[adimicra]

@Ajay: I too felt like not having a windscreen while driving today morning..
What is WD-40? Where to procure it? What is the cost? How to apply it?

So, what is the consensus on removing the tiny tar spots at the lower portion of the car? Those are really irritating. Experts, please enlighten.

[maverhick]

What is a suitable degreaser to be used on car/bike engines? I was looking to take my bike apart and put it together and was wondering what would be an appropriate degreaser. I have read in the previous posts that WD40 and diesel are not necessarily good options.

Can a bike's engine be detailed? Are there any options?

[sushrutha]

Collinite 845 Wax + Mothers Reflections Top coat on my 7 year old Pulsar
Pics from a Puny Nikon P&S camera

[mb_jg]

Originally Posted by sushrutha

Collinite 845 Wax + Mothers Reflections Top coat on my 7 year old Pulsar
Pics from a Puny Nikon P&S camera
Attachment 609756
Attachment 609757
Attachment 609758

Wow, you've taken good care of your bike!!! 7yrs & it still looks pretty new! Good going.

[sushrutha]

Originally Posted by mb_jg

Wow, you've taken good care of your bike!!! 7yrs & it still looks pretty new! Good going.

Thanks
Yep, 7 years & 35XXX odd kms with original paint. Serviced every 2.5K kms

[basky]

Originally Posted by maverhick

What is a suitable degreaser to be used on car/bike engines? I was looking to take my bike apart and put it together and was wondering what would be an appropriate degreaser. I have read in the previous posts that WD40 and diesel are not necessarily good options.

Can a bike's engine be detailed? Are there any options?

The caution is on using WD40 on bodywork. The engine block requires WD40, diesel or kerosene to break down the grime. Use a tooth brush, cotton buds and wooden toothpick to help you get through the muck.

Wash down with a car shampoo and finish off with wax on the painted surface, metal polish on brightwork, tyre gel on tyres, rubbers and the matt black surfaces. The final look depends on the even black you manage to get. CAUTION on getting gel on the tyre surface in contact with the road - if you dont want a slippery bike.

Above all have fun with the detailing. The quality of finish depends on the time and attention to detail, which, is more important than any brand preference of products used.

[basky]

Originally Posted by sushrutha

Collinite 845 Wax + Mothers Reflections Top coat on my 7 year old Pulsar
Pics from a Puny Nikon P&S camera

Very good job. Appreciate your attention to detail.

Suggestions to make a good job even better -Perhaps if you use a medium cut compound before polishing and waxing the next time, you will be able to correct the hint of a swirl seen on the 1st photo 609756 where the flash reflects. A little tyre gel will darken the black rubber, making it more dramatic for photography!

[sushrutha]

Originally Posted by basky

Very good job. Appreciate your attention to detail.

Suggestions to make a good job even better -Perhaps if you use a medium cut compound before polishing and waxing the next time, you will be able to correct the hint of a swirl seen on the 1st photo 609756 where the flash reflects. A little tyre gel will darken the black rubber, making it more dramatic for photography!

Yep. I wanted to polish first and then apply wax + top coat on it, but somehow just thought of applying only Collinite.
The swirl if you observe, it's mostly from the sticker(pulsar) due to the flash.

[sushrutha]

Originally Posted by adimicra

So, what is the consensus on removing the tiny tar spots at the lower portion of the car? Those are really irritating. Experts, please enlighten.

Use a clay bar along with liquid spray(mild detergent type) if provided with the clay kit.
Else you can use water when you surface(rub) the car with Clay bar.

[basky]

Tar spots are a perennial pain. On a well detailed car, the tar spots can be removed with a little wax car polish as the bond wont be strong. Otherwise, it will be better to use a tar spot remover (expensive) or diesel (cheap). Wash off with car shampoo after using the solvents and reapply sealants and waxes to protect the paint surface.

Clay bars work by removing even microscopic contaminants which you can feel when you run your bare hand on the painted surface. The contaminants get embedded in the clay and when saturated, the clay should be thrown out before it starts to behave like an abrasive. Using clay bars for removing tar spots will not be economical and involves quite heavy expenditure of 'elbow grease'.Much easier and cost effective with diesel. Be sure to use a quick detail solution to lubricate the clay when used. Soaps and shampoos even when dilute may leave stains when used as a lubricant for claying.

Good exercise and satisfying watching the results.

[basky]

Originally Posted by sushrutha

The swirl if you observe, it's mostly from the sticker(pulsar) due to the flash.

Actually I was talking about the painted area around the epicenter of the flash which shows a hint of microswirls. Good photo for a P&S camera.

