Yeah, ken... you know the back of our beloved little cars shouldn't be called a "boot". It should be called "dirt collection area".

Managed to keep mine pretty clean on the damp roads yesterday morning but on the ride home I decided to do a little bug collecting. I believe I caught about 40 of the little rascals.

 

what is your favorite product for removing bugs. i've tried a few but none seem to be that great. i always end up using my fingernail and then that is a gross personal detailing afterwards.

 

My method: A couple of layers of Prima Epic on the paint. Then the bugs come off pretty easily with my QD of choice (Griot's Speed Shine) and a Monster Fluffy microfiber towel.

For the glass, I haven't run across bug guts yet that do not succomb to Prima Clarity and the DP's glass cloth.

 

i have two coats of Epic on there and a third one to come this weekend, but i live in a coastal town (well to the delaware river anyway) and we just have an inordinate amount of large bugs. they seem to get all caught up in my front airdam and the body curves around the lights and grill. i think i might order wizards bug remover. anyone have success with that?

 

you're suppose to dodge those bugs too, while driving.

just got back from my biz trip... not sure how long the bird crap
was on my FitS... dropped on the rear spoiler ran down the rear
glass down to the rear wiper. took some Slick and removed
the crap with a paper towel.

to my surprise the crap just slipped off like a cold solder.
man, im REALLY liking Griot's PaintSealant now. there is no wax
that ive tried that has been this protective. Epic is not even close.
and the shine glows through the dust so even though my car's silver
and pretty dusty, it still appears shiny and clean.

 

Muriatic Acid works great. Make sure you have very good ventilation and apply CAREFULLY - do not splash - take your time. WEAR EYE PROTECTION. It's cheap and does a great job. Your grout will look new.

 

hey, thanks for that tip!

 

Sure! My father used muriatic acid about once every other year on the downstairs bathroom shower (basement) and the results were terrific. I've personally used it once - to etch some of my basement masonry as a pre-paint prep for dry-lok (had some minor moisture issues). It worked very well.

Read ALL of this over very carefully:
http://www.naturalhandyman.com/iip/infxtra/infmur.html

This guy knows what he's talking about - know what you are getting into.

If you use this - really take your time - make sure you only get it on tile/grout - not metal (you may need to remove the little drain thing - most of these pop right out. Use a diluted mixture. WEAR PROPER PROTECTION! Rinse well afterwards, etc. Also note that you should add acid to water - NOT the other way round.

The results will be very very good. But you need to give lots of respect to your acid solution. And be well prepared with everything you need around you for cleanup etc before you start.

If any of this is particularly intimidating, consider just paying someone to do it - sometimes peace of mind is well-worth a few hundred bucks. If you DO go this route - get proof of insurance from the guy first - don't let him start without a copy of his validated insurance in your hands.

 

^^ gotcha. will study first if this is the right solution for me.

 

Oxyclean - best carpet cleaner I have EVER seen. We had stains in our WHITE carpet - right in the middle of the 20x22 family room, last year just before putting it on the market. Professionals couldn't get it out (just make it slightly lighter. None of the stuff from Zep etc worked either.

Oxyclean - BAM! Stain? What stain? There was a stain here? House sold! Happy me!

 

Where'd you get that? It's great!

 

hey, the 3" orbital set with bag, polish3 and best of show for $134.99!

keycode: EMRBH

 

would probably take forever to do your entire car with that, but
hey, if you already have a 6" RO...

 

** crickets **

 

Tonight was supposed to be polish night. I got my test spot done (2 rounds of Swirl/orange followed by Amigo/white)...and then the power went out. It's been out for almost 2 hours.

 

Betcha wish you would have bought the jock-strap head lamp now huh.
Bright ... er, dark side of the power loss is that your swirls have suddenly disappeared.

 

So true. It's back on now, but it's dark out! And my garage really is just too crowded.

My car may be a swirly mess for Mini Mania...mannnnnn...

 

I am lining up detailing jobs quite rapidly this summer. Last summer was the first season of my pseudo business and it is growing! I couldn't have done it without the help of the dedicated detailers on NAM (in other words I acquired many of my skills here). Just a shout out to everyone: Thank you!

 

WHAT? No Genny?

 

Heck no.

 

excuses excuses, ML.


i think im going to QD my MCS completely after my drive this AM.
yah, got up early to motor my MCS.

btw, i saw a white 135i lowered to the ground. thing looked pretty damn
awesome. i like the fact that it's so small too. i might have to look into
that as replacement for my MCS. i think this is going to be my last season.

 

you would be sorely missed Ken

 

What's this, ken ?! No more MINI ?

135's do look pretty sweet, but your garage is big enough for both ! I know, the G gets priority in the garage.

 

Been reading reviews on the 135's - most say for the money of a nicely equipped 135 you might as well get a 335 - more power, more room and better ride.
Speaking of garage, while my wife's Expedition has been in the shop, the MINI has been in the garage. Wow, life would be so much simpler if I had a garage for the MINI. It is nice to come out in the morning to a warm, clean MINI!

 

Yes, I <3 my garage. Especially in the winter when it's snowing out and mine is heated to about 55 degrees. Seat warmers + garage = happy ***.