the 'little tricks you've learned' thread

Bumpers Plus said:
Use a tack rag to wipe down interior, really picks up the dust.:up
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After drying of the body is finished, rinse the chamois and wipe the dashboard,centre console and gauge area, thus removes dust and no need for protectants.

Plastic mirror backings - valvoline tyre shine, fast wax, wd40,meguiars tyre gel,omikron klearview blue or my own mixture

Boiled beeswax,citranella oil,liquid furniture polish,white spirits

Really shines up plastic mirror backings and can also be used on outside of windows to make glass feel as smooth and look as shiny as buffed paintwork

Apply my special mix to windows, wipe and then clean windows with regular cleaner. Smooth as a baby's bum.



Exterior door seals - lubricate faded seals with a dab of meguiars tyre gel on a clean cloth and wipe entire seal, do not use too much as it will go all over the paintwork during driving.

Use just enough to cover the seal, do not buff dry or will not be enough product to lubricate the seals

Windows stick a bit when hand or electronic winding up/down.

Valvoline tyre shine on the window seal will fix that

Just spray directly on seal from top to bottom.



Bird and insect poo - 1 non alcoholic baby wipe, wipe affected area gently.

Then wipe clean with 3M Gloss enhancer. Guaranteed no left over stains.



Windscreen wiper free rainy day driving

3M Perfect It Gloss enhancer - use instead of window cleaner

Windscreen will bead (tiny little beads) and vision will be as good or better than if you used Rain X
 
Redcar GUY said:
One of the best things I have learned is............





Not to tell everyone my little tricks..............:nono





Bwahahahhahahaa:)
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Why are you here ???

You just want to get other detailers ideas

and not contribute yours?

This is about giving and receiveing.



Somthing like Christmas....remember?



W
 
baltic said:
Why are you here ???

You just want to get other detailers ideas

and not contribute yours?

This is about giving and receiveing.



Somthing like Christmas....remember?



W
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Dude, lighten up a little; he was joking. Geeze, RCG is one of the more prolific and helpful posters around here . . . and the original post was made over seven months ago! :rolleyes:



Tort
 
Ouch.............I didn't know he was kidding. Sorry for that error.

Next time I'll also note the date.

All you folks are so giving of information and have been a great help to me.

I thought that we had a bad apple.

:bow
 
TortoiseAWD said:
Dude, lighten up a little; he was joking. Geeze, RCG is one of the more prolific and helpful posters around here . . . and the original post was made over seven months ago! :rolleyes:



Tort
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THX for the back up, ya I was just kiddin..... I try to spread the word as much as I can.:nixweiss
 
I don't have a leaf blower, so I use 100% terry cloth towels to dry the car. I lay them out completely flat across a panel, then I lightly pat them lightly against the car's surface to absorb the water. Then I flip them over and repeat. It takes about 3 full sized bath towels to ge the car dry....but no swirls. For side panels (like doors), I try to hold them in place with my foream at the top of the panel then run my hands gently down the length of the door. It keeps me from having to swipe the towel across the paint surface.



Yeah.....I know. I need therapy....:p
 
I also dry my vehicles with a leaf blower. I use a back pack. It avoids swirls and is very quick.

I also use a 2400 psi pressure washer before washiing then to remove the soap.
 
Jngrbrdman said:
To apply RainX without any haze or streaks then this is the tried and true method. I apply RainX at least 3 times a week to various cars and I do it this way every time. I've even gone back to people a week later to ask them how their windshields are doing and they have nothing but good things to say. No mention of streaks or haze at all.



1. Wash window with glass cleaner.

2. Apply a bucket of RainX to your glass. :D I like to load it on heavy but you can use however much you like to use.

3. Allow it to dry for a little while. Vacuum the car or something.

4. Wash car. While you are washing the car, hit the windshield with your brush or mitt or whatever you are using. Wash the glass just like you were washing any other part of your car. When you rinse the car there will be no trace of haze or streaks in your glass and the RainX will be left to do its work the next time it rains.



