Detailing Tips

I thought I would start a thread with tips for getting our cars all
cleaned up. I also do detailing on the side and if anyone would
ever like help waxing or polishing their ride, let me know, I am happy
to help.

Two tips to begin to start.

1.) What is an Easy way to remove Tree Sap. The best thing
i have found is Rubbing alcohol. Yes it does work and best of all
it is cheap. My dad found this tip up in Colorado. He got
tree sap all over his 94 convertible. He found a forum where they
had mentioned rubbing alcohol. He went out and tried it and said
it literally melted away the tree sap. The easiest thing he had
ever used. He had used a couple of other solvents and no
luck.

2.) Bug guts, Jerbear's and Tar. Goof off works extremely well
for tar and bug guts that are recent. If you have old and dried
up bugs, then the clay bar is you best bet then a nice coat of polish
and wax on top.

Jerry... You'll ruin your clear coat with Rubbibg Alcohol! Alcohol is in the solvant family. If you're just lightly cleaning an area you'll be fine, but if you do some hardcore scrubbing, it will start eating the clear. You might as well use a sandblaster.

Bug and tar remover works prettty well. ALSO, WD40 works well. You'll want to use a lubricant base product.

Yes, but the alcohol part evaporates more quickly than the water. I agree, I would not start scrubbing away with it but to remove light tree sap and then rinsing off it willl be OK. Otherwise, I would reccomend the use of the clay bar and clay bar lubricant.

Yea Paul

Jarrod... please use the sandblaster.... please.

I will .....on a certain vista blue mustang with a We Todd Did paul in it

You're sofa king gay...

The best tip would be dont get the ting dirty in the first place

Good tip greg

Have you tried the goof off on the tree sap? It has worked for me on lighter tree sap, but have not ever tried it on anything heavy. I have not heard of the alcohol to get rid of it, but I would imagine if you did it sparingly and then after you were done you used the clay bar followed by a good wax or polish it would be fine.. I would never use it without some follow up protection.

For bugs on the front I have always used zep degreaser. About 5 years ago I bought a 5 gallon bucket of zep solution. I just ran out and cant find the same stuff so far again. But if I do Ill let you know where. You dilute it anywhere from 1:5 to 1:10 depending on how strong you want it. This stuff worked wonders on bugs, wheels and my favorite was my tires. I hardly ever used any tire shine or anything because when you spray on let it soak a bit and then use high pressure to spray it off, they almost looked like brand new rubber.

I detailed for around 7-8 years so I may have good info that your looking for. And not just your local car wash type details. Actually before we quit Rocky Santiago was one of our big customers with all his personal and auction cars.

Most all my products I still buy are from Reeves Chamios Company here in OKC. They make some quality stuff! I buy all solutions still for my personal stash that I can mix myself. I usually only have to stock up once a year on your basic stuff that way. And I am a nut probably like alot of you guys about keeping my car clean. Usually washing around 3 times a week.

2006GT wrote:Jerry... You'll ruin your clear coat with Rubbibg Alcohol! Alcohol is in the solvant family. If you're just lightly cleaning an area you'll be fine, but if you do some hardcore scrubbing, it will start eating the clear. You might as well use a sandblaster.

Bug and tar remover works prettty well. ALSO, WD40 works well. You'll want to use a lubricant base product.

Lighter fluid works good also and I have never seen it hurt clear coat. Lighter fluid also works great for sticker goo on paint and glass.

Where are you guys parking that you get so much tree sap on your cars? I can't say that I have ever had this problem that I can remember. Now as for dried nasty bug guts, thats a different story all together......Haven't done the clay bar on my car yet. I need to.

I love the look and feel of my car after the clay bar. It makes me happy in the pants.

I use to get tree sap on my car all the time at my parents house. One of the trees in their front yard shits the stuff in buckets..

Brent is correct...thus I have tree sap on my car right now. Will need to clay bar her at somepoint

See what happens when you drive them! ;)

Yea you enjoy them....sad they way you are paying on a car that doesnt ever go anywhere. Thats like paying for Cable and not ever watching it....what a waste of money

Wow… Jarrod came up with an analogy.

all my myself too!!

Great tips. Heres one tip. Let the bugs and the sap kill the paint so you have an excuse to buy aftermarket body parts.

Real smart justin

Spank you. No...Spank me.....NO NO.... Spank you. Ewwwww.


Oh wait Jarrod let me go ahead and make your reply.



EWWWWW X2

05SatinGT wrote:Spank you. No...Spank me.....NO NO.... Spank you. Ewwwww.


Oh wait Jarrod let me go ahead and make your reply.



EWWWWW X2

At walmart they have a really good kit to defogg headlights! lol. I used it today with pretty good results, mine were pretty nasty.

ewwwwww X3