Car washing/detailing yourself

**kingcy** · 03-07-2010, 08:44 PM

Armour All has a cleaner for everything that is better than their regular old stuff, works great, take it from someone that gets about everything on his seats and floors. Shampoo your carpets. I like to use a turtle wax's car wash on the out side, seems to make it shine better and doesnt leave a film, that or hotsy's soap. Windex your windows a few times, to get clean windows it takes time.

**Ames** · 03-07-2010, 09:09 PM

Originally Posted by westcyedclone

Wrap masking tape around your hand and pat the seats and carpet, the hair will stick to the tape.

Yeah. I usually go for some duct tape, but yeah.

Originally Posted by cyclonedave25

Try a lint roller.
And then, don't let your dog back in the car.

Works well also.

**Ames** · 03-07-2010, 09:12 PM

Originally Posted by kingcy

Armour All has a cleaner for everything that is better than their regular old stuff, works great, take it from someone that gets about everything on his seats and floors. Shampoo your carpets. I like to use a turtle wax's car wash on the out side, seems to make it shine better and doesnt leave a film, that or hotsy's soap. Windex your windows a few times, to get clean windows it takes time.

Yeah don't use Windex. It's not good for paint. If you get the ammonia free stuff for cars it's ok.

I don't think I even need to comment on the Armor All.

**Steve** · 03-07-2010, 09:15 PM

Originally Posted by bufante

Advice on getting dog hair off of upholstery?

Shop vac doesn't get it. Tried wet rag, nothing seems to really work.

I picked up a sponge like product from a hobby store. Just wiped it over the upholstery and the pet hair clings to it and you are able to easily pull the rolled up hair from the sponge. I don't have the name of the product, but check around at some of the big box hobby type stores.

**kingcy** · 03-07-2010, 09:17 PM

Originally Posted by Ames

Yeah don't use Windex. It's not good for paint. If you get the ammonia free stuff for cars it's ok.

We use regular old windshild washer solution most of the time. What is wrong wiht armor all?

**Ames** · 03-07-2010, 09:45 PM

Originally Posted by kingcy

We use regular old windshild washer solution most of the time. What is wrong wiht armor all?

Even when properly applied it's greasy and gross. Something like 303 will clean, protect, and doesn't leave the greasy film.

**phantom04** · 03-07-2010, 09:53 PM

Listen to what Ames says - he's right on the money, although I have yet to try out Zaino.

If you're actually serious about detailing your ride above the drive through car wash, armor all and windex crap, here's a good place to start reading.

Autopia - Autopia Home

http://www.autopia.org/forum/guide-detailing/

**kingcy** · 03-07-2010, 10:02 PM

Originally Posted by Ames

Even when properly applied it's greasy and gross. Something like 303 will clean, protect, and doesn't leave the greasy film.

I dont have that problem with the armur all cleaner. The regular stuff yes, but the cleaner no.

**iowaboy** · 03-07-2010, 10:08 PM

Originally Posted by bufante

Advice on getting dog hair off of upholstery?

Shop vac doesn't get it. Tried wet rag, nothing seems to really work.

***************************************************************
Spray an anti-static cling free on the upholstery and then vacuum. It will help. Then take duct tape and wrap around hand sticky side out and pat the remainder to remove the hair.

Spray scrubbing bubbles into vents and use a air compressor to blow foam thru vents to remove smoking odors and clean it up.

use a toothbrush with Windex and clean Plastic interior and wipe clean.

Clean windshield wipers with rubbing alcohol and Rain-ex your windows.

Use Super Clean with a spray bottle to remove grease stains and grease in door jams.... High pressure to clean out.

Remember for tar on the paint use ANY petroleum to remove. WD40 works well. Petroleum removes petroleum.

Scrub blackwalls with Comet OR Bleache-white and a wire brush for white walls. IB

**Freebird** · 03-07-2010, 10:48 PM

Thank you for all the responses. I'm getting spring fever!

**jtd9046** · 03-07-2010, 11:05 PM

Originally Posted by Freebird

Thank you for all the responses. I'm getting spring fever!

Best stuff...

Detailing a car with 3M Quick Wax. Video instructions and product recommendations. 3M: US

This shows you wax, glass cleaner, interior, and tire cleaners. Be sure to get some micro fiber cloths.

**mikeiastat** · 03-07-2010, 11:08 PM

Originally Posted by Freebird

So since it is about spring and time to clean out the inside of my cars. Anyone have any good tricks/advice?

Especially when it comes to removing film from windows. I never seem to be able to get the windows right.

And getting bug and muck off the front.

What are some favorite products people use for both inside and outside?

Try soaking a lint free cloth in vinegar and water. (about a tablespoon vinegar to a small bucket of water) and then throw it in the dryer. Used to work at a carwash in HS long ago. and we put a cup in the washer but I'm sure you don't want to do a whole load of towels that way. Then Dry the towel in the dryer but stop short of fully dry while it's still a little steamy.

Then clean the windows with standard window cleaner and your prepped towl. I never have a problem with film using this strategy.

Cant remember a trick for the bugs, used industy spray, but I'd try vinegar in the power washer chamber for a lot of things. It really is quite useful.

**jtd9046** · 03-07-2010, 11:08 PM

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-I3NBxam56I]YouTube - 3M? Glass Cleaner[/ame]

**cytech** · 03-08-2010, 04:37 AM

Originally Posted by kingcy

Armour All has a cleaner for everything that is better than their regular old stuff, works great, take it from someone that gets about everything on his seats and floors. Shampoo your carpets. I like to use a turtle wax's car wash on the out side, seems to make it shine better and doesnt leave a film, that or hotsy's soap. Windex your windows a few times, to get clean windows it takes time.

Hotsy's soap is watered down and over priced crap fyi

**BigTD** · 03-08-2010, 08:55 AM

Originally Posted by phantom04

If you're actually serious about detailing your ride above the drive through car wash, armor all and windex crap, here's a good place to start reading.

Autopia - Autopia Home

Guide to Detailing - Autopia.org

This is spot on. If you have tint on your windows don't use anything that is ammonia based. I don't own a single product made by Armor All. There is a reason they are cheap. Zaino is decent, but what most people don't understand is that getting the best look on your vehicle is all about what you do to the paint before you put a wax or sealant on it. You can apply Zaino to a vehicle that's all swirled and scratched, and it still won't look good. I've used Zaino, but I prefer carnauba waxes as they don't leave your car looking like it's made of plastic.