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I'm taking a very scientific approach this year. I need to do a full post-winter job on the Boxster but I decided not to just dive in. So I picked a rear quarter panel with moderate swirls and went for it. I spent an hour trying different combos on about a 12 inch patch--all applied by hand...

These “what should I buy� posts are always fun, so I’m going to put mine up here. I’ve had the Boxster for almost 3 years now, since new, and it has been awesome. This was a car I had to dream, save, and wait for nearly a year to get. I have absolutely no regrets...

I noticed yesterday there is lots of crud built up in the felt-lined inner surface of my rubber window seals. Now, how to get it out? I was thinking about gluing a strip of microfiber to a popsicle stick, but I think even that would be too thick. I don't want to try bending the seal or...

My wife and I are contemplating a coast-to-coast move (3,200 miles) and have decided that buying a full-size (and probably extended) van would be the best option to move our modest amount of stuff—we live in a one-bedroom condo. Interestingly, UHaul and the like charge so much for rentals...

So this morning I get into the car and see this monster glob near the driver's door. It's below freezing and the turd is frosted in like a frozen steak. I have no MF or even spray available, so I leave it and drive to work. On the way home, I'm driving through rain on the highway for a dozen...

Ok this is pretty sick, but hear me out. I'm going to California and I have lots of cool road trips planned for the week. I just can't drive a car that much without doing something! Here is the small kit I'm thinking about taking: - RainX (to me this is a safety item) - 4 microfiber...

I don't have a garage, so I can't do this. When I finally do, I've been dreaming of trying this. Materials: -Digital camera of decent quality -Tripod -Halogen lights on stand -Computer with Photoshop Technique: 1) Pull undetailed car into garage at night (no ambient light change...

We care well for our cars. Really well. So well that it is hard for the used car market to understand and appropriately value our vehicles. When I sold my last car, I had to wait about 3 weeks until someone would even see it. Why? Because I set a high asking price for a car of that age and...

I've never had a set of brand-new tires since being an Autopian, I'm wondering what you guys do. My current favorite tire dressing is Meguiars Endurance, or maybe 303 in a pinch, but that's beside the point. Right now my tires have lots of chalky mold release on them, some red dots, etc...

I'm thinking AIO/SG, but would also apply to many others

Our local group did a detailing day yesterday and I'm pretty exhausted. I did bits and pieces of about 5 cars, starting with a 911 Cabriolet and ending with a super-thorough detail on a black Boxster S. The final car was a trip--a challenge in black! I wanted to give it the maximum single-day...

I was intrigued when I learned that Menzerna produces a total of five products for paint finish applications, so I did some research. Jeff Silver, the Menzerna US importer, has kindly offered to send me a sample of PO73, the elusive sealant product those of us in the U.S. have only heard...

"Low-end" not referring to price so much as distribution channel, i.e. can you pick it up at the supermarket or a poorly-stocked auto parts store. Mine are: 1) RainX 2) Meguiars Endurance tire gel 3) Apple-scented mirror thingy (just kidding :) )

All new cars before they leave the factory are protected in various ways from the elements to preserve them. This can be as simple as sheets of white plastic wrapped around the hood or much more involved. On my Boxster, a product called “cosmoline� was sprayed on the undercarriage and...

I just got back from one of the scariest drives in my life...miles of mountains in a '92 Corolla with the most bizarre interior fogging I've ever seen: 1) Regular defrost with or without A/C only cleaned the bottom 6" of the windshield 2) Use of heat with or without A/C actually made the...

I said I like challenges--I got one! This picture shows a heavily corroded engine cover I'd like to detail. Believe it or not, this is AFTER I did the usual cleaning regime. I'm thinking electric drill with wire brush attachment, or steel wool. Tell me if there is some miracle chemical that...

This is a dumb question, probably...but I'm wondering if I've been "getting it all wrong" for quite awhile. I always assumed that I never, ever had swirl marks because I never touched my car with a rotary tool or polished in little circles. But what has been getting to me lately are what I...

I started with Armor-all, which I used for many years. As I got more into detailing I dropped that in favor of Lexol’s Vinylex product. Then I discovered that Plexus is great for exterior plastics (in addition to the rear clear plastic convertible window I bought it for). Now I’m into 303...