Show, Shine, and Tunes! Great talk on keeping your car looking the very best, discussing appearance items, and audio

How to keep your front end clean?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
  #31  
Old 04-08-2009 | 02:54 PM
King's Avatar
iDontcare
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,432
From: Colorado
Default

^^^^
NO!!!!


That is most definitely the worst advice.
 
  #32  
Old 04-08-2009 | 05:23 PM
BlueOvalFanatic's Avatar
MB-home of the camaro ads
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 249
From: Central O-HIGH-O
Default

No, wax will not keep bugs from getting on the bumper, but it will make them alot easier to get off.
 
  #33  
Old 04-08-2009 | 05:52 PM
Stephen4036's Avatar
Banned
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,803
From: Orlando, FL
Default

Originally Posted by frozen
well besides not driving it, you could put on a clear cover for the front

AWFUL IDEA... Mud/water/dirt/ and **** get stuck in it.. no...
 
  #34  
Old 04-08-2009 | 06:18 PM
Deathdiesel's Avatar
Thread Starter
|
Bored...
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,500
From: Texas, Gatesville
Default

Lol no worries im NEVER going to put a bra on my car again, **** im still tryin to work off its ****.
 
  #35  
Old 04-09-2009 | 05:38 PM
Deathdiesel's Avatar
Thread Starter
|
Bored...
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,500
From: Texas, Gatesville
Default

Also i got another question, im pretty sure im gunna buy this, and first off is there anything im missing in this kit? http://www.americanmuscle.com/car-wash-wax-kit.html Second, is there any specific way or better way to use a claybar, or like a certain whiping method? If so leme know
 
  #36  
Old 04-10-2009 | 11:06 AM
mustangman95gt's Avatar
Mustang Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 522
From: Rochester Hills, MI
Default

I work at a detail shop. I would recommend washing it with heated pressure washer(if available) then use a claybar on it. Then wash it again. Then polish it, use touch up paint on big scratches(the ones the polishing didn't get out) then wax it. Should look close to brand new. That's what we do to entire cars. Or if you drive it a TON and plan on having it for a long time, put a clear cover on the front, only problem is for front bumper and(most likely hood too) it can be around $700 for a professional job, but it will keep your bumper/hood chip free for 3-5 years.
 
  #37  
Old 04-10-2009 | 11:09 AM
mustangman95gt's Avatar
Mustang Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 522
From: Rochester Hills, MI
Default

Originally Posted by Deathdiesel
Also i got another question, im pretty sure im gunna buy this, and first off is there anything im missing in this kit? http://www.americanmuscle.com/car-wash-wax-kit.html Second, is there any specific way or better way to use a claybar, or like a certain whiping method? If so leme know
See my above post. Clay bar just lubricate the surface, and firm back and forth strokes until its easy to glide over and you can't "hear" the clay picking up the contaminants still. Do it at about a 2 foot long by 4 inch strip at a time. You will be very impressed.
 
  #38  
Old 04-10-2009 | 11:09 AM
Deathdiesel's Avatar
Thread Starter
|
Bored...
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,500
From: Texas, Gatesville
Default

Clear coat, like a clear bra? or what?
 
  #39  
Old 04-10-2009 | 11:12 AM
mustangman95gt's Avatar
Mustang Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 522
From: Rochester Hills, MI
Default

Originally Posted by Deathdiesel
Also i got another question, im pretty sure im gunna buy this, and first off is there anything im missing in this kit? http://www.americanmuscle.com/car-wash-wax-kit.html Second, is there any specific way or better way to use a claybar, or like a certain whiping method? If so leme know
I also forgot to add. The Mejiers by me sells that same kit for $17.99....If you have a Mejiers by you, go there for it!
 
  #40  
Old 04-10-2009 | 11:14 AM
Deathdiesel's Avatar
Thread Starter
|
Bored...
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,500
From: Texas, Gatesville
Default

Lol i hardly have an autozone man.
 
  #41  
Old 04-10-2009 | 11:15 AM
mustangman95gt's Avatar
Mustang Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 522
From: Rochester Hills, MI
Default

Originally Posted by Deathdiesel
Clear coat, like a clear bra? or what?
Thats pretty much what it is. Think of it as in invisible bra. My boss put one on his BMW 7 series and he didn't have problems for a long time. *NOTE* This clear film(by 3M) does NOT stop scratches on your car by your wife hitting a dear! It stops those everyday rock dings and such.
 
  #42  
Old 04-10-2009 | 11:16 AM
Deathdiesel's Avatar
Thread Starter
|
Bored...
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,500
From: Texas, Gatesville
  #43  
Old 04-10-2009 | 11:19 AM
mustangman95gt's Avatar
Mustang Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 522
From: Rochester Hills, MI
Default

Originally Posted by Deathdiesel
I hate to say it but that would be the cheap route. That one is probably decent but not as good as the 3M film. I could buy that Mothers kit for you at meijers and ship it to you for less that $39.99 + shipping if you wanted. I wish I could sell some of the stuff we use at the shop but its kind of a secret and it isn't cheap. For example, the clay bars we use, when we buy them in bulk, the cost is $22 each for 500!!
 