Nothing much to bother about as these things can be seen only in very strong light and with mad hatters like us who go nit picking on details.It is more important to protect the paint regularly as you have done. Cut down only when there is sufficient reason to.

[Omega Man]

Hello Experts, need advice, opinion and comments

1. Many say Optimum No Rinse (ONR) is an over rated and over hyped product?

2. Can Collinite 845 be used on the windshield after claying it?

3. I am looking for a Complete, Easy, Effective & Affordable detailing kit. Came across these two:

Meguiars Deep Crystal System - 3 step complete detailing pack
STEP 1. Deep Crystal® System Paint Cleaner
STEP 2. Deep Crystal® System Polish
STEP 3. Deep Crystal® System Carnauba Wax
Rs.2166/-

Mothers Ultimate Wax System - 3 step complete detailing pack
STEP 1. Pre-Wax Cleaner
STEP 2. Sealer & Glazer
STEP 3. Pure Carnauba Wax
Rs.1350/-

Which kit should I go for?
Thanks in advance, Cheers

[sagarpadaki]

Originally Posted by Omega Man

Hello Experts, need advice, opinion and comments

1. Many say Optimum No Rinse (ONR) is an over rated and over hyped product?

2. Can Collinite 845 be used on the windshield after claying it?

3. I am looking for a Complete, Easy, Effective & Affordable detailing kit. Came across these two:

Meguiars Deep Crystal System - 3 step complete detailing pack
STEP 1. Deep Crystal® System Paint Cleaner
STEP 2. Deep Crystal® System Polish
STEP 3. Deep Crystal® System Carnauba Wax
Rs.2166/-

Mothers Ultimate Wax System - 3 step complete detailing pack
STEP 1. Pre-Wax Cleaner
STEP 2. Sealer & Glazer
STEP 3. Pure Carnauba Wax
Rs.1350/-

Which kit should I go for?
Thanks in advance, Cheers

1. Optimum no rinse is not over hyped. It does its job beautifully. Price is also very reasonable for the quality of product

2. Yes you can use 845 on windshield with or without claying it.

3. Meguiars one is better.

[k_ajay]

Originally Posted by Omega Man

Hello Experts, need advice, opinion and comments

1. Many say Optimum No Rinse (ONR) is an over rated and over hyped product? May or may not be overhyped, but is a good product with multiple purposes [quick detailer, clay lube, etc]. All depends on how you dilute the product with water and use.

2. Can Collinite 845 be used on the windshield after claying it? Collinite themselves recommend not to use this product on glass. They make the product, they should know better? In any case, when there are specialised products to take care of automotive glass, why apply wax there. Better be safe than sorry.

3. I am looking for a Complete, Easy, Effective & Affordable detailing kit. Came across these two:

Meguiars Deep Crystal System - 3 step complete detailing pack

Mothers Ultimate Wax System - 3 step complete detailing pack

Which kit should I go for? Meguiar's, is my suggestion.

Thanks in advance, Cheers

Hi,

I'm not an expert but sharing my comments in-line to your queries.

Cheers,
aK

[nirmaljusdoit]

Hello Experts, need advice, opinion and comments

1. Many say Optimum No Rinse (ONR) is an over rated and over hyped product?

ONR is the best in class product & most of their products are the best in their class in fact. Dr. Ghodoussi (Dr.G) is a renowned chemist & they have introduced some groundbreaking products esp like Opti - coat. I have interacted with him a couple of times & he is truly a visionary in the world of detailing.

ONR is not only VFM but also multi - talented, can be used as clay lube, softens hard water, can be used as QD, can wash the car also with it.

Its an environmentally friendly product & the best for water scarcity areas in India.

2. Can Collinite 845 be used on the windshield after claying it?

It can be used, but a veryyy thin coat to be applied. Ensure the surface is completely dry. In our kind of monsoons, you would have to apply it more often though.

3. I am looking for a Complete, Easy, Effective & Affordable detailing kit. Came across these two:

Meguiars Deep Crystal System - 3 step complete detailing pack
STEP 1. Deep Crystal® System Paint Cleaner
STEP 2. Deep Crystal® System Polish
STEP 3. Deep Crystal® System Carnauba Wax
Rs.2166/-

Mothers Ultimate Wax System - 3 step complete detailing pack
STEP 1. Pre-Wax Cleaner
STEP 2. Sealer & Glazer
STEP 3. Pure Carnauba Wax
Rs.1350/-

Which kit should I go for?

Both the kits are equally good. Mothers makes some of the best products out there & also locally available now in India. As far as i know the Megs kit isnt available easily in India.

Happy detailing !

Thanks in advance, Cheers