How to improve your detailing efforts?

3Dog said:
I have one of those...three loop deal, right?.... It is fine if the lugs are totally enclosed but for center hubs that only enclose half the lug nut it tends to get deformed.
Click to expand...

Bence said:
Do you have this?



ads-lugnut-brush-02.gif
Click to expand...



That would be the one. Mine has actually deformed a bit but it is the only tool to my knowledge that does the job and I have yet to find anything better (I hope I do soon).



I truly admire your dedication Accumulator, using a BHB even for the lug nuts! :usa
 
a.k.a. Patrick said:
George, do you even breathe around your cars?:chuckle:
Click to expand...



Hey, maybe that's why I always feel so spacey around the ones I pamper :idea



If I ever post any C&Bs about them, you'll see how imperfect they all are. I shudder to think what they'd look like if I *didn't* take everything to such extremes!
 
a.k.a. Patrick said:
George, your level of imperfections are probably what the majority of us aim for in a repair state!
Click to expand...



Well, most of 'em could only be fixed with a paint gun and a plating shop ;) But that doesn't make me feel any better about 'em.
 
I want a tool to reach inside the wheels so I dont have to remove them to get the inside faces totally clean and free of brake dust. My hands are too big to get a nice mitt back there.
 
Yes I have tried that one. Wear a smock, face shield and gloves! When pulling it back through any type of wheels "spoke" the bristles back lash all that brake dust, right on you. I have several shirts which will confirm this notion.
 
I would love to be able to get results like this without taking the wheels off.....I just don't if it's possible!



8tirebacktirebefore.jpg
[/IMG]

9backtirebefore.jpg
[/IMG]

10backtireafter.jpg
[/IMG]
 
mose- It'll come down to hand size (as thesacrifice noted) but your wheels don't look any worse than the six-spoke Avus ones on my S8. I'm able to clean the back sides of the spokes and the "barrel" of the wheels OK by reaching through with thin cleaning media. The caliper/wheel clearance is *very* tight though, so I generally move the car about half a wheel revolution to access everything, that's easier than squeezing a swab in there.



Those recesses in the spokes- you might be able to clean them with just the fingertips of rubber dishwashing gloves (which I wear when I wash anyhow). But an old piece of sheepskin mitt would probably work better if it'll fit.



And *man* do those look great when they're all cleaned up :xyxthumbs
 
Yesterday I thought I'd try cleaning behind the spokes of the Mazda wheels.... using an old toothbrush and some Z-7 shampoo.



It worked... but it was slow going. I had to roll the car back & forth a couple feet so I could get to the portion of the wheel where the brake caliper sits. After cleaning, I used a 280mph leafblower to dry them, and then used some Z-AIO for protection & shine. That should help the brakedust come off easier next time.



By the way... the edges of disc brakes are sharp! :o
 
Yeah, only problem with the Megs Yellow Spoke Brush is the wicked backlash that sprays black brake dust on your clothes.



The brush itself rinses out so easily though that I continue to use it.
 
I would love to see a inexpensive :) new tool to better clean a cars underbody. Something to help get all that winter road salt off and keep me somewhat dry and off the ground would be great.
 
I would love to have a rotation of Hooter's Girls to clean my car weekly! They would drop-off 2 dozen hot wings and curly fries ... then start washing, drying, polishing, waxing ...



if I got a little bit of marring, my eyes would be so bloodshot and out of focus, it wouldn't matter!
 
Jetbo said:
I would love to see a inexpensive :) new tool to better clean a cars underbody. Something to help get all that winter road salt off and keep me somewhat dry and off the ground would be great.
Click to expand...



Some people here have DIYed a version of the undercar wand that I got from American Waterbroom. Their's is pretty expensive, but people have been able to fabricate ones for the cost of some PVC, a set of casters, and some spray nozzles. Search on "undercar wand" and see what you find. It's not the same as crawling underneath and really doing it properly, but it sure beats not doing anything and for the few minutes it takes to rinse things off it's well worth it IMO.



ZoranC- If you mean for regular cleaning, nah, it'd be a *much* longer/harder job to remove the wheels to clean the back sides. By the time you got out the socket, breaker bar, torque wrench etc. and removed the first wheel, I'd already have 'em all clean (and I work pretty slowly). Heh heh, I'm pretty extreme about my regular washes, but even *I* draw the line at R&Ring the wheels every time ;)
 
Accumulator said:
ZoranC- If you mean for regular cleaning, nah, it'd be a *much* longer/harder job to remove the wheels to clean the back sides. By the time you got out the socket, breaker bar, torque wrench etc. and removed the first wheel, I'd already have 'em all clean (and I work pretty slowly). Heh heh, I'm pretty extreme about my regular washes, but even *I* draw the line at R&Ring the wheels every time ;)
Click to expand...

I guess that confirms what I suspected, that I am just slow :chuckle:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top