Detailing the little things... | FerrariChat
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Detailing the little things...

Discussion in '308/328' started by jimshadow, Jun 9, 2008.

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  1. jimshadow

    jimshadow F1 Veteran
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    #1 jimshadow, Jun 9, 2008
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    I took some time yesterday to take care of my very dirty reverse lights. They have pretty much been black since the day I got the car, however, it has been low priority, until now. The GT4 will be in a car show on Saturday, so I'm taking care of the little things all this week that need addressed.
    The reverse light lenses are heavy plastic pieces that are held in by 2 screws. There is (was) a gasket around the edge of the lens against the housing. (mine was dried and fell apart...I'll replace that down the road) I used hot soapy water, a tooth brush and a little bit of "Bar Keepers Friend" to clean the lenses. The results speak for themselves and I was able to get the dirt out from the inside of the lettering using the toothbrush and a paste of BKF.

    JIM
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  2. umsneeze

    umsneeze Formula Junior

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    #2 umsneeze, Jun 9, 2008
    Wow...huge difference. I was thinking my tailights would be better off being replaced, but I think they should spend some quality time with a toothbrush!
     
  3. jimshadow

    jimshadow F1 Veteran
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    #3 jimshadow, Jun 9, 2008
    Definetly go the toothbrush route. Bar Keepers Friend is a mild abrasive...perfect for getting the grime off of these things without scratching them up. It was a little tedious getting deep in the corners and the lettering, but well worth it.

    JIM
     
  4. branko

    branko F1 Rookie
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    #4 branko, Jun 9, 2008
    Wow! Great job! What a difference!
     
  5. Joe G.

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    #5 Joe G., Jun 9, 2008
    looks way better

    i wonder if you were to do the tail light lenses would they brighten up too ?
     
  6. Hans

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    #6 Hans, Jun 9, 2008
    Last edited: Jun 9, 2008
    Wow, awesome results Jim!

    Mine are near black, likely due to the flame spitting of the exhaust pipes right underneath. Should be an interesting project to clean up!!

    I'm not familiar with Bar keepers friend. I presume that this is a particular brand of toothpaste?

    Thanks for the inspiration!!!

    Hans

    P.S. Did you do your bumpers too? They seem cleaner as well....
     
  7. Max4HD

    Max4HD Formula 3

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    #7 Max4HD, Jun 9, 2008
    Make sure to post a photo of your trophy after the car show!

    Cheers
     
  8. snj5

    snj5 F1 World Champ

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    #8 snj5, Jun 9, 2008
    Wow!
    It's amazing what a huge impact the little details make - looks terrific!
     
  9. Bullfighter

    Bullfighter Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #9 Bullfighter, Jun 9, 2008
    +1

    Well done.
     
  10. dstacy

    dstacy F1 World Champ
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    #10 dstacy, Jun 9, 2008
    I think I can speak on behalf of everyone here Jim when I say, "Thanks a lot buttwipe! Now we all have one more project to do on our cars."
    :D

    Good job my friend.

    You having any trouble with all those rain storms up there?
     
  11. 2000YELLOW360

    2000YELLOW360 F1 World Champ

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    #11 2000YELLOW360, Jun 9, 2008
    I wish you hadn't posted that. I'm going to lose an entire day trying to make my car look like that.

    Art
     
  12. jimshadow

    jimshadow F1 Veteran
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    #12 jimshadow, Jun 9, 2008
    ROTFLMAO!!! Literally out loud!

    :)

    Happy to help you guys fill your time. ;)

    We just had a doozy about 1/2 an hour ago. There is a tree across my neighbors house...no real damage, just some clean up to do.
    Most of the severe storms have split and gone N and S of Ft. Wayne. We've been lucky...Indy, Dayton and others have not.


    JIM
     
  13. JF308

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    #13 JF308, Jun 9, 2008
    I thought that your lenses were intentionally "smoked".... like the black treatment on some rice rockets I've seen.
     
