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Auto body repair & detailing/Questions Answered by Expert Bob
| Subject | Date Asked |
| Original seats | 2/6/2012 |
| Q: The seats are filthy. I used like turtle wax upholster clearner and you can see where it tried to ... A: I am sorry to say that these cloth seats are almost impossible to clean. Look up on the Internet how ... | |
| Rubbing compounds | 1/26/2012 |
| Q: I have a 2000 white Honda Accord and the paint is getting dull and needs rubbed out and waxed. I ... A: I don't think this car has a clearcoat finish. Best way to answer this question is to take a dark ... | |
| leather cleaner | 11/9/2011 |
| Q: I am looking for a good leather cleaner. We have a 2006 minivan and the seats need cleaned bad, but ... A: WOW! This is tough because I can't see the leather and pictures usually don't work well. I also ... | |
| Getting out stubborn rust specks | 9/26/2011 |
| Q: I own a 2007 Volkswagen New Beetle convertible which I bought new. Recently one of my calipers went ... A: Karl, The closest product to the professional market clay would macquiers. Expect to spend at least ... | |
| dunked Pathfinder in a lake - carpet smells | 8/27/2011 |
| Q: how do i get that smell out of the carpet after its been in lake water? cut it out? steam clean it? A: Peter, Cleaning well not rid you of the smell. There is about a 48 hour window to clean this type ... | |
| steam cleaning interior - small SUV | 6/3/2011 |
| Q: I have a 1993 nissan pathfinder that really needs the interior cleaned bith carpet and seats...is ... A: With a vehicle of this age I am tempted to tell you to take it to a "Professional" detailer. They ... | |
| Detailing cars previousoly owned by SLOBS! | 3/11/2011 |
| Q: I have recently bought 2 cars, both were owned by slobs. What is an inexpensive method, and type of ... A: This question is to hard to answer with this format. However I will try my best. My first thing ... | |
| detailing out interior - in winter weather? | 2/12/2011 |
| Q: I live in BC Canada in the lower mainland just outside vancouver and we get very wet weather this ... A: The first thing I would question is "Why is he using that much liquid that you have to be concerned ... | |
| Range Rover Damage | 11/9/2010 |
| Q: I took my range rover in for a repair and the dealership left the sun roof open. Close to 2 inches ... A: I will try to answer this question in general because being specific with something of this nature ... | |
| cleanign upholstery | 10/26/2010 |
| Q: I have a arclyic cotton type of upholstery and need to find out how to clean it? ANSWER: Richie, ... A: Good luck. This material is the "worst" material ever used in vehicle's since the 1960's. If it ... | |
| leather seat | 8/28/2010 |
| Q: hey, my dog pooped on my leather seat, it heats up and has holes in it, well it got stuck in the ... A: First thing is, why didn't you have a blanket down on the seat? You would have eliminated this ... | |
| Paint | 6/8/2010 |
| Q: I am a volunteer expert in the reptile forum so thank you in advance for your time. My neighbor was ... A: http://www.wolfgangcarcare.com/clay-bar.html This one looks the best. The explanation on the site ... | |
| Paint | 6/7/2010 |
| Q: I am a volunteer expert in the reptile forum so thank you in advance for your time. My neighbor was ... A: I am hoping that it is water-based paint and not oil-based. Though both should be removable. Oil is ... | |
| Clear coat discoloration | 3/20/2010 |
| Q: I recently purchased a 2007 Chevy Silverado. I noticed that one of the side body moldings was coming ... A: Daniel, Though I am not en expert on paint, I will tell you that the discoloration is most likely ... | |
| Detailing chrysler sebring 2008 | 3/13/2010 |
| Q: I have a chrysler sebring 2008. The grill looks as if it is some kind of enamel lined with chrome. I ... A: Bebai, Welcome to the world of throw away parts. Most of what you describe is sun or UV damage. As ... | |
| bumper sticker removel | 3/11/2010 |
| Q: Do you have any good ideas,how to remove bumper stickers? Thank You A: Gary, I am going to have to answer this as a general question not knowing the specifics of the type ... | |
| UV damage or ? on plastic bumper | 3/1/2010 |
| Q: Bob, I have a 1997 Dodge 1-ton truck that has been kept in like-new condition (original owner). The ... A: Lynette, You are correct it is UV damage. I have not had to deal with this type of restoration of ... | |
| Paint swirls in new car | 1/13/2010 |
| Q: but I heard an interesting answer for th car dealer and wanted to check its validitiy. We just ... A: The swirl marks are from a buffer. The treatment that they gave you covered the swirls by using a ... | |
| tire marks | 12/14/2009 |
| Q: What product would you recommend to clean tire marks from car paint? Thanks! Rick ANSWER: Please ... A: Rick, I would first try a tar remover, such as Tarminator from Stoner. You can spray the area ... | |
| Cleaning a Toyota Solara | 11/27/2009 |
| Q: I have a 2006 Solara Convertible that is desperately in need of a wash. Normally I take to be hand ... A: Yes, you can take the ragtop through a carwash. Check with friends, the Internet, so on and so forth ... | |
| residue | 10/20/2009 |
| Q: Was wondering if you could recommend a chemical or procedure to remove the white residue on trim, ... A: This is a very sticky situation. There are many variables that have to be taken into account. How ... | |
| Drying out interior carpet | 9/15/2009 |
