Ask a Professional Detailer
09-18-2011, 11:33 AM
#301
Never ever ever use metal polish on cleared wheels. Would you polish your hood with metal polish? Imagine the damage that would do....now its done to your wheels.
check this thread I made on polishing clear coated wheels.
https://ls1tech.com/forums/appearanc...ine-again.html
check this thread I made on polishing clear coated wheels.
https://ls1tech.com/forums/appearanc...ine-again.html
How would you go about polishing these O.E. wheels C5 wheels? I have tried Mequiars buffing compound, Mothers compound and some mothers aluminum polish even though it is cleared I believe. I tried the aluminum polish on a small section. None of this has done ANYTHING at all. They look like crap and the rest of the car looks great.
09-18-2011, 01:52 PM
#302
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I wrote that I tried metal polish on a small section. I know know to do it on cleared wheels, I was doing it to make sure they weren't bare aluminum even though I was sure they weren't. I used aluminum polish in a section the size of a quarter and it didn't make it any worse or better. I am not sure if the previous owner used metal polish.
09-18-2011, 09:08 PM
#304
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Alright, another question, might've been asked, not sure.
My brother has a CTS-V that he bought and there are tiny spots all over the side windows. I felt them with my finger and they felt rough so I gave clay bar a try to see if that would do it. Well, that took the bumps away, but the spots are still there. What would you suggest? Not exactly sure what the spots could be from...
My brother has a CTS-V that he bought and there are tiny spots all over the side windows. I felt them with my finger and they felt rough so I gave clay bar a try to see if that would do it. Well, that took the bumps away, but the spots are still there. What would you suggest? Not exactly sure what the spots could be from...
09-19-2011, 02:20 AM
#305
How do you wash and compound/polish areas like the rear spoiler on Trans Ams? The spoiler is high enough that the area definitely gets looked at, but the amount of clearance is less than ideal and not possible for a PC machine to get at without completely removing the spoiler.
Also, for routine waxing, is there any significant difference between wax/sealant applied by hand and wax/sealant applied by PC? Or do you just basically use the PC on the large primary surfaces that are easy to access and then wax/seal the more intricate places by hand?
Any tricks for that location similar to the bottle cap trick in your recent truck detail thread, or is removing the spoiler basically the only option if serious correction is needed?
Also, for routine waxing, is there any significant difference between wax/sealant applied by hand and wax/sealant applied by PC? Or do you just basically use the PC on the large primary surfaces that are easy to access and then wax/seal the more intricate places by hand?
Any tricks for that location similar to the bottle cap trick in your recent truck detail thread, or is removing the spoiler basically the only option if serious correction is needed?
As for the application of wax/sealant, the PC is faster but you have to follow it up in the tight spots by hand. But it spreads it better and thinner, making removal easier.
GoFast908Z, A few questions
Do you have any preferences on car shampoos?
In your experience what are the best MF towels to go with and how many do you use during a detail?
Also as you had a nbm whats the best product to make it pop like crazy!
btw love your write ups!
Do you have any preferences on car shampoos?
In your experience what are the best MF towels to go with and how many do you use during a detail?
Also as you had a nbm whats the best product to make it pop like crazy!
btw love your write ups!
Best to make it pop, Swissvax Concorso. 2nd best - Blackfire Wet Diamond.
Thanks for the support!
Hi, first id like to say im sure we ALL appreciate what your doing in this thread, so thanks in advanced.
I just cleaned my engine bay (98 z28, m6, 92k miles), im pretty sure im the first one to do it. See the thumbnails for before+afters
anyway, I bought some aluminum engine enamel from autozone, it was like...$6, but can i just spray down the whole thing? or should i be disassembling things to get to the heads+block? OR is this not even necessary?
ALSO whats the LEAST pain in the *** way to clean dirt off hoses?
Thanks!
I just cleaned my engine bay (98 z28, m6, 92k miles), im pretty sure im the first one to do it. See the thumbnails for before+afters
anyway, I bought some aluminum engine enamel from autozone, it was like...$6, but can i just spray down the whole thing? or should i be disassembling things to get to the heads+block? OR is this not even necessary?
ALSO whats the LEAST pain in the *** way to clean dirt off hoses?
Thanks!
