Detailing my Black 328....Tricks and Tips.... | FerrariChat

Detailing my Black 328....Tricks and Tips....

Discussion in '308/328' started by Huskerbill, Jun 6, 2006.

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  1. Huskerbill

    Huskerbill F1 Rookie

    Sep 6, 2004
    4,126
    Oconomowoc, WI
    Full Name:
    Bill
    #1 Huskerbill, Jun 6, 2006
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Hey guys.....

    Just wanted to share with you a few tips and tricks I have learned for detailing my car.....

    First of all, the products.....

    1. Dawn dish soap OR Meguiar's Gold Soap

    Trick - I have a black car and want to get it SPOT FREE. I take a few drops of Jet Dry (yep, the SAME stuff you use in your dishwasher) and put it in the hot soapwater. Not too much. Just about a thimble-full. I have YET to get a waterspot on my car since I have been using it. I actually got the idea for it while loading the dishwasher awhile ago. Figured it would work, but would it harm the paint?? I used the SMALLEST amount the first time. Now I use a thimblefull for an entire bucket of water. Not every time, but maybe once every 3 or 4 months. The results have been amazing....

    2. I then rinse it all off with my hose and finish the "rinse" with a hand rinse of a bucket of plain hot water with some more drops of Jet Dry. When I am done, when you rub the car it squeeks. There is NO wax left and certainly NO spotting. All water deposits that WERE on the car from rain are GONE. It dries REALLY quickly too.


    3. Meguiar's 3 Step Process replacing #3 with their NXT Tech Wax (if I stripped the car FULLY, I skip Step #1 which is the Cleaner Wax and go straight to #2 which is the polishing oil)

    Step #1 - Cleaner Wax
    Step #2 - Polish (great oils!!)
    NXT Tech Wax to finish it out and seal the polish in

    4. Remove the roof (it is cleaned with soap and water but NO Jet Dry!!!)

    Spray entire roof with ArmorAll Tire Foam - It is the stuff in the black and orange can. Let it soak with an inch or two of this stuff on it for a few minutes. Wipe excess off with microfiber towel. It will be BLACK and shiny-new.

    4. Spray Tires with same foam. Let it soak itself in. This will keep them black and semi-glossy for a good 1000+ miles.

    5. Use ArmorAll interior dash shine (ExtraShine) on the lower trim panels (rockers) and lower front spoiler.

    That's about it....

    Other than that, regular use of a California Duster (I swear by it!!) and Meguiar's Detailing Mist with microfiber towels and you CAN keep a black car looking new!!!


    Lawn tips will coming soon..........

    ;-)
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  2. Huskerbill

    Huskerbill F1 Rookie

    Sep 6, 2004
    4,126
    Oconomowoc, WI
    Full Name:
    Bill
    Oh yeah.......

    Tip for getting into those spots on the decklid where the louvres hang over the sides of the grate over the engine......

    Take a terry cloth towels when the car is soapy. Fold it in half. Guide it into the tiny spaces between the louvre and the decklid. Use the towel like dental floss and it will help you clean out that area which is hard to otherwise get to. You should be able to get between 7-8 louvres all at once this way. It is really pretty easy.....
     
  3. spiderseeker

    spiderseeker Formula 3

    Jul 22, 2005
    1,718
    Colorado
    Full Name:
    Steve
    You car looks great, terrific shine.
    Any tips for removing light surface corrosion on the fuel distributor lines ? (salt air got to them) - I'd love to get that shiny brass look back.
    Steve
     
  4. show time

    show time Formula Junior

    Jan 5, 2006
    670
    Scottsdale AZ
    Full Name:
    Chris
    WOW Awesome shine, and much cheaper than what I pay to have my black 328 detailed. I might have to try this method when I get some time. Whats the start to finish time?

    -Chris
     
  5. jhsalah

    jhsalah Formula 3
    Silver Subscribed

    Apr 10, 2006
    2,409
    Philadelphia, PA
    Full Name:
    Jawad
    Bill, nice car... Great job detailing. I have a black 308 and I share the frustration of black-car owners everywhere. Sadly, I live in Manhattan and don't have a beautiful house and drive way to clean it in, otherwise I'd follow your directions! (May try it anyway!) Thanks for the tips.
     
  6. mycarsux

    mycarsux Formula Junior

    Feb 9, 2006
    906
    Houston, Tx
    Full Name:
    Wylie
    That is the most goresous 308 I have ever seen. EVER.
     
  7. jhsalah

    jhsalah Formula 3
    Silver Subscribed

    Apr 10, 2006
    2,409
    Philadelphia, PA
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    Jawad
    His is a 328 -- but i agree with you, she's a beauty :)
     
  8. Bullfighter

    Bullfighter Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jan 26, 2005
    22,596
    Gates Mills, Ohio
    Full Name:
    Jon
    How do you get all the black residue off the wheels? ;)

    Does the Armor-All tire roam 'bleed' off the roof when it gets wet? I'm sure it looks good, just don't want it running all over the place during the next wash...
     
  9. Huskerbill

    Huskerbill F1 Rookie

    Sep 6, 2004
    4,126
    Oconomowoc, WI
    Full Name:
    Bill
    With a beaded sandblaster!!! Ha!! ;-)

    Seriously though, regarding the ArmorAll foam.....It ISN'T black. It is actually a white foam. There is just something in it that brings out the black on the roof.

