[MutantX]

@VW2010 - +1. I too have the same issue. MASS had cleaned my windshield using hard water and hence the water marks. They had used a solution by the name "DRI WASH" to remove some of the marks. As usual sloppy works didnt clean the watermarks 100%. I am also looking for such a solution that can clear all the water marks on the my wind-shield.

[basky]

Originally Posted by VW2010

@basky. Any ideas for cleaning the hard water stains in the windshied.

Clay it with a detail solution as lubricant. If that does not solve it, use a polish (mildest cutting compound, not wax) and buff it. It should do but for very persistent deposits, go to progressively harder cutting compounds. Use a Porter Cable or equivalent orbital polisher, if available. Else it is elbow grease. Clean the wiper blades too and if in bad shape, replace it at one go. Claying regularly keeps the windshield crystal clear. Cant think of a better regular DIY activity.

Originally Posted by VW2010

Only idea i have is to source the oooo steel wool and give it a shot.

Avoidable as the material is harder than cutting compounds. Speculating on the chance of having very fine scratches and on glass which will be difficult to remove without grinding down aggressively and with related problems.

[sohail99]

Originally Posted by blackfire_9

Sohail, any suggestions on the closest substitute to Collinite that's also available off the shelf?

Nothing available OTC, here, can even come close to collinite 845 in terms of durability & protection!

You can get collinite etc. from ebay as well as from Mr. Sanjay(bbimpex)

[blackfire_9]

Thanks for the quick response.

Also, my car is washed daily & so I was wondering if anything can be done to the water so that the chances of the metal catching rust are minimized?

Originally Posted by sohail99

Nothing available OTC, here, can even come close to collinite 845 in terms of durability & protection!

You can get collinite etc. from ebay as well as from Mr. Sanjay(bbimpex)

[torquecurve]

Originally Posted by VW2010

@basky

Any ideas for cleaning the hard water stains in the windshied.

Have already tried vinegar which is of no use.

Only idea i have is to source the oooo steel wool and give it a shot.

Is there any other way to completely get rid of them?

Steel Wool - You will end up scratching it!

This had happened to me as well. Use a clay bar with a slightly concentrated lube (1 litre water + 10 ml car shampoo + 1 tablespoon vinegar). It will clean off the glass. Avoid Vinegar when you do it for the paint. Safest option.

[skumare]

Originally Posted by torquecurve

Steel Wool - You will end up scratching it!

This had happened to me as well. Use a clay bar with a slightly concentrated lube (1 litre water + 10 ml car shampoo + 1 tablespoon vinegar). It will clean off the glass. Avoid Vinegar when you do it for the paint. Safest option.

Can we use the "green" scrubber used to clean dishes? This may not scratch the glass, or will it?

[sohail99]

^yea! Getting a streak and scratchfree glass can be a real pain sometimes!

Some dedicated glass polishes containing cerium oxide(glass specific abrasive) may help!
I've heard good things about autoglym glass polish!
But trying a compound should be the first step!

@blackfire - you can try mixing some 'optimum no rinse' in your wash solution/water as it'll make the water soft as well as aid in safely cleaning the dust and other stuff off the paint while adding a just waxed look after the wash!

Also, timely cover all the exposed sheet metal with touch up paint after thorough cleaning with ipa!(even sanding where rust is showing)

[torquecurve]

Originally Posted by skumare

Can we use the "green" scrubber used to clean dishes? This may not scratch the glass, or will it?

It is not expected to hurt the glass and glass is a reall toughie. But autoglass is expensive to replace. Imagine you driving around with scratches (in case they happen). What you could do though is use a loofah (body sponge) with the Vinegar+shampoo+water solution and remove it. Remember to not press the loofah but just keep moving it aroung the stain spots. Anything you do on the car, never put pressure, just keep a neutral pressure and with some elbow grease you should be able to get it done.

[ontheroad]

I plan to start more serious detailing of my red swift Vdi as one of my New year resolutions. My car also have its share of swirls. After reading the thread, I plan to buy the following to start.
1) MF mitt - 1 Nos
2) Amway car wash
3) Mothers clay (plan to buy single piece from "bringing best". Seems I can use diluted car wash as lubricant for clay?)
4) Megs SwirlX ( Do i need to buy a polish inaddition to this?)
5) Collinite 845
6) Applicator pads 2 Nos ( For Swirlx and Collinite )
7) MF cloth - 3 Nos( To use after washing, Swirlx and Waxing ).
Should I buy anything more? Should I change brand of products intending to buy?
Sr detailers, your suggestions please.

