Are You Ready To Detail?

     So spring is right around the corner! Can't tell by the 3" of snow on the ground here in St. Louis! Usually at this point in the new year, a car guys thoughts are on a couple of things. 1- Nascar season is starting and 2- getting our cars cleaned up from all the winter abuse. I won't go into Nascar yet, gonna wait till after the Daytona 500. I have many problems with Nascar but that's for another blog. Today I want to concentrate on getting your car ready for spring and summer driving. Some of you may wish to call a professional detailer like us, thank you, but for the DIY'ers out there, we have some ideas and tips to help you bring out the best in your ride!

        
Where do I start? A great question with a simple answer.....with tools and supplies! As far as what you should have on hand depends on how far you want to get into your detailing process. Below I will give you a list of tools and supplies everyone should have as well as optional items which will take you to the next level.
TOOLS:
*A set of brushes for dusting your dash and interior. Plastic or wood handled brushes are best so as not to scratch surfaces. If you use paint brushes and they have a metal band around the bristles you can apply tape around the metal band for protection. Tooth brushes work well especially around emblems on the exterior.
*Good quality wax applicator pads. You should have several on hand. Some for applying wax, polish, dressings including leather conditioners on the interior. These are washable and should not be mixed up while using them.
*Micro fiber towels. Have plenty of them on hand. These are also washable and should not be mixed up while using them. Micro fiber cost more than standard cotton towels, but they do last longer and they will not leave swirls like cotton towels can.
*Buckets. At least 2. I suggest a 5 gallon and a 2 gallon. Use the 5 gal for washing the vehicle and the 2 gal for wheels and wheel wells.
*Wheel cleaning brush.
*A wash mitt or a car wash brush made to clean cars with.
*A bug remover sponge.
*A good quality chamois. I like "The Absorber" myself.
*A stiff brush for cleaning carpets and mats.
*A good vacuum cleaner.
*A step stool or ladder for trucks, suv's and vans.
OPTIONAL TOOLS:
*A DA Orbital Polisher. Some used by the Pro's would be Porter Cable, Meguiars, Rupes and Flex. Don't forget the foam pads for your machine.
*A Rotary Polisher. WARNING...if you decide to use a rotary be sure to practice with it till you feel comfortable using it before you put it on your nice car. This is the machine that will burn through your paint and damage trim pieces if you are not careful with it. My advice is to leave it to the Pros and stick with the DA Orbital which is very safe for the novice.
*A portable steam cleaner. These can come in handy for interior stains, wheels or under the hood. Be careful using steam on upholstery and don't use it on leather.
*A portable carpet extractor. You don't need the $2000.00 professional machine for the occasional car detailing you do at home. Bissell makes a series of machines called Little Green which work just fine and you can use them around the house.
*An electric blower/dryer for cars.
PRODUCTS:
*Car Wash Soap
*A bug and tar remover.
*A safe wheel cleaner. Black Magic makes a great wheel cleaner safe for all wheels. Try to avoid wheel cleaners that contain an acid type product in them.
*Cleaner Wax. I really like the Meguiars Cleaner Wax. For prepping the paint for final wax.
*A Carnuba Wax or Synthetic Wax for protection and as your second coat.
*Tire Dressing. Armorall Foam Spray or Surf City Garage products work well. The Surf City can be wiped on.
*Plastic and Rubber Dressing.
*Resolve Triple Oxi carpet cleaning spray.
*Glass Cleaner. Hands down for me is Invisible Glass.
*An instant detailer product to use as a final wipe down and to maintain the shine between washings. I like the Meguiars or Mothers products here.

     The products and tools we highlighted here for you is just scratching the surface of the auto detailing products that are out there. You can go as crazy as your wallet, or wife will allow. We wanted to present the basics you need to get the job done. Most of the items above can be purchased at your local Wal-Mart or auto parts store. Another excellent source is AutoGeek.com. and you can also pick up some knowledge there. Just be sure to follow directions for all products and tools and take your time. Your vehicle will look as good as new in no time and if you get in trouble just call the Pros. Most will be glad to walk you through the problem.

