The Detailing Thread

[giant_mtb]

Well, shit.  Let me know if it's any good, eh?

[Mustangfan2003]

I hope to use some of it this weekend.  Here is a demo of their metal polish and yeah it's pretty good

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nr7G3-76IzQ&feature=related

[giant_mtb]

Hot damn!

[hotrodalex]

How do you guys apply invisible glass? It's been a little streaky lately, so I've been wondering if it's because of how I put it on. I just spray it on the window and wipe it wih newspaper. Is there a better method?

(lolz iPod tried to change "better" into "heterosexual")

[giant_mtb]

You always need to do a second, dry wipe.  I've never been a fan of the newspaper method.  Just use microfibers.  Wipe once with a wet side, wipe again with the dry side.  Or continue using newspaper and give the windows a second wipe (not sure if newspaper will work well as a dry wipe; if not, just use microfibers to dry-wipe).

[hotrodalex]

Do you spray directly onto the glass, or just onto the cloth and then wipe?

[giant_mtb]

Onto the glass 99% of the time.  Once you're a few windows in, the cloth may be saturated enough to not need to spray the next window, too, which will help cut down on streaking/residue and save you minute amounts of cleaner!

[giant_mtb]

I acquired me some "glass buffing pads" when I ordered my goods a few weeks back.  Should be interesting to see how they work on nasty glass.

[giant_mtb]

Vinegar diluted in water makes for a great lubricant for a clay bar.  The vinegar really helps cut through tougher water spots (better than regular ol' spray detailer you might usually use when you clay).  I think I had it diluted something like 4Water:1Vinegar.  Just enough so you can tell the vinegar's there, pretty much.

[Morris Minor]

Vinegar diluted in water makes for a great lubricant for a clay bar.  The vinegar really helps cut through tougher water spots (better than regular ol' spray detailer you might usually use when you clay).  I think I had it diluted something like 4Water:1Vinegar.  Just enough so you can tell the vinegar's there, pretty much.

Thanks for the tip. I find clay-barring to be the most satisfying of all car cleaning jobs.
Do you have a recommended brands. The postage-stamp size ones in the kits available in auto parts stores seem ridiculously expensive.

[giant_mtb]

Thanks for the tip. I find clay-barring to be the most satisfying of all car cleaning jobs.
Do you have a recommended brands. The postage-stamp size ones in the kits available in auto parts stores seem ridiculously expensive.

Clay is pretty expensive and usually is more expensive at auto parts stores.  I liked the clay I got out of the Mothers kit at WalMart for $20.  Came with a nice microfiber and a bottle of spray detailer and I liked the clay itself much better than the stuff that came with the Meguiar's kit I bought a couple years ago.  Or check out some of these options: http://www.autogeek.net/clbaandlu.html

Edit: They have the Mothers kit on autogeek, too, and it has a lot of positive reviews.  It's available anywhere, so I'd really just recommend getting that kit. http://www.autogeek.net/motcalgolcla.html

[Rupert]

I used the Mothers kit; it was good. You get two clay bars, too.

[Morris Minor]

Anyone have recommendations for leather cleaning & conditioning products? I've used Zaino in the past, which was great, but it seems very expensive. I have som Lexol leather cleaner & conditioner, but have not been too thrilled with them; the conditioner left the leather feeling greasy.

[giant_mtb]

Anyone have recommendations for leather cleaning & conditioning products? I've used Zaino in the past, which was great, but it seems very expensive. I have som Lexol leather cleaner & conditioner, but have not been too thrilled with them; the conditioner left the leather feeling greasy.

Read this first and then decide on how much you'd like to spend on leather cleaner/conditioner.

http://freshstartdetail.com/what-kind-of-leather-do-my-car-seats-have/387

Basically, UV protection is the way to go.  So a product like 303 would be excellent for leather.  Keeping it clean is easy with some light degreasing. 

[hounddog]

Honestly, I use Lexol on our X5 and never get the greasy feeling on it. 

Perhaps you are using too much, or, not wiping it off thoroughly enough?

[Byteme]

Anyone have recommendations for leather cleaning & conditioning products? I've used Zaino in the past, which was great, but it seems very expensive. I have som Lexol leather cleaner & conditioner, but have not been too thrilled with them; the conditioner left the leather feeling greasy.

I like a product called "Gliptone".  It is really good at revitalizing older leather that may have been neglected.  You car will also smell like it has a real leathr interior.

[Morris Minor]

http://youtu.be/5bXmxRjjAw8

[giant_mtb]

Those are so damn cool. 

$$$$$$$

[MX793]

Didn't read through the thread, so maybe it's already posted, but does anybody have any good tips for removing dried-up, stuck-on bug guts?  Seems like no matter how much I spray with a high pressure washer and scrub with a soft cloth or sponge, I can't get them off.  I'd prefer not using abrasives or gently scraping with a razor blade.

[giant_mtb]

Clay bar. GooGone. Any "tar & bug remover" you can buy at a store.

Or wet sanding!

[CALL_911]

Any tips on conditioning leather? I have crows feet in my driver's seat that I'd like to get rid of.

[Morris Minor]

I really notice how the paint on a car's hood takes a beating compared to the rest of the bodywork. Obviously it takes the brunt of wind borne damage, but I think engine heat cooks things in more than equivalent gunk elsewhere on the car.

[MrH]

Any tips on conditioning leather? I have crows feet in my driver's seat that I'd like to get rid of.

Chamberlain's Leather Milk

[giant_mtb]

Any tips on conditioning leather? I have crows feet in my driver's seat that I'd like to get rid of.

Getting rid of them won't be easy. That usually requires some steaming, pulling, and ironing...

However, any decent leather conditioner will help prevent further ones.

[CALL_911]

Getting rid of them won't be easy. That usually requires some steaming, pulling, and ironing...

However, any decent leather conditioner will help prevent further ones.

Goddammit

Maybe it's just me, but I've noticed VW leather to be kind of shitty. The leather in my mom's A4 is not in fantastic shape, and even in my car, it's not holding up as well as I would have liked it to. On my dad's BMW, OTOH, it's a completely different story. Honda leather also, while it feels a bit vinyl-y, the shit does hold up well over time. Out of my limited samplings, I think I've been the most impressed by Lexus/Toyota leather, followed by BMW.

[hotrodalex]

Goddammit

Maybe it's just me, but I've noticed VW leather to be kind of shitty. The leather in my mom's A4 is not in fantastic shape, and even in my car, it's not holding up as well as I would have liked it to. On my dad's BMW, OTOH, it's a completely different story. Honda leather also, while it feels a bit vinyl-y, the shit does hold up well over time. Out of my limited samplings, I think I've been the most impressed by Lexus/Toyota leather, followed by BMW.

Most people aren't fans of BMW leather, which I don't understand. The seats in my car are wonderful.

[FlatBlackCaddy]

Vinegar diluted in water makes for a great lubricant for a clay bar.  The vinegar really helps cut through tougher water spots (better than regular ol' spray detailer you might usually use when you clay).  I think I had it diluted something like 4Water:1Vinegar.  Just enough so you can tell the vinegar's there, pretty much.

Vinegar smells so god damn bad, I wouldn't use it no matter how well it works.

[FlatBlackCaddy]

Didn't read through the thread, so maybe it's already posted, but does anybody have any good tips for removing dried-up, stuck-on bug guts?  Seems like no matter how much I spray with a high pressure washer and scrub with a soft cloth or sponge, I can't get them off.  I'd prefer not using abrasives or gently scraping with a razor blade.

I use a product from wizards called bug remover(or bug something) works well. If they are real bad you can soak them a few times then wipe them off.

[MrH]

Most people aren't fans of BMW leather, which I don't understand. The seats in my car are wonderful.

Tons of BMW have leatherette seats (some materials I actually like better than leather).

I wouldn't be so quick to classify leathers by brand. They all buy from the same few suppliers, but each of those suppliers have various grades you can buy. There's a reason leather seats on a Mainstreamer feel like crap compared to an S-class.

[S204STi]

Had a body guy at my shop do a machine polish on the WRX. Tomorrow I'll fill in all the rock chips, then It's time for some wax. Have your recommendations changed at all with that?