Cleaning, polishing, and appearance tricks for your Chevy Silverado

[White Lightening]

Originally Posted by feb

What do you use to take water spots of windows?

In the city I live in - we have iron in the water - so spotting is a pain the butt. Great waxes help - but I now have some new solutions that really make things work great.

1. For tires or internal/external rubber mats, or exterior vinyls (mirror covers, tailgate, bumpers, door handles etc.) - to get them jet black (or gray as in lower front bumper) and glossy and bug resistant I use
No Touch Wet'N'Protect Wet Tire Finish. Doesn't fling - works much better than others I've used - and lasts longer too. Cost - $3 to $4 a can.

2. for Windshields and windows exterior and interior and mirrors - something new - Rain-X GLASS CLEANER Wipes with Anti-Fog. Note - this is not the Rain-X wipes - it is the Glass Cleaner Wipes. Works excellent on bugs - comes in a can of 25 wipes for $3.25. One wipe does the whole truck in my extended cab. Prior to this - bugs and water spots were a real problem. I used half a dozen cleaners - none worked as good as these glass cleaner wipes from Rain-X.

3. An Aqua Brush. cost - about $5. Another miracle item. Its like a squeege except instead of a rubber blade - its a 12 inch wide silicon blade. Its designed to be used on windows or painted surfaces of the truck. Flexible - no scratching - replaces towels, rags, and chamois. Fast - easy - gets the water off before it can spot - won't scratch - flexible to countour changes.

All three of the above items combined will cost you less than $12.00 plus tax - and make the cleaning/polishing job cut in half. I hate doing windows - at least I used to hate it - especially on the inside. Not any more

[05Chevyman]

How many of you have tried the Mr. Clean Auto-Dry? The newer pro series is the best. ( $35.00) I didn't like it the first couple of times, but, by brother-in-law showed me how to use it correctly. He uses it on his black Escalade, which never has a water spot on it. I now use it on my black truck and no spots. It's amazing. I'm not sure how it works with different water (extremely hard or soft water) but it works great for me.

[Trucks_n_Harleys]

I have wheels like the 4th and 8th post in this thread...Looks like some one got a little rough with wheel or tire cleaner...The finish is stained....HOW can I remove clearcoat and polish them up nice????

[sportin83]

Originally Posted by 05Chevyman

How many of you have tried the Mr. Clean Auto-Dry? The newer pro series is the best. ( $35.00) I didn't like it the first couple of times, but, by brother-in-law showed me how to use it correctly. He uses it on his black Escalade, which never has a water spot on it. I now use it on my black truck and no spots. It's amazing. I'm not sure how it works with different water (extremely hard or soft water) but it works great for me.

how do you get that damn thing not to leave spots. i have used it 4 times now and everytime it leaves spots. cant figure what i am doing wrong i looked at the directions and tried again and still spots i am about to throw it in the trash or take it back to walmart they will give me money back

[HanibalTheCannibal]

Ok, I will chime in (Thanks White Lightening)
These are good tips for me as a new owner of a shiny silvy!!

1. WINDOW SPOTS: After washing truck, let windows dry with spots and all, just let em look bad. **THEN**grab a newspaper and wad up one page. Just wipe over the dry windows with a crumbled sheet of newspaper and you will have the cleanest windows you have ever seen. Sounds Crazy but, try it. Look at the newspaper you will see the all the dirt that was left in the safety glass sealer.
CREDIT goes to Daniel M., Installer at Dyer Electronics, Victoria TX (1989).

Thanks for everyone for the great tips!!

[White Lightening]

Originally Posted by HanibalTheCannibal

Ok, I will chime in (Thanks White Lightening)
These are good tips for me as a new owner of a shiny silvy!!

Thanks for everyone for the great tips!!

I was speaking with the owner of a large dealership the other day. We were talking about vehicles and retained value for outright sale or trade-in. His viewpoint was that the best investment you can make in a vehicle - is the maintenance of the appearance. His perspective was - other than checking and changing oils and fluids - nothing cost so little and results in so much resale value - as does the maintenance of the appearance of the exterior and interior of the vehicle. He claims that investment is easier to maintain today because of better clear coats and better paint and rust retardant formulations - and easier to use cleaning and waxing products. His people who value trade-ins - look at appearance closely - because they understand what can be "prepped or cleaned up (detailed) - and what is more difficult to correct".

