Who wants to fill In the Arsenal holes?

Alexshimshimhae- Heh heh, you oughta have enough stuff to last a good long time (as in, years).



I *would* want a whole lot more pads than that though and I use a *lot* of various swabs. But I gotta say that I hesitate to recommend that you buy *anything* else. Remember that it's not necessarily "savings" if you spend money you'd otherwise keep in your wallet ;)
 
I bought a 36 pack of MF towels from Costco--will have to CD wipe test (medium pressure right?)



I was thinking that I'd like to buy at least 3 more of each hydro tech (or you guys using anything better?) and trying to figure out if PFW is necessary? (figure the BMW GERMAN cars don't seem to want to cooperate well)



Well I mean, I plan on making the money back PLUS interest detailing my friends cars so I mean for me it's somewhat of an investment.



Right now I have 4-7 people lined up, just working on timing. (figure 100-200 each should bring me back to even with some left over.)
 
Alexshimshimhae said:
I bought a 36 pack of MF towels from Costco--will have to CD wipe test (medium pressure right?)
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Same pressure as you'd use when detailing. Same *everything*. "Test it like you use it."



I was thinking that I'd like to buy at least 3 more of each hydro tech (or you guys using anything better?) and trying to figure out if PFW is necessary? (figure the BMW GERMAN cars don't seem to want to cooperate well)
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Note that PFW can have a short useful life compared to foam and doesn't always "come back" after washing.

Well I mean, I plan on making the money back PLUS interest detailing my friends cars so I mean for me it's somewhat of an investment.



Right now I have 4-7 people lined up, just working on timing. (figure 100-200 each should bring me back to even with some left over.)
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That only calculates that way if you discount the value of your time/effort ;)
 
Fair enough =] for now, since I'm not a Bona fide professional detailer, I feel wrong charging too much and so far, I have more people asking me...I just haven't took the time to really see how serious they were in the pockets lol ... I should put aside the idea of doing this part time lol I'll stick to weekend details for pocket money =] As always accum lol talked me off the ledge =]
 
I would consider adding FK425 to the aresenal. You can use it while drying the car and make it sparkle - a good way to add shine (and value) when doing a quick wash.
 
FK425 is an *extremely* good leaves-stuff-behind QD with supposedly some anti-static properties (not that I ever noticed that).



I usually only use it over sealants though, as I've had it cause some issues over waxes before. Yeah, I know that's weird as it's supposedly great over FK's Pink Wax, but it was enough of a problem that I'm not gonna risk it again (preferring Griot's SpeedShine on waxes).
 
griots fan huh?

I have some OTC stuff..but concerned that hey have cleaners in them (because i think we're supposed to also use them as clay lube...) but it's labeled as quik detailer...so it confuses me...
 
Alexshimshimhae said:
griots fan huh?
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A few of their products are very good IMO, others range from so-so to not-something-I'd-recommend.



I have some OTC stuff..but concerned that hey have cleaners in them (because i think we're supposed to also use them as clay lube...) but it's labeled as quik detailer...so it confuses me...
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Different QDs can be very different and I don't use any OTC ones myself.
 
I'm having alot of trouble with my BMW wheels...they have these little pits that make it impossible to get out the crap on the wheels...I used the P21S Wheel gel...and umm...i get alot of it out...but the rest....i don't know.....any ideas?



Tarminator?
 
Alexshimshimhae said:
I'm having alot of trouble with my BMW wheels...they have these little pits that make it impossible to get out the crap on the wheels...I used the P21S Wheel gel...and umm...i get alot of it out...but the rest....i don't know.....any ideas?



Tarminator?
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Honestly, I'd get 'em refinished. Yeah, I know...but that's how I am. I'd live with it as-is or write the big check (not all that big, maybe $500 or so...I'm having the beater-Audi's wheels redone and I'll soon know what it really costs).



If the pits retain stuff, about all I can see doingis using some really aggressive/acidic wheel cleaner and I wouldn't want to do that all the time.
 
