I spent about 10 hours this weekend sprucing up the 81.  My typical spring cleaning for all my cars goes like this for the exterior..  Wash/Clay/Wash/Wax.....    The guy at the shop recommended to use the Meguires 3 stage cleaner/polish/wax.   I thought my car looked good before.  HOLY SMOKE!  The paint looks like its dripping wet!  I could not believe the difference and most important, went on and off with no elbow grease.  Terrific ROI on this product.  All 3 stages took me about 90 - 120 minutes.  It was a 50 degree day and overcast.  BTW, the car is beige.  Just mentioning because I've used products that worked better on different colors...  Regards!  Kevin.. 

Wow.....I searched this forum back 1 year, and this is the only thread I found on cleaning the extierior.
Anyway, I am asking for input/advice.
I was asked(by my local 'Vette club members) to enter my '74 in the "Auto-Rama" custom/rod show here in Dallas. I have a few problems, tho.
The last show I went to in this car, I apparently got some tree sap on it. I've had this car since 1997, and it's been washed exactly TWICE!! It stays in the garage, under a cover. I had a polymer coating put on it in '98, but that is gone now, since the car has been painted 5 times, trying to correct a screw-up(don't get me started on THAT!).
Anyway, what I would like to find out is what kind of cleaning products ya'll use on your cars I need to clean it this weekend, as the Auto-Rama starts next Thurs. I only need to get the tree sap off. The car is not really "dirty". Also, I really don't want to "wash" it. I spent too much time on the chassis detail to have to start over on that. If I wash the car, the under-side is gonna get nasty. ( I know.....what a wuss/garage queen. )
Also.....my tires have a dull, brownish color on the sidewalls, I presume the after-effects of using a tire "shine/wet" product in the past. Normal soap & water will not get this stuff off. Solvents will, but I don't want to use a harsh, petroleum-based product on rubber. Any idears on this
Thanx in advance!!    

______________

Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    
My Link


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"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

Adam, to get the sap off, you can use diesel fuel.  Put some on a soft rag, & only use on the spots they will disolve then you have to wash the car.  Then I use McGuires Gold polish, it does make the car sparkle.  As for the white walls, use a Brillo pad, that should take all the old crusties off.

Bob

Goo Gone on tree sap, or any orange-based cleaner should work.  You can buy spot applicators to reduce the amount needed and to pinpoint the area to be cleaned.

I'm not sure on the tires.  I know I hate that brown-ness that I get on them as well, so if you find a cure let us all know what it is.

 

I was using Mequiar's Gold Class until I tried Griot's Garage Best of Show Wax. It's the best I've ever used, not to disparage Mequiar's but the Griot's is simply superior.    It makes the original finish on my '78 look like it has clear coat. My '69 looks like the finish is a foot deep after using the Griot's.

I also use Brillo pads on whitewalls and white letters on tires. It definitely gets them clean then I put a good tire dressing on afterwards to keet the tires looking good.

    I HAVE BEEN USING MEGUIARS PRODUCTS FOR YEARS AND AM SOLD ON THEM. THE DEEP CRYSTAL POLISH AND WAX ARE OUTSTANDING ON DARK COLORS AND REDS.....I'VE TRIED THEM ALL AND AM DEFINITELY SOLD ON THEIR PRODUCTS........

                              REID '72 T-TOP

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    Reid    '72 T-top

www.wildbunchcarclub.com
www.vannuyscruisingassociation.com

Thanx for the input, guys!
I got the Meguires stuff today: cleaner/polish/wax "system". I had to look in the barn for a while for my buffer/polisher, and then found it in the garage, in one of the cabinets! I've tried a lot of diff. stuff over the years, but I'm really picky about the '74, and what goes on it. I've used some stuff that has made the cars look worse. I'm gonna give "The System" a shot, and see whut happens. Tick-tock-Tick-tock-Tick-tock-

______________

Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    
My Link


(click for Texas-sized view!)             NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

I too am a user of Meguiar's products, but for a quick detailer I use Buffalo Milke. The combo of Meguiar's and Buffalo Milke products seems to be the best fit for me - on all of my cars.

 

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I use Wesley's Bleach White on tires. It does a good job with very little scrubbing. Then the tire dressing. There's plenty of choices out there, but I've mostly stuck with ArmorAll. I've found you can dilute it up to 50% with water and it still gives the tires a good shine.

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try brake fluid on the tires , wipe it on and it makes them look new, don't know if it removes  the brown but it is worth the try since it won't hurt the tires and is cheap to buy.

