I can't search for the answers, so I'm hoping you guys can help..

1. I went to firsestone to get some tires, after I had gotten a flat, and I noticed that there display tires are shiny black, and when you touch them they give off a greasy/oily feel. I want my wheels to stay shiny shiny black all the time. I use to use amor all for them, but it only last for like a couple of days. What did Firestone use on there tires, and is it safe for mine? I want that just got washed look..............

2. I have not cleaned out my carpet since I bought this car, what carpet and upholstery cleaners do you recommened? I have dirt stains, coke stain (droplets) and other crap............ Also what will clean the dash and leave it shiny?

3. I want to clean my engine, but I dont know how to. What do I cover, and with what? I want my engine to look almost like new, what brand do you recommend and how do I go about doing this? < first time I try it.

4. My rims have this gunky stuff on them, is there any rim cleaner that will take off EVERYTHING????? I dont know what it is exactly, like sticker adhesive.........

Thanks alot.........Raul

 

I am putting the answers underneath your questions.

1. I went to firsestone to get some tires, after I had gotten a flat, and I noticed that there display tires are shiny black, and when you touch them they give off a greasy/oily feel. I want my wheels to stay shiny shiny black all the time. I use to use amor all for them, but it only last for like a couple of days. What did Firestone use on there tires, and is it safe for mine? I want that just got washed look..............

If you are looking for longevity, Meguiar's Endurance is the way to go. But when you apply it, make sure you wipe off the excess to reduce/prevent sling.


2. I have not cleaned out my carpet since I bought this car, what carpet and upholstery cleaners do you recommened? I have dirt stains, coke stain (droplets) and other crap............ Also what will clean the dash and leave it shiny?

Sounds like you have your work cut out for you. You might want to treat some of the more heavily stained ares with something like OxiClean and then follow up with a good upholstery shampoo (I have used Eimann Fabrik's and it works pretty well). As far as protectants are concerned, I would recommend Lexol's Vinylex since it's got high UV protection.

3. I want to clean my engine, but I dont know how to. What do I cover, and with what? I want my engine to look almost like new, what brand do you recommend and how do I go about doing this? < first time I try it.

I'll put the link to the engine cleaning post here when I find it.

4. My rims have this gunky stuff on them, is there any rim cleaner that will take off EVERYTHING????? I dont know what it is exactly, like sticker adhesive.........

Did you try Eagle One A2Z?

 

1) Keep in mind that showroom display tires don't sit outside and don't ever get wet. I've heard good feedback about Endurance like Prinz suggested, but it seems to be that most tires, once they get wet, don't retain much of their freshly dressed appearance. Also, be sure to avoid the temptation to dress the tread of the tire!

I also recommend cleaning and re-dressing the tire every wash. If you try dressing a grimy tire, it's not going to look very good, especially when the dressing wears off. Foam sprays work, but they also overspray everywhere.

2) For carpets a household product called Folex is supposed to be good... I have it, but haven't used it yet! You could probably clean the dash and vinyl with a diluted dish detergent solution or a diluted all purpose cleaner. When I do this though, I wipe it down again with water just in case.

4) If it's sticky glue-like stuff try an adhesive remover like Goo Gone.

 

Thanks alot, I'll try those methods.

 

They probably used a product that contains silicone, and no it's not safe to use on yours. There is no product to keep your tires looking clean indefinitely, but 3M Rubber Treatment & Tire Dressing is pretty good.

http://www.carcareonline.com/detail....oduct_id=10171

I have found that the PROCESS is as important as the PRODUCT for tires. Spray this stuff on then spread it around with an old paintbrush. This will allow you to use less, which seems to make it last longer. You should also give it time to dry. Giving it time to dry seems to extend it's life significantly.

Use a carpet extractor like people use to clean their house carpets. There are products like Prestone carpet cleaner that are supposed to be good but I don't think there's any substitute for using an extractor. I bought a Bissel Little Green machine and it is PERFECT for doing car carpets...90 bucks.


Do you really want it shiny? If so use some garbage product like Armorall that will not only leave it shiny, but also destroys the vinyl in the process. I recommend a product called 303. It won't leave the dash hella shiny, but it will protect it and make it look good. Shiny dash's are ugly and reduce your visibility in the sun...

http://www.303products.com/

There are people who will tell you to go at your engine with high pressure water without covering anything, that they've enver hurt anything...but I think they're playing with fire. Cover your battery, alternator, and relay boxes. You should probably cover all the connectors...but I have been getting aw3ay with not doing that. Use some Meguiars Citri-Gel multi-cleaner and brush the dirt with a small brush. Then use LOW PRESSURE water to rinse it off gently. If you have access to compressed air blow the water out of the connectors and stuff before starting the engine...if you don't ahve air then say a little prayer first instead.

Eage One A2Z is the best stuff I have used. You may have to use some kind of brush to scrub a bit. There are people on Autopia that would faint or exile me for this...don't tell anyone I said this but when my rims had some brake dust that was baked on to them and wouldn't come off with repeated applications of A2Z I used some non-scratch scotchbrite pads to get it off. Not the best idea, but my (stock SE) rims are old and were looking pretty bad. In the end I didn't do TOO much damage, and they look much better. A2Z has a cumulative effect though, so I would recommend using it with something much milder (even just a rag) to scrub for a few washes before going to that level. Give it 3 or 4 washes then step up to something harsher like scotchbrites if you are desperate.

EDIT: Note that I would NEVER use scotchbrite pads on aftermarket rims...I would find another way...even a little brake cleaner or something. Whatever you use test it in an area that's not visible. The scotchbrites didn't really damage my rims but they did dull the finish a LITTLE (not as much as you'd think though). If you're desperate they will work but I wouldn't classify them as a "good solution"

 

on the tires im sure they used Brite Shine some stuff they sell in bulk

 

Don't use armor all for tires. From my experience, when tires get old, they turn brown.