the 'little tricks you've learned' thread

[amgtorre]

Originally posted by SL500
With a houseful of kids there are always baby wipes around. Tonight I used them to wipe down my wheels with a couple of days of brake dust accumulated. Baby wipes are just tough pre-moistened paper towels. Give them a try - if they are soft enough for baby's bottom then they are good for my other baby as well.

ah! good one! Thanks

[Bass]

ttt

searched for this for an hour

great post so it should be at the top

bass

[slimborama]

Originally posted by TortoiseAWD
I use a couple of kitchen pump sprayers for Z6 and homemade glass cleaner (see picture). The mist is very fine, and the small size of the sprayer makes it easy to slip into a pocket if you should happen to need both hands for a moment. Click the picture to see the Pampered Chef version . . . you can find them in kitchen stores, Wal-Mart, Target, etc. for less than $10.

click pic


Tort

You have very pretty fingernails

[BW]

I remember another one... turning the front wheels all the way in one direction gives you much more space to clean wheelwells. I usually can reach the control arms and springs without removing the wheel.

[69-912]

Originally posted by BW
I remember another one... turning the front wheels all the way in one direction gives you much more space to clean wheelwells. I usually can reach the control arms and springs without removing the wheel.

Very true, comes in handy to have someone sitting in the car to do that for you

[Brakedust]

When dressing window seal or other plastic trim, its difficult to do it fast without rubbing it onto the paint or glass.

When applying dressing, I hold a sheet of card in the edge where glass meets the rubber seal, or paint meets the trim. I slide it along as I move the applicator along the surface. This way any stray dressing goes onto the card rather than the glass.

Its a fast and easy alternative to putting masking tape on. Since you do not need to be as careful along the edges, it speeds up the application. Saves tidy-up time afterwards also.

I use the same idea, with a different larger piece of card slid under the tire when applying dressing down there.

Just my bit!

B.

[Volvo4Me]

When applying protectants to exterior trims, I use one of those little foam paint brushes you can get at Walmart or Lowe's, etc.

You have much more control of the product, and don't get it all over the paint.

I go back over the trim with a MF to remove the excess product and buff to a nice finish! Plus, use a MF to quickly wipe off any protectants that did get on the paint.

[atyclb]

wow! 66 posts and not a single mention of Peanut Butter yet!

[BoxsterCharlie]

I originally got into Plexus because my Boxster has a rear plastic window. Works fine on that. But it is an amazing product for any glossy plastic:

1) Absolutely phenomenal results on the delicate clear instrument panel cover. You won't believe the difference--even if you think yours is already clear!

2) Plastic headlights and tail lights, markers.

3) Scratched CD's and DVD's. Not car related, but get this--you can actually watch through an unplayable scene of a movie you get at the video rental store 90% of the time!

-Charlie

[Taxlady]

When working on the car, always have one or two MF towels in your hand or pocket. That way when you want to lean on the car, you can lean on the towel. Stops the messy finger/hand/arm marks. And they make a handy cushion for putting bottles products down on the car without scratching.

[theveed]

I like adding a little garter string on the handles of all my brushes... when working on engine compartments, this saves me a lot of trouble from picking the brush up when it falls...

I also place a large towel underneath the engine compartment to catch any screws/bolts that may fall off when I work on the engine... it's a pain looking for 1 bolt/screw when it bounces off hard cement.

Before washing a car that has been driven, I always open the hood and trunk to cool the engine compartment and preventing direct sun exposure...

Ditto after washing/before drying. I open the hood and trunk to let the water drip off while I'm drying the roof/glass.

[Short Cut]

After waxing and polishing use halogen lights to view the finish from different angles before taking the car out in sunlight for a drive. This is especially true for dark colors.