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Friday, September 16, 2005

How to Polish Aluminum Wheels

Aluminum wheels can benefit from a good polishing once in a while to restore their shine and enhance the overall appearance of your car.

Before polishing, be sure to clean those tires well. Remove all loose debris and grime from your wheels to prep them for polishing. Failing to clean thoroughly could result in unexpected scratches on your aluminum wheels. Once they are good and clean, be sure to dry thoroughly before proceeding with the polish. A wet surface will interfere with application of the aluminum polish.

Polishes for aluminum wheels are available in liquids and pastes, but liquid polishes are generally preferred as they tend to outperform the pastes. Liquid simply gives better results. Use a wax pad or dry towel to apply the polish to your aluminum wheels. Using ample pressure, work hard to rub in a circular motion until the area is completely covered. This is another instance where a little old-fashioned elbow grease will do wonders for your results.

Be sure to apply the aluminum polish evenly to your wheel, rubbing it in with a smooth and consistent stroke. Try to polish the aluminum in a repetitive direction. You should see the tarnish coming off on your cloth, evidence that you are making progress towards shiny, clean wheels.

Allow the aluminum polish to dry completely on your wheels before removing it with a clean, dry towel. The removal process involves buffing those aluminum wheels with a soft, clean cloth. You should be able to see the beautiful polished aluminum shining through as you work through this stage of the job.

One wheel down, only three to go! Anyone who really prides himself on the appearance of his car will want to take that little extra time to really work on polishing those wheels. It is a small thing, often neglected, that will set your car's appearance apart from the rest.

by Lanes Car Products - Car Wax & Auto Detail Specialists

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Thursday, September 15, 2005

How to Clean Aluminum Wheels

Cleaning your car's aluminum wheels is necessary to maintain the appearance of your car and enhance it's performance. Aluminum wheels can present a cleaning challenge as they are constantly exposed to the hot dust particles from brake pads and other debris that is kicked up off the road.

Aluminum wheels may be painted with the same paint and clear-coat used on the body of your car, or they may be polished, anodized aluminum. Anodized aluminum wheels are not protected by clear-coat which reacts to the elements and can dull or corrode. Cleaning your aluminum wheels, whether they are painted or anodized, will keep them functioning and looking their best.

You may be tempted to grab the dish soap or some other cleaner from under the kitchen sink to help scrub away the grime from your aluminum wheels. Most household cleaners, and even typical car wash soaps are simply not strong enough to clean the tar, grime and dust from your aluminum wheels.

Clean one wheel at a time, and clean your wheels before washing the rest of your car. This will help prevent splashing cleaners and dirt onto an already clean car. Give your wheels a good rinsing with the hose to help flush out loose dirt. Be sure to spray into the wheel well to remove anything that may be hiding up in there.

Use a double strength mixture of your favorite car cleaner and a good tire and wheel scrub brush to work the dirt and grime out of your aluminum wheels. Follow up with a sponge or washcloth to remove the remaining debris.

A final step in cleaning your aluminum wheels is to thoroughly rinse and dry the wheels. Keeping your wheels clean makes a big difference in your car's overall appearance. This small time investment is worth it when compared to the overall value of your car.
by Lanes Car Products - Car Wax & Auto Detail Specialists

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Tuesday, September 13, 2005

How to Clean and Remove Stains in Your Carpets

Most carpet stains can be successfully cleaned and removed from your automobile's carpet. It takes a little patience and care, but you can remove those stains and clean up the carpet and upholstery to return your car to it's former glory days.

To begin carpet cleaning and stain removal, vacuum thoroughly. The more dirt you remove with the vacuum, the better. This gives your cleaning fluids a chance to focus on the embedded stains rather than at cleaning and removing loose dirt. So vacuum well!

Pick a carpet cleaner and stain remover that is environmentally safe and ph balanced. Read the labels and let the warnings guide you in choosing a carpet cleaner and stain remover that fits your needs.

Work on small areas of the carpet at a time. Don't try to clean and remove the stains that are ground into the whole carpet at once. Work small and move on as you conquer each area. Spray only in the area you are actively working on, so you can concentrate on removing the dirt effectively. Use the cleaner sparingly, but don't worry if you need to apply more to remove a particularly stubborn stain. A good thing about automobile carpets, is that they are usually prepped to be moisture resistant. A little extra cleaner to remove those really tough stains won't hurt.

Good old-fashioned elbow grease is key to cleaning carpets effectively, especially on stubborn stains. Use your muscles and be energetic when you rub those stains. If you use a towel, you will most likely see the dirt working it's way off as you really get those carpets clean and stain free.

Be sure to let the carpet dry completely before anyone steps on it. Vacuum again when it is dry to remove additional loose dirt. With a little hard work, your carpets can be restored to their original luster, clean and stain-free.
by Lanes Car Products - Car Wax & Auto Detail Specialists

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Monday, September 12, 2005

How to Detail Your Auto's Interior

What does it mean to detail your auto's interior? It simply means to give the interior a very thorough, deep cleaning.

Cars take a lot of abuse. The interior piles up with all the junk we carry from this place to that. The dirt from our shoes and clothes drops in the interior of our cars before it ever reaches our homes. Detailing your car interior can be done fairly easily if you follow a pattern.

Be systematic when you begin a car detail. Start by wiping down all the interior plastic, leather and vinyl surfaces with a damp cloth. Choose a cloth that is lint and dust-free. Don't forget to detail the door jambs and door sills.

Wipe down all the interior glass surfaces with a damp cloth. If it has been awhile, you may need to use a good glass cleaner when detailing the windows to really remove streaks and grime.

The next step in detailing your interior is to pull out your interior floor mats. Shake them out and brush off the dirt and debris. Set them aside so that you can work on them with cleanser. Remember, we don't want to forget any of the details - the little things from the car's interior that often get neglected.

Take out the trash and empty the ash tray. Make sure that you remove all visible debris, papers, and junk that has accumulated but doesn't really belong in your car. This is a little detail, but an important one.

Get out the vacuum. Work the tool into all the nooks and crannies around and between your car seats. Vacuum the floor, the upholstery, and any crevices you see in the interior where dirt could be hiding.

Regular dusting and vacuuming is great, but detailing means paying attention to the little places, not just giving the car interior a quick, superficial cleaning. When you detail the interior, you take the time to clean it all.

Once your interior is clean you will want to protect it with a protectant that is specifically designed for individual components like the seats, dash & leather, if any.

by Lanes Car Products - Car Wax & Auto Detail Specialists

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