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

[Marc@AutoLavish]

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.

Black isn't a color: it's a part time job.

If you're doing all the small things right like washing gently and never touching the paint unless you're gently washing her, keep in mind that if you have swirls, the only way to get rid of them is through proper machine polishing.

Additionally, make sure you're not using circular motions when waxing or remove the wax residue once you do have her polished out. Old school waxes and even some current waxes have abrasives in them meant to help a normal owner to lightly polish their car while they wax to increase the clarity of the finish while they're working to protect their finish, but once your vehicle is swirl free, you don't need such products nor do you need to use them in the same manner.

 

[DarkoStoj]

got a set of wheels with little black spots all over them. I tried using a drill attachment with some meguars polishing compound and it doesnt really work that good to get them cleaned up. Is there anyway instead of spending 2-3 hours a wheel and making a huge mess getting these back to nice?

 

[sidewayscoupe]

Quoted for the truth!

Black isn't a color: it's a part time job.

 

[chacho44]

It sure the hell is, I'm afraid to wax my esv.

 

[Marc@AutoLavish]

got a set of wheels with little black spots all over them. I tried using a drill attachment with some meguars polishing compound and it doesnt really work that good to get them cleaned up. Is there anyway instead of spending 2-3 hours a wheel and making a huge mess getting these back to nice?

Those look to have quite a bit of pitting and embedding brake dust. I'd recommend using this: http://www.detailedimage.com/CarPro-M54/IronX-Iron-Remover-P600/500-ml-S1/

Thoroughly and completely dissolves iron particles from brake dust. Might need multiple applications to 100% remove it, but it's awesome. Smells horrid.

 

[DarkoStoj]

Those look to have quite a bit of pitting and embedding brake dust. I'd recommend using this: http://www.detailedimage.com/CarPro-M54/IronX-Iron-Remover-P600/500-ml-S1/

Thoroughly and completely dissolves iron particles from brake dust. Might need multiple applications to 100% remove it, but it's awesome. Smells horrid.

man you weren't kidding...this stuff stiiiiinks

I popped the cap to see how bad it was and it stunk up the whole office

smells like burnt hair

 

[Marc@AutoLavish]

man you weren't kidding...this stuff stiiiiinks

I popped the cap to see how bad it was and it stunk up the whole office

smells like burnt hair

I'm pretty sure burnt hair smells better. I'd never recommend anything that smells close to this unless it was very effective. Make sure to use some nitrile or latex gloves as to not have the smell embedding into your skin. You'll get to watch it turn purple as it mixes with the iron particles that is liquefies.

 

[MiusMarta]

Ask AutoLavish Answers to your car care questions

Answered your own question, get the cheapo car cover if you can find one. If you are expecting a quick turn around the donk wheel crowd wont care about overall condition. Blow the leaves out right before they come over.

 

[red347lx]

Mark, whats the best way to clean and polish windows? I have a back window that could really use a good cleaning. I have tryed standard glass cleaner and it works but I am looking for something better. Your recomendations please?

 

[Marc@AutoLavish]

Mark, whats the best way to clean and polish windows? I have a back window that could really use a good cleaning. I have tryed standard glass cleaner and it works but I am looking for something better. Your recomendations please?

As you already know, back windows tend to get quite nasty quite quickly. They almost always need more than one cleaning session, so don't be discouraged if it takes 2-3 or even more cleanings to really get the glass as clear as your standards. Another thing you can try is a wax product once it's been cleaned at least once. Apply thin, allow to fully haze, and then wipe off the residue. This tends to both fully clean off contamination faster, and leaves a slight film of protection to make the next cleaning a bit easier.

 

[Speedy]

Mark, I have a 99 mustang that I picked up a few months back. It had a bad caliper and wore the brake pad down to metal and I have orange rust all over the side of the car. I was hoping soap and water would wash it away but that didn't do anything. I tried WD-40 on a rag and it didn't do much either, any ideas?

 

[kammi10]

Mark, I have a 99 mustang that I picked up a few months back. It had a bad caliper and wore the brake pad down to metal and I have orange rust all over the side of the car. I was hoping soap and water would wash it away but that didn't do anything. I tried WD-40 on a rag and it didn't do much either, any ideas?

have you tried a clay bar?

 

[Speedy]

have you tried a clay bar?

I thought about that but this stuff is gritty like (somewhat textured) and think I'd need a few clay bars lol. It's only on the pass. side and some on the rear bumper. If course the further from the front tire the better it is. The stock rim that was on the front is really bad. I put bullets on it now so took care of that part.

 

[Speedy]

http://www.carcleaningguru.com/removing-rust-stains-from-paintwork/ this article seems helpful. I'll try some of this stuff on it since its warmed up a bit

 

[Marc@AutoLavish]

http://www.autogeek.net/carpro-iron-x-paste-150.html

Buy this, hate the smell, love the result, likely use twice to make sure it's all out, be happy

 

[Golden]

I'll be making an Iron-X purchase soon. Rail dust and brake dust mas made it's way to my truck and my wife's fusion. I've never had a vehicle with so much rail dust.

 

[Marc@AutoLavish]

I'll be making an Iron-X purchase soon. Rail dust and brake dust mas made it's way to my truck and my wife's fusion. I've never had a vehicle with so much rail dust.

You can use the normal Iron-X for those types of issues. No need to get the hardcore gel version I linked above, and it'll also allow you to avoid shopping at "the Walmart of detailing companies."

 

[Golden]

avoid shopping at "the Walmart of detailing companies."

lol what do you mean?

 

[Marc@AutoLavish]

AG. They buy companies out, create shady deals, and have shady advertising. Call them for product help and I 100% promise you'll be directed by one of their in-house brands regardless of how it'll actually work.

They're huge, they're the biggest online merchant of supplies by far, and it's mainly because of how they have out-muscled the competition.

Lots of shady things with them, trust me.

 

[Speedy]

http://www.autogeek.net/carpro-iron-x-paste-150.html

Buy this, hate the smell, love the result, likely use twice to make sure it's all out, be happy

Thanks Marc!