• If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Low Tech - Low Cost = GREAT Results

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • Low Tech - Low Cost = GREAT Results

    When I do a detail that includes door jams and sills (which is most of the time), my technique has always been to grab the spray bottle of APC (or APC Plus), a small paint brush and a spray bottle of plain soft water.





    I spray the door jam with the APC, let dwell for a couple of minutes, agitate with the paint brush, then rinse the loosened grime away by spraying the bottle of water all around the door jam and door. Using the water bottle rather than the hose helps keep unwanted water from getting the carpet, seats and other interior items wet.





    I'm not sure of methods used by other detailers, but the spray bottle of water became a hassle after the first door. I had to continuously spray the area to clean the dirt and grime away and often had to use the brush to loosen the dirt again if the area dried too quickly.

    So wanting something better, easier and faster, I went to the Home Depot today and for ~$10.00 in change, I picked up this.



    Yep...a bug sprayer. I fill it with plain old soft water (hot), pump up the pressure, follow the rest of my cleaning routine and rinse the door jams with this hot pressurized water. And it WORKS GREAT. I have total control of water placement and the pressurized hot water spray rinses the grime away very well.





    The other nice feature I liked about using this tool is that I can now clean that gap between the door jam and rubber seal with minimal effort. I clean that area with APC and toothbrush and use to wipe it out with a cloth and my fingers (and it was a pain to do). Now I follow my same cleaning method and then stick the head of the spray nozzle in that "groove" and while spraying the water stream, drag the nozzle towards me, flushing out all the grime and leaving a very nice looking and clean seal.



    Anyway, for $10 I thought it was well worth the investment in saving me much time in detailing door jams and seals. I figure as cheap as it was, the unit should hopefully last for sometime as I am only using water (no chemicals). If it doesn't last (rubber seals or whatever), I will certainly invest in another, more expensive unit.

    Thanks for viewing.
    Don
    "In the game of life, I have no need for tickets on the 50-yard line, I brought my shoes, I came to play." unknown

    http://www.facebook.com/pages/OC-Det...7770507?v=wall

  • #2
    Re: Low Tech - Low Cost = GREAT Results

    I've been using one for a year now and haven't had any problems. Since only water goes in it, I don't forsee anything going wrong. And if it does, it was cheap to buy.


    Colin
    A common mistake that people make when trying to design something completely foolproof is to underestimate the ingenuity of complete fools.

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: Low Tech - Low Cost = GREAT Results

      Great post Don.

      Amazing what a cheap little paint brush, water, and APC will do.

      I also rinse the jambs out with water but have been using the mist setting on my hose nozzle.

      I will have to maybe go pick up a bug sprayer and try it out.
      Nick
      Tucker's Detailing Services
      815-954-0773
      2012 Ford Transit Connect

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: Low Tech - Low Cost = GREAT Results

        Nice tip. That looks like it would make life easier.

        I've always done the jambs with APC and a microfiber, which is a pain, like you said.

        I have the exact sprayer fro Home Depot that I have used to spray weed killer for 3 years now and I have not had any problems, so I can't see you having any problems with plain water. I have actually been thinking about picking up another one of these for ONR pre-rinse during winter rinseless washes. This would be another great use.

        Thanks for sharing.
        Brian

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: Low Tech - Low Cost = GREAT Results

          Interesting. I have to go and get a bug sprayer now. Thanks for the tip.
          Tedrow's Detailing
          845-642-1698
          Treat Yourself to that New Car Feeling

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: Low Tech - Low Cost = GREAT Results

            Originally posted by Tuck91 View Post
            Great post Don.

            Amazing what a cheap little paint brush, water, and APC will do.

            I also rinse the jambs out with water but have been using the mist setting on my hose nozzle.

            I will have to maybe go pick up a bug sprayer and try it out.
            I agree Nick. Those 3 little items can do some fantastic work. I use to use the mist setting from the hose nozzle too, but no matter how hard I tried to avoid it, I seemed to soak everything except what I was intending to. The spray bottle worked okay, but what a pain to continuously spray and spray to rinse the jams.
            This bug sprayer is definately the ticket Nick. And what I really liked about it is it uses minimal water and does such a nice job. It's a keeper for future detailing.
            Don
            "In the game of life, I have no need for tickets on the 50-yard line, I brought my shoes, I came to play." unknown

            http://www.facebook.com/pages/OC-Det...7770507?v=wall

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: Low Tech - Low Cost = GREAT Results

              Originally posted by Mister B View Post
              Nice tip. That looks like it would make life easier.

              I've always done the jambs with APC and a microfiber, which is a pain, like you said.

              I have the exact sprayer fro Home Depot that I have used to spray weed killer for 3 years now and I have not had any problems, so I can't see you having any problems with plain water. I have actually been thinking about picking up another one of these for ONR pre-rinse during winter rinseless washes. This would be another great use.

              Thanks for sharing.
              EXACTLY what I did too Mister B...MF towels and my fingers tips and my gosh I hated door jams for that one reason.
              I do like your idea for the ONR use too. I don't have much need for "winter" concern as you do as I live in Arizona....but now I am looking at other uses that the sprayer could help reduce effort.
              Don
              "In the game of life, I have no need for tickets on the 50-yard line, I brought my shoes, I came to play." unknown

              http://www.facebook.com/pages/OC-Det...7770507?v=wall

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: Low Tech - Low Cost = GREAT Results

                Great idea using the bug sprayer, Don. Now I will have to get one. Thanks for sharing the tip.
                quality creates its own demand

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: Low Tech - Low Cost = GREAT Results

                  I also use this method but rinse it with my hose. Works great.
                  Art Layton
                  2009 Jetta TDI

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: Low Tech - Low Cost = GREAT Results

                    That is a great tip. Will have to purchase one and try it out.
                    Practice doesn't make perfect, the dedication to achieve perfection makes perfect. "Smack"
                    2011 Jet Black 328i Touring
                    2007 Jet Black 335i Sedan

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: Low Tech - Low Cost = GREAT Results

                      Great tip, and an awesome write up on using it too! Thanks for sharing.
                      Michael Stoops
                      Senior Global Product & Training Specialist | Meguiar's Inc.

                      Remember, this hobby is supposed to be your therapy, not the reason you need therapy.

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Re: Low Tech - Low Cost = GREAT Results

                        ive been using one for a few years now .. cant think of the brand but i ordered it online and got the chemical resistant model for HD 4:1 for wheel wells and lower to under carriage parts etc but they have a foaming model and guess what .... APC 4:1 works stooooopendous for spraying wells wheels and tires! Great foaming and no clogging!

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Re: Low Tech - Low Cost = GREAT Results

                          Now, why didn't I think of that? So simple but so effective.

                          Another dope slap to my head.

                          Bill

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Re: Low Tech - Low Cost = GREAT Results

                            Originally posted by BillE View Post
                            Another dope slap to my head.

                            Bill
                            LOL Bill. I stopped counting my "dope slaps" when the left side of my head became flatter than my right side!
                            Don
                            "In the game of life, I have no need for tickets on the 50-yard line, I brought my shoes, I came to play." unknown

                            http://www.facebook.com/pages/OC-Det...7770507?v=wall

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Re: Low Tech - Low Cost = GREAT Results

                              Originally posted by gto_don View Post
                              LOL Bill. I stopped counting my "dope slaps" when the left side of my head became flatter than my right side!
                              We need to change hands...LOL!

                              Bill

                              Comment

                              Your Privacy Choices
                              Working...
                              X