I mean, I don't know any better but it almost seems as though the they were made that way because the textured feel of the rims on the outer areas seem uniform on all four rims
47990_1361320118027_1382280015_30850246_7893780_n.jpg
 
Alexshimshimhae said:
I mean, I don't know any better but it almost seems as though the they were made that way because the textured feel of the rims on the outer areas seem uniform on all four rims..
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Maybe the finishing of the wheels in those areas left something to be desired, or, more likely IMO, the consistent buildup of brakedust has just compromised the finish uniformly. Or the two combined....
 
hmmm I dunno..everywhere else is smoooooooth but those parts where I'm pointing (wtheck is that called?) It feels like say how some textured plastic trim does...



I would've thought that I'd feel a few jagged pocks or something...but I didn't =[... I'm more or less close to giving up on them all together...BUUUUTTTT my friend apparently uses collinite metal wax or something like that? he showed me on his car--the madman doesn't wash or anything...puts it on a paper towel, rubs it in and the wheel is clean~!!! ...now.. my problem is in my head he took off everything visable...but didn't he also just seal in the micro-contaminants ?
 
Alexshimshimhae- I wouldn't think in terms of "microcontaminants" getting sealed in; but rather things like not keeping them decently cleaned, rubbing in abrasive contamination, using the wrong product. IIRC that Collinite product is abrasive and utterly unsuited for use on those wheels, let alone how he's doing it... Let him do what he wants to do; don't do likewise unless you're willing to risk making things worse long-term.



There *are* pits/etc. in the finish or it wouldn't look the way it does or feel rough. It's become less-than-smooth from long-term neglect. Have you tried cleaing it with something really potent/acidi like Wheel Brightener? What about aggressive correction to smooth the surface somewhat (used M105 on 'em lately? It might take a looooong time by hand).



But seriously, I bet the finish is so compromised that the underlying aluminum has issues. I'd get 'em refinished, simple as that. And then keep 'em from ever getting nasty again ;)
 
I find myself understanding more and more why this "manager's" car came so cheap the more I work on it....I only used P21s Wheel gel and toothbrushes and scrubbed for ever...



So is there a proper way to use that metal wax? or should it not be used on a car period? I was actually quite impressed at how easily it cleaned up his chrome tip and his wheel (though I can see why that should also scare me)



Yea, I SERIOUSLY doubt that corrections will do anything...it doesn't feel like how a paint would after years of neglect and abuse...it's more like.....fridge doors? or...ummm......sigh...darnit...stupid wheels...stupid bmw .....



I'll see if I can get them done by my mechanic rather than the dealership without voiding my warranty because I feel like if I let BMW take care of it I'll be paying for it 3 lifetimes later...
 
Alexshimshimhae said:
I find myself understanding more and more why this "manager's" car came so cheap the more I work on it....I only used P21s Wheel gel and toothbrushes and scrubbed for ever...
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Yeah, it was maintained by the kind of [individuals] who usually clean cars at dealerships.



Try polishing the rough areas by hand with some M105 for starters, but [insert "oh just get 'em refinished and don't waste time" lecture].

So is there a proper way to use that metal wax? or should it not be used on a car period? I was actually quite impressed at how easily it cleaned up his chrome tip and his wheel
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OK on chrome, not OK on painted surfaces. "Metal" wax, get it? Like for "bare metal" ;)





I'll see if I can get them done by my mechanic rather than the dealership without voiding my warranty because I feel like if I let BMW take care of it I'll be paying for it 3 lifetimes later...
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Find out who the good shops in your area send wheels to. Say...what if somebody curbs the wheel on his exotic? Whoever fixes stuff like that in your area should be able to redo those easily enough.
 
Alexshimshimhae- Ah, my memory was faulty regarding the abrasive/not, but still...if it removes rust from chrome I wouldn't use it on paint.
 
oh when you say 'paint' do you mean like coated rims and stuff like that? (because I never ever ever was planning on putting it to car paint) my bmw rims are aluminum diode i think and I have no idea what the stock lexus rims are-
 
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