     Just a quick note and warning about seeking advice on line. There are hundreds of videos and forums out there with so called experts showing you how to detail and what products are best. Some of these are experts and know what they are talking about. Others are just salesman wanting you to buy their products and others are just show offs who know very little. Anybody can make a video or post on a forum. I would advise you stay with videos by companies like Meguiars, Mothers, AutoGeek, names people know and trust. You can learn alot on line just be careful of the sources. Hopefully we have been a help to you and have lit a fire under you to make your ride all it can be!

Shine On!
Gary

Top 10 Cars That Shaped Automotive History - Part 1

     It's February and there isn't much going on as far as car events so I thought it might be a good time to take a look at the history of the automobile and try to pick out the top 10 cars that shaped that history. Considering the number of cars that have been built since the late 1800's, it's a tough call to try to select just 10 for any list. Some of the criteria I chose to follow for vehicle selection includes questions such as What part did this vehicle play in automotive history? How did it affect other automobiles of its type? How did it shape public trends? What was its impact on the manufacturing process? That's just a small part of the thought that went into making up this list. Now as with any list there are always those who won't agree or may have their own opinions. That's OK, this isn't a scientific study just another way to think about what the automobile has meant to society and how much of an affect it has had on our lives, for better or worse. With that being said, lets get started.

10 - Ford F100/150: Prior to 1953 trucks were primarily utilitarian. A vehicle meant to work. They had very little options, styling and no luxury to speak of. That all changed with the restyled Ford F100 Pickup. Trucks started becoming more attractive with more options. They also Started to be purchased for more than hauling farm goods. This trend has continued through to the present with the F150, which is one of the largest selling vehicles of all time. Now all trucks are nothing like their distant cousins and it all goes back to the simple but beautiful F100.

9 - 1964 Pontiac GTO: The muscle car era was an orgy of horsepower and performance that reached its peak in 1972 and it all started with the GTO. The muscle car was nothing new, take for example the Chrysler 300 in the fifties. When John DeLorean made the decision to stuff a big engine into a mid size body, a whole new class of vehicle was born. You could go to your local dealer and order a car that was just short of race ready. Maximum HP + Light Weight Body = Fun!

8 - Chevrolet Corvette: Americas first sports car. It was modeled after the European sports cars that WWII GI's had been driving and were bringing home with them. It was underpowered with few options and styling was, well uninspiring but it was a start. With its all fiberglass body, still in production today, they are quite unique. By 1956 Corvette got its V8 engine, performance upgrades and slick body. At that point it took off and never looked back. Today it's a world class car and remains a one of a kind vehicle with a very loyal following.

7 - 1963 Jeep Wagoneer: Another huge and long lasting trend was the SUV craze. The first of those was the Jeep Wagoneer. It had 4 wheel drive, plenty of passenger seating and a list of options that made it a very comfortable vehicle to drive. Eventually all the other manufacturers brought out their own models but it would be a few years. The SUV started to gain popularity in the late 80's and by the ends of the 90's it was the biggest selling vehicle class on the road. Many think the SUV filled the void left by the muscle car but in recent years their popularity has wained as it seems they are blamed for all the ills in the world. What was once cool to be seen in is now something to avoid....sounds like the muscle car don't it!

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6 - 1964 1/2 Ford Mustang: A sporty body, peppy performance and an ingenious advertising campaign aimed at young people the Mustang was destined to be huge hit. The brain child of Lee Iaccoca sold over a million units in its first 18 months. At the time there was nothing like it and all the other auto manufacturers were caught off guard. The Mustang has never been out of production in its 40 + years, a testament to its popularity. It started the whole pony car era out of which came the Fire Bird, Camaro, Barracuda, Javelin and others. In 1969 the Mustang joined the ranks of the muscle cars and with the help of Carroll Shelby became a true super car that is highly valued today. Mustang has proven over the years that sporty looks, strong performance and a well balanced package can stand the test of time and become an American icon.
     So there it is, the first half of our list. Check back as we continue with number 5 and work our way to number 1. Until then...........

