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neat tricks that i have learned along the way


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Old 09-15-2004, 02:01 AM   #1
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neat tricks that i have learned along the way

first im probaly the laziest person when it comes to cleaning my truck and that is prety sad considering all the time and money i have put into it along the way but anyways

cleaning crome wheels: try a spray bottle of soap and water and a sos pad no dont worry it wont scratch your wheels (unless you scrub the hell out of them) but spray the wheel down with the soap and water then LIGHTLY scrub the wheel being sure that you keep it wet then simply spray it off with some water adn *bling*bling* about 5 min per wheel . i use never dull after that when im not feeling lazy but it works for a quick bling

i spray the purple stuff on my engine while it is running and let it sit for a few then spray it off with some water. then i spray some tire foam on it and let it sit then it looks like it did the day it came off the showroom floor.

you can make your air condition thing under the hood look crome along with any other aluminum stuff under your hood with some stuff called brasso you can get it from walmart
all you do is take a rag and rub it in good on any thing aluminum under the hood it works like never dull it kindof turns black then take a clean rag and some elbow greese and there you go bling bling

feel free to post any questions jsut some stuff i have learned along the way.
Old 09-15-2004, 08:26 AM   #2
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Re: neat tricks that i have learned along the way

good tips man....may have to try that brasso shit
Old 09-15-2004, 08:34 AM   #3
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Re: neat tricks that i have learned along the way

does the brasso just polish? or does it like deep clean and restore? I think i'm gonna pick some up
Old 09-16-2004, 03:46 AM   #4
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Re: neat tricks that i have learned along the way

im not sure if it deep cleans or polishes or what but it sure makes it look just like crome and i did it like 4 months ago and i havent had to polish it or anything.
Old 09-18-2004, 01:43 AM   #5
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Re: neat tricks that i have learned along the way

An SOS pad on a chrome wheel? My brother would flip a lid if I told him to do that. An SOS pad works wonders on a raised white letter tires, but on a wheel. I think a wash mit and soap, with a shammy does the job just nicely.
Old 09-18-2004, 04:01 AM   #6
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Re: neat tricks that i have learned along the way

yes an sos pad on a chrome wheel flip a lid or not it works i use it all the time it wont scratch unless you scrup the hell out of i would hope that people would be smarter than that but it is just something i thought i would share you dont have to do it it was just an idea but it works n half the time that your wash mit and shammy does. its all good though diferent strokes for diferent folks
Old 09-18-2004, 07:38 AM   #7
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Re: neat tricks that i have learned along the way

I keep my engine compartment (LT 4) detailed and between detailings I use a Swiffer to remove dust.
Old 10-01-2004, 02:41 AM   #8
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Re: neat tricks that i have learned along the way

windex and paper towels works fine on chrome.
Old 10-01-2004, 02:50 AM   #9
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Re: neat tricks that i have learned along the way

when u use the sos pad..its actually steel wool..u can get it at walmart but get the 000000 grit also if u have white walls get a scrub brush wet it an put it in the dirt...then clean ur white walls ..works real good!
Old 10-19-2004, 02:40 AM   #10
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Re: neat tricks that i have learned along the way

Xtreme polish is the best you may have to look a few places to find it get the stuff in the little black jar it is a dry polish wih abraisives
Old 10-20-2004, 10:22 PM   #11
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Re: neat tricks that i have learned along the way

I use WD-40 to get adhesive and any other stubborn things like bugs off.
Old 10-21-2004, 01:56 AM   #12
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Re: neat tricks that i have learned along the way

bug gutz come off easiest with soapy water and a decent wash mitt nuthin works better just a lil elbow grease everyone wants to get out easy but thats the way
Old 10-21-2004, 02:16 AM   #13
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Re: neat tricks that i have learned along the way

brasso is what most military people use to shine their brass!
Old 10-21-2004, 04:21 AM   #14
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Re: neat tricks that i have learned along the way

I want more info on cleaning grime and grease off valve covers and engine blocks. Citrus degreasers don't work.

