...Detailing run amok!!

[Petrograde]

It all started out innocently enough. I was just gonna wipe down the engine bay. I may have gotten a little carried away... :rolleyes:

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/gallery/data/500/Details_02.jpg

Does anyone else here do this? ..or am I just being obsessive compulsive about this. By the way,.. I have also been known to pull the wheels to shine them, and polish the wheel wells. :loco:

I pulled the grill, radiator cover, airbox and tube. I spent several hours hovering over the engine,.. spraying and wiping. My neighbors must think I'm crazy. :lol:

One thing I noticed: the hood liner... The damn thing is filthy.

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/gallery/data/500/Details_01.jpg

Before I started cleaning it I wanted to ask what you guys do,...

[Krytin]

Well I pull the wheels once a year for a clean & polish. I haven't pulled the grill for a detail.....
Yet!

Looks good - can't wait to tell the wife what I'm doing tomorrow!

[BillyGman]

Well I pull the wheels once a year for a clean & polish. What do you guys use for the wheels? I've noticed sometimes that my front wheels have a slight brownish hue to them even after I wash them. Maybe it's from the heat of the front rotors. I dunno. But I hadn't noticed it until I bought a brand new extra set of back wheels in order to have them Widened by Lidio, and the back wheels are brighter since they're newer. What should I use for the fronts?

[fastblackmerc]

What do you guys use for the wheels? I've noticed sometimes that my front wheels have a slight brownish hue to them even after I wash them. Maybe it's from the heat of the front rotors. I dunno. But I hadn't noticed it until I bought a brand new extra set of back wheels in order to have them Widened by Lidio, and the back wheels are brighter since they're newer. What should I use for the fronts?
I believe the consensus has been not to use anything but soap and water to clean the wheels because of the finish on them. If you've waxed your wheels maybe the brownish hue is from wax + heat??

[BillyGman]

I believe the consensus has been not to use anything but soap and water to clean the wheels because of the finish on them. If you've waxed your wheels maybe the brownish hue is from wax + heat??Nope, I never waxed them.

[Petrograde]

..for the wheels:

I use Zaino car wash and a soft bristle brush, followed by Mother's Mag & Aluminum polish,.. I know, I know,.. the wheels aren't aluminum, but it works great! :up:

[BillyGman]

..for the wheels:

I use Zaino car wash and a soft bristle brush, followed by Mother's Mag & Aluminum polish,.. I know, I know,.. the wheels aren't aluminum, but it works great! :up:Thanks Petro. BTW, I'm not being sarcastic, but I thought the wheels ARE polished aluminum.:confused: they certainly don't look like chrome nor stainless steel to me.

[Petrograde]

hmm.... ya know,.. now that I think about it,.. I haven't got a clue. :P

Seems like I did know once upon a time,.. but those brain cells were weak so they perished.

[BillyGman]

hmm.... ya know,.. now that I think about it,.. I haven't got a clue. :P

Seems like I did know once upon a time,.. but those brain cells were weak so they perished.LOL...it happens to all of us. It's just that some don't freely want to admit it.

[dwasson]

Mothers makes a foam polishing ball that fits into a drill chuck. Would that be too abrasive?

[Rider90]

The wheels are as clear coated as your car's paint. Take care of them.

Over here I clay bar, polish, and paste wax:
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/vbgarage.php?do=getimage&id=416

[DEFYANT]

Mothers makes a foam polishing ball that fits into a drill chuck. Would that be too abrasive?
I think so.

I clean them with soap and water. During a waxing, the rims get a coat. They come out lookin good!!

Billy perhaps yor wheels needed to be waxed :confused:

[Krytin]

What do you guys use for the wheels? I've noticed sometimes that my front wheels have a slight brownish hue to them even after I wash them. Maybe it's from the heat of the front rotors. I dunno. But I hadn't noticed it until I bought a brand new extra set of back wheels in order to have them Widened by Lidio, and the back wheels are brighter since they're newer. What should I use for the fronts?
Wheel Wax from Tire Rack - advertised to repel brakedust and it does for about 6 - 8 months. Only use nuetral car wash soap - no acid/brakedust cleaners to prevent stripping wax from wheels.

