SpecC's first detail conundrum

Well, last Saturday morning, I was planning to detail my cousin's car. At the first look, the car looked just like any dirty car I had seen before! No biggie, my E90 and tC were both just as dirty! Why don't we do a comparison?

Here's the tC


And the E90



Now let's have a look at that STi. Don't be fooled by its silver. This thing is filthy!












That's not even the bad part... Check out these wheels...



They were all pretty grimed up like this one. I think that one is soaking. It's possible that it wasn't though. I soaked em all in Chemical Guys Citrus Wash and Gloss for about 5-7 minutes each. None of that seemed to do any good!

Here's some of the after washing pictures




Both these rear wheels look fine with some clay bar, but check out the front wheel after washing.



This is what the other front wheel looks like too.

Now check out this JDM exhaust!

After Wash


After some metal polish


The owner said he liked the dirty look cause less cops paid attention to him, but I'm going to secretly finish this up when he's not looking kekekeke.

Now, my problem was, I had enough clay bar for a small car, and I had not expected a three year old car to build up this much grime! In my past three details, I've used up only 3/4 of a 4 oz bar of clay, even dropping a few pieces. I would have probably clayed the wheels too, but I decided to save myself from being insanely disappointed, and fight this battle another day when I get more clay bars.

I am also certain that the grime on these wheels will require quite a bit of clay, and it won't even be enough. With my current lineup of products, I don't think I'm up to the job. For cleaning, I've got some CG CWG, CG Grime Reaper, Klasse AIO, and that's about it.

I informed the owner that I couldn't continue without a full or even extra clay bar. So, I definitely will be seeing this car again.

This Scooby's paint is in pretty good condition, and I'd hate to see such nice wheels get so nasty! I've been looking to get some P21S TAW or Wheel Gel (because I asked AoshichanX and he suggested that, btw thanks man ) and just soak it in either of those. I am sure that that baked in dirt will come off because the owner has said that a bit can be scratched off with some finger nail. I'm a bit hesitant to use CG Grime Reaper because it is so strong. Do you guys have any suggestions on what I could use on the wheels? I think I can take care of the paint no problem.

 

Looks like the makings of a great turnaround. The wheels look so much better. Try some Amazing Roll Off or some Eagle One A2Z wheel/tire cleaner.

My old roommate never washed his truck. I told him once that the state of MS should give him a grant for all the dead bugs on it. Well one night, my neighbor and I washed the front cap of his truck and sprayed the front wheels with tire-foam. We put a couple of coats of wax on the front cap too. The next day he sat a Dr.Pepper can on the hood and it started sliding off and he barely caught it. It was pretty funny.

 

I wouldn't be hesitant about using the grime reaper; you will need something strong. If that doesn't work, you may need some Megs wheel brightener. I held off getting some for a long time but some wheels will need it to do the job.

 

haha nice! yeah this car has the lot too. dents, scratches, water spots, bird poo marks. It's like a restoration project already

All right, will get some stronger wheel cleaner just in case. Thanks for the input richy!

 

Tell him the cops will pay less attention to him with a normal muffler instead of a 'fart can'.

 

the stock one is pretty big too and that wing is freakin huge! but he tries :tiptoe:

 

Okay... Grime reaper isn't working. I diluted it 5:1 and let it sit for five minutes. No improvement at all. I tried a bit of clay too and it ate up my small piece of clay without any noticeable difference.

I've got P21S wheel gel on the way, and I'm about to let that sit overnight. Will keep this forum updated...

 

Any luck on those wheels?