EDIT: Oh yeah, NO I don't have access to a pressure washer.

Last edited by rainingbullets : 10-21-2004 at 04:21 AM.
Old 10-21-2004, 09:58 AM   #15
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Re: neat tricks that i have learned along the way

Quote: Originally Posted by rainingbullets
I want more info on cleaning grime and grease off valve covers and engine blocks. Citrus degreasers don't work.

EDIT: Oh yeah, NO I don't have access to a pressure washer.

Simple Green works good on grease and grime, just spray it on let it set for awhile then hose it off.
Old 10-21-2004, 08:12 PM   #16
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Re: neat tricks that i have learned along the way

gunk
Old 10-21-2004, 08:18 PM   #17
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Re: neat tricks that i have learned along the way

i use castrol super clean to clean my wheels and tires and my billet grill. stuff works amazing, takes off bugs, brake dust, grease, just about everything.



Old 10-21-2004, 08:29 PM   #18
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Re: neat tricks that i have learned along the way

Quote: Originally Posted by Splosion
brasso is what most military people use to shine their brass!
Brasso Blows Ass it is messy and it stinks. but if it works then oh well
Old 10-21-2004, 08:47 PM   #19
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Re: neat tricks that i have learned along the way

brasso is just a simple metal polish. im in the military i should knoe
Old 10-22-2004, 12:35 AM   #20
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Re: neat tricks that i have learned along the way

Quote: Originally Posted by DDM
Simple Green works good on grease and grime, just spray it on let it set for awhile then hose it off.

Yeah, it worked okay, but didn't remove all of the grime on my valve covers. Maybe I didn't leave it on long enough?
Old 10-22-2004, 07:50 PM   #21
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Re: neat tricks that i have learned along the way

spray gunk on heavily and let it sit a while then agitate with a brush then wash off
Old 10-23-2004, 07:52 PM   #22
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Re: neat tricks that i have learned along the way

The cheapest, easiest way to clean a grimy engine compartment is with an old tire brush and a can of oven cleaner from the dollar store.
Old 10-23-2004, 08:00 PM   #23
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Re: neat tricks that i have learned along the way

i just take spray-nine and let it since then rinse off and it works real well
Old 11-17-2004, 03:17 PM   #24
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Re: neat tricks that i have learned along the way

when you are hosing the chemicals off in the engine compartment, what do you have to cover up that cant get wet?

i was thinkin bout borrowing the steam cleaner from work and using that in the engine compartment!
Old 11-18-2004, 07:19 AM   #25
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Re: neat tricks that i have learned along the way

i used to use tire shine on my door handles, bumper and any other black plastic shit on my truck (before i shaved it all) made it bling pretty good.
Old 11-18-2004, 04:52 PM   #26
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Re: neat tricks that i have learned along the way

Quote: Originally Posted by lakeratokc
bug gutz come off easiest with soapy water and a decent wash mitt nuthin works better just a lil elbow grease everyone wants to get out easy but thats the way
negative. the difference between a little elbow grease and too much is a very fine line. i have all quality cleeaning supplies, and elbow grease just a tad more than required will put very fine scratches into your clear.

the easy way is more along the lines of the right way with some sort of spray.
Old 11-18-2004, 07:52 PM   #27
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Re: neat tricks that i have learned along the way

ill add some tips

- little bit of wax on a wax rag, rub it on your side mirrors if there not painted and also the black plastic vents above the hood and anything thats smooth and plastic like that. it makes them look like they did brand new, seriously the best trick ive learned gotta try if your mirrors have wetspots and bullshit on them.

- glass cleaner on wood grain makes it shine

- adhesive remover for sap, black smudges and basically anything on the paint

- use wetlook in the wheel wells to make them look black and new.
Old 11-20-2004, 07:11 AM   #28
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Re: neat tricks that i have learned along the way

Quote: Originally Posted by spd
ill add some tips

- little bit of wax on a wax rag, rub it on your side mirrors if there not painted and also the black plastic vents above the hood and anything thats smooth and plastic like that. it makes them look like they did brand new, seriously the best trick ive learned gotta try if your mirrors have wetspots and bullshit on them.

