Need suggestions on cleaning behind quarter window Louvers on my Roush

T

TGates

Active member
Hey guys,



I figured I would post this here and see if anybody had any suggestions for cleaning behind the quarter window louvers on my Mustang. These are adhered the car and can't be easily removed.



Water gets behind them and dries to the glass and the slats are pretty narrow... way too narrow to get my hand through.



I was thinking about trying something like this: Griot's Garage Detailing Stick System - Griot's Garage



I'll post a picture of the car so you can kind of get an idea... it's not close up or anything, but like I said, the slats are too narrow to get my hand or a wash mitt behind.



photo.jpg
 
I have the same louvers on my Mustang... when washing the car, I try to spray the water from the front to the back when cleaning the louvrs to mniimize the water spotting inside.



Do you like Chinese/Thai food? When I order out, I always ask for chopsticks. I use one set and save the other for detailing.., I use a microfiber towel on the end to get at the inner areas of the louvers to dry any water that accumulates there.
 
DaGonz said:
I have the same louvers on my Mustang... when washing the car, I try to spray the water from the front to the back when cleaning the louvrs to mniimize the water spotting inside.



Do you like Chinese/Thai food? When I order out, I always ask for chopsticks. I use one set and save the other for detailing.., I use a microfiber towel on the end to get at the inner areas of the louvers to dry any water that accumulates there.
Click to expand...



Now that's thinking outside the box!



I'm confident I can keep them relatively clean, once they're clean. The problem is, when I picked the car up, the damage was done.
 
Keep your eyes peeled at a local car parts store, or even a place like Big Lots. They may carry a small, hand held blower marketed for drying motorcycles. I picked one up for about $20/$30 several years ago and it's what I use to blow water out of all recesses. Some distilled water in a spray bottle may be handy to keep around as well.
 
Bill, not a bad idea.

I got another one.

Anyone who cares for their finish should also be taking care of their very expensive tires.

That means maintaining proper air pressure.

However, not everyone has room for an air compressor, so they occassionaly check them once in a while, adjust pressure.

A "pig tank" is not expensive, $25 to $40, will hold up 150PSI.

Now they can check and adjust their tires at home, plus to blow other areas of the vehicle.

Get the "blow nozzle" as well as the tire valve tool and just pull out the pig and blow the water away.

They have the best of both worlds, even though not a good as having a good air compressor.

Grumpy
 
I have a sidekick motorcycle drier. I can keep the water out of there after I wash it.



The problem I am facing is there was water that got dried onto the windows before I took possession of the car. I need a way to get in there with at least some glass cleaner. I need to get some sort of cleaner in there and be able to scrub it.



It's an eye sore from inside the car as you can clearly see the water spots on the glass.
 
BlackSunshine- Hey, I somehow never knew that you had a Mustang in that oh-so-cool color! Nice :xyxthumbs



I have that Griot's Detail Stick set. It's nice and I find it handy for all sorts of things, but of course somebody else probably sells it a lot cheaper (I think another version is called "pimp stix", which was enough to get me spending with Richard ;) ). Dunno if it'll really help much for that behind-the-louver situation though.



But yeah...some kind of stick to work the MF/towel against the glass, and then just try to avoid inspecting it all the time ;)
 
I think those panels are attached by an adhesive strip, not sure, so go to a Ford dealers bodyshop and ask them.

If that is the attachment method, they can be removed, do your cleaning, apply some AquaPel to the window surfaces.

Clean off the old adhesive strips, apply new strips and put them back on.

Most auto parts stores have the adhesive materials (usually 3M) in stock.

Grumpy
 
Accumulator-- thanks! I've had the car for about a year now but have never posted any pictures here (at least I don't remember doing so).



I'm thinking these detail sticks will also serve me well on the slats of the billet front grill. Griot's is offering free shipping over $25, so I may go ahead and order these and pick up a nice license plate frame for the Buick, too.
 
Ron Ketcham said:
I think those panels are attached by an adhesive strip, not sure, so go to a Ford dealers bodyshop and ask them.

If that is the attachment method, they can be removed, do your cleaning, apply some AquaPel to the window surfaces.

Clean off the old adhesive strips, apply new strips and put them back on.

Most auto parts stores have the adhesive materials (usually 3M) in stock.

Grumpy
Click to expand...



Definitely another option, and would allow to do the most cleaning and treatment of the windows. You're right, they are adhered to the car.
 
As soon as Bonanni from Ford Body Tech Center replies to me, will have your answer.

And, it is Christmas, so you may owe me a gift of a bottle of Jack.

LOL!

Grumpy
 
How about just putting really, really dark tint on the inside of those windows so you don't have to look at any water spots that do form?



I know that's akin to electrical tape over the "Service Engine Soon" light, but in this case the point of the louvers is exterior appearance, not any sort of functional advantage on the interior of the car. Not like you can see anything through those quarter windows anyway.



Other option I'd suggest is that Harbor Freight has a blow gun attachment like Ron mentioned that is maybe 2-3' long, you could put the head of it all the way inside the openings and blast all the water away that forms in the future.
 
Shiny Lil Detlr said:
How about just putting really, really dark tint on the inside of those windows so you don't have to look at any water spots that do form?



I know that's akin to electrical tape over the "Service Engine Soon" light, but in this case the point of the louvers is exterior appearance, not any sort of functional advantage on the interior of the car. Not like you can see anything through those quarter windows anyway.



Other option I'd suggest is that Harbor Freight has a blow gun attachment like Ron mentioned that is maybe 2-3' long, you could put the head of it all the way inside the openings and blast all the water away that forms in the future.
Click to expand...



I didn't think of the window tint option. I have a good friend who tints windows for a living so that would be a cheap and easy "fix."
 
Ron Ketcham said:
As soon as Bonanni from Ford Body Tech Center replies to me, will have your answer.

And, it is Christmas, so you may owe me a gift of a bottle of Jack.

LOL!

Grumpy
Click to expand...

Heard back from Bonanni this morning.

He says that a molding tape made by 3M is what holds the covers on.

He also says that it is a new tape that really bonds and to NOT attempt to remove them.

Says that it is so strong that it will most likely damage the part and take off the paint.

Guess the tint is the way to go.

Sorry,

Grumpy
 
Okay, thanks for checking. I appreciate it.





Ron Ketcham said:
Heard back from Bonanni this morning.

He says that a molding tape made by 3M is what holds the covers on.

He also says that it is a new tape that really bonds and to NOT attempt to remove them.

Says that it is so strong that it will most likely damage the part and take off the paint.

Guess the tint is the way to go.

Sorry,

Grumpy
Click to expand...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top