Detailing Tips & Tricks....

[Lish]

oh ok - wellll it depends on how much of a detail you want to have done....those mobile detailers are good for just a general spruce up which personally I think they do no better than what you can do yourself in an afternoon....(with the right tips on how to lol) they are limited to what they can do from the back of a van...
If you are after a thorough detail with carpets and seats cleaned, then I suggest taking it to a workshop detailer...
What exactly is it you were wanting done ???
air vents dusted? seats cleaned? roof lining cleaned ??

[ZER0]

yeah the works... its a daily driver but i just want to give it a good once over. i see what your saying, taking into a work shop sounds like i good idea. what should i expect to pay for complete clean?

[Lish]

oh shivers...haven't had much to do with that for a few years now....at a guess (going by workload and hours involved) I would say expect to pay $150-$250 again depending on how much you get them to do for you... let me know when you get quotes though...keen to know how close I was LOL

[Bec]

hey m8...
is there something that can be rubbed into the passanger air bag cover for vr/vs commys do slow down or reduce the corners from coming up ? ?

cheers
itchy

Basically, no. Using 'product' on the cover only progresses the rate of distortion. Best way to slow it down is to only use a damp cloth to wipe dash, and try to use a sunshade as often as possible. Mine hasn't started to lift yet so I'll be doing all in my power to prevent it lol.

Stay away from armorall full stop - on any of the car. I agree with the tyre shine...very handy for the money.

If you have black mirrors that have lost their lustre try some scratch-x or similar product followed with a polish. Brings them up like new.

Wax on head/tail lights shines them up nicely.

A clay bar with spray polish is very handy for getting rough paint as smooth as glass with amazing results, but can scratch the paint a little. However these scratches can be removed using the right products. I know meguiars do a clay bar...not sure about other brands.

I'm a bit of a fanatic so my car only gets polished/buffed/touched with high quality microwipe cloths. Basically I've found that anything else will swirl or scratch the paint.

Wax and grease remover works wonders on the windows (at least with mine that are always covered in bugs) - especially if you still have polish on your hands after detailing the car

[holden#1]

if you have a man in your life, he is one hell of a lucky guy...
I can't even get me missus to wash the car...

[Insanesinner]

What would the best thing be to try and make sun damaged paint look a bit better i have a faded and blotchy bonet that i would like to look a bit better untill i get a respray

[ZER0]

oh shivers...haven't had much to do with that for a few years now....at a guess (going by workload and hours involved) I would say expect to pay $150-$250 again depending on how much you get them to do for you... let me know when you get quotes though...keen to know how close I was LOL

Thanks lish, i will get some quotes and and let you know. but around $250 sounds like a fair price. Cheers mate!

[sixshooter]

Hi Lish,

I've got another question for you !

Cleaning my car the other day at the DIY hotwash... I got my natural shammie a bit grubby with grime...where I hadn't cleaned my car properly.

So now what should I clean it with ?

[Lish]

hey sixshooter! how you been ??

Chuck it in a laundry or lingerie bag...(your better half might have one that she washes her bras and knickers in) they basically prevent any lint etc sticking to the fabric, then bung it in the washing machine. It may stain a little if you have gotten black tyre rubber or grease on it but it will still perform the same. Or soak it in napisan. DON'T use any washing powder etc that has eucalyptus oil in it as it coats the fabric and prevents it from working or worst still coats your car with the oil.. this goes for any clothes that you may wash to use on your car...

Del

[Lish]

What would the best thing be to try and make sun damaged paint look a bit better i have a faded and blotchy bonet that i would like to look a bit better untill i get a respray

basically as stated in earlier posts...a GOOD cut n polish and lots of elbow grease and a few goes before it's a bit better, depending on the degree of damage.

[Lish]

if you have a man in your life, he is one hell of a lucky guy...
I can't even get me missus to wash the car...

Haha yeah I do and yeah I guess he is - I am a fanatic when it comes to the cleaning of the car so would rather do it myself!! after all ..noone can do it as good as I can

[holden#1]

if ya ever find yourself a loveless widow, put up an add for yourself in the matchmaking section of JC...

[Lish]

hahaha ....is there a matchmaking section????? oh yer, post pics of yourself LOL

[Aggro_VE]

If so Lish can give you a full detail, front and back ..

Itchy pants...I had a bandaid fixfor my VS, cut a small piece of a cork gasket and slot it between the dash and the sticking up part of the airbag cover, it will force it to sit down at level of dash, this was an overnight exercise leave it in overnight, and take it out next day, not sure what would happen if it's left there and the airbag goes off...after a week my airbag cover sat pretty much flush with dash, it's an ongoing thing thou.