  #44  
Old 04-10-2009 | 11:22 AM
Deathdiesel's Avatar
Thread Starter
|
Bored...
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,500
From: Texas, Gatesville
Default

Im gunna check autozone to see if they have it, or something like it first. :P thanx tho.
 
  #45  
Old 04-10-2009 | 11:41 AM
mustangman95gt's Avatar
Mustang Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 522
From: Rochester Hills, MI
Default

Originally Posted by Deathdiesel
Im gunna check autozone to see if they have it, or something like it first. :P thanx tho.
No problem. Just let me know if you need it. Or have any other questions about car care/cleaning.
 
  #46  
Old 04-10-2009 | 04:09 PM
Deathdiesel's Avatar
Thread Starter
|
Bored...
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,500
From: Texas, Gatesville
Default

Hmm ill be honest idk ANYTHING about waxing, my dad showed me how to wash a car fine but detail no. Below is what i got to wax/detail my car. Anything wrong with it besides the armorall?
 
  #47  
Old 04-10-2009 | 04:15 PM
Steeda97's Avatar
banzai
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,546
From: South Jersey
Default

Go to autogeek.net or detailers domain and start reading.
 
  #48  
Old 04-10-2009 | 04:18 PM
Deathdiesel's Avatar
Thread Starter
|
Bored...
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,500
From: Texas, Gatesville
Default

Actually am atm
 
  #49  
Old 04-10-2009 | 05:05 PM
the gillz's Avatar
Bruce Leeroy
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 678
Default

i like to wash with dawn on front bumper, then wash w/ carwash soap, then claybar, then wash w/ car wash soap again, then wax. I do it before summer and after summers over, hasnt let me down yet. It does have paint chips in it tho but you cant tell unless you are right up on it. from far away the glare hides most of the chips
 

Last edited by the gillz; 04-10-2009 at 05:10 PM.
  #50  
Old 04-10-2009 | 05:48 PM
Deathdiesel's Avatar
Thread Starter
|
Bored...
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,500
From: Texas, Gatesville
Default

Fortunatly my car doesnt have any paint chips but, it does have parts where paint has been like scuffed off on the fiberglass.I think my mom or dad must and dinged the **** outa my front and back of my car, because there are allota spots on front bumper and rear that are black little spots almost like paint chips.
 
  #51  
Old 04-10-2009 | 07:18 PM
spike_africa's Avatar
Administrator
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,974
From: Orlando,Florida
Default

Originally Posted by Steeda97
Go to autogeek.net or detailers domain and start reading.
No love for http://autopia.org/index.php
 
  #52  
Old 04-10-2009 | 08:57 PM
mustangman95gt's Avatar
Mustang Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 522
From: Rochester Hills, MI
Default

Originally Posted by Deathdiesel
Hmm ill be honest idk ANYTHING about waxing, my dad showed me how to wash a car fine but detail no. Below is what i got to wax/detail my car. Anything wrong with it besides the armorall?
For the love of mustangs PLEASE DO NOT use Armorall!! Armorall is a cover-up. It doesn't clean. It puts a shiney layer on top of your dirt and moves it around a little. Essentially, and what we say when people ask about it at our shop is, "it makes the dirt shiney." I recommend for the interior of your car; take a microfiber or terry towel and a bucket of hot water. Dip the towel in hot water, ring it out and whip it over the surface you want clean. Then dry it off with a towel. Then pick up an aerosol duster with straw nozel and spray that in all the cracks that water might have slipping while whipping it down. This will make your interior like the showroom floor again. It will return that brand new look to it(with exception of scratches and such) It will not make it mirrored with shiney dirt like armorall does.
 
  #53  
Old 04-10-2009 | 09:19 PM
Deathdiesel's Avatar
Thread Starter
|
Bored...
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,500
From: Texas, Gatesville
Default

Yea from what ive heard im never using armorall again, my family refuses to listen though.
 
  #54  
Old 04-10-2009 | 09:22 PM
WNRacing's Avatar
KWITCHERBITCHIN
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 6,024
From: Gallatin, TN
Default

Originally Posted by mustangman95gt
For the love of mustangs PLEASE DO NOT use Armorall!! Armorall is a cover-up. It doesn't clean. It puts a shiney layer on top of your dirt and moves it around a little. Essentially, and what we say when people ask about it at our shop is, "it makes the dirt shiney." I recommend for the interior of your car; take a microfiber or terry towel and a bucket of hot water. Dip the towel in hot water, ring it out and whip it over the surface you want clean. Then dry it off with a towel. Then pick up an aerosol duster with straw nozel and spray that in all the cracks that water might have slipping while whipping it down. This will make your interior like the showroom floor again. It will return that brand new look to it(with exception of scratches and such) It will not make it mirrored with shiney dirt like armorall does.
Armorall has silicone in the protectant. It soaks into the pores of whatever material you put it on and OVER TIME can dry out, expand and can crack your dash panel or any other surface. This takes a LONG time to happen, and usually only happens to people who very rarely put protectant on their interior.. That said, I have not and will not ever use any armor all product anywhere on my car. Period.

