Cleaning Crevices

osiapstndp

osiapstndp

New member
Apr 27, 2016
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I'm curious how others reliably clean out crevices and seams (like between adjacent panels) when doing rinseless or waterless washes. I missed some spots on the car I'm working on and it's been bugging me all day. When I caught it I used D114 and a flagged brush to remove the some of the dirt (there's still a bit left), but it got me thinking that a way should exist to get a better result. Wedging something between two panels and hoping for the best seems like it produces too inconsistent a result, but I can't think of anything else.

Do other folks have this problem? What's on my mind right now is to use a tall-pile microfiber towel, mitt or pad (or maybe a cotton swab) that is damp with rinseless solution and attempt to gently pull out the dirt.

Included below are pictures of the sort of crevices to which I refer.

cc02e36aad8069e3a381a09cbef2243d.jpg


cb7d4985361dfeed0db6f558fc03b016.jpg
 
I go to the home improvement store and buy a couple 1" china bristle brushes, you can cut them down to about 1/2" long and cut one at an angle. Works great for getting ying-yang out of those places. A piece of blue tape around the metal band helps to.
 
I just blast it clean with steam. Works really well. Also, you can wrap a credit card with a microfiber towel and run it along in-between the panel edges to clean out all the junk.
 
Doing a rinseless wash is not going to give you the same results as pressure washing. If you dig your towel down into those crevices, you risk dragging dirt particles all over your paint. Do the rinseless process, not waterless. Waterless process is basically rubbing with detail spray. keep your towels completely soaked with solution and go with a light touch. Spray each panel down heavily with rinseless solution. Get the heavy dirt and crevices when you have a hose.
 
atgonzales said:
Try this...

Wax Removal Tool Combo

And in a pinch use a credit card wrapped in microfiber towel


Sent from my iPad using Autogeekonline mobile app
Click to expand...

I like to use the wax removal tool as stated above it works great for me after i am done i go back and get in all the cracks. It also works good on the interior. Now if i am washing i use the famous detail brush around everything with good results. I thought they were a bit pricey for a brush i caught them on sale and used it then i ordered 4 more lol. They have their specific jobs like one for wheels and lug nuts one for interior and one for the painted surfaces. There are several options out there and i have used the credit card also before i found autogeek and now i am hooked.
 
I have not stepped into the waterless/rinse less wash scene myself (although WG Uber is on it's way), but all of the above suggestions seem they would work. I've also seen popsicle sticks used to push microfiber into these crevices. If you aren't already doing it, open all doors, hoods, trunk lids and etc to give as much access to adjacent panels as possible.
 
Thank you everyone for the great suggestions. I think a credit card and thin microfiber towel will work adequately. I was doing prep work to get the customer's vehicle ready for a two-step refinishing job and removing residual dirt from all of those crevices was bugging me. Thank you again!
 
Either a paint brush trimmed down, a Q-Tip, or for long thin runs; hotel key cards with thin MF over them.. rotating the working face of the cloth practically continuously..
Usually this is with APC or ONR...

For stubborn shite I have also used Q-tips with P21s paint cleaner (eg in a plastic trim corners)... that's great stuff...
 
mc2hill said:
Don't forget craft (popsicle) sticks around a MF towel work great for this too.
Click to expand...

But don't they break at the worst times? Seems like they wouldn't be firm enough, I dunno.

I think the wax removal tool that atgonzales provided the link to would work far better than trying the cheapo route.. There's just sometimes when the stupid little things are worth spending the extra $3 on. Lol.

The Mothers Detail Brushes also come in handy for this task, they've got a built in pointed tip specifically for this purpose. Nice added touch to already solid brushes. Good job, Mothers.

f385ea99c709ab9117ebef9f82842506.jpg


http://www.autogeek.net/mothers-detail-brush-set.html




Sent from my iPhone
 
You can also file a chop stick down so it looks like a flat head screw driver. Wooden dowels work well too but I like Chinese food so I'm partial to chop sticks.
 
If you've got any dead Tolco sprayers laying around, it looks like the back of the nozzle has pointed edge that would also work perfect + wouldn't break while using it.

b3c1f15f7627a7798e57cd48e96f8be0.jpg



Sent from my iPhone
 
Eldorado2k said:
But don't they break at the worst times? Seems like they wouldn't be firm enough, I dunno.

I think the wax removal tool that atgonzales provided the link to would work far better than trying the cheapo route.. There's just sometimes when the stupid little things are worth spending the extra $3 on. Lol.

The Mothers Detail Brushes also come in handy for this task, they've got a built in pointed tip specifically for this purpose. Nice added touch to already solid brushes. Good job, Mothers.

f385ea99c709ab9117ebef9f82842506.jpg


http://www.autogeek.net/mothers-detail-brush-set.html




Sent from my iPhone
Click to expand...

These brushes have impressed me!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
oboroballa03 said:
I like to use the wax removal tool as stated above it works great for me after i am done i go back and get in all the cracks. It also works good on the interior. Now if i am washing i use the famous detail brush around everything with good results. I thought they were a bit pricey for a brush i caught them on sale and used it then i ordered 4 more lol. They have their specific jobs like one for wheels and lug nuts one for interior and one for the painted surfaces. There are several options out there and i have used the credit card also before i found autogeek and now i am hooked.
Click to expand...

Which "famous detail brush " is he are you referring to?
 
Eldorado2k said:
But don't they break at the worst times? Seems like they wouldn't be firm enough, I dunno.

I think the wax removal tool that atgonzales provided the link to would work far better than trying the cheapo route.. There's just sometimes when the stupid little things are worth spending the extra $3 on. Lol.

The Mothers Detail Brushes also come in handy for this task, they've got a built in pointed tip specifically for this purpose. Nice added touch to already solid brushes. Good job, Mothers.

f385ea99c709ab9117ebef9f82842506.jpg


Mothers Detail Brush Set cleans crevices and creases inside your car. Mother Detail Brush Set includes 2 small brushes.




Sent from my iPhone
Click to expand...

But sir these arent paint or are they?
 
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