His point - a little good quality wax and some cleaners and an avoidance of sand/dirt in wash water, rags, sponges, applicators - goes a long way. His other pet peeve - high pressure washers used inproperly on wheels and paint - paint removers used as spot/paint cleaners - and screwdrivers in back pockets that cut seat upholstery.

[HandCrank]

For the very best car wax one can't beat "Bowling Alley paste wax" or "Johnson's Paste Floor Wax". Both are very high in carnuba.Be sure to follow the instructions. A lot of work, sure, but wow! What a hard glossy finish.

To protect and preserve those plastic bug shields and window shades use a good liquid car polish.

Forget those fancy spray cleaners...at Wal-Mart, in the automotive section, look in the display of car waxes and polish for a one gallon container of "Purple Power" About $2.40. This stuff will do all the cleaning for everything on your vehicle. Refill that empty sprayer and you'll have a lot of cleaning refills for a lot less green backs. Used full strength it's an excellent degreaser....Speaking of which, to remove real serious engine compartment gunk, spray on some oven cleaner, the cheap stuff works just as good as the expensive brand name can..

While at Wally World pick up some "Micro Fibre" clothes, again in the automotive section,with them, you will never need the "blue" stuff to clean glass....just a spritz of water is all that's needed.

When it's time to dry your truck, blow off the excess water with your leaf blower. Don't have one? Get a cheap electric one, You can also blow out the inside of your cab for a "quickie" dust job. After you have degreased that engine bay use the blower to dry every thing off.

The best finishing tool I've found for applaying tire gloss is a good quailty 3 inch paint brush..

For road tar removal I use kerosene..if not readily available, paint thinner works well and hey, don't be alarmed, it won't hurt your vehicle finsh. Why? well, its not a liquid oil based paint. Get a qt. cheap at WM.

For removing bug splatters on your vehicle front end, a wad of dress making "Nylon Netting" is the best tool, it won't stratch the finish and 50 cents worth at any fabric shop (check the WM fabric section) will get you about a half a yard of material. Which will outlast several vehicles...Also netting dipped into a little kerosene quickly scrubs away those tar spots..

Again at WM, check into the home decor section. I recently scored 36 washcloths for less than $3.00. Why waste money on those fancy wax appliacator sponge gizmos? Also found some hand towels really cheap...great for detailing work...

And last but not least..wash and wax only when your vehicle is cool to the touch...and never ever in full sun light.

As an aside,I have been detailng my vehicles before GM built a V8......

[BlenderWizard]

Originally Posted by HandCrank

For the very best car wax one can't beat "Bowling Alley paste wax" or "Johnson's Paste Floor Wax". Both are very high in carnuba.Be sure to follow the instructions. A lot of work, sure, but wow! What a hard glossy finish.

To protect and preserve those plastic bug shields and window shades use a good liquid car polish.

Forget those fancy spray cleaners...at Wal-Mart, in the automotive section, look in the display of car waxes and polish for a one gallon container of "Purple Power" About $2.40. This stuff will do all the cleaning for everything on your vehicle. Refill that empty sprayer and you'll have a lot of cleaning refills for a lot less green backs. Used full strength it's an excellent degreaser....Speaking of which, to remove real serious engine compartment gunk, spray on some oven cleaner, the cheap stuff works just as good as the expensive brand name can..

While at Wally World pick up some "Micro Fibre" clothes, again in the automotive section,with them, you will never need the "blue" stuff to clean glass....just a spritz of water is all that's needed.

When it's time to dry your truck, blow off the excess water with your leaf blower. Don't have one? Get a cheap electric one, You can also blow out the inside of your cab for a "quickie" dust job. After you have degreased that engine bay use the blower to dry every thing off.

The best finishing tool I've found for applaying tire gloss is a good quailty 3 inch paint brush..

For road tar removal I use kerosene..if not readily available, paint thinner works well and hey, don't be alarmed, it won't hurt your vehicle finsh. Why? well, its not a liquid oil based paint. Get a qt. cheap at WM.

