Ask AutoLavish! Answers to your car care questions...

[wrath]

What do you use to keep rag/vinyl tops from drying out? I recently picked up a 92 Stinkin' Lincoln Town Car that the top is in beautiful condition but I anticipate once the sun hits it then it's going to dry up and crack like the old man that used to drive it. I ran out of the proprietary stuff that ASC used (still does?) to use. Marine/boat stuff seems like it might be a bad idea.

 

[Marc@AutoLavish]

What do you use to keep rag/vinyl tops from drying out? I recently picked up a 92 Stinkin' Lincoln Town Car that the top is in beautiful condition but I anticipate once the sun hits it then it's going to dry up and crack like the old man that used to drive it. I ran out of the proprietary stuff that ASC used (still does?) to use. Marine/boat stuff seems like it might be a bad idea.

Good question!
The top is no doubt vinyl which needs to be treated correctly. Sun damage will dry it out and have it cracking if not maintained. Look into products like 303 Aerospace Protectant and other rubber/vinyl care products. The key isn't spending a lot of time every now and then to maintain the top; the key is spending very small amounts of time frequently.

Once a month put a super thin coat of protectant on the top after she gets washed. Thick layers will attract dirt and dust causing premature wear. A very thin layer will add enough additional UV ray protect without you having to worry about the top feeling oily.
Of course only apply on a clean top that is cool and in the shade.

 

[erk2581]

APC for wheel wells? Anything to use to dress them that wont attract a ton of dirt? I've used Fantastik on them for forever and a brush, seems to do a good job, but not sure of what to use to dress them.

 

[Marc@AutoLavish]

APC for wheel wells? Anything to use to dress them that wont attract a ton of dirt? I've used Fantastik on them for forever and a brush, seems to do a good job, but not sure of what to use to dress them.

One of the key's isn't just in what you use, but how you use it.

Use a water-based dressing and let it completely air dry and it shouldn't attract anything. You can also use a tire shine product sprayed and allowed to air dry - just be careful with getting any slippery product all over your tire tread.

 

[jsxtreme]

Maaaaaaaarc! Best wax for a new vehicle.

Keep in mind its a Sierra extended cab 4x4 and theres a lot of real estate to cover.

 

[jsxtreme]

Go to your local store and purchase a bottle of Meguiar's Ultimate Quick Wax (yellow Nissan GT-R on the front of the black bottle). It's a synthetic product (sealant) with decent durability (won't be an issue to something that won't have sun hitting it), and is quite slick. Mist and wipe around and you'll be good. Once done, you can use it after your normal washes to improve gloss, slickness, and protection as well.

Never mind I'll just buy this. Sounds perfect for a big truck

 

[hsean1]

i have upper and lower powdercoated in mirror black intakes and valve covers that are alittle dusty what do you recommend to clean them with ?

 

[Marc@AutoLavish]

Never mind I'll just buy this. Sounds perfect for a big truck

And it is - let me know how you end up liking it.

i have upper and lower powdercoated in mirror black intakes and valve covers that are alittle dusty what do you recommend to clean them with ?

Just about anything. A light cleaning shouldn't be hard. Use an ultra soft brush or microfiber towel to assist in your cleaning efforts along with diluted all purpose cleaner. Rinse / flush with water, use a leaf blower or compressed air to blow off any standing water afterwards, and you should be good to go. Afterwards, follow up with a quick detailer or spray wax to help even out the finish so that it's spot free. Usually this wouldn't be needed, but with gloss black, it's worth the extra 5 minutes of work.

 

[Dr00p]

Awesome thread!! I originally was looking for the video you posted a while back about washing you're vehicle in the winter and ran across this thread. I just bought a 12 VW Jetta TDI and I'm about to get myself a slew of car care products and this thread answered every question I had. Thanks for all the info Marc!

 

[Marc@AutoLavish]

Awesome thread!! I originally was looking for the video you posted a while back about washing you're vehicle in the winter and ran across this thread. I just bought a 12 VW Jetta TDI and I'm about to get myself a slew of car care products and this thread answered every question I had. Thanks for all the info Marc!

thanks a lot man - really made my day :thumbup:

 

[YLWFVR]

Marc. Let me know your thoughts on this issue I posted over at CF. thank you

http://m.corvetteforum.com/car-care-discussion/3139096-help-with-windshield-glare-issue.html

 

[Dr00p]

No problem! You obviously know what you're talking about and my first attempt at "detailing" my car turned out pretty good for a rookie! Thanks again!

 

[Marc@AutoLavish]

Marc. Let me know your thoughts on this issue I posted over at CF. thank you

http://m.corvetteforum.com/car-care-discussion/3139096-help-with-windshield-glare-issue.html

Do you feel this is more on the outside or the inside of your windshield?
Because you've tried to thoroughly clean the window but are still seeing the same problem, I'm thinking you might need to try a glass polish. Windshield are more susceptible to damage than most people think, and after some time of windshield wiper and high speed driving, you'll have blade marks and pitting in the glass. Glass polish isn't a 100% solution, but it might help greatly.

 

[YLWFVR]

Definitely on the outside. I will look into the glass polish option thank you for your feedback

 

[wikdsvt]

Driver's seat is vinyl and leather. Vinyl on the side bolster is cracking. Is there anything I can put on it to stop bolster from cracking further? Something that will make is more supple and less likely to crack? the leather looks great.

 

[Marc@AutoLavish]

Driver's seat is vinyl and leather. Vinyl on the side bolster is cracking. Is there anything I can put on it to stop bolster from cracking further? Something that will make is more supple and less likely to crack? the leather looks great.

Not really. Once it's reached that level, you're passed the point of no return. If anything, you don't want to put ANYTHING on it that'll make it "more supple" as these are the types of things that cause damage. What your seats need are to be cleaned periodically to remove dirt and grime that causes this type of wear. You don't want to use "conditioners" that have no way of actually absorbing into the finish, as they sit on top and collect more grime, more dirt, and end up causing more excessive wrinkles that eventually rip.

 

[wikdsvt]

Not really. Once it's reached that level, you're passed the point of no return. If anything, you don't want to put ANYTHING on it that'll make it "more supple" as these are the types of things that cause damage. What your seats need are to be cleaned periodically to remove dirt and grime that causes this type of wear. You don't want to use "conditioners" that have no way of actually absorbing into the finish, as they sit on top and collect more grime, more dirt, and end up causing more excessive wrinkles that eventually rip.

Thank you ... at least I know.

 

[wikdsvt]

I polished the aluminum intake on my lightning years ago. Looked like Chrome. Sold the truck 5 years ago and bought it back a few months. No one took care of the intake and it looks like crap.

What can I use to re-polish it and get it back to a chrome shine?

 

[kammi10]

any tips for getting less swirls on black vehicle. i clean the wash mitt every time after and before i use it, wash in a straight line instead of circles. wax it every three weeks, use the air compressor to blow 75% of the water off. but still get terrible swirls all the time.

 

[Marc@AutoLavish]

I polished the aluminum intake on my lightning years ago. Looked like Chrome. Sold the truck 5 years ago and bought it back a few months. No one took care of the intake and it looks like crap.

What can I use to re-polish it and get it back to a chrome shine?

It's going to take some chrome polish, and lots and lots of elbow grease. Find something you like using, and start getting to work.

If you want my recommendation, look into Auto Finesse Mercury metal polish. You'll have to buy it online, but it works very very nicely IME, though I'm not 100% how it'll work on something as soft as chrome.