    No worries about anything washing or dripping off.....
     
  10. Huskerbill

    Huskerbill F1 Rookie

    Sep 6, 2004
    4,126
    Oconomowoc, WI
    Full Name:
    Bill
    Thanks buddy. Yeah, in some of the pics it kind of does look like a 308 at first glance. I think it is the badges that do that. Or maybe it is the fact that the cars just look so much alike anyway.....
     
  11. Huskerbill

    Huskerbill F1 Rookie

    Sep 6, 2004
    4,126
    Oconomowoc, WI
    Full Name:
    Bill

    Thanks!!
     
  12. carguywalt

    carguywalt Rookie

    Jan 24, 2006
    22
    New Berlin WI.
    Full Name:
    Walter
    Looks great Bill. You mention some products I haven't tried yet. I like Stoner MSLT for the tires. I'm going to beat you with my lawn tips:
    1. Hire landscaper
    2. Pay bill

    Lawn work takes away from car fun time.
     
  13. jhsalah

    jhsalah Formula 3
    Silver Subscribed

    Apr 10, 2006
    2,409
    Philadelphia, PA
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    Jawad

    If I HAD a lawn, this is definitely the advice I'd follow... More time for the Ferrari that way.
     
  14. show time

    show time Formula Junior

    Jan 5, 2006
    670
    Scottsdale AZ
    Full Name:
    Chris
    BTW, where did you get those floor mats?
     
  15. Huskerbill

    Huskerbill F1 Rookie

    Sep 6, 2004
    4,126
    Oconomowoc, WI
    Full Name:
    Bill

    From the previous owner.... ;-)

    I can't say I love them. I was considering buying black ones with a yellow horse or something to accent the black car....
     
  16. Huskerbill

    Huskerbill F1 Rookie

    Sep 6, 2004
    4,126
    Oconomowoc, WI
    Full Name:
    Bill
    Walt my friend....

    If I woke up and cut the lawn, manicured the shrubs, edged the lawn, laid down some fertilizer, and blew the clippings.......followed by a few hours of detailing my car, it would be the perfect day....

    I wouldn't even have to drive it... ;-)
     
  17. 10boom

    10boom Karting

    Jan 5, 2005
    162
    WA
    Bill,
    I would be really careful with using too much of the jet dry on your car. Supposedly Jet dry uses a chemical bleach additive that will eat through your clearcoat and compromise the integrity of it. If you use too much over time, it will make polishing the paint a damaging experience for you and your beautiful black paint. I learned this from a weekend detailing "How To" in the BMW club. I'm just looking out for your paint man.
     
  18. Huskerbill

    Huskerbill F1 Rookie

    Sep 6, 2004
    4,126
    Oconomowoc, WI
    Full Name:
    Bill
    I hear ya. I figured it was the equivelent of using HCL or something, which is why I am EXTREMELY careful with it. Anything that can instantly take of water spots CAN'T be great for paint. That's why I use a thimble-full in a 3 gallon bucket. When you do your dishes, you fill the ENTIRE tray which is probably 20 times more than the amount I use in a 5 gallon bucket. I could probably drink it and not feel a thing. But it seems to be JUST enough to do the trick.

    And like I said, I only use it once every 3 or 4 months. If anything, it is probably better for the paint to do that than use regular water and risk spotting which can KILL paint.

    Yeah, I am careful with it. Thanks for the heads-up!! :)
     
  19. Huskerbill

    Huskerbill F1 Rookie

    Sep 6, 2004
    4,126
    Oconomowoc, WI
    Full Name:
    Bill
    Start to finish time is about 4 hours. But that includes hand polishing EVERY inch of the car, hand application of each step, hand removal of each step.

    4 hours for a PERFECT job that includes all trim pieces too......I probably couldn't take LONGER if I wanted to. The 4 hours is about as detailed of a job as you can do.....
     
  20. show time

    show time Formula Junior

    Jan 5, 2006
    670
    Scottsdale AZ
    Full Name:
    Chris
    ahh shoot..I'm seen similar online with the ole "call for price" I think it might be cheaper to have them made locally...Don't mean to hijack your thread Bill, but does anyone have a reasonably priced source for them..?
     
  21. Wade

    Wade Three Time F1 World Champ
    Owner

    Mar 31, 2006
    32,793
    East Central, FL
    Full Name:
    Wade O.
    Whoa Bill, that's some reflection! Not many DIY's can get a shine like that. Really nice ;)
     
  22. Huskerbill

    Huskerbill F1 Rookie

    Sep 6, 2004
    4,126
    Oconomowoc, WI
    Full Name:
    Bill
    Yeah, wait till you see the pics from this weekend. This car will be in good company.....

    Just wait......

    We'll see what your mug looks like in the reflection of this car shortly. I will expect regular pics....
     
  23. NYCFERRARIS

    NYCFERRARIS Formula 3

    Mar 2, 2004
    1,011
    I have a black mondial and it is gorgeous when it shines but is tough to get that way..thanks for the tips...btw .. where did you get that red hose/chrome intake pipe? price? made it yourself?
     
  24. robin's308

    robin's308 Formula Junior

    Jan 14, 2006
    306
    Honolulu
    Full Name:
    John
    i love your 328....i love the all black ext. looks sweeeeeeet! you wanna trade for a nice 308 carb??? lol
     

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