Guess I'll wait for the temporary spray. I only really need it for when I'll drive down to NC since cars get bombarded by bugs and such going through the mountains.

 

Well you can spray it on anything you want really, some guy did his whole car with it then peeled it off no problem. They make it in clear too. I'm figuring if you just spray it on for 1 road trip you won't have problems with it baking on, although I'm not even sure if it does. I've had it on the hood of my truck for a few months now and it hasn't peeled up at all, and it isn't garage kept so the sun is basically on it all the time. We'll see how it turns out when I want to take it off .

 

I'm looking to find a metal polish that is moderately aggressive to get some etched marks out of a set of polished wheels.

Any suggestions?

 

What wheels are they? Are you sure they are polished bare or are they clear coated?

If they are bare and you're sure of it, the Adams Metal Polish #2 should work nicely.

 

They are Fikse FM10s. I just bought them, and they had painted centres. I used paint stripper to take the paint off. They are slightly etched and wetsanding takes the marks off, but I would like to avoid going through this (long!) process on 4 wheels. I was hoping there is a product that might get rid of the wetsanding.

Etching:


Left spoke after a sloppy wetsanding job:

 

GoFast, how safe do you feel washing with Dawn is? I know I've seen you do it with some of your jobs.

I've read on Autogeek and Autopia people arguing about washing with Dawn. Many say it's too harsh for the paint and can dry it out if used too frequently. Not sure what they mean by frequent. Once a year? Twice a year?

If someone wanted to strip their car of all it's polish or wax, what would be a good alternative to Dawn?

 

What grit did you use for wetsanding?

 

In 10 years I've never had an issue with it. I believe its safe when used at the beginning of a full detail. There is a lot of debate on the subject. But it doesn't "dry out the paint". It just removes the protection, leaving it FEELING dry. On my Z28 I washed it with dawn maybe 4 times in 10 years.

You could also use a strong citrus based soap. Chemical Guys Citrus Wash works well.

 

Started at 800. Tried 1000, but it wasn't quite enough.

 

Before you try polishing it out, you need to reduce the grit substantially. Redo it with 1500, 2000, 2500, and finish with 3000 and then it will be ready for polishing.

 

I started off with 1000 to see if that would take the marks out. It didn't work, so I continued to raise the grit until I got to 800, which finally started to get the marks out. From here, I'll do 800>1000>1500>2000>2500>3000, then polish. I was just curious to know if there was a away to get around all the wetsanding. It's a lot of work as I'm sure you know.

 

If I could just add that a lot of people say that it more so dries out the plastic and rubber trim. I used to use it all of the time, but now I use regular car soap because most of my customers never wax their cars anyway.
And as far as drying out the trim, I don't think you will have a problem as long as you apply protectant and you don't wash your car with dawn all the time.

 

After polishing is it best to use a paint sealant and then a wax? Or just one or the other?

 

I have this... thing... on the bottom of the driver's side wing. I can manage to get it off little by little with my fingernail, and you might be able to see where I've tried.
Any idea what it is, and a decent way to get it off? I've tried claying it with no results.

 

I don't believe this has been asked yet. How do you care for suede? Do you just use the Leatherique twins as well? I'd like info on both maintaining and cleaning stains from suede.

 

You should clarify as to if its real suede or microsuede. 2 completely different methods of care. Almost all cars that have it from the factory do not use real suede, it is one brand or another of synthetic microsuede.

 

LEts go for both then.

 

Here is a good read on alcantara. Should answer your questions.


http://www.autopia.org/forum/guide-d...ml#post1455020

 

Sorry if you have answered this before, but what pad would you use with 105? (I have PC DA). Have you ever used a wool pad?

 

Best bet would be to remove the spoiler and polish it with the PC or rotary. Unfortunately theres no way for me to know what it is....