I was going to ask pretty much the same question. I was going to see if it was possible if he could post up some pics of different cars saying this car needs this pad/compound and this needs such and such.
Just to give us a general idea of what does what. I know he mentioned before a lot of it has to do with the clear coat and it's hardness.
Just to give us a general idea of what does what. I know he mentioned before a lot of it has to do with the clear coat and it's hardness.
09-19-2011, 02:22 AM
#306
I wrote that I tried metal polish on a small section. I know know to do it on cleared wheels, I was doing it to make sure they weren't bare aluminum even though I was sure they weren't. I used aluminum polish in a section the size of a quarter and it didn't make it any worse or better. I am not sure if the previous owner used metal polish.
Alright, another question, might've been asked, not sure.
My brother has a CTS-V that he bought and there are tiny spots all over the side windows. I felt them with my finger and they felt rough so I gave clay bar a try to see if that would do it. Well, that took the bumps away, but the spots are still there. What would you suggest? Not exactly sure what the spots could be from...
My brother has a CTS-V that he bought and there are tiny spots all over the side windows. I felt them with my finger and they felt rough so I gave clay bar a try to see if that would do it. Well, that took the bumps away, but the spots are still there. What would you suggest? Not exactly sure what the spots could be from...
09-19-2011, 03:25 PM
#308
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Two questions.
First, after my long trip (~700 miles each way including through mountains) I had a ton of bugs and such that hit the front bumper and it seems that I can't remove it from the paint, tried buffing it out and using bug & tar remover but it's still kind of there. Any other suggestions?
And second, is there anything out there that I can buy to help protect my front bumper/hood for long trips to prevent having bugs and such stick?
Thanks in advanced and definitely appreciate this thread.
First, after my long trip (~700 miles each way including through mountains) I had a ton of bugs and such that hit the front bumper and it seems that I can't remove it from the paint, tried buffing it out and using bug & tar remover but it's still kind of there. Any other suggestions?
And second, is there anything out there that I can buy to help protect my front bumper/hood for long trips to prevent having bugs and such stick?
Thanks in advanced and definitely appreciate this thread.
09-20-2011, 09:25 AM
#313
GoFast - How do you know for sure if you have "cleared" wheels? I have the stock 2000 WS6 17" chrome (I believe..) rims. My usual cleaning methods include straight up mothers chrome polish (PN 05208) with a terry pad applicator. My wheels look nice when finished, but nowhere near as nice as those corvette wheels do!
Also, as stated earlier, I took your advice and bought the Porter Cable 7424XP buffer. I'm looking to buy some Lake Country 5.5" flat pads for it. Where can I get the best price on those? Damn things are expensive!! And what methods do you use for washing/cleaning these pads?
EDIT: Upon further research, my wheels are polished. FML.
Also, as stated earlier, I took your advice and bought the Porter Cable 7424XP buffer. I'm looking to buy some Lake Country 5.5" flat pads for it. Where can I get the best price on those? Damn things are expensive!! And what methods do you use for washing/cleaning these pads?
EDIT: Upon further research, my wheels are polished. FML.
Last edited by Rare96LT1Formula; 09-20-2011 at 09:45 AM.
09-20-2011, 09:43 AM
#314
GoFast - How do you know for sure if you have "cleared" wheels? I have the stock 2000 WS6 17" chrome (I believe..) rims. My usual cleaning methods include straight up mothers chrome polish (PN 05208) with a terry pad applicator. My wheels look nice when finished, but nowhere near as nice as those corvette wheels do!
Also, as stated earlier, I took your advice and bought the Porter Cable 7424XP buffer. I'm looking to buy some Lake Country 5.5" flat pads for it. Where can I get the best price on those? Damn things are expensive!! And what methods do you use for washing/cleaning these pads?
Also, as stated earlier, I took your advice and bought the Porter Cable 7424XP buffer. I'm looking to buy some Lake Country 5.5" flat pads for it. Where can I get the best price on those? Damn things are expensive!! And what methods do you use for washing/cleaning these pads?
Autogeek has good pricing on them. I always buy them in packs of 6 to save a little. And use "corvetteforum" for the coupon code and get 10% off too. I throw mine in the washer with some microfiber detergent and they always come out flawless.
09-22-2011, 04:19 PM
#316
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