Steps to take with used vehicle.

wagonproject · 03-06-2005, 12:35 AM

My parents just bought a 1999 Blazer with 45,000 miles and I was wondering what would some of the first things I could do to it to ensure it still looks new like it does now a while down the road. Like washing, interior cleaner(s), etc. Any input is appreciated. Thanks!

rydin4life · 03-06-2005, 01:31 AM

I'd say give it a good wash and 2 coats of wax....do any vinyl/leather parts with a good dressing like Meguiars Natural Shine or Black Magic Interior Protectant....vacuum the floors regularly to keep stones from digging into the carpet...I clean my blazer up everyday as a lot of guys on here do....it sounds stupid but the best way to keep a car clean, is to not let it get dirty in the first place.

zsimp · 03-06-2005, 01:59 AM

go buy the meguiars cleaning kit, and use everything in it right away then do a clean up with it every couple days, or even weekly if u keep ur car fairly clean. itll look good for years to come

IronZr2 · 03-06-2005, 09:51 AM

i say take it to a good detail shop first. it will cost a little more but the will do it right. then after that all you have yto do is just mantain it wiht a good wax. me i like liquid glass, pluse you best investment is to get a cheap buffer

Dallas@2020Kustoms · 03-14-2005, 09:07 PM

Actually the best investment is to get a "good" buffer. I'd highly recommend getting a Porter Cable 7336 Random orbit polisher. It will last you a lifetime, and do a much better job than any of those cheapo's you can get. Give the Blazer a good wash, clay it down, use some Poorboys SSR with the Porter Cable and remove all the swirls and scratches, follow up with some sealant (this will help keep the paint looking good) then apply some wax. I'd recommend a good paste wax because it has higher carnuba content and will generally protect longer than something polymer based.

mrche · 03-30-2005, 10:31 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by zsimp

go buy the meguiars cleaning kit, and use everything in it right away then do a clean up with it every couple days, or even weekly if u keep ur car fairly clean. itll look good for years to come

Can I get this at like a Pep boys?

I just bought my truck ( 1st one ) and I just took the seats out, vaccumed, took out the center console, washed it with soap and water. ( I plan on painting it black, since it doesn't look clean, even after the wash.)

And now I've been tearing apart the dash, and just washing all of those parts, and using 'orange clean' on like the stuff i can't take off.

I also took off the door panels, gonna vaccum them soon too.

Its a real mess.

Waynestowels · 03-30-2005, 10:46 PM

Pepboys, Autozone, Advance Auto all carry Meguiars
(you may also want to check into your local body shop supply store, they usually have a lot of "goodies"

You can get the Porter Cable at Lower for $99, then just pick up a velcro backing plate or check out the one at Coastal Tools, good deal and everything is included.
If you go to Lowes, look for the DeWalt polisher, it is much better than the PC, IMO.
It has more speed, more power, runner backed head and comes with the backing plate.
I have both machines and only use the PC for carpet cleaning now...,
Both are good machines and should last you forever, however, the DeWalt is the one I now use for my paint (not counting the Makita 9227C rotary buffer..., it is in a totally different class of tool)

http://www.coastaltool.com/cgi-bin/S... 36160400#cart

mrche · 03-30-2005, 11:28 PM

Is there like a proper way to wash a car, and wax and stuff? I need to be educated.

I just use armor all 'car wash' stuff, and a water broom (hooks up to hose) wet down the car, wash, rinse, let try.

Waynestowels · 03-31-2005, 02:53 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by mrche

Is there like a proper way to wash a car, and wax and stuff? I need to be educated.

I just use armor all 'car wash' stuff, and a water broom (hooks up to hose) wet down the car, wash, rinse, let try.