I have used Wesleys white wall cleaner for years. Works great! I have also used dish washing detergent with good success. You will be amazed at the crud that will come off. Maybe take the wheels off too.

We regards to armorall, I would avoid using it anywhere on your ride. When tires spin, the silicone flys all over. In fact the stuff might even get absorbed by the fiberglass in the wheel well area and create all kinds of long term problems should you ever have to paint or touch up. Getting that stuff off completely is almost impossible once imbedded in the fiberglass.

I recommend the spray foam that dries to the touch to make the tires black.

Have fun!

 

Bill

BLennox38757.769849537

[QUOTE=KeBo]I spent about 10 hours this weekend sprucing up the 81.  My typical spring cleaning for all my cars goes like this for the exterior..  Wash/Clay/Wash/Wax.....    The guy at the shop recommended to use the Meguires 3 stage cleaner/polish/wax.   I thought my car looked good before.  HOLY SMOKE!  The paint looks like its dripping wet!  I could not believe the difference and most important, went on and off with no elbow grease.  Terrific ROI on this product.  All 3 stages took me about 90 - 120 minutes.  It was a 50 degree day and overcast.  BTW, the car is beige.  Just mentioning because I've used products that worked better on different colors...  Regards!  Kevin.. [/QUOTE]

Post pics! I cannot wait to try it on my White 70. Sounds like it might be great for light colors.

 

Bill

Well !!
I just got a call from the organizer of the Autorama...."Sorry, dude, we had to give ya'll's spot to someone else"! Said the "National guys" were pitchin a fit about it, so they had to give up our club area/slots. Gee....thanx for the ADVANCE NOTICE!!! (We're 'posed to be there in the morning!!!)
Anyway...I spent a few nights last week, and Sunday, cleaning/polishing/waxing the '74 for this show. Used the 3 step Mequires stuff. Don't know exactly what is on my car, but it ain't tree sap, like I thought. It just will not come off completely. I'm gonna have to color-sand it, and buff it again, I guess. What's weird is, you cannot see anything on the paint at all, but it feels like sandpaper when I rub it with my hand. I didn't see any difference in the shine/luster of the paint, and I really thought I would. Maybe it's just not as bad as I think it is? I mean, really...the car has not been washed/waxed in SIX years!! It does feel a little slicker, tho, so I guess that's good.
I'm so bummed....someone please hug me.

______________

Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    
My Link


(click for Texas-sized view!)             NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

Adam, sounds like you haved some sanding grit under the paint.  On my 75 when they painted it, they didn't clean it the way it was supposed to be cleaned & what you discribe is just what mine felt like, it was behind the rear window.  I made them repaint the whole car.  I'm getting ready now to have my 68 stripped with baking soda, won't hurt the fiber glass at all, & helps take out any imputities in the bare glass.

Bob

Hey, Bob. No, it's not that. This is something that has settled on top of the clearcoat. It hasn't always been there(since it was last painted). I'm not sure if it's fall-out from smog, or something I got from following behind a chemical truck! Whatever it is, it will come off, one way or another!

______________

Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    
My Link


(click for Texas-sized view!)             NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

      TRY USING A CLAY BAR FIRST BEFORE USING HARSH CHEMICALS.

                                     REID '72 T-TOP

______________

    Reid    '72 T-top

www.wildbunchcarclub.com
www.vannuyscruisingassociation.com

Adam, sure glad it's not under the paint.  Hope the color sanding works good.

Bob

I agree with Reid. I'd try the clay bar first.

I agree, try a clay bar  it removes all kinds of stuff left on your car after washing it. you will have to turn over the clay bar many times  reworking the grit into it  by what you are describing.  There is a video describing it's use in this forum titled Clay Bar.    Aegisfang38770.7056597222

Adam,

PLEASE don't color sand the clear coat!!!! Maybe a little Finess-it, but color sand will go through it. (voice of experience)

Dave

Yeah, but...........this thing's got about 10-12 coats of clear urethane on it. I've wanted to try the clay bar thing on the '85, but I guess I'll try it on the '74, and see what happens. Couldn't hurt, eh?
Thanx fer all the input on this, folks!

I see you have a "War Department"! I call mine "Mama"!

______________

Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    
My Link


(click for Texas-sized view!)             NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

I guess the thick urethane clear coat may be bulletproof, but I would try the clay first. I have never used it. "Finess-it" is a 3M ultra fine polishing compound that is real gentle, also real expensive..... but worth it. It scares me to think of color sanding clearcoat as you can tell.......

War Department is calling..... gotta go to a wedding.... I think I would rather have a root canal.

Dave