clean & wax between ferrari letters | FerrariChat

clean & wax between ferrari letters

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by jrinehart, Mar 13, 2009.

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  1. jrinehart

    jrinehart Formula Junior

    Jan 30, 2009
    578
    Chambersburg, PA
    Full Name:
    John Rinehart
    What is the best way to clean and wax around the Ferrari letters on the engine cover of a 328
     
  2. Wade

    Wade Three Time F1 World Champ
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    Mar 31, 2006
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    East Central, FL
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    Wade O.
    A soft bristled toothbrush works great for me.
     
  3. Bullfighter

    Bullfighter Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jan 26, 2005
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    Wouldn't that scratch the crap out of the paint?
     
  4. Artvonne

    Artvonne F1 Veteran

    Oct 29, 2004
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    Paul
    Pop the clips off and remove the script?
     
  5. Wade

    Wade Three Time F1 World Champ
    Owner

    Mar 31, 2006
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    Wade O.
    Not anymore than 99% of what's sold as car care products. A used up toothbrush is certainly softer than a new Triple Duty Detail Brush from Meguiar's.

     
  6. cmt6891

    cmt6891 Formula 3

    Feb 25, 2008
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    Encino, Ca
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    Carl T
    Can't think of any other way than this
     
  7. mwr4440

    mwr4440 Five Time F1 World Champ
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    Gets my vote.
     
  8. dm_n_stuff

    dm_n_stuff Four Time F1 World Champ
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    Dave M.
  9. Kenny94945

    Kenny94945 Karting

    Nov 1, 2003
    232
    Marin Calif
    Do not use a tooth brush....especially on black paint
    Q Tips are OK if urgent; better are the professional detailer Q Tips that have a foam end instead of cotton.
     
  10. Artvonne

    Artvonne F1 Veteran

    Oct 29, 2004
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    Every car in the world has wax under the letters, or scratches under the letters, unless it was just assembled after a repaint. Makes no difference who built it, dirt and wax gets under letters. If your really doing a detailing and wax job, remove all the loose trim.
     
  11. Wade

    Wade Three Time F1 World Champ
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    Mar 31, 2006
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    East Central, FL
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    Wade O.
    My suggestion for using a toothbrush probably doesn't apply to the OP's question. If removing the trim is an easy method then I agree with that.

    But, in other cases, some of the most experienced will use detailing brushes. Especially if removing the trim is not an option and the car hasn't received detailing on a regular basis.
     
  12. blkprlz

    blkprlz Formula 3

    Mar 24, 2007
    2,169
    Tampa bay
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    Bruce
    +1!
     
  13. luv2detail

    luv2detail Formula 3
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    Mar 30, 2006
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    +1 This way gets the best results by far, especially if you are polishing by machine.

    If you don't want to remove the letters, then use a very soft bristle brush or steal one of your wife's makeup brushes. While you're washing the car, get a lot of water and suds around the letters and lightly brush them at a 45 degree angle. This is to remove any dirt and debris. Then later, use Q-tips and whatever polish and wax you'd like.
     
  14. RayJohns

    RayJohns F1 Veteran
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    May 21, 2006
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    I use a soft brush (the kind for detailing your interior) and then also compressed air and a micro fiber rag.

    Ray
     
  15. MobileJay

    MobileJay Formula 3
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    Sep 9, 2006
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    Houston
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    #15 MobileJay, Mar 14, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    With some of my clients I have used these q-tipshttp://www.autogeek.net/sm506.html. They are great for getting into tight places, tapered on one end and then flat on the other. Take a qd(quick detailer)of your choice and spray the q-tip pretty well. After its soaked use that to get in between the letters. They lift up a tad in the middle between the clips, slightly lift them up with the q-tip and softly clean under. Works like a charm for me. They also work great getting between the front emblem.
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  16. slice

    slice Formula Junior

    Jan 4, 2008
    312
    Connecticut, US
    I've wondered myself about this and have tried everything from q-tips to a detailing brush...still not "perfect"...

    I have a 360 and see the 2 clips underneath, but what happens when I pop them out? They aren't a nut or bolt...in other words do I have to buy hardware to replace it? Does anyone have pictures of removing this (360 or not)?
     
  17. irondogmike

    irondogmike F1 Rookie

    Sep 8, 2006
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    Michael Tucker
    thats what I do
     
  18. irondogmike

    irondogmike F1 Rookie

    Sep 8, 2006
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    Michael Tucker
    +1
     
  19. DGS

    DGS Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    May 27, 2003
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    For detailing -- as in before selling -- pop the clips and remove the script for individual cleaning.

    For "regular" cleaning --- a soft cloth and your little finger. It's not perfect.
    But it's just gonna get dirty again, anyway, if you're actually driving the thing. ;)
    (And if not, why bother?)

    A happy Ferrari is a driven Ferrari is a dirty Ferrari. :p
     
  20. Dr_ferrari

    Dr_ferrari Formula 3
    Consultant Professional Ferrari Technician

    Nov 2, 2003
    1,073
    Pocono Sportscar
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    Jim McGee
    I use a small tightly bound horse hair brush. detailer freind of mine showed me, works great and will not harm the paintwork

    Regards, Jim
     
  21. CliffBeer

    CliffBeer Formula 3

    Apr 3, 2005
    2,198
    Seattle, Washington
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    Cliff
    This is the technical Q&A sub-forum??? Or maybe this is the wine and cheese concours sub-forum and I'm just lost.....
     
  22. FF8929

    FF8929 Formula Junior

    Apr 12, 2008
    799
    Livonia, Michigan
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    Fred Flynn
    For cars this old, it's not dirt anyway, it's "patina".
     
  23. MoeMistry

    MoeMistry Rookie

    Sep 9, 2006
    40
    Orange County, CA
    I've never heard anyone put it that way before :)

    The trick is to use products that don't leave anything behind. I'm not sure what products you're using, but when it comes to waxes, the higher quality products don't leave any residue behind.

    As mentioned already, simply take the two pop-off caps from underneath the badge, remove the badge, clean it by polishing and waxing, then replace. Just be careful not to drop those little caps, PITA to find again ;)
     
  24. anthonyh

    anthonyh Rookie

    Oct 13, 2008
    29
    Use something that has less percentage of acid.
     
  25. brokenarrow

    brokenarrow F1 Rookie

    Sep 25, 2006
    3,737
    Txass
    Full Name:
    Bill
    Good idea. I think I'll pop mine off tomorrow and soak the letters and clean the area real good.
     

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