- glass cleaner on wood grain makes it shine

- adhesive remover for sap, black smudges and basically anything on the paint

- use wetlook in the wheel wells to make them look black and new.
your first tip sounds alright, i've never done it, ill explain why. im going to try and dummy proof it for everyone though, cause i almost thought wtf, why would you do that?. that will only work if you have smooth plastic. if you have the textured peices. you'll have white shit all over in the texture. you'll spend hours upon hours trying to get it off.
Old 11-20-2004, 11:20 AM   #29
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Re: neat tricks that i have learned along the way

lets see this AC unit, im interested
Old 11-25-2004, 03:47 PM   #30
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Re: neat tricks that i have learned along the way

Get a paint brush, one that you can throw away later. The best way to clean grease and oil and grime from your engine compartment, is................................................ ....orange hand cleaner, TA DA! especially the stuff with the grit in it. Put lots on and scrub with the paint brush,, works awesome around ball joints and things like that!
Old 11-26-2004, 11:08 AM   #31
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Re: neat tricks that i have learned along the way

idunno about the best way to clean under-hood but the fastest way that the place i uesd to detail at made us power wash under the hood. can you believe that? anyways we would use degreaser and spray all under the hood and all the engine down with it, then power wash it off. fast easy and works good but i wouldnt do it on my own car. the pressure washer speed was safe on the paint of the cars so it wasnt anything to drastic.
Old 11-26-2004, 11:28 AM   #32
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Re: neat tricks that i have learned along the way

Quote: Originally Posted by lakeratokc
bug gutz come off easiest with soapy water and a decent wash mitt nuthin works better just a lil elbow grease everyone wants to get out easy but thats the way
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh very good grasshopper. But if you really want to get those bugs off easy use some baking soda.
Get the front of your truck all wet and soapy then sprinkle some baking soda on where the bugs are. The use your wash mit to wash them off. It works like a bug eraser!!!
Old 11-26-2004, 11:38 AM   #33
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Re: neat tricks that i have learned along the way

Ok I want to clean my engine bay.. What needs covered up, etc. It doesnt sound smart to just straight up spray water onto my motr, but maybe it is?

Anyone with any tips?

Thanks,
Jd
Old 11-26-2004, 04:20 PM   #34
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Re: neat tricks that i have learned along the way

as long as your engine is running while you are spraying it down it wont hurt anything. at least thats what ive been taught while i was detailing cars for tom bush mazda and bmw
Old 11-26-2004, 05:39 PM   #35
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Re: neat tricks that i have learned along the way

Hmmm Well it sounds ok lol.

I thought hydrolock would happen? Or maybe thats just if you nget water in the motor?

I dont know.. Anyone else?
Old 11-26-2004, 06:36 PM   #36
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Re: neat tricks that i have learned along the way

yea i used to be told to cover up the alternator, and shit, but last time i just let the truck run, sprayed some greased lightning under the hood, and let it sit for about a minute and rinsed it..no problems
Old 11-27-2004, 06:43 PM   #37
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Re: neat tricks that i have learned along the way

cover up your distribitor
Old 11-27-2004, 10:31 PM   #38
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Re: neat tricks that i have learned along the way

What about my supercharger? I think Ill cover that, the distributor, and the alternator. Well the battery and wire coming from it too. I have an Optima but Ill cover the wire running into it.
Old 11-27-2004, 11:35 PM   #39
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Re: neat tricks that i have learned along the way

the only thing you really need to worry about is the distribitor and the alternator. Make sure the engine is running while you rinse it too
Old 11-27-2004, 11:57 PM   #40
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Re: neat tricks that i have learned along the way

Ok thanks guys



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