The Detailing Thread

[Byteme]

I've got to go clean the CLk after a 3,700 mile road trip.  It should take the rest of the day.  I've already pulled the bird I hit out of the grill.  Funny that you can actually feel the thump when you hit a sparrow size bird at 75 MPH.

[giant_mtb]

My buddy is bringing his KX500 to town and is gonna let me detail it.  Excited. Never done a dirtbike before. All the same principles apply, just on a different scale with a different machine.

[BENZ BOY15]

My buddy is bringing his KX500 to town and is gonna let me detail it.  Excited. Never done a dirtbike before. All the same principles apply, just on a different scale with a different machine.

Think it'll take you more time or less time than a regular car?

[Soup DeVille]

Hmm.

Not too sure if I buy that one.

I've got pics of what a medium sized deer will do to a Honda Pilot around here somewhere...

[giant_mtb]

Think it'll take you more time or less time than a regular car?

Put about 2.5 hours into it.  I'd have to go nuts on it to take as long as a car. Dirt bikes are pretty easy. Degreaser, and plenty of it. I'll post pics another time.

[BENZ BOY15]

I've got pics of what a medium sized deer will do to a Honda Pilot around here somewhere...

Alright. Alright. I believe you guys.



I'm thinking about getting a guard grill for Lexus but I don't need one that's too gnarly, which is what some people go for. I also want some fog lights to go with it, which a lot of people around here seem to have on their trucks and other vehicles. It can get ridiculously foggy for days on end in certain parts of the mountain but I think the question is how effective are they in that fog.

[2o6]

What do you guys use for cloth interiors? The Vibe isn't bad, but it's still kinda gross, most notably the headliner

[FlatBlackCaddy]

I use a APC(All purpose cleaner) from meguires detail line. I have a few bottles of different dillutions. Works well as a spot treater, general scrubbing and even on light soils(just saturate and scrub up with a microfiber rag).

[giant_mtb]

What do you guys use for cloth interiors? The Vibe isn't bad, but it's still kinda gross, most notably the headliner

3-in-1.  Dilute to desired strength for spot/stain removal, pre-treatment, or general shampooing.  $10/gallon.  Only need ~5 ounces per 32oz. spray bottle.

[FlatBlackCaddy]

What about the zep stuff you mentioned?

[giant_mtb]

What about the zep stuff you mentioned?

http://www.zepcommercial.com/product/Premium-Carpet-Shampoo

It claims to be more shampoo/deep cleaner than stain remover.  I have the 3-in-1 in my pretreat/stain spray bottle and Zep in da extractor. 

[FlatBlackCaddy]

ahh, got it.

[giant_mtb]

HEAT is the biggest thing that helps the extractor.  It doesn't take much shampoo (4-6oz/gallon, depending on the chosen shampoo).  When your solution is running through a 1000W heater, it makes a world of difference.

[BENZ BOY15]

Put about 2.5 hours into it.  I'd have to go nuts on it to take as long as a car. Dirt bikes are pretty easy. Degreaser, and plenty of it. I'll post pics another time.

I know you like detailing cars but must be nice to switch it up every so often with something different.

[giant_mtb]

KX500.  Used almost two 32oz. bottles of (diluted) degreaser.  Having the Speed Master Wheel Brush was a huge help.   

[BENZ BOY15]

Nice work.

[FlatBlackCaddy]

Any pictures of it after you cleaned it?

[2o6]

3-in-1.  Dilute to desired strength for spot/stain removal, pre-treatment, or general shampooing.  $10/gallon.  Only need ~5 ounces per 32oz. spray bottle.

Do I work it in and suck it out with speci tools?

[giant_mtb]

Any pictures of it after you cleaned it?

Whaaa?  Are you not seeing before/after?

[giant_mtb]

Do I work it in and suck it out with speci tools?

Dilute into spray bottle.  Spray onto stain (or all over for general shampooing).  Scrub with a carpet brush.  Suck up with ShopVac.  Repeat if necessary for tough stains.

[giant_mtb]

I know you like detailing cars but must be nice to switch it up every so often with something different.

For sure.  It's nice to see something different once in a while. 

[BENZ BOY15]

What are all the marks below the handlebars/above the Kawasaki logo? They look like dents or chips but can't really tell.

[giant_mtb]

Part of the design of the graphics kit.  If you look closely, both sides are the same pattern.

[BENZ BOY15]

Ah. I see it now.

Not sure if I like the paint scheme but nice bike otherwise.

[giant_mtb]

My friend wasn't too sure about the graphics, either.  I said wait til you see it cleaned up. Who knows what he'll do.

[FlatBlackCaddy]

Whaaa?  Are you not seeing before/after?

[giant_mtb]

...sorry, I'm confused.  Never know with Photobucket. 

[giant_mtb]

Cleaned up mom's Q5 the other day as well.  Brought back memories of detailing the A4.  Used DP Poli Coat sealant instead of my usual wax.  Gold "jeweling" pad (super soft, no cut).  Sealants provide similar or better aesthetic improvements compared to wax (and often clean better depending on the chemicals) while providing better, longer-lasting protection.  Pricier, though.

Paint could realllllllllly use a good cleaning (clay bar, etc.), as could most any car in the UP after winter.  My mom takes my digs at automatic car washes as instructions to never wash the car unless it's me doing it.  MOM, WASH IT MOAR.  I AIN'T GOT TIME FOR DIS. 

But...this is how I pay them back for using their garage all the time, I guess.  Can't wait til I have my own garage so I can charge them.  (Kidding, I'd never charge my parents)

http://www.autogeek.net/dp-poli-coat-paint-sealant.html





















This photo shows how awesome the Speed Master Wheel Brush is.  With cars getting bigger and bigger wheels, the insides are a lot more visible, so keeping them clean can make a pretty decent aesthetic difference.

[giant_mtb]

Here's the '93 Ranger interior I did the other day.  It was raining outside by the time I finished, so the "after" pictures were taken inside the garage...they'd look a lot better if I'd been able to take them outside (or if I had even more fluorescent tubes in the garage).  Fun project, though...my dad had a '93 Explorer for a while and it was what both of my brothers drove as their first vehicle when they turned 16.  I basically grew up with it.  Was never really "into" detailing by the time we got rid of it, so detailing this Ranger was a neat little blast from the past (interior is basically identical to the Explorer).  For a 22 year old, it turned out very nicely; it's in great shape for its age, just really needed a deep cleaning.  Spent about 5-6 hours on it.  And yes, it's just a 2-door regular cab...22 years of accumulation takes time, from vacuuming and shampooing every square inch of fabric including the headliner to removing the years of dust and grime on all the plastics, panels, and door jambs.  5-speed, gutless, but fun to drive.  I'd love it if he let me clean up the exterior some time this summer.  It would really benefit.  Mostly, though, he was just aiming to get the interior done and get the general smells and age out of it.

[giant_mtb]

Hmmmmmmm, this could be extremely advantageous and time-saving.  It's hard to drop $50 without trying, though, especially when they have Fine and Medium grade and I'm not sure which would work best for me...I'll throw a fine grade in on my next order.

http://www.autogeek.net/nanoskin-autoscrub-wash-mitt-fine-grade.html