:xyxthumbs



If you were a RainX hater before reading this and haven't tried this method then bust out that RainX and give it one more chance doing it this way. Its way less work and it works soooooooooo well. If Auqapel isn't an option then this is a great way to get some beading action on your glass. =)
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Hi I would like to check if you have problems with RainX wiper squeaking... because after RainX is left on the windscreen for a period of time without reapplying, it breaks down and causes the wiper to jump and squeak.
 
When detailing wheels a clay bar will easily remove embedded brake dust and leave a smooth beautiful surface. This works especially well on chrome wheels. Note the wheels must be cool for this to work properly!



For those of you that have wood interiors, I've found Cory's High Gloss Piano Polish works extremely well for providing an unbelievable shine and great protection. It's also very easy to use.:)
 
Try Leatherique Cleaner on all exterior rubber seals For Removal of wax build up...Before you wash the car with a tooth brush dipped in the cleaner...It removes and treats the Seals ..Door handles and Windshield seals! You Dont need to worry about the run off..Then wash the car ..(Yes Peanut butter works also)



Also wrap your detail brushes with tape on the metal edge!

Will prevent Scratches...learned this one and have NEVER forgotten it!! All My new brushes Get Tape before they are put into service!
 
I threw one of these towels into each of my cars.
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When I am sitting at the train station waiting, I use them to wipe down my interior (and taught my wife to do the same in her car!). They are lint free and are 100% cotton flannel. They work great for quick interior dusting and even wiping the windows down inside. :xyxthumbs
 
Last year I started mixing Meguiars quick detailer to my car shampoo and water. It left an awesome shine and the water just slide right off the car making a very easy dry job.
 
One cup of ammonia to 1 gal. of water- to clean carpets and fabric uph. Murphy oil soap in spray bottle for vinyl and leather cleaning WD40 for fender wells.Original GO-JO hand cleaner makes a good tire dressing makes tires black not shiney
 
A shop vac works good for getting the water out of crevices after washing...you do have to have a steady hand however but it does work well with the nozzle attachment. AIO works good on interior wood as long as it's "previously sealed".
 
Have you tried everything to get rid of those darn water spots? Rewashing, vinegar, buffing and the works? Still can't get rid of all of them? Not sure what to try next?



If your in that situation, try using a clay bar. I've found it really works wonders on water spots. Even on windows. I used to really struggle with cars who have had bad water spots on the windows for a legnthy period of time... normal glass cleaners wouldn't do the trick, it would take a strong glass polish like Zaino. Then one day i tried claying them. The results were perfect. Water spots gone, smooth clean, spot free surface left.
 
I think RainX is a terrible product! :down I DO NOT like the way it causes wiper chatter and skipping. It may work fine at high driving speeds, but at low speeds the generated headwind isnt sufficient to carry the water droplets off the glass. The water beads TOO WELL on the glass leaving distinct wet and dry areas. The droplet build-up necessitates wiper use which causes blade chatter on the dry areas. Unfortunately, glass treated with RainX will never again behave like untreated glass. Nothing removes this stuff. I've spoken with the manufacturer at length about this effect. They offer little help and seem genuinely unconcerned. Frankly I'm suprised the product has had the success it has.
 
fogertyt said:
I think RainX is a terrible product! :down I DO NOT like the way it causes wiper chatter and skipping. It may work fine at high driving speeds, but at low speeds the generated headwind isnt sufficient to carry the water droplets off the glass. The water beads TOO WELL on the glass leaving distinct wet and dry areas. The droplet build-up necessitates wiper use which causes blade chatter on the dry areas. Unfortunately, glass treated with RainX will never again behave like untreated glass. Nothing removes this stuff. I've spoken with the manufacturer at length about this effect. They offer little help and seem genuinely unconcerned. Frankly I'm suprised the product has had the success it has.
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Have you tried Naphtha (as in Zippo lighter fluid) ? I tried it on the advise of Ron K, and it seemed to remove the Rain-X completely (well the wipers stopped chattering, anyway)
 
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