Detailing Thread [For Newbies][ARCHIVED]

**patopig** · June 5th, 2005 08:14 PM

Woo! That's great! Good thing I bought extra spray bottles! Thanks Groucho!

**ILuvDetailing** · June 5th, 2005 08:51 PM

Don't forget to cover your alternator, what i do is cover it first with a rag then plastic, no need to be watertight just enough to repel water and I don't power spray the engine, just rinsing will suffice.

Since your mazda should be a relatively new, no need to use a heavy strength dilution. 1:10 SG/Water should be enough.

**groucho** · June 5th, 2005 09:29 PM

ILuvDetailing is right. Never power-spray with water. If you do, you're no better than the guy at the neighborhood gasoline station who does engine washes.

I know of some diehards who wrap the alternator and the distributor with aluminum foil instead of just plastic. They say that way, they feel safer that water will not seep into the electrical parts. But aluminum foil can be quite costly. Like I said, they're die-hards.

And one more tip, patopig: spray the SG/water mixture while your engine/engine bay is still warm. The relatively high temperature helps in the degreasing process.

**chain** · June 5th, 2005 10:04 PM

don't go full strength with an APC while doing the engine.

for degreasing, i'm at 5:1. that ratio suits me well. after cleaning, spruce up the bay with some dressing.

no need to power wash. and like all people said, cover the essential parts. this can be done by rags later. try to look for Engine Kote (if there's still any here in the Philippines). Better than Hyper Dressing IMO.

**patopig** · June 5th, 2005 10:53 PM

Okidoki! Thanks for all the tips gurus! Ehehehe. :D

**zildjian** · June 6th, 2005 10:45 AM

Originally Posted by morrissey_05

zildjian,

there's only one way to find out. punta ka na lang dun. kung wala, ask the salesperson kung may stock pa sila na padating.

di pa ako makalabas ng cavite bossing kasi wala pa plaka ride ko baka mayari.

**zildjian** · June 6th, 2005 10:49 AM

Originally Posted by patopig

Hi guys! I picked up my mom from Southmall. I was able to browse around Concorde to check out their detailing stuff.

They have lots of different Soft99 Waxes available. Gekki (Kit and Can), Fusso, Bi-Gloss, Rain Off, Le Shen Poly, Le Shen Carnauba, RV and a lot more (I could not remember them all but I think I just listed about half). As expected, no Authentic Gold and its other brethren.

They also have 4 different colors of their clay available. Pink/Green/Blue/Yellow. The Yellow looked ok.

I noticed that Soft99 also carried a tire dressing in spiffy packaging! Anyone try this?

Going to the other stuff, they had SM Arnold cleaning items. Wash Mitts galore. Different sizes of the soft and plush (but nylon) mitts. I also found (and purchased a cotton Chenille Mitt for Php 249.75.

I visited SM Hardware in the hopes of finding other "hidden" detailing treasures. Unfortunately, SM Hardware seems to carry the same stuff (although with fewer selections) as ACE (as I saw items with ACE price tags).

They did have the microtex line (in their cleaning aisles near the hardware) of microfiber cloths. Same prices.

That's all folks!

now that's really nice to know. thanks bossing! kapag nakuha ko plaka ng auto biyahe na ako sa southmall.

**patopig** · June 6th, 2005 11:49 AM

Hello again bros. I was able to wax my car with prestone high protection wax last night. After buffing, the paint was really slick and shiny.

I do have some pictures below. (Taken this morning, rushed because it was a light drizzle going on.)