[el lobo 6061]

Originally Posted by ontheroad

I plan to start more serious detailing of my red swift Vdi as one of my New year resolutions. My car also have its share of swirls. After reading the thread, I plan to buy the following to start.
1) MF mitt - 1 Nos
2) Amway car wash
3) Mothers clay (plan to buy single piece from "bringing best". Seems I can use diluted car wash as lubricant for clay?)
4) Megs SwirlX ( Do i need to buy a polish inaddition to this?)
5) Collinite 845
6) Applicator pads 2 Nos ( For Swirlx and Collinite )
7) MF cloth - 3 Nos( To use after washing, Swirlx and Waxing ).
Should I buy anything more? Should I change brand of products intending to buy?
Sr detailers, your suggestions please.

All the things mentioned are perfect, except you could use Optimum No Rinse for making clay bar lubricant in the ratio 1:64(ONR:Water) and ONR can be used for various other purposes also.
Megs SwirlX is a cutting compound which removes swirls and fine scratches too. You need a wax i.e. Collinite 845 for waxing after it. Purchase atleast 10 MF as they are used for various purposes like cleaning wax, drying, etc.

After using SwirlX you could use a sealant like Opti-Seal or BlackFire Wet Diamond for sealing the paint surface and than followed by waxing. The shine you would get is awesome. Finding right products is the difficult part because of non availability.

After you have washed and clayed your car, mask it with a masking tape around the window sills and matte black plastic parts because wax may stick to the surface and the black matte plastic would appear white instead. If you cant find 3M or Megs masking tape, use ABRO masking tape as last resort.

I don't intend to discourage you but detailing by oneself is very labor intensive work. You need minimum 2 people for finishing up the work quickly rather than doing single handed. If you find doing it all tough you can always get your car detailed form 3M Car Care Center and they do a fab job.

[optimist]

What is the consistency of clay? Is it harder or softer than bubblegum?

I soaked/washed 2 pieces of boomer to get rid of the flavour/sugar/additives and used dilute shampoo. It did remove all stains and black smoke residue except for some hard tree sap. Wish it had also gone. It was fairly smooth afterwards. Total cost = Rs. 3.00 for one bonnet.

Can someone who has used clay try this out please and report back?

[deepfusion]

I was basking in the sun on Sunday, and was shocked when I saw this:


The lady here is washing the car with a BROOM. She was earlier washing the floor of the house with the same broom.

Look, she has a floor cleaning bucket lying on the road out of which she spilled water on the car, and then swiped it clean.

[deepfusion]

Sorry, the closeup here:

[AvonA7]

Originally Posted by ontheroad

I plan to start more serious detailing of my red swift Vdi as one of my New year resolutions. My car also have its share of swirls. After reading the thread, I plan to buy the following to start.
1) MF mitt - 1 Nos
2) Amway car wash
3) Mothers clay (plan to buy single piece from "bringing best". Seems I can use diluted car wash as lubricant for clay?)
4) Megs SwirlX ( Do i need to buy a polish inaddition to this?)
5) Collinite 845
6) Applicator pads 2 Nos ( For Swirlx and Collinite )
7) MF cloth - 3 Nos( To use after washing, Swirlx and Waxing ).
Should I buy anything more? Should I change brand of products intending to buy?
Sr detailers, your suggestions please.

Am no Sr Detailer, however, gathered knowledge from this thread and applied on my car, sharing few things as per my personal experience -
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/test-d...ml#post2518489

between pt.4 and pt.5, one would get better result by using
Meg`s Polish ---> Sealant --> C845

Finally, to maintain and ease of cleaning the car regularly, better to have a good quality car duster for regular use

What about the Plastic/Rubber parts + Glass ? - Meg`s Protectant and any good glass cleaner will almost complete the car care kit for personal use, all the best

[blackfire_9]

Mods, please forgive the OT, but I need to say that this hurts!

(An emoticon with a bigger set of eyes would have better expressed the shock)

Originally Posted by deepfusion

Sorry, the closeup here:

Attachment 862396