Happy Motoring Gang!

Car Movies You Must See!

     So Its winter and no car shows or cruises to attend. If you have a heated garage you are probably spending time working on your big boy toys but sooner or later......you have to go back inside the house! You know the place, where your wife is. remember her? Just kidding ladies! But seriously this is a great time of the year to sit back relax and watch some great movies or some not so great, with cars in them and include your better half. As for myself, I am blessed to have a wife who will sit with me and watch car movies and get this gentlemen, she has watched Barrett-Jackson with me. So I thought this might be a good time to jog your memories with a list of fun movies that car guys would enjoy. Now some of the movies on this list are not about cars per say, but have some cool cars in them or great old street scenes and the acting or story line maybe a bit, Oh how you say.......Lame, remember the original Gone In Sixty Seconds (its on the list) but are just fun to watch. I know I may have forgotten some, there are so many, so remind us in the comments section of this fine blog. Now with that being said, lets see what Hollywood has to offer shall we. Lights, Action......Popcorn!

1-  Hot Cars: This movie takes place in the fifties. Its about an honest used car dealer who gets involved with a stolen car ring. Great old cars and some cool used car lot shots. Netflix streaming has it.

2-  Fireball 500:  This is also available on Netflix streaming. Vintage Nascar mixed with moonshiners. Starring Frankie and Annette and Fabian. Features a Barris custom called Fireball 500 and one of  King Richards Plymouth's.

3-  Hot Rod Gang:  A fifties look at early hot rods. Look past the acting and enjoy the vintage hot rod scenes.

4-  The Long Long Trailer: Starring Lucy & Desi. For those of you who say I hate the Lucy show, give this movie a look see anyway. I think you will enjoy it. Very Family Friendly!

5-  The Lively Set:  Lots of vintage racing scenes and it features the Chrysler Turbine Car of the 60's.

6-  The Great Race:  Jack Lemon as Professor Fate. Funny Stuff. An around the world auto race taking place in the 1900's. It is very funny but it is long almost 3 hrs.

7-  The Hollywood Nights:  American Grafitti its not. Some funny stuff, cool cars and cruise scenes but it is dirty. Your wife won't want to watch this one. Tubby's Drive-In, Home Of The Big One.

8-  Used Cars: Very funny but dirtier than Hollywood Nights. Uses the F-word often. Another the little woman may not enjoy. They do tear up a cherry 57 Chevy two door post which is a little rough to watch.

9-  Speedway:  Vintage Nascar scenes and by the way, Elvis! The only Elvis movie I enjoy watching.

10-  Hot Rods To Hell:  A family traveling in a 61' Plymouth being terrorized by hot rodders! What the establishment thought car guys were really like. Some cool cars.

11-  Vanishing Point:  Kowalski on the run from the man! A classic Dodge Challenger being chased through the desert. Have a cold drink handy. This movie makes you thirsty just watching it.

12-  Its A Mad Mad Mad Mad Mad World:  Yes there are five Mad's I checked. This is a very funny movie but its a long movie at 2 hrs 41 min. Just about every comedian from the early sixties is in it at some point. The movie is very family friendly. A crazy bunch of people are looking for buried treasure in Southern California and some great street scenes.

13-  American Grafitti: What can you say that hasn't been said. If your a car guy and haven't seen this one then....get help.

14- Gone In 60 Seconds (The Original): The 20 minute chase scene in this movie ties with Bullet as the best chase scene ever. Fast forward past the beginning to the start of the chase scene, we do.

15-  Bullitt: The chase scene in this movie ties with Gone In Sixty Seconds as the best chase scene ever. That's original! Get It.