[Lish]

If so Lish can give you a full detail, front and back

cheeky bugger you'll have to ask mikevxss about my details

[sp4nky]

im a detailer myself im a detailer in geelong n its a bloody awesome job sum of the cars ive done r awesome its good 2 see the cars when they r all finished i like my job

[sixshooter]

Four words of advice...

EAGLE ONE LEATHER CARE

awesome stuff...

regards,

[SPack]

Since I have been convinced of the effectiveness of microfiber cleaning cloths (thanks Lish) I thought I would try a microfiber glass cleaning cloth. Bought a sabco cloth from the supermarket- very impressed! Just a mist of clean water required and a quick wipe with the cloth and yer windows are crystal clear. Works great on removing the armour-all fog of the inside of the windscreen too. Now I keep the cloth handy in the glovebox.

[Lish]

they are great arent they spack! They are also great for wiping over the dash, cluster cover etc to remove any dust. VERY handy in the glove box for that heat glaze that happens if you put a sunshade up on the windscreen. Also during winter wipe away the fog up. Wipe away fingers prints on rear view mirror... the list goes on! And because you aren't using a chemical which leaves residue on the glass they don't seem to get as dirty as quick because there is nothing for the dust to stick to!

[ClairBear]

If you really care about your car, use Meguiar's products. The majority of our club members use their products all the time, and the cars all look fantastic in displays. If you visit the site and click on the paint care prescription on the bottom of the page, you can answer a few questions on the current state of your car, and how you want it to look. http://www.meguiars.com.au/

Yes their products are more expensive, but it's the old adage - you get what you pay for.

C.

[deserthead]

Hey Del,

I got one 4 ya.

What the best thing to use to clean my seats?

There are stains in the black parts of them. They're dark, maybe food stains (sauces?)

They're not that noticable, but I can c em so thats enough for me.

Cheers, Keegs

[Lish]

Hey Keegan

I would suggest a woolwash or wool upholstery cleaner. Wool washes are gentler than other harsher cleaners.
Apply the upholstery cleaner then work the area with your fingertips in circular motions then wipe with clean, damp, white cloth (eg old nappy or towel).
I personally use "Orange Power carpet & upholstery spot cleaner", because the citrus oil removes the grease properties of a lot of stains ie sauces and baby formula. And it's safe to use on delicate materials such as wool.
Del

[Bec]

Here's one I probably don't want to know the answer to....

Last week I parked my car outside for one night and the next morning it looked like a choc milkshake had been splashed all over it...no worries I thought, just some dew mixed with dirt. The trees I was under have never dropped sap before.

It was 4 days before I washed it as I was just too busy. I washed it and the spots stayed there. Today I washed again and used to following in an attempt to get rid of the marks....

Polish
Paint Cleaner
Scratch-X
Clay Bar
Mild cut and polish (I'd never normally use this but was as a last resort)

......yet the spots are still there. They are not coloured as such, but a dull finish inside a prominent 'edge' to the marks. I guess it looks a bit like the clear coat is slightly eaten inside... but that description sounds too harsh compared to how it looks.

Is this as bad as I think (respray only fix) or could there be another solution? My paint was perfect so it's driving me insane.

Cheers
Bec

[sixshooter]

Hi Lish,

What can I use on the black plastic trim on the pilars between my doors? I only just noticed it was plastic today instead of painted...it has some dull sun affected areas.
I guess its the same plastic they use to make the extenal mirror housings...

TIA

[Lish]

Here's one I probably don't want to know the answer to....

Last week I parked my car outside for one night and the next morning it looked like a choc milkshake had been splashed all over it...no worries I thought, just some dew mixed with dirt. The trees I was under have never dropped sap before.

It was 4 days before I washed it as I was just too busy. I washed it and the spots stayed there. Today I washed again and used to following in an attempt to get rid of the marks....

Polish
Paint Cleaner
Scratch-X
Clay Bar
Mild cut and polish (I'd never normally use this but was as a last resort)

......yet the spots are still there. They are not coloured as such, but a dull finish inside a prominent 'edge' to the marks. I guess it looks a bit like the clear coat is slightly eaten inside... but that description sounds too harsh compared to how it looks.

Is this as bad as I think (respray only fix) or could there be another solution? My paint was perfect so it's driving me insane.

Cheers
Bec

reading that Bec and seeing what you have used ...a re-spray seems to be your only answer. You have done everything I wouldv'e suggested. I feel that if a cut and polish wouldn't take the marks out then nothing is going too. I guess there is always another brand to try, but personally I think you will be wasting your money. Being that the clear coat has been removed then your only solution is a re-spray. Maybe you could take it to a local spraypainter or detailer and get their opinion.
Good Luck...let me know how you go with it
Del