Your hot water approach is good.. For cleaning the surface, but if you don't use a protectant afterwards it will be all for naught. I highly recommend DP total interior cleaner and pretectant. After using this I will never use anything else on the inside of my car. It's slightly more time consuming because you have to use the cleaner first then apply the protectant after, but it's worth it. http://autogeek.net/dptoinco.html Yes, it's more expensive than the $5 bottle of Armor all, but again.. It's woth it.
 
  #55  
Old 04-10-2009 | 09:26 PM
Deathdiesel's Avatar
Thread Starter
|
Bored...
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,500
From: Texas, Gatesville
Default

Im actually probably gunna buy this, because i could use some MF pads + all the other junk. http://www.autogeek.net/pin410.html Anyone have anything to mention about it? Like whether its a good deal or brand or vice versa.
 
  #56  
Old 04-10-2009 | 09:34 PM
WNRacing's Avatar
KWITCHERBITCHIN
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 6,024
From: Gallatin, TN
Default

To answer your question above.. Those are some decent products, I personally think that Meguiars makes the best wheel/ tire cleaner that you can buy over the counter, never had any experience with the "son of a gun!" stuff, but who knows it may be pretty good.

The Meg's tech wax is decent, the only real downside to that is the fact that it only lasts for a max of about 3-4 months before you will need to claybar and re-apply it.

Be careful with that buffer, wool pads aren't exactly the best thing in the world.. Especially for applying simple wax. I assume that the pad came with the buffer, so the quality most likely is pretty lacking. If you use it, just don't apply much pressure use the buffer to help you spread and break down the wax, it certainly won't help remove any swirls or marring.

As far as your wash stuff, it looks decent. The best advice I can give about any sponge or wash mit is this.. Clean it. Every time you wash your car, clean the mit thoroughly. They can trap small particles of dirt or debris and will scratch or etch the paint.

Also, go to auto zone and get a Mothers clay bar kit. They sell them for about $20. It is a medium clay and works just fine. If you've never clayed your car before, the best tip I can give is to keep the area WET, you DO NOT want the clay to stick to the car. Don't be afraid to clay your car, it's extremely simple and leaves the surface baby-butt smooth, ready for a good coat of polish/wax. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcZRj509Ir8
 
  #57  
Old 04-10-2009 | 09:36 PM
WNRacing's Avatar
KWITCHERBITCHIN
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 6,024
From: Gallatin, TN
Default

Originally Posted by Deathdiesel
Im actually probably gunna buy this, because i could use some MF pads + all the other junk. http://www.autogeek.net/pin410.html Anyone have anything to mention about it? Like whether its a good deal or brand or vice versa.
It doesn't get much better than Pinnacle, having never used it though I honestly can't give you a proper review. That stuff is too expensive for my blood. If you've got the cash for it, then go for it. Personally, I'd save my money, return that buffer and buy a porter cable kit so you can properly polish & wax your car.

http://www.autogeek.net/porter-cable-7424-kit.html
 
  #58  
Old 04-10-2009 | 09:42 PM
mustangman95gt's Avatar
Mustang Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 522
From: Rochester Hills, MI
Default

Originally Posted by Deathdiesel
Im actually probably gunna buy this, because i could use some MF pads + all the other junk. http://www.autogeek.net/pin410.html Anyone have anything to mention about it? Like whether its a good deal or brand or vice versa.
Lets put it this way. I would not waste that much money on it but a lot of that stuff is personal opinion.
 
  #59  
Old 04-10-2009 | 09:50 PM
Deathdiesel's Avatar
Thread Starter
|
Bored...
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,500
From: Texas, Gatesville
Default

Eh its like a 30$ buffer with no speed adjuster, i personally dont think its worth 120$ when you can buy one like it for prbly 50. But thanks allot for that link above it really helped.
 
  #60  
Old 04-10-2009 | 09:51 PM
WNRacing's Avatar
KWITCHERBITCHIN
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 6,024
From: Gallatin, TN
Default

Originally Posted by Deathdiesel
Eh its like a 30$ buffer with no speed adjuster, i personally dont think its worth 120$ when you can buy one like it for prbly 50. But thanks allot for that link above it really helped.
I'm not sure that I understand this post.. Are you saying that you could get a porter cable buffer for $50? <-- confused.
 



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 10:30 PM.