16-  Smokey and The Bandit: A hot Trans Am, a beautiful girl, an eighteen wheeler, wrecked police cars and a racist sheriff. What can I say.

17-  Two Lane Blacktop:  James Taylor a drag racer...really! This movie has become a cult classic and a must see. It also stars a vehicle featured in American Grafitti. You know which one.

18-  Cars:  From Disney/Pixar. Animated story about stock car racing and Route 66. A great movie!

19-  Gumball Rally / Cannonball Run:  Basically the same movie. No Oscars Here, just fun to watch. Gumball Rally is on Netflix streaming.

20-  The Fast and Furious series: I'll be honest with you, I don't like these movies. Not because I hate tuner cars, I don't. I just don't like these movies, but I know the tuner guys do. So if you like tuners, enjoy.

  I'm sure we left off plenty of movies but this will get you started. For those of you with short attention spans, we will give you a list of car related TV episodes......wait a minute, what am I thinking, those guys stop reading at number 2! :)

Happy Motoring Gang!

It's Worth What! How Dare You Insult Me.

     As every car guy knows, the Barrett-Jackson collector car auction is this week. I thought it might be interesting to talk a little bit about what a collectors car is worth and what is a collector car. Now, before we get to far I realize how controversial this topic can be and I also know at least a couple of guys will pop their clutch when they read this and comment (in all caps) who do you think you are you little #$#@&^((*% and then question my family heritage! Hey, I'm just a car guy who has had collector cars and follows the hobby pretty closely. My last collector car, this 1967 Mustang GTA, is a prime example of a car I feel is worth much more than the market will bare. Because I spent so much blood, sweat, tears and time its worth what I say it is. Due to the strong emotions that old cars bring out in people, it can be tough setting a value for a particular car. A car is only worth what someone will pay and if there are two people who want it....the sky's the limit, thus you have Barrett-Jackson.
     What is a collector car? I would say any vehicle that someone wants to save, preserve or restore. Maybe there is a special memory with a certain vehicle. Generally it would be a car that is considered of special interest, rare or just old. So does that mean a Chevy Cavalier can't be a collector car? I don't know go ask the guys at one of the Cavalier Owners Clubs. If there is a group of people, no matter how misguided, building a club around a certain car...then its collectible! There is a club for just about every car ever made. By the way, I actually like the Cavalier convertibles. They are fun to drive but don't take it from me, I was kicked in the head by a mule when I was six!   

Of course I don't expect to see a Cavalier crossing the block unless it has Jegs Racing somewhere on it but I think you can see how broad the term collector car can be and I never knock a guys choice of car to love even if its choke choke....Japanese! One mans lemon is another mans passion fruit. But whats it worth?

     I love watching Barrett-Jackson, especially the first couple of days when they run the "every mans" cars through. You know, just nice old cars most of us can afford. The problem with the auction is, due to its popularity and level of respectability it tends to set the pricing trends for the entire collector car hobby. Don't get me wrong, if you want to spend 1 million dollars on a Mopar Hemi clone more power to you, and God Bless The United States of America. If I had a million to spend I would probably purchase a dozen nice drivers and just have fun runnin' them but that's just me (remember...the mule). Oh and by the way they are no longer called "clones". They are now called "tribute cars". This is called, marketing. It helps to write the big check if its for a tribute car as opposed to a clone. Just sounds better doesn't it? HONEY, did you spend a million dollars on a fake car again? No dear, its a tribute to the real car! See what I mean, what wife could argue with that logic. Nothing wrong with clones. Say I bought a 6cyl Barracuda, the first thing to do is drop the biggest engine that I could afford into it and the only tribute being payed is to my need for more power and speed! I just feel you have alot of guys with new money who want cars they grew up watching and will pay anything to have them and it just gets crazy out there in Arizona. It creates a ripple effect through the market. An exceptional Chevelle goes across the block for $250,000. suddenly all the Chevelles in the Auto Trader go up as well. An excellent example involves our Mustang. We decided to sell it a few years back and with it being a coupe I new it was on the lower end of the scale. That January the hot car was the fake Shelby Mustang clones....I'm sorry I mean the tributes to Carrol Shelby. We placed the ads and waited for the calls. In almost every call the first question was "is it a fastback or convertible?.....No it isn't"...click. Everybody was looking for a base car to turn into a Shelby. To bad for me Carrol never made a coupe. My point is that Mustang convertibles and fastback values were inflated while the coupes fell off the market. Barrett-Jackson has its place and its not their fault what people will pay. As I said, if you have at least two bidders, the sky's the limit. So car guys, get your Mountain Dew, a bag of Doritos and kick back in your recliner and enjoy the one of the greatest car shows on TV. Oh and keep dreaming of that special ride after all this is America and anything can happen. If it doesn't that's OK, there are plenty of Cavaliers left!

