Car Care and Detailing Thread

[lewdog]

Others mentioned I should start this thread in my other thread. And while I won't have the new car for a while, I'd like to hear some thoughts and recommendations so I can have most of it on hand before the car shows up. My other thread had a lot of great posts in it and you guys have been a big help.

While black cars looks great clean, keeping it relatively clean in Phoenix might be the death of me. But I'll sure as shit give it my best shot.

I actually like cleaning and waxing our current cars but it's not like I am being meticulous about it. I've never had a car with rims either and I know those can get dirty quick. I've never owned a dark colored car and I've never had a car with leather. I plan to take really good care of this car and would like some tips on doing so. But I'm just a ****ing n00b.

I'll throw some links out from Amazon as I mention things.


Some of the things already on my list are:
1. Not sure if everyone recommends wool wash mitt over micorfiber here but many people I know do?
http://www.amazon.com/Mothers-Genuin...wool+wash+mitt

2. Grit guard and two wash buckets. One for rinse and one for soap/water.

http://www.amazon.com/Mothers-Genuin...wool+wash+mitt

3. Waffle Weave Drying towel. There are tons of towels out there but this seems to be able to take up a lot of water.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001Q8DMA0/...I21164SXVV1AWB

4. Car Wash

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0009IQXFO/...b_recs_2_title


Some mention that after washing you should use a paint cleanser before waxing. But wondering if washing then clay baring is sufficient prior to wax?

I've seen this P21S Paintwork Cleanser mentioned on a few reads. Looks like good use for water spots and swirls prior to waxing if needed. Not sure if you would do entire car first or just use it for bad spots before waxing?

http://www.amazon.com/P21S-12350B-Pa...twork+Cleanser


Also, a company called Zaino has great reviews and recommendations. They have a package that looks like it includes all products I'd need together including wash, polish, wax, leather and tire care.

http://www.zainostore.com/mm5/mercha...y_Code=prokits



I do not have a polisher and would need to get one of those as well but not sure where to start on that front.



Can't wait to see what you guys have tried and recommend.

[lewdog]

I think I'm just gonna replace the car. So far I've learned.


Get black leather (Miles)

Get anything but black paint (everyone)

Get new rims (MIAdragon)



I love you all very much.

[Bearcat]

Originally Posted by lewdog

I've got some chemical guys leather cleaner. Maybe I'll hit it with that and a good scrub. It really just looks like creases in the leather though. Not sure much is really in it. Don't know.

+1 for their cleaner and conditioner.

[loochy]

Originally Posted by lewdog

Lewdog here with another dumb and childish car care question.

I have never had leather seats before. You guys, knowing my OCD nature, know that I have been conditioning my leather seats every 3-4 weeks with a leather conditioner that has mink oil in it (supposed to be good). My seats are still getting really dark creases in them. Is that unavoidable with leather? I don't think it's cracking but more creases with how I sit on the seat every time I'm in the car. Here's the picture of the side of the seat looking towards the steering wheel. Is this unavoidable?

Lew,

Are you sure if that piece is even actually leather? A lot of cars only have leather on the center portions and vinyl on the sides.

If it is leather, try Lexol cleaner and Lexol conditioner.

[loochy]

Also, here's my car (just because).

[scho63]

Originally Posted by lewdog

I think I'm just gonna replace the car. So far I've learned.


Get black leather (Miles)

Get anything but black paint (everyone)

Get new rims (MIAdragon)



I love you all very much.

In Arizona???

You better reconsider

[lewdog]

Originally Posted by loochy

Lew,

Are you sure if that piece is even actually leather? A lot of cars only have leather on the center portions and vinyl on the sides.

If it is leather, try Lexol cleaner and Lexol conditioner.

I do realize that what many call "leather" seats in today's cars is actually not really leather. So I am totally unsure if the conditioning I've been doing is really doing anything at all.

Either way, that crease is there. I tried Chemical guys leather cleaner and chemical guys conditioner. Didn't change a bit. Even wiped the seats down first, and that spot particularity, with a very hot rag for increased moisture. No change.


I was reading stuff online about this and I saw some pictures of Audi cars where people had huge creases in their seats in this same area. Cars with less than 10k on them. Depends on the the quality of the leather it seems. Most of the Audi guys were saying they couldn't do anything to fix this problem either. I'm sure most Ford owners aren't as picky as me, so this problem doesn't come up much.

[lewdog]

Originally Posted by loochy

Also, here's my car (just because).