If you are interested in washing and drying, feel free to PM or email for a copy of a couple of articles I wrote sometime back.
A lot of cool ideas and "tricks" to make detailing much easier.
(no, I am not selling anything, just tips & tricks

BTW, the new Armor All is not that bad, rated above average in the Wax Reports, although I do not personally care for it

mrche · 03-31-2005, 09:07 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Waynestowels

If you are interested in washing and drying, feel free to PM or email for a copy of a couple of articles I wrote sometime back.
A lot of cool ideas and "tricks" to make detailing much easier.
(no, I am not selling anything, just tips & tricks

BTW, the new Armor All is not that bad, rated above average in the Wax Reports, although I do not personally care for it

PM Sent

thrteen · 04-01-2005, 06:23 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by mrche

I just bought my truck ( 1st one ) and I just took the seats out, vaccumed, took out the center console, washed it with soap and water. ( I plan on painting it black, since it doesn't look clean, even after the wash.)

And now I've been tearing apart the dash, and just washing all of those parts, and using 'orange clean' on like the stuff i can't take off.

I also took off the door panels, gonna vaccum them soon too.

Its a real mess.

I'd like to see some before and after pics! i know my truck was a mess when i bought it and i brought it back to looking pretty good.

mrche · 04-01-2005, 06:39 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by thrteen

I'd like to see some before and after pics! i know my truck was a mess when i bought it and i brought it back to looking pretty good.

AIM me at mrche21 and i'll show you some pics.

03-06-2005, 12:35 AM	#1
wagonproject Short Bus Anonymous Age: 21 Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 6,385 Location: Kalamazoo, MI User is: OffLine	Steps to take with used vehicle. My parents just bought a 1999 Blazer with 45,000 miles and I was wondering what would some of the first things I could do to it to ensure it still looks new like it does now a while down the road. Like washing, interior cleaner(s), etc. Any input is appreciated. Thanks!
	[Reply w/Quote]

03-06-2005, 01:31 AM	#2
rydin4life Jabba The Griffin Age: 25 Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 3,255 Location: South Central PA User is: OffLine	Re: Steps to take with used vehicle. I'd say give it a good wash and 2 coats of wax....do any vinyl/leather parts with a good dressing like Meguiars Natural Shine or Black Magic Interior Protectant....vacuum the floors regularly to keep stones from digging into the carpet...I clean my blazer up everyday as a lot of guys on here do....it sounds stupid but the best way to keep a car clean, is to not let it get dirty in the first place.
	[Reply w/Quote]

03-06-2005, 01:59 AM	#3
zsimp on my way to pimpin Age: 20 Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 1,600 Location: wisconsin User is: OffLine	Re: Steps to take with used vehicle. go buy the meguiars cleaning kit, and use everything in it right away then do a clean up with it every couple days, or even weekly if u keep ur car fairly clean. itll look good for years to come
	[Reply w/Quote]

03-06-2005, 09:51 AM	#4
IronZr2 Registered User Age: 29 Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 301 Location: Western Kentucky User is: OffLine	Re: Steps to take with used vehicle. i say take it to a good detail shop first. it will cost a little more but the will do it right. then after that all you have yto do is just mantain it wiht a good wax. me i like liquid glass, pluse you best investment is to get a cheap buffer
	[Reply w/Quote]

03-14-2005, 09:07 PM	#5
Dallas@2020Kustoms Registered User Age: 32 Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 965 Location: Deep South Ontario User is: OffLine	Re: Steps to take with used vehicle. Actually the best investment is to get a "good" buffer. I'd highly recommend getting a Porter Cable 7336 Random orbit polisher. It will last you a lifetime, and do a much better job than any of those cheapo's you can get. Give the Blazer a good wash, clay it down, use some Poorboys SSR with the Porter Cable and remove all the swirls and scratches, follow up with some sealant (this will help keep the paint looking good) then apply some wax. I'd recommend a good paste wax because it has higher carnuba content and will generally protect longer than something polymer based.
	[Reply w/Quote]