Happy Motoring Gang!

Protecting Your Vehicle During The Winter

So we just had our first snow here in St.Louis. It was only an inch but in the STL it might as well be a foot. If you only have a show car you can stop reading now because we all know that vehicle doesn't come out in the rain let alone SNOW. We are obviously referring to the car you drive to the grocery store each time it threatens to snow to pickup bread, eggs and milk before you are snowed in for several hours. Now at this point I need to explain to our non St. Louis followers, that here in the Lou' when they call for snow everybody heads to the store at the same time for the above items because we can't seem survive without french toast! It's a St. Louis thing, you know, like toasted ravioli but that's a post for another day. Today we want to know how to protect our car during and after the snow and salt. The good news is there are steps you can take, the bad news is you should have taken them by November!...... Ok, thank you for reading my blog, goodnight all!.... Don't worry, I'm not gonna leave you hanging but it is true, before winter arrives you should have a good wax or preferably a quality sealer applied to your car. We will talk about those products before the spring but for now here is a punch list of chores you can do through the winter to protect your ride. It's a dirty job but somebody has to do it and that somebody is you!

1- Wash Your Car Often:     Seems like common sense but you would be surprised how this step gets overlooked. Run it through a car wash on the warmer days and get that gunk off asap. I prefer the self serve locations because you can use the high pressure wand to reach the wheels wells and under carriage. Most have a soapy brush for the stubborn stuff. Even a drive through car wash is better than doing nothing and please stop worrying about swirl marks. They can be buffed out in the spring but if salt and chemicals stain or damage your paint or clear coat swirls will be the least of your problems.

2- Remove After Market Wheels:     Ridin' around on a cool set of 22's? Salt loves chrome or aluminum wheels...Not! Also low profile tires don't do well on snow. Have a set of factory wheels and tires to put on right before winter. I realize the cost but how much did you pay for your custom wheels and wouldn't you like to get more than one season out of them. Think about that in the spring when the sun is shining and your ride is poppin' and your wheels are pitted;(

3- Have A Winter Beater:     People up north know what I'm talking about. Have a wreck to drive in the bad weather. Actually a cost effective plan. You can buy Caveliers and their like all day cheap and you get front wheel drive!

4- Work At Home:    At least during the winter!

Happy Motoring Gang!

So Now We Blog Too?

Ok, so I didn't have enough to keep track of now I have a blog. I'm sure it will be a bit clumsy at first as I learn how to work this. I figured out Facebook so I should be able to work this out. Of course thats what I said about Twitter and I am having trouble there! Keep in mind I was raised in a time when a business had a yellow page ad, an answering machine and a land line phone and that was it....well maybe some flyers. Today we need to be on so much electronic media to get the word out about your services. With this Blog my point is obviously to promote Proformance Mobile Auto Detailing, but to also share my passion of the automobile and anything related to it. With that being said, I hope you find this page fun and informational as I try to give my fellow motor vehicle lovers a variety of information.