Share useful and weird tips

[spewking]

As I was detailing today, a few weird things came into play, and as insignificant as they may be, I thought I'd share and then get you to share your insights about little tips, tricks, and lessons learned from the front lines. Ok, I'll go first.

Tip #1: lay out your garden hose first thing on the hot pavement before you start washing and you have nice warm water in the soap bucket.

#2: take those old sheepskin wool wash mitts (that have become obsolete now with a change to microfiber mitts) and use those to wash wheels. Wool can be scrunched and agitated on wheel while being gentle enough. Gives you enough cleaning power especially if you have sealed wheels but allows you to get in all crevices.

Interested in your experiences.

[RevitalizeAutoSpa]

Buy one of the cheap folding plastic tables from Wal-Mart (about $40) to move around your work space. I use one to set the buffer down on, keep pads\compounds\drink nearby, etc.

I'm sure I'll think of more...

[Mizzoutiger]

To keep water hose and electric cords from getting stuck in tires, place full 5-gallon wash bucket as shield off car corner.

[swanicyouth]

Some things I do (mostly already posted)

1. get 4 pieces of 2x4" and drive the car up on it when cleaning/dressing tires like this:

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/07/e8usyze9.jpg

That way you can clean/dress the whole tire without having to roll the car around or drag your tools on the ground.

2. buy cheapo applicators from eBay for tire/trim dressing - or cut up a grout sponge. The eBay ones are like $4 delivered for 12 (at least when I bought them).

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/07/y8erepu2.jpg

When your done with one - just throw it out. That way you always have a fresh & clean applicator.

3. if you are maintenance cleaning wheels, just put an ounce of an aggressive car wash soap in a 32oz spray bottle with a foaming sprayer and fill with water. You just made 32oz of mild wheel cleaner for under a dollar.

4. invest in foaming sprayers. They make almost any chemical that is "soapy" cling better to whatever you are using it on. Griots sells a pretty good one.

5. IMHO the best tools to clean wheel wells are Wheel Woolies. The get in areas on lower cars a brush can't
even touch. No need to jack up the car or turn the tire.

6. when washing your car, turn your side mirror assemblies (if possible) so the glass faces downward. That way, water will start dripping out as soon as you are done rinsing and while you are drying - so it doesn't drip for hours.

[EVOlved]

Some things I do (mostly already posted)

1. get 4 pieces of 2x4" and drive the car up on it when cleaning/dressing tires like this:

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/07/e8usyze9.jpg

That way you can clean/dress the whole tire without having to roll the car around or drag your tools on the ground.

2. buy cheapo applicators from eBay for tire/trim dressing - or cut up a grout sponge. The eBay ones are like $4 delivered for 12 (at least when I bought them).

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/07/y8erepu2.jpg

When your done with one - just throw it out. That way you always have a fresh & clean applicator.

3. if you are maintenance cleaning wheels, just put an ounce of an aggressive car wash soap in a 32oz spray bottle with a foaming sprayer and fill with water. You just made 32oz of mild wheel cleaner for under a dollar.

4. invest in foaming sprayers. They make almost any chemical that is "soapy" cling better to whatever you are using it on. Griots sells a pretty good one.

5. IMHO the best tools to clean wheel wells are Wheel Woolies. The get in areas on lower cars a brush can't
even touch. No need to jack up the car or turn the tire.

6. when washing your car, turn your side mirror assemblies (if possible) so the glass faces downward. That way, water will start dripping out as soon as you are done rinsing and while you are drying - so it doesn't drip for hours.

Lots of great advice here, thanks Swanic and #6 is definitely one I should have found because it is one of my biggest problems even with my metro sidekick. Next wash I will see how that goes.

[RobertJ34]

3 Pack Microfiber Applicator Pads (http://www.autogeek.net/pageof2.html)

Love using these (I use a different, more cost effective one I get from another site) when I apply a cleaner or dressing. I prefer it over using a microfiber towel. I am able to hold it/handle it better.

