The Detailing Thread

[Rupert]

Paint the chrome black.

[FlatBlackCaddy]

Orrrrrrrrrr.......... just leave it chrome.

[280Z Turbo]

Cut off the chrome shit and weld in new sheet metal. It's worth it.

[MrH]

3m adhesive or tape film. Apparently it's over the entire surface, not just the perimeter.

The good 3m stuff makes even small emblems hard to remover. A 6 x 24" solid piece is almost non removable.

Heat gun and fishing line. It'll take a few hours but it'll come off.

[FlatBlackCaddy]

I really don't care about it. I've spent too much time on this as it is. I need to get back on the 300.

[MrH]

Pics of the truck!!!

[CaminoRacer]

Airbags + turbo.

Do it.

[FlatBlackCaddy]

Pics of the truck!!!

Got it all buffed out today, installed the new door handles and did a few other things. Going to revacuum, clean the interior and then wash it tomorrow. I'll take some pictures tomorrow of it.

[FlatBlackCaddy]

Heres some from the other day, spent the most time on the hood on this truck.





Passenger side, front of hood.

[Byteme]

3m adhesive or tape film. Apparently it's over the entire surface, not just the perimeter.

The good 3m stuff makes even small emblems hard to remover. A 6 x 24" solid piece is almost non removable.

3M also make an adhesive remover.  I've seen quart cans at auto parts stores.

[FlatBlackCaddy]

I know of it, I sell it and have used it a lot. Still a shit ton of work.

[68_427]

Sucks about the chrome stuff.  I've seen it looks decent on some trucks but it looks like the PO went a bit too fat with it

[FlatBlackCaddy]

Its actually not too bad, the color goes well with chrome.

[Rupert]

I took the clear plastic stone off the 944 because they weren't clear anymore. 30 year old adhesive, and it was still a PITA. I used a heat gun and a plastic putty knife to get the stone guards off, and then Goof Off and an eraser wheel for the adhesive.

[giant_mtb]

Paint looks good. Nice work!  Amazing what a little work will do.

[FlatBlackCaddy]

Thanks, really liking new polisher, should have bought one years ago.

[giant_mtb]

Oh yeah you got a Flex!  Wonderful machines. Mine's going on 4? years of hard use with no issues.  Direct drive random orbit is tha shiiiiit.

[FlatBlackCaddy]

Seems kind of noisy sometimes, been wondering if thats normal.

[giant_mtb]

Seems kind of noisy sometimes, been wondering if thats normal.

Mine is, too. I want to disassemble the head and lube the gears some day.

[FlatBlackCaddy]

[giant_mtb]

Looks awesome.  Amazing what a little time and effort will do.

[Rupert]

Now that it's clean and shiny, you can get it dirty and grimy as you never have to wash it again.

[FlatBlackCaddy]

Now that it's clean and shiny, you can get it dirty and grimy as you never have to wash it again.

Pretty close.

[Rich]

Previously, I used a generic blue clay bar from Amazon, which I didn't feel did anything for the paint at all.  Recently, I ordered a heavy duty chemical guys bar, and even though the quantity was much smaller, man that did it.  That paint is so smooth it actually feels soft, and 'm a believer in clay bars now.  I'm not sure what was up with that blue bar that I used before.

I've ordered a couple of new polishing pads and a bit stronger polish (V34 v V36).  The hood has some stubborn stains toward the front and the front fascia has shipped clearcoat, pitting, etc.  Yeah I'll probably be blasting the clearcoat off in parts of the fascia, but at least it'll be smooth.  I'll get it re-painted or a new fascia (01+ maybe)when I get back to the US.

[FlatBlackCaddy]

Strange, Ive never had an issue with any clay bars, be it 3m, meguiars, wizards or even a few generics I've had at the store.

They are great though, love that fresh clayed softness.

[68_427]

Anybody use any protective coatings for wheels with good success?  The finish on my new ones is like a 10/10 and I'd like to keep it fresh.

[FlatBlackCaddy]

Ive never used a wheel specific product. Normally just use my strongest wax, collinite insulator wax. I'd just clean them, clay them and put 2 to 3 coats of wax on them.

[68_427]

Ok I'll try it thanks

[MrH]

Reynolds Wrap.

[FlatBlackCaddy]

So I just got around to unpacking some new detailing supplies.

Firstly, I've been meaning to try some griots products out for years. So I picked up some of their products to try, finally.



Also picked up a few things from autogeek, as well as a few new wizards products to try.





And a bunch of pads I got from work.