Often overlooked details, Detailed!

Joe@Superior Shine

Joe@Superior Shine

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You've heard it said it's all in the details. How detailed do you really get when you are cleaning a vehicle? One of my pet peeves is not addressing the Schrader valve stem caps. That's right, I do not like these when they go neglected. Most may think this is insignificant but when you have rubbing compound coursing through your veins this something you cannot overlook.
 
I start out by removing the valve stem caps and checking the condition. I make sure they are not damaged or cracked in any way. Next I'll make up a solution mixed 4/1 of water and soap and soak the valve stem caps in it. I allowed the caps to soak for about an hour or so. If they're filthy allow them to soak longer.
 
Once they have soaked awhile you can use a Q-tip to clean them thoroughly. Make sure you get the inside, even though you can't see it it is plenty dirty. Make sure you rub the cotton swab with the ribs and not against it to clean it real good. You'll be surprised how dirty the Schrader valves actually are. Look how dirty this Q-tip is. I used 12 of them to get the caps perfectly clean.

If you have some crud stuck in between the ribs you can use a pick like the one in the photo to dig out the crud. Once you cleaned out the debris you can go over it again with the Q-tip to make sure it's perfectly clean.
 
Once you're convinced that they are clean as can be, soak them in Meguiars M40 vinyl & Rubber cleaner / conditioner. This step will rejuvenate older valve stem caps and give the caps a nice satin sheen. They will smell nice too!

After they have soaked in M M40 for an hour or so I take a fresh cotton swab and rub in the product to make sure it's in the pores and all the nooks and crannies.

It only took a few hours but the efforts are well worth the trouble. Now my valve stem caps have been given love equally as much as every other inch of my car.
 
I'll be the first to admit it's not exactly earth-shattering but you can tell by this picture it did make a big difference.
 
Wouldn't it be faster to keep a supply of new caps that have been pre-treated with Carpro Dlux?
 
Although I think you are pulling my leg...I appreciate the attention to details, but I would rather spend this time on other parts and just buy replacements

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AGOatemywallet said:
Although I think you are pulling my leg...I appreciate the attention to details, but I would rather spend this time on other parts and just buy replacements

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Click to expand...

I really DON'T think Joe is kidding ... but I kind of agree with the 'replace with conditioned new' valve stem caps.
 
I guess replacing the caps would be quicker but it wouldn't be original to the car. Also, the new caps would have to be cleaned and dressed anyway.
 
I can't believe you're actually talking bout Shrader valves.😂
1 of my best friends from childhood is a greasemonkey like I am a detailer.. We both love cars and talk about cars constantly, but once in a while he'll get these crazy ideas and it's hard to make him stop..

Like for example, not too long ago I told him about 1 of my tires that constantly loses air pressure, so that's when he began with his Shrader valve talk... Non stop about how it could be the Shrader valve and how we could fix it for cheap. I kept telling him not to worry because I was simply gonna get a new [used] tire for $25 like I always do. [Btw I'm Mexican, and I'm sure Joe knows very well how us Latins buy tires. Lol]

So I had to listen to him talk about these stinkin Shrader valves every time I ran into him until I finally got around to buying a "new" used tire for my car. Smh... Too funny.

Btw Joe, I know that's an old school ride and it probably looks better with those rubber valve stem caps.. But when I clean my chrome stem caps I like to use a dental pick and some Wheel Brightener. It only takes about an hour per stem cap, but as you know, the gleam that shines off a properly chromed valve stem cap is the difference between taking home 1st place trophys🏆

View attachment 46645

Happy Detailing👍🏽
 
Schrader valve stem cap cleaning has been an à la carte service at my shop for as long as I remember. Very popular service.
 
I got a "feva" and..........
The only prescription is.......
More valve stem caps!
lol.
 
Although Joe is part detailer and part stand-up comedian, and I'm sure this is an April Fool's, I'd be lying if I said I'd never cleaned (or polished) any valve caps...
 
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