Share your cleaning/detailing tips!

i remove waterspots on the glass with very fine steel wool from my body shop.

i clean my interior except floors when cloudy or rainy.

i save table napkins, or get paper towels at the gas station, and keep them in case of unexpected spills. those with kids or messy folks can relate to me :wink:
 
interesting video

[video=youtube_share;Ye1vhdum0xc]http://youtu.be/Ye1vhdum0xc[/video]
 
Any tips for removing water spots from the side view mirrors? I tried invisible glass but it didnt work! (believe it or not). Invisible glass worked well on the windows, but didn't do anything at all on the mirrors!
 
When drying your car after a wash, shoot a steady stream from your hose (no gun) at the car. Most of the water will just slide off the car and a simple microfiber can be used to dry some drips of water. Start from the top down. Makes the drying process so much easier!
 
I have been meaning to take pics and post how to do this. Anyway this will make your engine compartment look like the day it rolled off the showroom!

First get a spray bottle of castrol super clean! It's a little hard to find but most walmarts carry it, be careful not to get the wheel cleaner! You want the degreaser, it comes in a purple bottle. Sometimes they sell it in 1 gallon jugs and I put it in my own spray bottles. Then get a spray bottle of formula 2000 tire shine, the cheap stuff it comes in a lime green bottle or any other armor all type stuff will work.
Next go to the local spray off car wash, pop ur hood and spray the shit out of every nook and cranny of your engine compartment. DO NOT GET IT ON YOUR STRUT BAR BRACE UNLESS YOU PLAN ON POLISHING IT AS IT WILL LEAVE MARKS on any anodized or polished alluminum. I just put a strip of wide masking tape on mine when i do it.
Then wait about 2-4 minutes and rinse with high pressure water. Your stickers and wires and engine and everything will look brand new. Then take the tire shine stuff and spray it all over the engine and everything and close the hood. Wait til the next day and pop the hood and it will blow your mind! I can take the dirtiest old car or bike and make it look like new with this method! Hope this helps and for those of you that will probably chime in saying we shouldn't do this. I have done this on every vehicle I have ever owned from trucks to Mercedes without a single problem is assure you all it is 100% proven and safe! Good luck!
 
raheelc said:
Any tips for removing water spots from the side view mirrors? I tried invisible glass but it didnt work! (believe it or not). Invisible glass worked well on the windows, but didn't do anything at all on the mirrors!
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Use a clay bar with quick detailer for lube and follow-up with window cleaner.
 
Oh yeah, another thing is wd-40 will take stickers, glue, tar or grease off just about anything! I even use it when I get grease on a good pair of pants, just pray it and let it soak. Throw in the wash machine and you will never know it was there.

---------- Post added at 05:05 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:02 PM ----------

Wd-40 will also prevent water spots and will keep glass or mirrors from fogging. Simply put on a rag and rub all over glass and wipe off with a rag or paper towel until clear and the water will bead right off. I use it on my shower doors and have no hard water marks or spots, works great! Hence, wd= water displacement!
 
Renhalt said:
I have been meaning to take pics and post how to do this. Anyway this will make your engine compartment look like the day it rolled off the showroom!

First get a spray bottle of castrol super clean! It's a little hard to find but most walmarts carry it, be careful not to get the wheel cleaner! You want the degreaser, it comes in a purple bottle. Sometimes they sell it in 1 gallon jugs and I put it in my own spray bottles. Then get a spray bottle of formula 2000 tire shine, the cheap stuff it comes in a lime green bottle or any other armor all type stuff will work.
Next go to the local spray off car wash, pop ur hood and spray the shit out of every nook and cranny of your engine compartment. DO NOT GET IT ON YOUR STRUT BAR BRACE UNLESS YOU PLAN ON POLISHING IT AS IT WILL LEAVE MARKS on any anodized or polished alluminum. I just put a strip of wide masking tape on mine when i do it.
Then wait about 2-4 minutes and rinse with high pressure water. Your stickers and wires and engine and everything will look brand new. Then take the tire shine stuff and spray it all over the engine and everything and close the hood. Wait til the next day and pop the hood and it will blow your mind! I can take the dirtiest old car or bike and make it look like new with this method! Hope this helps and for those of you that will probably chime in saying we shouldn't do this. I have done this on every vehicle I have ever owned from trucks to Mercedes without a single problem is assure you all it is 100% proven and safe! Good luck!
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Though you never had issues, I have heard stories of not so good results by doing this on detailing forums. Just saying...
 
I was waiting for this, there is not a detail shop on the planet that does not do the engine compartment, as long as the motor is off and you don't open and sealed boxes or spray into the intake and such. I assure you no problems! Keep in mind the engine compartment is built water tight as well all drive in the rain and have humity.
 
I have seen this done and before any washing there were some parts wrapped in plastic and rubber banded off to prevent water seepage as best as possible. On the detailing forum I frequent the process tends be a more cautious approach. To each their own...
 
Ge0rge said:
I have seen this done and before any washing there were some parts wrapped in plastic and rubber banded off to prevent water seepage as best as possible. On the detailing forum I frequent the process tends be a more cautious approach. To each their own...
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yes, alternator, air filter and any large looms of wiring should be protected.
 
Do any of you guys have "The Protector" on your cars? Saw it the other day and was intrigued. Its like an exterior/interior protectant and warranty program under 1k.
 
Does anyone know how to remove stains (I guess tire shine residue) from the wheels....after it has been baked on by months of hot Fla sun?

I tried a bit of aluminum polishing wool, and various cleaners with no success.
 
Thought I would share this with you guys that have light colored cars like white, gray, blue, etc.

Every time you clay bar your car you are marring the paint aka inducing very light swirling on the clear coat. Its always recommend to follow up with a light finishing polish to remove the swirling before waxing. The reason you guys don't see this is because lighter colored cars hide this where as black cars show these marks after clay barring. As much as you think you're not doing this you are. Think about, your taking the grit the clay bar picks up in the paint and gliding it over the clear coat. Even the lube for the clay doesn't help with this.

Jumping straight to wax after claying just fools you into thinking there is no swirl marks because wax contains fillers that hide imperfections.

After claying its always a good idea to inspect the paint with high wattage lighting.
 
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