03-30-2005, 10:31 PM	#6
mrche "Let's shag ass." Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 205 Location: South Jersey User is: OffLine	Re: Steps to take with used vehicle. Quote: Originally Posted by zsimp go buy the meguiars cleaning kit, and use everything in it right away then do a clean up with it every couple days, or even weekly if u keep ur car fairly clean. itll look good for years to come Can I get this at like a Pep boys? I just bought my truck ( 1st one ) and I just took the seats out, vaccumed, took out the center console, washed it with soap and water. ( I plan on painting it black, since it doesn't look clean, even after the wash.) And now I've been tearing apart the dash, and just washing all of those parts, and using 'orange clean' on like the stuff i can't take off. I also took off the door panels, gonna vaccum them soon too. Its a real mess.
	[Reply w/Quote]

03-30-2005, 10:46 PM	#7
Waynestowels Registered User Age: 47 Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 805 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: Steps to take with used vehicle. Pepboys, Autozone, Advance Auto all carry Meguiars (you may also want to check into your local body shop supply store, they usually have a lot of "goodies" You can get the Porter Cable at Lower for $99, then just pick up a velcro backing plate or check out the one at Coastal Tools, good deal and everything is included. If you go to Lowes, look for the DeWalt polisher, it is much better than the PC, IMO. It has more speed, more power, runner backed head and comes with the backing plate. I have both machines and only use the PC for carpet cleaning now..., Both are good machines and should last you forever, however, the DeWalt is the one I now use for my paint (not counting the Makita 9227C rotary buffer..., it is in a totally different class of tool) http://www.coastaltool.com/cgi-bin/S... 36160400#cart
	[Reply w/Quote]

03-30-2005, 11:28 PM	#8
mrche "Let's shag ass." Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 205 Location: South Jersey User is: OffLine	Re: Steps to take with used vehicle. Is there like a proper way to wash a car, and wax and stuff? I need to be educated. I just use armor all 'car wash' stuff, and a water broom (hooks up to hose) wet down the car, wash, rinse, let try.
	[Reply w/Quote]

03-31-2005, 02:53 AM	#9
Waynestowels Registered User Age: 47 Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 805 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: Steps to take with used vehicle. Quote: Originally Posted by mrche Is there like a proper way to wash a car, and wax and stuff? I need to be educated. I just use armor all 'car wash' stuff, and a water broom (hooks up to hose) wet down the car, wash, rinse, let try. If you are interested in washing and drying, feel free to PM or email for a copy of a couple of articles I wrote sometime back. A lot of cool ideas and "tricks" to make detailing much easier. (no, I am not selling anything, just tips & tricks BTW, the new Armor All is not that bad, rated above average in the Wax Reports, although I do not personally care for it
	[Reply w/Quote]

03-31-2005, 09:07 AM	#10
mrche "Let's shag ass." Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 205 Location: South Jersey User is: OffLine	Re: Steps to take with used vehicle. Quote: Originally Posted by Waynestowels If you are interested in washing and drying, feel free to PM or email for a copy of a couple of articles I wrote sometime back. A lot of cool ideas and "tricks" to make detailing much easier. (no, I am not selling anything, just tips & tricks BTW, the new Armor All is not that bad, rated above average in the Wax Reports, although I do not personally care for it PM Sent
	[Reply w/Quote]

04-01-2005, 06:23 PM	#11
thrteen 98 Noma ZQ8 Age: 24 Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 601 Location: Ontario User is: OffLine	Re: Steps to take with used vehicle. Quote: Originally Posted by mrche I just bought my truck ( 1st one ) and I just took the seats out, vaccumed, took out the center console, washed it with soap and water. ( I plan on painting it black, since it doesn't look clean, even after the wash.) And now I've been tearing apart the dash, and just washing all of those parts, and using 'orange clean' on like the stuff i can't take off. I also took off the door panels, gonna vaccum them soon too. Its a real mess. I'd like to see some before and after pics! i know my truck was a mess when i bought it and i brought it back to looking pretty good.
	[Reply w/Quote]

04-01-2005, 06:39 PM	#12
mrche "Let's shag ass." Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 205 Location: South Jersey User is: OffLine	Re: Steps to take with used vehicle. Quote: Originally Posted by thrteen I'd like to see some before and after pics! i know my truck was a mess when i bought it and i brought it back to looking pretty good. AIM me at mrche21 and i'll show you some pics.
	[Reply w/Quote]