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Dave N

Dave N

My PC goes to 7...
I've been thinking of offering free details to family and friends just for fun. These would be the types of cars that get washed very infrequently (and mostly at auto washes), and maybe some OTC wax once or twice per year. So, they would have some major road grime, tar, etc. on them.



I'm not looking to do any major prep or anything -- just get the road grime off and apply one coat of Klasse AIO or another cleaner/polymer sealant. After a good hand wash, what would be a good and fast way to clean the big stuff off before I apply the AIO?



I detailed my parents minivan a while back, and there were some parts (lower rocker panels) that I didn't even touch because the grime/tar was just too thick. The cleaner/polymer sealant I was using (AutoInt's OEM One-Step) took most of the small grime/tar off, but a pad gets dirty pretty quick like this. I have a 9" Waxmaster right now, but am planning to buy a PC this spring before the detailing season starts. Any suggestions?
 
I use Eimann Fabrik Power Wash + in the winter when the cars are really nasty. It does a good job of really cutting through the salt and other winter crap. It contains double the amount of cleaners so it works great on really cruddy cars and works well in hard water areas as well. :up I would highly recommend you try it for a wash when you work on those cars.
 
When I had a detailing biz my partner and I would do $5.00 hand washes on Saturday (thankfully our shop was not on a super busy street or I'd still be washing cars today).

Most of the customers had cars that rarely saw a wash except for the few weeks a year So Cal gets rain. So we needed stuff that was fast and a few aggressive products to remove crap like tar, paint, massive bugs, grease, you name it.

There are actually quite a few very good fleet car wash liquids out there that will cut thru most anything. I used to use a fleet wash from Pro. But go to www.topoftheline.com and see what they offer.

Beyond that we used Simple Green, 3M adhesive remover, mineral spirits and special products for bug removal. This was never about doing an exquisite job for a serious enthusiast and most of the above products are loudly scoffed at by hard core Autopians.

But we used to have a little sign outside our shop that said,
JFDI GTFJD

No one understood that except for a few that knew JFDI. I even had it made as a decal stuck to my rear window. But that's the attitude you need if your going to be successful doing volume jobs. The techniques and tools used for volume work will work for you.

JFDI - Just F***ing Do It
GTFJD - Get The F***ing Job Done
 
>...we used Simple Green, 3M adhesive remover, mineral spirits

>and special products for bug removal



Hey, now that's the stuff I'm talking about! I use Simple Green on my wheel wells, and it really takes the dirt off. Stoner Tarminator came to mind, but I can't handle the fumes! I used some to take off the adhesive left behind by some window vent shades, and even after soaking for a week, the rag I used still smelled. I ended up throwing it away. Maybe the 3M stuff smells better...
 
Dave,

If you were using Valueguard OEM One Step, then take the plunge and get the ABC system it's awesome! Especially if the cars are covered in sap,fallout etc etc. If you are only going to be doing the cars very infrequently then you want the sealent to bond properly and for that to happen you have got to get the surface extermely clean. I realize you aren't going to tackle all the scratches and swirls so the least you can do is give them some protection that's going to last.

I agree with the other posts regarding the use of some powerful multipurpose cleaners on the really brutal areas. The only thing I would add or suggest is go the clay route if you want to go cheap and easy. Wash the car 2x, then clay until the surface feels like glass then seal or wax.Clay will take just about anything off the paint even windsheilds. The claying step will take you about 1-1.5 hrs, the ABC system will take 1 hr including a prewash to get the really big crap off. Choose your weapons carefully :p
 
I'll give a 2nd vote for the EF Power Wash. Great product for those real dirty jobs. I'd stay well away from Simple Green. There have been quite a few respected old time members here who have had negative results with this product. Laters
 
I think red car guy summed up the best way :D

washme.jpg
 
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