For removing bug splatters on your vehicle front end, a wad of dress making "Nylon Netting" is the best tool, it won't stratch the finish and 50 cents worth at any fabric shop (check the WM fabric section) will get you about a half a yard of material. Which will outlast several vehicles...Also netting dipped into a little kerosene quickly scrubs away those tar spots..

Again at WM, check into the home decor section. I recently scored 36 washcloths for less than $3.00. Why waste money on those fancy wax appliacator sponge gizmos? Also found some hand towels really cheap...great for detailing work...

And last but not least..wash and wax only when your vehicle is cool to the touch...and never ever in full sun light.

As an aside,I have been detailng my vehicles before GM built a V8......

Yeah... Purple Cleaner is REALLLY harmful for any painted surface. On my 1st car, when I was 17, I decided I wanted to make it really clean, so I got at some diluted purple cleaner solution my dad had... It cleaned it alright, right down to the metal! That crap took the paint off the top of my fenders on my car. If you're going to wash with that, you may as well use carburetor cleaner on your wheels

[HandCrank]

Originally Posted by BlenderWizard

Yeah... Purple Cleaner is REALLLY harmful for any painted surface. On my 1st car, when I was 17, I decided I wanted to make it really clean, so I got at some diluted purple cleaner solution my dad had... It cleaned it alright, right down to the metal! That crap took the paint off the top of my fenders on my car. If you're going to wash with that, you may as well use carburetor cleaner on your wheels

What you used must have been at full strength. Directions for use plainly state how to dilute the product...I have used the WM Purple Power product full strength on my lawn mowers and to degrease my engine bay. I have yet to see any harmful effects. If you still have concerns w/the use of PP, then try Dollar General stores "White Lighting" spray cleaner....Its also a great cleaner...besides that, why would you want to use a harsh cleaning agent on your vehicle's paint finish??

[BlenderWizard]

Originally Posted by HandCrank

why would you want to use a harsh cleaning agent on your vehicle's paint finish??

That's exactly what I'm saying... use something designed to clean the outer painted surfaces on your car. What I used was diluted about 50/50 with water. It did burn the paint off of my fenders. The only reason I did it was because I was a dumb kid.

[rrousou]

W-40 works great for getting grease and tar off. Also works great for blotting out grease and tar stains on upholstery by soaking a paper towel. Just use common sense here though and dont rub it in.

[05Chevyman]

Originally Posted by sportin83

how do you get that damn thing not to leave spots. i have used it 4 times now and everytime it leaves spots. cant figure what i am doing wrong i looked at the directions and tried again and still spots i am about to throw it in the trash or take it back to walmart they will give me money back

The most important thing is to be sure that all water on the truck left from rinsing the soap off is replaced by the filtered water. Start at the top and work your way down. That's what I was doing wrong at first. Also, this won't work if your in the sun or if it's really hot out.

[Rollingbones]

For those of you that have a lot of mineral crap in your water, you can go to a camping supply place and get a culligan water filter that screws onto the hose between the hose and the nozzle. It's tubular, about 2" wide and 7" long. It's for trailers to filter the water at RV parks when you hook your hose up. I think they're about $20 and will last over a year. There's also replacement cartridges that cost a lot less and it'll cut down (if not eliminate) the minerals that cause the water spots.
http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/parts/r...ter-filter.htm
Also, there's a hose nozzel called the "Ultimate Hose Nozzle" which is based on a fire hose nozzle.
http://www.ultimatehosenozzle.com/
This thing is great and in MHO is the best nozzle I've ever aimed at a vehicle!!! It's about $20 at Home Depot and also available in versions from Orbit and Sears.
I really like a lot of the other suggestions I've seen on this thread. There's been some really helpful stuff here. Hi, Domo Arigoto!!!

[twomorestrokes]

Originally Posted by rrousou

W-40 works great for getting grease and tar off. Also works great for blotting out grease and tar stains on upholstery by soaking a paper towel. Just use common sense here though and dont rub it in.

Interesting. That stuff works for about anything. I spray my entire snowmobile chassis with it after thawing out.

Another thing that works well on upholstery and carpet grease stains is adhesive remover. Learned about this at the dealership when having to remove greasy footprints and hand prints from customer vehicles.