss when cleaning their own cars? (specifically in the interior)

I just take the armor all wipes and use those along with vacuuming the carpet, seats, etc. Anything else you reccomend I do on the interior?

leather or cloth?

yup just vacum it out...then I reccomend a good spray in and dry, then vacum out carpet cleaner...turtle wax makes a good one...

you might want to buy the actual armor spray, it will give you better results...for leather though I reccomend Meguairs leather conditioner...for plastic the High Shine Armor will do great...use a soft cotton cloth...

the parts that most people miss are under the seats (you can actually easily take them out, but most people do not want to hassle with it) and the glove compartment (it can get very skanky)...

Are you trying to get rid of smells? because I can help you do a lot...

 

[SVT Cobra]

Originally posted by: Codegen
YOu wouldn't happen to know how to get jizz off of the seats, would you?

club soda and some baking soda...lor any type of enzyme breaker (lemon juice etc)

let sit...scrub with a tooth brush

flush with water

 

[SVT Cobra]

Originally posted by: mchammer
Have an old Taurus, the paint is in ok shape, but quite dirty. I want to clean it up, but I want to be gentle becuase it does not have much clear coat left on it. I'm not concerned about swirl marks at this point.

put your hand in a zipbloc or sandwich bag and run your hand over the cars hood...does it feel like a chalk board?

 

[SVT Cobra]

Originally posted by: Mermaidman
What about corroded spots caused by bird crap? The spot is about the size of a nickel and the paint looks like it's cracked.

chip filler...I'll let you know in a sec after we get the first stuff down

 

[SVT Cobra]

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.....

 

[SVT Cobra]

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.

:thumbsup:

 

[mchammer]

Originally posted by: Son of a N00b

Originally posted by: mchammer
Have an old Taurus, the paint is in ok shape, but quite dirty. I want to clean it up, but I want to be gentle becuase it does not have much clear coat left on it. I'm not concerned about swirl marks at this point.

put your hand in a zipbloc or sandwich bag and run your hand over the cars hood...does it feel like a chalk board?

I'd be surprised if it didn't... Lets go with yes for now.

 

[everman]

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

 

[SVT Cobra]

Originally posted by: mchammer

Originally posted by: Son of a N00b

Originally posted by: mchammer
Have an old Taurus, the paint is in ok shape, but quite dirty. I want to clean it up, but I want to be gentle becuase it does not have much clear coat left on it. I'm not concerned about swirl marks at this point.

put your hand in a zipbloc or sandwich bag and run your hand over the cars hood...does it feel like a chalk board?

I'd be surprised if it didn't... Lets go with yes for now.

okay you want to clay your car first... easiest best consumer kit I have use, I was happy with it Text

follow the instructions they are pretty good...

 

[rbrandon]

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.....

silicon "protectants" are the absolute WORST thing to use on leather. they do nothing but dry out the leather and cause it to crack. Meguiars leather treatment stuff is stuff I use, two step, one bottle is cleaner, the other conditioner.

 

[SVT Cobra]

Originally posted by: rbrandon

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.....

silicon "protectants" are the absolute WORST thing to use on leather. they do nothing but dry out the leather and cause it to crack. Meguiars leather treatment stuff is stuff I use, two step, one bottle is cleaner, the other conditioner.

and what do you think is in that? all auto body and dealership professional leather treatments have silocon also...you sir have just been using crappy products...

 

[dartworth]

http://www.properautocare.com/detailingtips.html

http://www.microfibertech.com/index.asp

http://www.pakshak.com/index.html

 

[Mermaidman]

Originally posted by: rbrandon
silicon "protectants" are the absolute WORST thing to use on leather. they do nothing but dry out the leather and cause it to crack. Meguiars leather treatment stuff is stuff I use, two step, one bottle is cleaner, the other conditioner.

What about Pinnacle -brand leather cleaners and conditioners? I heard that's the best stuff.