I've been wanting to post this thread for a long time... i know everyone has little tricks and things that they use when they are detailing... tricks that seem obvious, but might not be to everyone. for instance...

recently on my black car it's been hard to keep water spots off when...

I just thought of more........I'm on a roll!!!

For extremely dirty MF's or terry towels (engine bay, wheels, etc)...PRE-SOAK them in hot water and Oxy-Clean before machine washing.

The sink water will be black, but your wife will be happy!!!(no black ring in the washer)...

Luster,

I've seen a few cars at shows that have the treads dressed, and you're right, it does look good. I have to ask, though, what product should be used? I'd be scared to use even a water based dressing like Vinylex on the tread because of traction issues. Granted, it should wear off within a few blocks of driving, but I'm haunted by visions of needing to do an emergency stop in those few blocks while the tires are still slick, and just sliding right into whatever I'm trying to avoid.

What have you used in the past, and have you ever noticed traction problems on the drive home from the show? Maybe I'm just being paranoid, but I tend to be that way about brakes, tires, and suspension.

Tort

I'm with Tortoise on this one. At shows I usually wiped the treads down with a damp sponge. If there is a product that won't make the treads slick let me know.

It would be a pain to be slipping and sliding trying to get the my show car on the trailer....

I understand your concerns!!!

I use Hi-Temp (brand) Grape Tire Dressing on the treads.

You mentioned a few blocks of driving. It's really more like a few rotations. Usually, by the time you reach the street, it's all worn off. Even better in the grass, and it's bio-degradable. (I guess that means I can drink it!)

To remove bugs from your car get an old pair of nylon stockings and slip a soft sponge inside of it. Use with your carwash soap and scrub lighlty. The bugs will come right off with no scratches or marring.

I've learned that "buffing" does not mean "scrubbing".

For instance, going over a bug lightly several times while QD'ing will not leave scratches in your black paint like scrubbing the bug vigorously will.....

Don't ask me how I know this.....

Here's my tip: there's this website
you czn go to to find out te answer to almost any question you might have about detailing!

Mosca

Thanks for the great tips. If I dont have a claybar handy while washing windows, I will use steel wool.

Wet, spray cleaner, steel wool to remove all the crap on the window, paper towel dry. I have never seen a single streak, and it cleans it very well.

I had always thought that it would leave little scratches... but I havent seen any ever so is that not true?

mask off your trim with the tape painters use... really helps prevent stains when working with products that hurt trim.

When you have a stubborn spot of dirt, polish or wax on your MF towels, wet the spot with water and use the little blue soft plastic nail-cleaning brush that comes with the Gojo Orange Hand Cleaner, it scrubs the stain right out and is very gentle on the fibers. Plus it is right on the sink I use to rinse all my toweling in and to wash up after detailing!

That's another tip, rinse and inspect your toweling before you wash it. Gets out a lot of the lint and your washer won't have a dirty ring on the agitator when their done, plus you can pretreat any trouble spots. I know, sounds anal, but those towels get expensive.

Use #0000 steel wool and a glass polish on stubborn water spots on glass.

Clean your glass with a glass cleaner dampened MF then buff with a dry one...no streaks.

I find that when I spray my wheels with A2Z and let them soak for 30 sec and rinse, by the time I get to the third and fourth wheels, the A2Z is dry. I spray some more A2Z on my wheel brush directly, and scrub away with it. Works good for those hard to reach places . . .

I use STONERS INVISIBLE GLASS on chrome and alloy rims.

I dont mess with time consuming gunky polishes for chrome rims instead
I spray on Stoner's Invisible Glass Cleaner and wipe off.
it doesnt get easier than that.
and the rims shine like they never have before.
Great stuff!