General Cleaning
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,938
Likes: 62
From: Columbia SC
General Cleaning
I am new at this so please cut me a little slack. I just bought my 1st vette. A 1996 red convertible with black to and black interior with only 40,800 miles on it. I have wanted a corvette ever since I was 8 years old and my dad took me for a ride in his 67 convertible. So now I have one. I am about to embark on the spring cleaning process. I told my wife I will most likly spend more time cleaning than driving as this will be truly a garage queen that will be used on weekends as I have a work car that I use every day. Behind the front wheels alot of greese has built up. I do not want to use anything too strong so I though spraying with simple green and a soft brush to get all the greese off the upper control arm and the greese fitting area. Also any suggestions for engine cleaning as I will be doing the engine and undercarrage. I have already pulled out the seats and did a full cleaning inside. As for waxing any products out their that you all have used with success. I was planning on using black magic or liquid glass. Thanks for any suggestions. 
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 44,773
Likes: 1
From: 63.8% of all statistics are made up on the spot.
St. Jude Donor '08-'10
I use Simple Green in the same areas that you are talking about and on my wheels with no problem. I use Mothers products for waxing and love the way it looks. Check over in "car care". On the windows try Stoners Invisible Glass it's the best product out there.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 287
Likes: 0
From: Forest Hill Maryland
I have my own detail company, and yes simple green will work wonders on grease, tar, and bugs, just watch your untreated paint areas, as un-diluted simple green will mare and take off the untreated paint. Simple green and a mild bristle brush will clean the control arms and the bushing beautifully. Before that though, if you have the means, use a blowgun attachment to yur compressor and blew the motor and underhood area out. As far as waxes and dressing's, yes I completly agree with joecaver the best over-the-counter waxes IMO also are Mothers and Stoner. Used Mothers for years before I started using the professional grade stuff I order for my company. Still using Stoner products on all my customers vehicles.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,143
Likes: 488
From: Leonardtown Maryland
Welcome aboard 
If you have followed any of the action on this forum for any length of time be prepared for a broad spectrum of advice. This topic will also start a couple of arguments amongst our colleagues. So far 
with the above. Please update your profile. A "correct color" '96 vert sounds sweet!
If you have followed any of the action on this forum for any length of time be prepared for a broad spectrum of advice. This topic will also start a couple of arguments amongst our colleagues. So far with the above. Please update your profile. A "correct color" '96 vert sounds sweet!
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 18,727
Likes: 711
From: Bergen County, NJ
For tougher grease, I use Degeaser by 'Castrol', its in all the auto stores.
Its not too strong but stronger than Simple Green.
I get the hand spray, not the aerosol, because I have more control over its aim.
I used it for engine grease. It even got the glue off my windows when I removed the tint.
Its not too strong but stronger than Simple Green.
I get the hand spray, not the aerosol, because I have more control over its aim.
I used it for engine grease. It even got the glue off my windows when I removed the tint.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,795
Likes: 62
From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
I use a 3 parts water, 1 part Simple green in my wheel wells, wheels, tires and engine compartment.
I spray everything when it is cold, let it soak 5 minutes and then rinse well.
You do NOT want to spray Simple Green on hot aluminum engine components. They will discolor.
Visit www.bettercarcare.com and www.properautocare.com
they both have some good how to's for cleaning, clay baring, polishing, removing swirls, glazing, and sealing or waxing.
I like Mezerna polishes, and use a paint sealant not a wax.
I prefer Rejex. But there are many brands. Zaino is very popular on the Forum. Check out the car care section under General....
Enjoy pampering your Vette.....
Rich
I spray everything when it is cold, let it soak 5 minutes and then rinse well.
You do NOT want to spray Simple Green on hot aluminum engine components. They will discolor.
Visit www.bettercarcare.com and www.properautocare.com
they both have some good how to's for cleaning, clay baring, polishing, removing swirls, glazing, and sealing or waxing.
I like Mezerna polishes, and use a paint sealant not a wax.
I prefer Rejex. But there are many brands. Zaino is very popular on the Forum. Check out the car care section under General....
Enjoy pampering your Vette.....
Rich
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,938
Likes: 62
From: Columbia SC
WOW, this is great, already I am learning so much and some great do's and don'ts on this site. I guess you can teach an old dog new tricks. Well once I learn how to get a picture on here I will post one. Thanks again for all the great advice
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 11,043
Likes: 3
From: San Jose Pat Tillman - American Hero
For your leather, I highly recommend the Lexol line of cleaner and conditioner (orange/brown spray bottles, respectively). Any *good* auto parts place should have it, but if not, check with a local tack shop. If you don't know what that is (it's okay, I didn't for the longest time), it's a place that deals with horse shtuff - saddles, etc. They use it on their saddles...VERY good product. Try it!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,841
Likes: 19
From: CLT, North Carolina
Congrats on that Red C4 Vert!
Zaino leather Conditioner leaves your car smelling like new leather inside and nourishes the leather too. A cleaner I like to use under the hood on engine and suspension parts is WD-40. It won't hurt anything and it loosens dirt and grime making it easier to wipe everything down with old rags and leaves a protective coating on parts afterwards to help prevent rust and corrosion. Naturally this is more suited to a garage queen rather than something driven every day or in bad weather. One thing you do not want to do is wash the engine with water due to the likelyhood of getting water in the Optispark and ruining it.
Regards, Greg
Regards, Greg
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 4,034
Likes: 11
From: Lewes DE
Definitely do some searches in here and on the appropriate vendor web sites, and get these on your short list:
Check my web page when you're really bored. nothing to sell - I just post my own thoughts and favorite products there with plenty of pics.
Check the posts by Killrwheels on washing tips, to prevent swirls. PM me or any of the other guys here if any specific questions. Congratulations - great to have you here !!!
- porter-cable 7424
- Rejex - extremely popular and great customer service for the guys here
- Zaino - fantastic products and service, got me hooked once I tried
- poorboys wheel cleaner - fantastic, but don't use on bare aluminum, and I probably will never use on chrome, just out of caution, but FANTASTIC on any painted wheels
Check my web page when you're really bored. nothing to sell - I just post my own thoughts and favorite products there with plenty of pics.
Check the posts by Killrwheels on washing tips, to prevent swirls. PM me or any of the other guys here if any specific questions. Congratulations - great to have you here !!!
Former Vendor
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 14,104
Likes: 244
From: South Florida
http://www.autogeek.net/detailingtips.html
these hints will provide you with a great area to start your detailing regimine. The nice thing is you can stop, reread, and bookmark as needed to look over when those area's need attention. Dont hesitate to email me if you need some additional hints or product choices.
these hints will provide you with a great area to start your detailing regimine. The nice thing is you can stop, reread, and bookmark as needed to look over when those area's need attention. Dont hesitate to email me if you need some additional hints or product choices.