Tips and tricks you've learned

[doctordon]

I am hoping this thread will allow those with detailing experience to share the tips, tricks, and shortcuts you've learned to do a faster and thorough detail yet not sacrifice quality. These tips can apply to any area of the vehilce; interior, exterior, engine. Also, share mistakes you've made so others can avoid making the same.

Thanks in advance. - Don

[Bob]

Here is one of mine I've been doing for a while. I'll post more as I think of them.

Water based dressing applied via paint spray gun. I don;t do this all of the time but it's a great and easy way to apply dressing to engines, larger tires (or really any tires), wheel wells, vinyl tops and vehicles with a lot of plastic trim.

[doctordon]

Thanks Bob. That's a great suggestion and I'm sure it does a more thorough job than using a spray bottle. Just out of curiosity, what PSI setting do you use when applying the dressing?

[Bob]

Thanks Bob. That's a great suggestion and I'm sure it does a more thorough job than using a spray bottle. Just out of curiosity, what PSI setting do you use when applying the dressing?

I'll have to check. I think I keep my compressor at it's highest setting. I just have a little 8 gallon 2HP tank.

[Bob]

I never did check. It's been so cold out I have not been in the garage except to get the snow shovel or blower. I'll try and remember next time I go out.

I don't know if these are really tricks or not but it's things I do sometimes.

Interior:

Use the air compressor to blow out dirt and debris from under the seat and other various crevasses
Use a paint brush to dust in crevasses and vents
Use a small drop down style fluorescent light (I usually only need to do this if the vehicle has dark tinted windows and the garage lights are not enough.)


Exterior:

Sometimes I'll lay a piece of carpet on the ground so I can lay on it to get the lower rocker panels. So much better than laying on the ground. I've tried my creeper in the past but it rolls too much.
I'll use a paint brush to clean cracks and around emblems
I use products that won't stain plastic or rubber so I don't have to tape
Sometimes I'll tape when using a high speed though if there is a change of damage to an edge or trim.
I usually wear an apron with pockets to keep the product close to me instead of setting down while wiping off and having to look for it all of the time.
A lot of times I'll clay as I wash. I'll wash the car or a panel, rinse it off, clay it, and rinse it off again and then dry.
I do a lot of washes with a boars hair brush on a long handle. This really saves my back.

[jdmser]

I'm sure everyone knows how to fix burns in carpet but... I take a razor blade, move the seat all the way forward or back to find the most inconspicuous spot, with the razor at a 45* I scrape a little fuzz off the carpet. Then I roll the fuzz into a ball, put a drop of super glue in the bottom of the burn hole, and pack the ball of fuzz in. Then just use the razor blade to trim to length and it's a perfect color match every time.

[Bob]

I'm sure everyone knows how to fix burns in carpet but... I take a razor blade, move the seat all the way forward or back to find the most inconspicuous spot, with the razor at a 45* I scrape a little fuzz off the carpet. Then I roll the fuzz into a ball, put a drop of super glue in the bottom of the burn hole, and pack the ball of fuzz in. Then just use the razor blade to trim to length and it's a perfect color match every time.

Good tip!!

[doctordon]

Here's one I have found to help save time. I load all my interior cleaning supplies, brushes, and mircofibers into one of those bottle caddies (looks like a smal tray with a handle) and keep it with me inside the vehicle. This keeps me in the car and saves me from getting in and out looking for a brush, dressing, APC., etc.