Attack the wheel wells with a steam cleaning machine or a pressure washer to loosen whatever dirt you can . Then soap up those areas with all purpose cleaner solution and a long-handled brush . Let the chemical dwell and then rinse with water . Dry the wells with an old towel . Some wheel wells will benefit from a dose of spray-on undercoating or flat black spray paint but it is usualby Doug Delmont - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
Next up is wheels . Wheels come in many forms including clearcoated aluminum . It is imperative that you know what kind of wheel and finish you are cleaning so you can choose the best products for the job . Let the wheels and brake rotors cool before you wash the wheels because rotors can warp and chemicals can work differently on hot surfaces . You can use an iron remover to dissoby Doug Delmont - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
Greetings eveyone ! I thought of a new feature to try to revive the forum : a thread dedicated to short courses in one aspect or another of detailing. Comments and questions will, of course be welcome . So, let's start at the bottom with tires . The best way to wash tires is with the same car wash solution you use on the rest of the car . You may want to brush the solution iby Doug Delmont - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
Bud- I can see by the double-post that you are back to your old self LOL . We are all relieved ! Dougby Doug Delmont - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
Larry- Needless to say, I'm pulling for him as well . Dougby Doug Delmont - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
For info on what happened to Bud and updates on his condition, visit :by Doug Delmont - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
The following message was sent to me by a friend of Bud's : In case you hadn't heard. A good friend of Bud's, Doug Christ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subject: Bud Abraham Date: Thu, 5 Sep 2013 11:44:38 -0700 From: RossH@wcwa.org WCA Boby Doug Delmont - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
Bud- Saudi Arabia has a lot of customs I prefer to do without . Maybe labor is cheap over there and it is possible that removing the seats makes sense over there . Watch out for any airbags and follow proper procedures, though !!!! I think that removing the seats creates the possibility of damaging a fastener or failing to tighten fasteners properly . There is a limit to what cusby Doug Delmont - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
Philip- Appreciate the kind words . The lack of a moderator has caused problems for this forum several times . You are free to take over and revitalize it . I don't have much new to add, unfortunately . FWIW......My latest experiment was wiping on a quick coat of Zaino Z-CS Clear Seal . It is the easiest and fastest stuff I've found to apply and it shines brilliantlyby Doug Delmont - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
Bud- I'm not sure but I have read that solvents like Mineral Spirits will weaken the belts .by Doug Delmont - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
Bud- Tough question ! I'm not sure there's a perfect distinction in every case . I will say that I consider products derived from natural waxes such as Carnauba and Bee's wax to be waxes . Examples include Meguiar's Gold Class Carnauba, Malms, Griot's Show Car Wax and AM's Wet Wax . I consider products made from synthetic ingredients but made to immitateby Doug Delmont - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
Bud- Seat belts must not be cleaned with any chemical that weakens them . Check the car owner's manual to see what each manufacturer approves . In my experience, mild chemicals do not remove all staining from the seat belts, unfortunately .by Doug Delmont - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
Bud- Your question is geared for pros and the best answer is a sealant that goes on easy by DA or orbital, wipes off easily by hand or machine, can be applied to the whole car at once, and lasts even through commercial car washes . My limited testing of Auto Magic Banana Magic indicates it is a good choice . I use Zaino All In One Z-AIO , which can be machine-applied but must be keby Doug Delmont - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
Bud- NFW ! ( no way ) I say you can't detail a car in less than 2 hours . In the big city, $90 would be eaten up by rent, insurance and chemical cost . You can only cut time so much . Recently, I went through the dirty interior of a Honda Pilot SUV armed only with a cotton bath towel and a bottle of Glass Plus household glass cleaner . I wiped down all interior glass andby Doug Delmont - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
Here's an excerpt from a Harry Binswanger column on the economy from Forbes online : ....But focusing on the deficit is a disastrous error. The deficit is only a difference between two numbers: what the government spends vs. what it extracts in taxation. It is spending that is the real issue, not the difference between spending and anything else. You have doubts? What if the deficit remaby Doug Delmont - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
Bud : If detailers have an inflated image of themselves, I'll bet that their suppliers are even more egotistical ( kidding here ) . Dougby Doug Delmont - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
Friends- These ideas are do-it-yourself oriented . The goal is to clean without dangerous or environmentally harmful chemicals . See what you think . Doug Deodorizing Cars Car upholstery and carpet : Eliminate these odors by sprinkling baking soda directly on fabric car seats and carpets. Wait 15 minutes (or longer for strong odors) and vacuum up the baking soda. Clean Cars ( Caby Doug Delmont - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
Some spotting is simply temporary and caused by failing to wipe the windows dry. Some damage is caused by acid rain etching the surface. Classic water spots are caused by minerals that are left behind as water drops dry . I've used white vinegar, which is mildly acidic, to remove water spots . This method is often recommended but didn't work well for me . Griotsgarage.coby Doug Delmont - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
YouTube Vid of Atlas Shrugged excerpt :by Doug Delmont - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
Profile : I looked at Wikipedia's article on Wilson. I get the impression that he mixes fact and fiction, mysticism and reason to put the reader into a confused state that will make the reader think creatively . This doesn't sound good to me because most people's minds are muddled enough already . Until I read some of his work for myself, I will reserve final judgement .by Doug Delmont - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
Update : The movie version of Atlas Shrugged is in three parts . Part One is out on DVD . Part Two is in the theaters . Part 3 will be made in the future . I wish I could give these movies a recommendation but I didn't enjoy them enough to ask others to pay to see them . Many leftist reviewers have savaged the movies for political reasons . Those reveiws are absurdby Doug Delmont - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
Bud and Ketch : All of your " old folks " wisecracks were funny until it started happening to me ... Dougby Doug Delmont - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
GTR : It sounds like a bad idea to spend most of your time breaking even just so you can lure profitable work into the shop . You'd probably be better off in a business that made money on its main work . I'd be careful about copying restaurant practices ; a lot of restaurants go broke . As I see it, the way to make detailing pay is to break down the process into affordableby Doug Delmont - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
Ketch : The clay is not intended to neutralize acid rain etc. Clay's job is to loosen and pick up above-surface bonded contaminants . It does this job well and without removing paint or scratching appreciably . In addition, clay can be used to remove brake dust from wheels, remove paint overspray, and shave off deposits on glass windshields and headlights . I've uby Doug Delmont - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
Glad to see that others understand the serious threat to our country . Still, I was hoping to spark some discussion of the book, " Atlas Shrugged " ( Part II of the movie is coming soon BTW ) and Ayn Rand's moral defense of capitalism . Here are some quotes to think over : " Man's mind, say the mystics of spirit, must be subordinated to the will of God . Man'sby Doug Delmont - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
Many of you may be wondering why the country is in such a poor economic state. You may be operating under the assumption that this is just another temporary recession and that we will inevitably bounce back. There is no logical reason for such optimism . Anyone in business today knows how hard it is to bear the regulation, taxation, legal risks and so on ---but few people know that bad phiby Doug Delmont - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
Bud : I've found big differences in products, as explained on my " test " and " product evaluation " threads . A funny thing happened recently : I was watching cars go down our Main Street when a snazzy-looking red Toyota appeared. Someone blurted out, " There's a sharp-looking car ". Then I notices a " Zaino Car Polish " stickerby Doug Delmont - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
Welcome back, Brandy !by Doug Delmont - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
Pro-Techt : If he was banned, it is news to me . I remember his last post said something like , " I believe it is time for me to exit. "by Doug Delmont - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
Gina : Then... Your best bet may be an arrogant, intimidating statement and quick close : Customer : What's your best price for detailing a car ? Detailer : Our policy is to examine any car before discussing prices or the individual car's needs. Can you come in some time today before 4 PM ? Customer : I'm too busy... Detailer : Then give me your name and emaby Doug Delmont - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts