OK now im frustrated, hopefully you guys can help!

kleraudio · 04-16-07, 04:45

Hey everyone,

well i got off work today and decided to do a quick detail. Busted out the usual QEW, couple sheepskins, glass cleaner, wheel stuff, etc....

Well to get the blood boiling, my sheepskins were linting like CRAZY. I had lint all over the truck, all over my wet hands, everywhere!

I dealt with it....(after throwing both sheepskins in the trash!)

On to the glass, started the usual routine of cleaning the glass and noticed etched waterspots i had never seen before. I could not get them out!

I dealt with it....

Finally one hour later (long time for a QEW wash) i get in my truck to go home (i went to the wash bay at my apartments for some shade)

I pull out, and BAM...Streaking everywhere on my windows!!! I almost screamed. I got out and cleaned them up but still dont know if there are streaks as the sun went under the roof of the adjacent building.

Then for the explosion...

I looked at the hood of my car from the inside as i always do when its nice and clean, and noticed some SERIOUS swirling!! I just polished 2 weeks ago. Maybe i didnt see them because the truck is silver and the light just hit it right this time, or maybe my wash did it some how, i dont know, but this made me go over the top.

Sorry for the long post but I am really frustrated and would like some of your guys's input. This leads me to my questions:

1) I need a new wash media, im done with sheepskins. What do you guys recommend with ONR/QEW?

2) How do you guys avoid streaking windows when cleaning them? (Using NXT glass cleaner right now...)

4)How do you guys do tires/wheels/wheel wells with ONR/QEW? I really need some help in this department.

3) Those with silver cars, how do you make sure you have removed all the swirls when compounding/polishing? Its really hard to see them...

Thanks alot guys, sorry bout the long post but had to get that off my chest!!!

Thanks

jim

lecchilo · 04-16-07, 04:53

1) I need a new wash media, im done with sheepskins. What do you guys recommend with ONR/QEW?
Microfiber

2) How do you guys avoid streaking windows when cleaning them? (Using NXT glass cleaner right now...)
Use Stoner's Invisible glass and either a very fine M/f towel or cotton polishing cloths

4)How do you guys do tires/wheels/wheel wells with ONR/QEW? I really need some help in this department.
Don't know

3) Those with silver cars, how do you make sure you have removed all the swirls when compounding/polishing? Its really hard to see them...
Basically try and get light on the area from every angle and see if you missed something

Hope this helps

kleraudio · 04-16-07, 05:16

Thanks for the reply, I do check out every angle possible, but i guess sunlight is the only thing that will help with silver....

Thanks again for the reply

Jim

landcruiser · 04-16-07, 06:07

[quote=lecchilo4)How do you guys do tires/wheels/wheel wells with ONR/QEW? I really need some help in this department.[/QUOTE]

Get a 1 gallon sprayer (like you'd use to apply weed killer or such to your garden) mix the ONR at QD strength, then spray a wheel and well area, for example left front, then spray the left rear while the front one soaks a bit. Go back to the left front and wipe it dry, then do the rear tire. It works for me, I'm sure others will post more/better suggestions?

Strokin04 · 04-16-07, 06:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by kleraudio

1) I need a new wash media, im done with sheepskins. What do you guys recommend with ONR/QEW? I would use microfibers or try the shmitt.

2) How do you guys avoid streaking windows when cleaning them? (Using NXT glass cleaner right now...) Sprayway or Invinsible Glass always works for me and try to stay out of the sun if possible.

4)How do you guys do tires/wheels/wheel wells with ONR/QEW? I really need some help in this department. I use a 32oz. spray bottle with ONR mixed at QD level and presoak the areas.
3) Those with silver cars, how do you make sure you have removed all the swirls when compounding/polishing? Its really hard to see them... I use halogen lights or pull it out into the sun in between polishing to make sure you are getting the rid of the swirls.

I hope this helps some and good luck. Mike...

Roger V · 04-16-07, 06:16

Who makes good microfiber mits? I just can't bring myself to use towels, I think I would use to much pressure because they are so thin.

lecchilo · 04-16-07, 06:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roger V

Who makes good microfiber mits? I just can't bring myself to use towels, I think I would use to much pressure because they are so thin.

Meguiar's has nice m/f wash mits and sponges.. I found some locally brand is Zwipes and they work great for me

Pennypacker · 04-16-07, 06:30

As far as wash media is concerned, have you tried sea sponges? They're excellent! They're pricey, but they last a really long time (at least mine do). They also release dirt very, very well. The only important thing to remember is to give it a good rinse when you first get it to wash out sand and stuff. After that, you're good to go.

You can find really nice ones at Top of the Line. Giant Sea Sponge

Eliot Ness · 04-16-07, 07:03

I also like sea sponges with QEW/ONR washes, but I've yet to have a sheepskin mitt go bad like that before, but maybe I got lucky with the ones I picked up.

My wheels are a tough one with QEW/ONR because the front dust really bad. I use a combination of brushes on them (wheel brush and a small BHB for the smaller areas), and try to keep them sealed well so they clean up easier. I find Poorboy's Wheel Sealant works very well for that. I still like to do a conventional bucket and hose wash on them as often as possible to flush out all of the brake dust.

For glass I also use Stoners Invisible Glass with a very short nap or made for glass MF. I do an initial spray and wipe with one and then follow up with a second one..... and that seems to work pretty well for me.

Like others said, swirls on silver are tough to spot sometimes, so you just have to experiment with different types of lighting until you find what works best for you.

kleraudio · 04-16-07, 07:28

I just dont like getting 2-4 towels filthy from cleaning the wheels, and 2-4 filthy for the tires. Also when you use your brushes and stuff, how do you get the smudged up dust/dirt off the wheels.

Thanks alot guys, I REALLY appreciate the help. Im feeling better already!

Jim

Eliot Ness · 04-16-07, 07:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by kleraudio

.............Also when you use your brushes and stuff, how do you get the smudged up dust/dirt off the wheels..........

You can buy a 1 gallon garden sprayer for $10 or $20 and mix up some QEW/ONR in that for a presoak on the wheels/tires. It can also be used after you get them clean with a brush to flush what is left off. I usually slosh enough solution on the wheels from my bucket to have them pretty clean before I dry them with a cheap MF or terry towel.

I bought a cheap sprayer from Home Depot for about $10 that is similar to this:

Amazon.com: Chapin Lawn & Garden 1-Gallon Poly Sprayer #20000: Home Improvement

Accumulator · 04-17-07, 09:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by kleraudio

Thanks for the reply, I do check out every angle possible, but i guess sunlight is the only thing that will help with silver....

Heh heh, if there's *one* thing I can speak about with some authority it's spotting marring on silver.

Use an incandescent light in an othewise dark shop, varying the illumination distance and angle and also your viewing distance and angle. IIRC it's a phenomenon called "point source lighting" and it maximizes a certain type of contrast that makes such stuff show up.

I like hight-wattage bulbs (~250-300w) but others have done well with more normal ones. You might find that frosted or clear bulbs work best for you and you might also find you have a preference for/against using them with a relfector as opposed to just a bare bulb.

But if you play around with incandescent lighting, you *can* spot *everything* on silver (except light holograms, need sunlight for those)...no more surprises under weird lighting conditions at night

I found some high-wattage incandescent trouble lights at my local Lowe's. Maybe ~$25 plus the bulb. Cheap, crappy things, but they work. But sometimes I prefer a bare bulb that's located a fair distance from the vehicle. As I said, you just have to play around with it..but that *is* the type of lighting to play around with. I polish under halogens, but I turn 'em off and use the incandescents to check my work.