I am about to start detailing my car today. I was just wondering what materials and methods you guys reccomend for my firebird(it's white, and gets dirty real easy) I also am wondering what kinda stuff to use to clean me plastic interior pieces. I know armor-all shines them up, but i want to actually clean them. And any ideas for my seats and carpet? I have a friend with a steam clear with a car attachment, will this work good? thanks for any help you guys can supply.

tim

[This message has been edited by 9D1BURD (edited July 11, 2001).]

 

go to your local GM dealer and get a product called vinal touch. Its about 5$ a can and brings back that fresh from the factory look. it works on all plastic and carpet, it really works......also when washing your car dont use a wheel cleaner to get brake dust off your front wheels just wash them with soap and water , scrubbing in between all the spokes, i can always tell the difference between someone who takes pride in thier third gen or someone who just wants it clean....

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1989 pontiac firebird
bright red exterior(just repainted)
grey interior
5 spd
305 TBI (stock)
WS.6 formula wheels
3.73 posi rear end
http://members.aol.com/j007golden/Mikey89.html
http://www.geocities.com/firebird/myfirebird.html
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1985 trans am
factory bright yellow
4 wheel disks
16 inch wheels
305 TPI
power antenna and mirrors
t tops

 

for wheels I use simple green, a large brush and a toothbrush with metal bristles. takes me like 5 minutes per wheel and they look great

 

APC(all purpose cleaner) and then some VLR(vynil,leather renewer)

oh wait that is the stuff i use at the dealership.

anyways. use an all purpose cleaner and spray down your whole interior, then scrub the carpet with an interior brush and then vacuum the carpet.
and spray the plastic vinyl pieces and scrub with a towel. it will look dull now, and then put on some renewer, or shiny stuff.

and tah dah. its all done.. and if you really want it to look nice, get a few cotton swabs, and go nuts on the corners. i do this before i go to car shows!

and make sure you clean out the engine compartment. and then VLR that also.

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Jarrad
1990 IROC-Z L98 350 TPI
TH-700R4
G92- 9 Bolt Borg-Warner 3.27gears
Bright Red Hardtop/ Grey Interior


DAILY DRIVER: 1991 GREY S10 2.5L/5SPD -FOR SALE.

 

I use a plastic bristle brush to clean out the crevices.

Since your car is white, sometimes you need to take special steps in cleaning it. I've found that when I detailed white cars that hadn't been waxed in a very long time, they built up a dirty haze that didn't wash off. Then when you wax, you see your finger marks because that's the only spot the dirt rubs off. I always wash these cars (and most others - they have that scum too you just can't see it on other colors) with Korkay wash. Simple Green or real strong dish detergent will work too. This will get it good and clean. Then I rub the whole car with hand glaze, then wax it. Makes it look real good.

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The IROC Homepage
<A HREF="http://www.rit.edu/~jli4307/camaro" TARGET=_blank>
View the restoration of an 85 IROC</A>
"I didn't know a bored out Ford could go so slow" -Shenandoah

 

If you'd like to really get good results.

Buy some 3m rubbing compound/swirl mark remover and get a foam bonnet for your orbital. do medium sized sections at a time (it should take a little while to go over your whole car) and then go over the whole car with a wax and that foam bonnet again after cleaning it.

Buy some 100% cotton towels to remove the rubbing compound and wax.

I did this last week and it really took the haze off my car and eliminated alot of swirl marks.

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My 1988 Firebird-the liscense plate on that was temporary :-)

90k miles, 305 5.0L, TBI, auto, black exterior, red interior.
Mods: Hi flow exhaust