[Zelfiris]

1. Buy ONR - said ridiculous amount of times but it has so many uses not to have it. Use it for light cleaning on interior, use it as clay lube, use it for rinseless wash, use it as QD, use it to soften your rinse water on 2bucket wash

2. Tape off cracks and crevices when you are polishing - if you are only doing a section, try to tape off surrounding parts so polish dust won't fly in making post cleaning longer

3. Use a damp MF towel when drying, it absorbs water easier more than a dry MF towel. You can go over it with a dry towel after for buffing

4. Toss your polishing pads into a bucket filled with APC or plain water as you polish. I find whatever polish or compound build up I had can be clean off easier later on

[Nth Degree]

1. Use an AIO on MF folded over an old gift card (more flexible than a credit card) to clean/polish between cracks/seams that can't be reached by polisher. The AIO will provide cleaning ability, add protection and is easy to remove in the same manner with a clean part of the towel. This is particularly good on light colors where the dirt can stand out and detract from the appearance.

2. When polishing or compounding tape off where the side windows meet the trim/weather strip. Any compound/polish dust that gets caught between the rubber and the glass can cause streaking every time the window is rolled down.

3. Clean door jambs first so that any dirt isn't rinsed down onto clean paint. Rain channels of trunk should also be done first. Any leaves or pine needles can block water from draining away or continue to release dirt that drips out onto the rear bumper.

4. Move slowly when drying your car (with MF). The goal is to absorb the water, not push it across the paint. The more times you drag it across the paint the higher the chance of causing marring.

[Loser]

Clean interior glass using a vertical motion, exterior glass with a horizontal motion, or vice versa. That way, if you have streaks you know which side they are on.

[LRC3]

Some things I do (mostly already posted)

1. get 4 pieces of 2x4" and drive the car up on it when cleaning/dressing tires like this:

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/07/e8usyze9.jpg

That way you can clean/dress the whole tire without having to roll the car around or drag your tools on the ground.

2. buy cheapo applicators from eBay for tire/trim dressing - or cut up a grout sponge. The eBay ones are like $4 delivered for 12 (at least when I bought them).

.

Great idea!!

On the same plane, I picked this up from the car wash dudes in NYC, pre seeing the light here on AG..:xyxthumbs:

I apply tire shine with a cheap 4' paint brush. I use a old Country Crock spread tub, pour 4/5oz in. Dip my paintbrush and wipe around couple times. The bristles also get into the bead where the tire and rim meets.

No waste, no fling......Im the MAN. I've had a .32 oz bottle of tire wet last about 6 months. (3cars)

I like the low gloss, so this works perfect for me. When done replace the top and done.

I trying those sponge applicators and they always get my fingers dirty.:nomore:

[Coopers ST]

Clean interior glass using a vertical motion, exterior glass with a horizontal motion, or vice versa. That way, if you have streaks you know which side they are on.

Not sure where I learned that, but it is really gold.

[allenk4]

Wash you hands before you clean the glass.

It will keep oils and products used earlier in the process off of your towel.

If you don't believe me...next time you are about to clean your glass; press your thumb on it.

[Coyote33]

Not so much a car care tip, but when I complete a detail package for a client, I give them a "car care kit" consisting of a bucket with a premixed spray bottle of ONR Quick Detail Spray, a 3 oz sample bottle of ONR, 10 Costco Microfiber towels, and a CD with recommended products (complete with links to purchase) and step by step instructions for doing a waterless wash between details. Only costs me a few bucks and goes a LONG way with my customers who just spent $250 to $850 for a package with me and separates me from my local competition. I also include a stack of 5 business cards and have received several referrals from offering this to my customers.

[Klasse Act]

Not so much a car care tip, but when I complete a detail package for a client, I give them a "car care kit" consisting of a bucket with a premixed spray bottle of ONR Quick Detail Spray, a 3 oz sample bottle of ONR, 10 Costco Microfiber towels, and a CD with recommended products (complete with links to purchase) and step by step instructions for doing a waterless wash between details. Only costs me a few bucks and goes a LONG way with my customers who just spent $250 to $850 for a package with me and separates me from my local competition. I also include a stack of 5 business cards and have received several referrals from offering this to my customers.

This is a great idea for those spending big bucks with you, shows how serious you are, WOW!

Sent from my SPH-M930 using AG Online

[Pureshine]

I've used a serrated butter knife for years to get pine needles out of carpet for years best thing ever.