Share useful and weird tips

BUMP, I have a feeling I'm gonna like a lot of the responses if you guys will provide them. ;-)

Being a relative newbie, I don't feel that I have much to contribute in this area, but I'll say the following: Each Sunday morning, I use some APC and my electric pressure washer (which is out & connected due to the car washing) to clean off my patio furniture as I'm putting everything away.
 
While its a little wasteful of water...after I wash my car I remove the trigger sprayer from my hose and sheet water over the car. On a well maintained car (which mine is) it ends up being 90% dry as the water sheets right off.
 
Mizzoutiger said:
To keep water hose and electric cords from getting stuck in tires, place full 5-gallon wash bucket as shield off car corner.
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I use cheap plastic wheel chocks from Autozone turned backwards up against tire
 
Coopers ST said:
So the 'ramp' sticks away from the tire and not under it?
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Yep, you can chock the wheels correctly too. With them backward when you pull the hose around the corner it tried to slide up the "ramp" and push down on the chock so it doesn't slide out.

However, it worked better with my old cheapo hose that was more of plasticky type. My new Goodyear rubber hose will grab the chocks more pulling them out sometimes but for the pressure washer line it works great.
 
LRC3 said:
Great idea!!

On the same plane, I picked this up from the car wash dudes in NYC, pre seeing the light here on AG..:xyxthumbs:

I apply tire shine with a cheap 4' paint brush. I use a old Country Crock spread tub, pour 4/5oz in. Dip my paintbrush and wipe around couple times. The bristles also get into the bead where the tire and rim meets.

No waste, no fling......Im the MAN. I've had a .32 oz bottle of tire wet last about 6 months. (3cars)

I like the low gloss, so this works perfect for me. When done replace the top and done.

I trying those sponge applicators and they always get my fingers dirty.:nomore:
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This is why latex or nitrile gloves are handy. :props:
 
I'll use those plastic brush / tooth picks to clean out holes in perforated leather of scuz that just won't come out. Wal-Mart carries the ones I use - The Doctors brand I believe ......
 
When I clean glass I put my halogen lights in front of the car and shine through the front window it will show every little streaks In the glass.
 
When I wash and detail my mazda 3 I also clean the engine compartment and the well wells. I foam Rolloff in the engine compartment and wheel wells just before I start on the exterior of the car, by the time I'm done with the wash the Rolloff was like having 10000 little remote robots getting toall of those impossible spots and areas to clean and it looks like you spent hours detailing the engine and compartment. I also found that the wheel wells and even the wheels come out looking new. Sorry for the loooong thread but that's my 2 cents....
 
Mountian man said:
When I wash and detail my mazda 3 I also clean the engine compartment and the well wells. I foam Rolloff in the engine compartment and wheel wells just before I start on the exterior of the car, by the time I'm done with the wash the Rolloff was like having 10000 little remote robots getting toall of those impossible spots and areas to clean and it looks like you spent hours detailing the engine and compartment. I also found that the wheel wells and even the wheels come out looking new. Sorry for the loooong thread but that's my 2 cents....
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Is that amazing roll off? How do you "foam" it?
 
Wrap the head of your Wheel Woolie 12" or 18" angled wheel brush with a MF towel - sticks like velco and keeps the Wheel Woolie clean and saves your knuckles at the same time. I use this for drying and applying BFCS to the barrels and rims.
 
I find that it is easier to lay out all my tools for detailing on a cheap Harbour Freight movers blanket so nothing actually touches the ground. Everything is organized so that you can move from tool to tool. Blankets are always on sale for 6.00 and sometimes free with a coupon.
 
Eandras said:
I find that it is easier to lay out all my tools for detailing on a cheap Harbour Freight movers blanket so nothing actually touches the ground. Everything is organized so that you can move from tool to tool. Blankets are always on sale for 6.00 and sometimes free with a coupon.
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Thanks for posting that!! I recently rented a U-Haul van and opted for their moving blankets (when I reserved online) which they had sitting on the sidewalk and were all mildewed. Next time I'll just buy a few of my own. Thanks!
 
LRC3 said:
True.

But one less thing you have to use and more importantly to BUY.
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But you will spend 13 to 20 bucks on wax or compound and a bunch of Micro fibers??? They are not that expensive. You can use orange kitchen gloves and you can get many uses out of 1 pair.
 
Mix apc and water based dressing to make an all in one interior cleaner. I use it on everything interior wise, including door jambs and gaskets. Just dry buff the residue after your done. It saves us a solid hour

Tool bags or duffle bags for mobile detailing organization. Makes it easy to toss your stuff in the car on the go as opposed to heavier organization
Ive got a bag for:
Polishers and exterior stuff
Interior tools and brushes
Extension cords, air hose, and misc stuff

Dry your pads on a rotary buffer inside a bucket so the water doesnt fly everywhere

Get a labeler and some heavy packaging tape to "laminate" your labels

As a pro, downsize your inventory to improve efficiency.

Use light 0000 steel wool and polish on windows and chrome

Spray wax on door jambs

Chemical resistant Garden pump sprayers for heavily used chems like apc

Use two hands. A bottle in each hand when youre spraying apc on tires and wheelwells, and a towel in each hand when your wiping the wax or polish residue off the car.

Rotary plus 3" backing plate plus wool pad plus compound = badass headlight restoration "drill"

3 towels when cleaning glass. One is wet with glass cleaner, one to buff and the other to final buff and touch up

Roll the windows parially down before cleaning glass and clean the top edge first

Do the whole interior first including inside glass before moving on outside, so you dont have to climb in a hot car doing interior glass after doing hours of polishing

Always dry brush before vacuuming

Neutralize your carpet and upholstery cleaners with an appropriate fiber rinse

Air compressor is NECESSARY for mf pads and interior detaiing

Even though leather is mostly coated, Leather conditioner makes cars with leather smell luxurious and adds a sweet sheen.

For mobile detailers that have not experienced the savior-esque shade of a pop up canopy with a sun wall, invest in one immediately. Its like working in a shop with a breeze

Carry extra buckets, spray heads and trash bags. Put loose belongins in the bags. Use a spare bucket for trash. Much easier than a limp trash bag

Carry screwdrivers and various hand tools in case
 
Use something on the floor around the tire when spraying dresng to prevent overspray on the customers driveway. I use old nasty towels
 
Buy and hang up a sweet 10 foot banner with your logo on your ez up when mobile. Much cheaper and kind of as effective as investing in vehicle graphics
 
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