[stormtroopin']

"It all started out innocently enough. I was just gonna wipe down the engine bay. I may have gotten a little carried away... :rolleyes: "

I understand. Once I start I can't finish until everything is cleaned. After one thing gets cleaned, all the other dirty parts stick out like a sore thumb. People always ask why I take off the license plate bracket....well...so I can wax behind it...duh.:shake: It always takes me a couple of days to detail my car. Its a full blown disease.:depress:

[DEFYANT]

Only use nuetral car wash soap - no acid/brakedust cleaners to prevent stripping wax from wheels.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
What he said

[jgc61sr2002]

Wheel Wax from Tire Rack - advertised to repel brakedust and it does for about 6 - 8 months. Only use nuetral car wash soap - no acid/brakedust cleaners to prevent stripping wax from wheels.

Paul - Thanks for the tip. :D

[ckadiddle]

Ya know what's really funny? My wife thought I was obsessed with having a clean Marauder until she met the other local Marauder owners at a meet. :) And all I do is run it through the car wash frequently.

[spub]

Uh-

You can come over and wipe down the engine bay of my car anytime! ;>

BTW, have you ever seen Sgtmacs wheels? I'll never look at our wheels the same again.

Cudos Mac.

Kirt

[Marauder2005]

The wheels are as clear coated as your car's paint. Take care of them.

Over here I clay bar, polish, and paste wax:
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/vbgarage.php?do=getimage&id=416

VERY TRUE! I do the same thing, what ever you do don't use metal polish,
some contain Ammonia, which is not good for the clear coat at all

[Bluerauder]

... but I thought the wheels ARE polished aluminum.:confused: they certainly don't look like chrome nor stainless steel to me.
Yes, they are polished aluminum!! :D

[ghost03]

I use Simple Green. You can purchase it almost anywhere ( walmart HomeDepot ) and it works great especially for the engine. All you have to do is mix with 75% water and spray away. Let it sit for a few minutes and rinse it with the hose. Doesnt leave water spots or streaks and gets off all the break dust and dirt.

[Captain Steve]

Billy, are you talking about the shiny outside of the rims, or the inside of the rims when you're talking about brown stuff?

The brown stuff is probably rust. The rotors wear, and you get fine steel particles that settle on your wheels.

I recently took a good look at mine and nearly had a heart attack. It seems over the winter, the rust had a reaction with the aluminum, my wheels were spotted where they weren't polished.

I ended up sanding the inside of the wheels and spraypainted them satin black. I chose the satin, because flat paint would have made the insides too dark, and gloss would have made them too shiny. I wanted a subtle look. When you look at my wheels now, your eye is drawn to the shiny outsides, and if you look inside, the wheels are dark and mildly shiny.. like aluminum would look when shadowed.

[Fourth Horseman]

It all started out innocently enough. I was just gonna wipe down the engine bay. I may have gotten a little carried away... :rolleyes:

I keep my engine bay detailed and shiney, but I haven't pulled the grill yet. That area just behind the grill could use some cleaning on my car. Good thinking! :up:

[Petrograde]

I keep my engine bay detailed and shiney, but I haven't pulled the grill yet. That area just behind the grill could use some cleaning on my car. Good thinking! :up:

It was truely nasty behind the grill,.. lots of dirt and dead bugs. I was gonna pull the headlights... pretty dirty back there too, ...maybe next weekend.

[Embassy]

It all started out innocently enough. I was just gonna wipe down the engine bay. I may have gotten a little carried away... :rolleyes:

Does anyone else here do this? ..or am I just being obsessive compulsive about this. By the way,.. I have also been known to pull the wheels to shine them, and polish the wheel wells. :loco:Here's the engine bay. (http://www.supermotors.org/vehicles/registry/detail.php?id=588&s=24668#content)

http://www.supermotors.org/getfile/196211/fullsize/Engine%20Frt.JPG



I pulled the grill, radiator cover, airbox and tube. I spent several hours hovering over the engine,.. spraying and wiping. My neighbors must think I'm crazy. :lol: That sounds familiar. (http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=18600)

BTW: My neighbors know I am crazy.

http://www.supermotors.org/getfile/208490/fullsize/Klasse%20SG%20Frt1.JPG




http://www.supermotors.org/getfile/208729/fullsize/Wheel.JPG

I first used a clay bar on my trim rings and centercaps. I then applied Klasse All in One cleaner and protectant and then two coats of Klasse Super Glaze.

Perhaps, these (http://articles.autopia.org/index.php?page=category&c=18) articles will give some good advice regarding proper wheel maintenance. Here's (http://www.autopia-carcare.com/inf-wheels.html) one more.

Excellent work, Petro.

[Petrograde]

Thanks Embassy! It's nice to see someone else that goes the whole 10 yards... :loco: :P

If I went to a car show,.. I'm sure I'd win 'Cleanest Ride' :rofl: