How to correctly detail your auto

[Brandon1]

Originally Posted by meenkya

Steel wool works great with a little windex....
I use it on chrome bumpers as well.
As Brandon mentioned you must be gentle.

I also use a little rubbing alcohol with a cotton cloth and wipe down the business end of the wiper blades.
I do this every time I wash my truck and it seems to keep them in tip top shape.

you have to make sure it is #0000 wool. also, dont use it on side view mirrors and be careful on chrome, it will scratch the sh!t out of it. Be shure to use another cleaner over windex, as windex streaks on anything.

[meenkya]

Originally Posted by Brandon1

you have to make sure it is #0000 wool. also, dont use it on side view mirrors and be careful on chrome, it will scratch the sh!t out of it. Be shure to use another cleaner over windex, as windex streaks on anything.

I normally just use it to clean the black soot off of my exhaust tips and the little nicks of crap on the rear bumper. I finish it off with wax...
I pretty much wax everything but the rubber gaskets on my truck.

But your right... don't go using a brillo pad

[bnisly]

What do you guys use to clean your Line-X?

Thanks,
Barry

[low c1500]

Originally Posted by bnisly

What do you guys use to clean your Line-X?

Thanks,
Barry

Me, I like using engine de-greaser, let sit for 15 min then pressure wash off, it leaves the line-x looking clean, and shiny.

[meenkya]

Originally Posted by low c1500

Me, I like using engine de-greaser, let sit for 15 min then pressure wash off, it leaves the line-x looking clean, and shiny.

I have heard that Just Once works good as a protectant for spray in bedliners. Just Once - Vinyl, Leather, and Hard Plastic Cleaner, Protector

I just have the basic bed liner but have used the product on tires, dash and tonneau and it works great. It also lasts a long time.
I have washed my truck four times since application to my tires and cover and it still shines.

Great product and it's easy to apply. Most Line-X dealers carry it or you can order on-line.

[nrmeans]

On the clay part, what do you recommend the Clay Magic Fine Red or Medium Blue?

[Brandon1]

Depends on the condition of your paint. If your trucks has sat outside or is more than 2yrs old, then the medium. Otherwise, the fine will do. I honestly dont see any advantage over the fine. I usually just use the medium just to make shure.

[2000tundramike]

Will using a clay bar take out most scratches that are not down to the metal?

[kdchild]

Originally Posted by 2000tundramike

Will using a clay bar take out most scratches that are not down to the metal?

No, a clay bar is not designed to remove scratches from your paint. Clay bars are desingned to remove surface contamination. If you can catch your fingernail on them, then they will require a repaint to totaly remove them. If you cannot catch your fingernail on them, then they can possibly be removed by doing some aggressive polishing on the paint. This tends to lean towards more of a paint correction detail rather than just a normal detail. Also, paint correction is a lot more involved than just a regular maintenance detail. Here is a link to an article about detailing clay: Detailing Clay Bar - Car Paint Cleaning | Detailing How-to Guide

[Brandon1]

to the reply above. Could not have said it better myself.

Are you working with stuff OTC or can you order online? Mothers Power Polish is good for removing scratches by hand.

[cupidstoy]

just got my porter-cable 7424 unit in the mail today. plugged her in and it makes a little metal on metal noise where the weight is attached - kind of like the gear box has a loose part in it. to me it doesn't sound like a normal, "healthy" power tool should sound, although it's not a real bad sound either. i'm wondering if anybody can tell me if this is normal for this tool or if it should be pretty much silent except for the usual motor sounds (brushes, cooling fan, etc.)

[Brandon1]

Its actually a fairly loud tool, but mine dosent have a "metal" sound I would just work it and if it stops working, you have a warranty.

[bene vita]

Hi Cupidstoy,

The sound you hear may be from the nut that holds the handle to the buffer. Try attaching the handle - either side works - and try again. This should eliminate the noise. If not, it could be that the backing plate is not secure. Please post back with your results.

"Bene Vita"

[cupidstoy]

tried the handle on both sides, no effect on the noise. it's definitely coming from the motion of the weighted shaft, not the smaller shaft the buffer wheel mounts into.

it sounds kind of like a nut or bolt or something is protruding too far into the turning shaft area and causing a rubbing sound that is metal on metal. i think once the weather improves, i'll try using it a bit to see if it goes away or gets worse or gets hot to the touch. then i'll have something i can state in a warranty claim.

thanks for the responses!

d

[feb]

I have always had a problem keeping the part of the door that is painted black (on the side of the glass by the center post) looking good. On a Camry that I had, I would wax it and it still did not look that great. What do you guys do?

feb