Would slam/10.

Rice ride.

[loochy]

Originally Posted by lewdog

I do realize that what many call "leather" seats in today's cars is actually not really leather. So I am totally unsure if the conditioning I've been doing is really doing anything at all.

Either way, that crease is there. I tried Chemical guys leather cleaner and chemical guys conditioner. Didn't change a bit. Even wiped the seats down first, and that spot particularity, with a very hot rag for increased moisture. No change.


I was reading stuff online about this and I saw some pictures of Audi cars where people had huge creases in their seats in this same area. Cars with less than 10k on them. Depends on the the quality of the leather it seems. Most of the Audi guys were saying they couldn't do anything to fix this problem either. I'm sure most Ford owners aren't as picky as me, so this problem doesn't come up much.

Maybe try some saddle soap to soften it up?

[SAUTO]

Originally Posted by lewdog

I do realize that what many call "leather" seats in today's cars is actually not really leather. So I am totally unsure if the conditioning I've been doing is really doing anything at all.

Either way, that crease is there. I tried Chemical guys leather cleaner and chemical guys conditioner. Didn't change a bit. Even wiped the seats down first, and that spot particularity, with a very hot rag for increased moisture. No change.


I was reading stuff online about this and I saw some pictures of Audi cars where people had huge creases in their seats in this same area. Cars with less than 10k on them. Depends on the the quality of the leather it seems. Most of the Audi guys were saying they couldn't do anything to fix this problem either. I'm sure most Ford owners aren't as picky as me, so this problem doesn't come up much.

I had a spot like that in the seat of my truck when it had less than 5k on it. Made them replace it.

[loochy]

Originally Posted by loochy

Also, here's my car (just because).

Aww man, my attachment disappeared.

[Miles]

Originally Posted by lewdog

Thanks for the great info. I will buy the Wolfgang products when the time comes. I have no plans of polishing anything out until this car becomes our third car and I am not driving it everyday. I have gone back on my OCD ways as I just don't have the energy right now to mess with something like that and drive this car another 6 months as my daily driver and have my hard word ruined.

I started with correcting mine earlier today and its pretty satisfying when you get to the step of the paint being a mirror and scratches are gone. I'm just doing a section at a time with it being a daily driver.

[Miles]

Also remembered good point of correcting is the pad and applying pressure to create heat with your polisher.

[loochy]

It's satisfying when my two year old likes to dance and make faces into my car. I ask him what color it is. He says "daddy car mirror."

[lewdog]

Alright, I am looking into trying wet sanding for touchup paint smoothing. Will be trying on my 10 year old daily driver Civic first, which is gold and very forgiving paint. It has numerous rock chips across the front of the hood that have never been touched. This will be my practice before attempting this on the flat black and very unforgiving Mustang paint (yes, I'm scared!).

I will be using the technique demonstrated in this video.



I have already done the touchup paint application on many of the Mustang spots. Used a very fine tipped paint brush and let it bleed from the brush into the spot, not using an actual brushing technique. Some of the chips look smooth, slightly higher(was told this is best technique, can flatten later) and more consistent.

Similar to this.


Others look like they bled into the surrounding paint and present what looks like unsmooth or sap like texture that is noticeable to the eye more than the smooth and higher spot corrections. Maybe these spots just need more layers to build up and over the entire spot?





I have 2000, 3000, 5000 and 7000 grit sandpaper for the wet sanding. I understand that using a small block for even pressure is how to use, not your fingers.

I have a DA polisher and a few products I was told would likely work. I have the orange and blue cutting pads for the polisher, thinking the orange will be needed initially and working down to the blue for final polishing? I even have the black pad which is a finishing or wax pad.

Based on what I can gather, many say to wet sand to correct level and then attempt something like Ultimate Compound with the orange pad. Do multiple passes until level and fairly smooth. Follow with 205 Ultra Finishing Compound with maybe the blue pad, to provide glossy finish back to paint. Not sure what the Mirror Glaze 2, Fine cut cleaner could be used for? It actually rates as a higher cutting compound than the 205.




I know Miles and I think Loochy have done this before. Any help of tips for me would be apprieciated. I will try them on the Civic first before the Mustang. I'm not looking for perfection, but something just better than white speck rock chips on the car.

[lewdog]

Bump to my above post since it was posted on the weekend and I'll just assume everyone missed it.

Comments, tips or a big "**** you, dumbass!," are welcome.

Thanks.