Post DE Cleaning
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 817
Likes: 1
From: Killeen Texas
Post DE Cleaning
So today I washed my car after the week end of track use and I found it hard to get it truly clean. I got the surface dirt and dust off but there seemed to be a layer that I had to scrub and scrub to get off. This was mainly on the rear end. What is everyone doing after a DE to get their cars clean again?
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 4,549
Likes: 30
From: Shenandoah Valley Virginia
I just use a good soap like Mother's and it takes the grime off. Black car so it really does not show that badly. The worst part of cleaning is the "tire boogers" that streak the paint. If you have someone go off line into the marbles in front of you and bits of tire are thrown at you with ballistic speed.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
I use Armer ALL car soap and wash the car down. Then 3M trim adhesive remover for the rubber streaks ( badges of honor ) and dead bugs.
The best that I have found is Quickshin 99. That does it all. Each can is about 10 bucks. Spay onto a rag and wipe the car down.
The best that I have found is Quickshin 99. That does it all. Each can is about 10 bucks. Spay onto a rag and wipe the car down.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,245
Likes: 2,176
From: Cary NC
I peel off the race tape 
I leave a nice coat of wax on the rear fascia to help ease removal of the soot that seems to accumulate there. I also make sure that all other un-taped surfaces have a thick coat of wax before the DE.
I leave a nice coat of wax on the rear fascia to help ease removal of the soot that seems to accumulate there. I also make sure that all other un-taped surfaces have a thick coat of wax before the DE.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 619
Likes: 1
From: Reno Nv
Yep, a coat of wax helps a lot. The longer the tire marks, brake dust, oil sit on the car, the harder they are to remove, especially the tire marks.
The best way to remove the tire streaks is with WD40 and at the latest, the next day. If you remove them at the track, they'll wipe right off.
I use "Quick Detailer" after the WD inbetween sessions.
Some people will tell you not to use WD40 because it will make the car hard to repaint, they are the people who don't know how to paint.
The best way to remove the tire streaks is with WD40 and at the latest, the next day. If you remove them at the track, they'll wipe right off.
I use "Quick Detailer" after the WD inbetween sessions.
Some people will tell you not to use WD40 because it will make the car hard to repaint, they are the people who don't know how to paint.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,063
Likes: 9,826
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
I wax the whole car before taping it. Afterwards it is much easier to take the tape off and the dirt comes off easier also.
Biggest problem I have is the damage that hard shelled flying insects do to the paint when you hit them at 140+. I have several marks on the hood and headlight covers. The blood and guts cleaned right away when I washed the car but these marks will not polish out of the paint.
Bill
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Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,610
Likes: 12
From: Philly Burbs PA
Thanks Tom I am gonna try it
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 3,334
Likes: 4
From: Midland TX
My track car was feeling pretty grimey - I have to park it in the driveway with a stormguard car cover. Before I put my stickers on I washed it with Meguires car wash and used a pressure washer. Still felt rough so I clayed the car. I was surprised how much crud that clay gets off the paint. I then put on a good coat of wax.
Vetteless
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 732
Likes: 0
From: Gallatin TN
St. Jude Donor '09
I had somebody demonstrate some stuff called Mo's Gold on my car after the Roebling race this weekend. Wiped the track turds off the whole front of the car in literally about 2 minutes - it was pretty amazing. I ordered some today, will try it out on the rest of the car before our VIR race. 
Racer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 385
Likes: 1
From: Chapel Hill North Carolina
Tire marks and bugs try WD-40. Spray on first and let it sit for a minute and take a towel and wipe down. A good coat of wax before you track the car helps a lot. When I am leaving from the track to head home I also try and find a spray car wash near the track and pull the car and trailer into that and give the car a good spray and wash before I head home. This gets a bunch of the road grime off before I do the home wash and detail.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,614
Likes: 3
From: Richmond Va
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Whe I get home there is a ritual I go through...
Tires
brakes
check car over thoroughly
car cover... best remedy yet.
actually a good coat of wax prior to event and eveything usually come off. WD40 for the track turds.
Bob
Tires
brakes
check car over thoroughly
car cover... best remedy yet.
actually a good coat of wax prior to event and eveything usually come off. WD40 for the track turds.
Bob