  14. magnum

    magnum Formula Junior

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    #14 magnum, Jun 9, 2008
    +1
     
  15. jimshadow

    jimshadow F1 Veteran
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    #15 jimshadow, Jun 9, 2008
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    (This will really piss Dave off....:) )

    I realized that when I posted the before and after picture, I forgot the 'after' after picture from taking the toothbrush and BKF to the letters/numbers of the lens. I was able to really get them clean! Sooooo.....time to get to work there DStacy! LOL!

    HANS, Here is a link to BKF. It is a powder that is used to clean all kinds of surfaces. It just happened to work very well for this application.

    http://www.barkeepersfriend.com/sample.html

    As far as the bumpers, I did them tonight. First I scrubbed the rubber with Simple Green. Got all the exhaust grime off and some oxidation I'm sure. Then I applied some 303 protectant on them. WOW do they look great! I'll take more pictures tomorrow when I can get some natural light. Had more storms tonight so the pictures were poor.

    JIM
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  16. jimshadow

    jimshadow F1 Veteran
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    #16 jimshadow, Jun 10, 2008
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Getting ready for this car show has me doing things to my GT4 that I never thought I would....like polishing up the aluminum trim, polishing the chrome bumpers, cleaning the front and rear bumpers and dressing them up and cleaning wheels inside and out. The car is looking great. Here are some pics from today's projects...The only thing left to do is to put a coat or two of fresh wax on it, tire dressing and I'll be good to go!! :)
    You can see in the 2nd picture that I started on the right and was working my way left to get a uniform look. Also, the last pic did not come out well despite taking it several times. The chrome mirror is really shiny and bright, unlike the picture...

    JIM
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  17. Hans

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    #17 Hans, Jun 11, 2008
    :eek:

    Will you stop scaring us Jim???

    ;)
     
  18. eulk328

    eulk328 F1 Rookie

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    #18 eulk328, Jun 11, 2008
    Last edited: Jun 11, 2008

    An ultrasonic cleaner with warm water and dish washing soap (washing up liquid for the British contingent :) will do a very nice job on lenses and other parts that are small enough to fit in it. Miniature "scrubbing" soapy bubbles that reach into every nook and cranny. Here in Germany you can buy one for about $30.00 Most are designed/shaped for eyeglasses and do a great job cleaning them but anything you can fit in there is fair game.

    PS. and yes..... nice job on the car :)
     
  19. snj5

    snj5 F1 World Champ

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    #19 snj5, Jun 11, 2008
    +1
    Ultrasonic cleaners are great for lots of stuff, even spark plugs and carb jets.
     
  20. SMS

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    #20 SMS, Jun 11, 2008
    OK jimbo, enough is enough. Put down the detailer and back away from the car. We're in the same class Saturday and my prep so far has been to hose off some brake dust. Oh, and I cleaned the floor mats.

    Serously though, you car looks great. See you Sat.

    Oh, and if it rains Sat morning, you're in big trouble 'cause I'll come in a trailer!
    :)
     
  21. jimshadow

    jimshadow F1 Veteran
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    #21 jimshadow, Jun 11, 2008
    DAMN! I knew you'd pull that one on me.
    I don't think we stand a chance against the Veyron though...
    This should be a fun day!

    JIM
     
  22. SMS

    SMS F1 Veteran

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    #22 SMS, Jun 11, 2008
    Remember, the last time we saw the Veyron it had corn stalks in the grill, so we may yet have a chance!
     
  23. jimshadow

    jimshadow F1 Veteran
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    #23 jimshadow, Jun 11, 2008
    Very true, and there werent' too many 'detailed' cars in the basement....upstairs was a different story though...

    JIM
     
  24. fastradio

    fastradio F1 Rookie
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    #24 fastradio, Jun 11, 2008
    Jim,

    Your car looks awesome! The BB uses those same back-up lights...and gets that same "smoked" look from the exhaust. A pain to clean, but what a difference.

    As I told you on the phone, there's just something about those GT4's....

    Take care,
    David
     
  25. dstacy

    dstacy F1 World Champ
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    #25 dstacy, Jun 11, 2008
    Oh great! Just what I need...another guy in the world who takes joy in getting me
    :D
     
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