Got Any Old School Tricks That Still Work?

I live a few houses down from a retired GM engineer who used to work with all of the big names in corvette design and engineering. He owns a black 2003Corvette Z06. I was talking to him last summer about some of my polishing techniques and he said that he swears on using corn starch to shine up his Z06 and other black vehicles. I know that I must have looked at him like he had just escaped from the loony bin! Now, if that isn't an old school technique, then I don't know what is.

Anyone have any experience using corn starch on vehicles? LOL

-J
 
Anyone have any experience using corn starch on vehicles? LOL
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I have heard about using corn starch when doing metal polishing. It is supposed to help remove some of the residue better. I have never heard of using it on a car's finish before.
 
RootsRadical said:
I live a few houses down from a retired GM engineer who used to work with all of the big names in corvette design and engineering. He owns a black 2003Corvette Z06. I was talking to him last summer about some of my polishing techniques and he said that he swears on using corn starch to shine up his Z06 and other black vehicles. I know that I must have looked at him like he had just escaped from the loony bin! Now, if that isn't an old school technique, then I don't know what is.

Anyone have any experience using corn starch on vehicles? LOL

-J
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Old school tribal knowledge was that using corn starch would clean up oxidation on the single stage paint... can't imagine it does much on clear coated paint
 
I have to agreed with Jason on this, it's a old school trick that work very well with older paints, but today's paints don't need it.
 
To clean gold plated vehicle emblems or badges; a talc powder and water paste with a smooth (no nap) cloth (also works on 'thin' chrome plating)
 
RootsRadical said:
I live a few houses down from a retired GM engineer who used to work with all of the big names in corvette design and engineering. He owns a black 2003Corvette Z06. I was talking to him last summer about some of my polishing techniques and he said that he swears on using corn starch to shine up his Z06 and other black vehicles. I know that I must have looked at him like he had just escaped from the loony bin! Now, if that isn't an old school technique, then I don't know what is.

Anyone have any experience using corn starch on vehicles? LOL

-J
Click to expand...

Maybe this was some sort of GM memo back in the day? My dad was a GM dealer for over 40 years and he swore by corn starch for black and dark colored paint. He had a brand new black, or dark red, Caddy every year and always kept some in the garage at home. I think the guys in the shop finally made fun of him enough so that he quit using it though.

Pops also hipped me to using, in a pinch when Brasso couldn't be found, toothpaste powder, mixed with a little water, to shine chrome. It actually sort of worked. Brasso worked a lot better though.
 
Old School Tricks

How about LIME AWAY on exhaust pipes on Bike and cars, when they start getting discolored from heat. Lime Away on the pipes usually takes the discoloring right away and leaves the chrome finish shiney!
 
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