| Q: My girlfriend accidently left her windows open overnight in her 2004 Jetta wagon during a heavy ... A: Gus, The only way I do it, and the only way to guarantee that there will be no mold and mildew is ... | |
| tape/glue removal | 7/30/2009 |
| Q: I put masking tape on my car to hold some plastic up over the window while I had the window ... A: Rubbing alcohol first. Goof-off second. Make sure the area is clean and free of dirt. Check to ... | |
| Clear Coat | 7/23/2009 |
| Q: How do I tell if my clear cut is chipping? The guy who details my car say it is the clear coat, but ... A: This is a job for the body shop. If the detailer is reputable I would lean toward them. But the ... | |
| clear coat | 7/23/2009 |
| Q: My 1998 Chev pu has a couple of quarter size spots that look like the clear coat has bubbled up. Is ... A: The clear coat and the paint work in conjunction with each other. Once one goes the other is sure to ... | |
| chemical smell | 7/18/2009 |
| Q: i had my car detailed yesterday and had the upholstery cleaned. now my car has a horrible and very ... A: What you have is a detailer that does not know what they are doing. They have introduced to much ... | |
| window spots. | 7/17/2009 |
| Q: Well for the longest time I have tried to get rid of well there like water spots on the outsides of ... A: This is one of those problems I have faced for years and nothing works specifically for the water ... | |
| new car with scratches | 7/10/2009 |
| Q: ive just bought a 2005 ford focus zetec however there is a small series of scratches above the ... A: I am unsure of the type of paint that is being used in the UK. I would seek advice from a body or ... | |
| cloth top | 5/23/2009 |
| Q: I have a 2006 Chrysler Sebring convertible. Regular gray cloth top, kind of showing a little ... A: Dick, Use a car wash soap and a stiff nylon brush. Give it a good scrubbing in the shade and rinse. ... | |
| paint in car | 5/18/2009 |
| Q: how do i get house paint out of the inside of my car i dont know what type it is A: How much paint spilled in the car? I must assume that it has already hardened? What kind of car or ... | |
| Polycarbonite headlght yellowing | 5/3/2009 |
| Q: My 96 Mercury Sable's headlight assemblies are yellowish on the outside surface. Q # 1 Do the ... A: The only way to clear the lens properly is to wet sand, compound, polish, wax and reapply the UV ... | |
| bumper sticker remove | 3/20/2009 |
| Q: do you know how to remove bumper stickers with out damage to paint,and that sticky stuff left over? ... A: Gary, Try a pressure washer. A hot water one would be good, but cold water will work. Do not ... | |
| Scratch repair | 2/27/2009 |
| Q: I have a scratch on the passenger door of my 2007 Burgandy Honda Odyssey. I can't feel the scratch ... A: Hopefully I have caught you before you get the panel repainted. My first choice would be the ... | |
| 1995 Dodge Neon paint problems | 2/23/2009 |
| Q: I have a dodge neon that has faded spots on the hood and on the top of car (from the sun?)the paint ... A: Shirley, I do not have the expertise to answer whether the spots can be painted themselves. What ... | |
| Scratch repair | 2/19/2009 |
| Q: I have a scratch on the passenger door of my 2007 Burgandy Honda Odyssey. I can't feel the scratch ... A: Adam, The good thing is that your fingernail doesn't catch. If it looked white you would know that ... | |
| detailing | 2/13/2009 |
| Q: I would like a recommendation for a car wax. I just bought a new 09 chevy cobalt and water the chevy ... A: Pat, I am sorry I do not know what the Chevy dealer used. You would have to ask them. As for a ... | |
| 2000 Toyota Camry 74,000 miles | 2/5/2009 |
| Q: I am using a camry that my son practically ruiend. I need new carpet and detaing, a car handle and ... A: Mary, Do some digging in your area and see if you can find a PROFESSIONAL DETAILER. You can try a ... | |
| milk spilled in cargo area of van | 1/9/2009 |
| Q: Several weeks ago a gallon of milk opened in the cargo area of my 2008 Sienna. I took it to a ... A: The detailer you took it to did not do you a favor. The pad should be replaced because it acts as a ... | |
| Silicone | 12/6/2008 |
| Q: I just saw a TV spot that recommended a silicone for reconditioning rubber moldings. I thought ... A: Al, Pure silicone or a silicone based product could be a problem. However, many of the lubricants ... | |
| graffiti | 11/16/2008 |
| Q: I have a 2003 ford truck somebody took spray paint to about 2 weeks ago is there anything I can use ... A: Chuck, A lot will depend on whether you have waxed the truck recently or if it has been sometime ... | |
| Upholstery seats | 11/16/2008 |
| Q: I have a 1995 VW Golf - the fabric seats have strange white stainlike spots where everyone has sat - ... A: First, I have to assume that the seats are black or dark colored. If this was velour material, I ... | |
| Car finish | 9/25/2008 |
| Q: I recently took a scotch pad to my car to remove some black marks. What I didn't realize is that I ... A: Seek the advice of a competent professional detailer or body shop. They can determine whether you ... | |
| auto paint | 9/11/2008 |
| Q: I put 70% rubbing alcohol on the hood of my car to remove resin. Now I have whitish circles in that ... A: If your car has a factory clearcoat paint, alcohol will not harm the finish unless you press to hard ... | |
| auto paint | 9/10/2008 |
| Q: I put 70% rubbing alcohol on the hood of my car to remove resin. Now I have whitish circles in that ... A: Assuming you removed the resin and didn't do any damage to the paint, what you have left is resin ... | |
| Bad car detail? | 9/5/2008 |
| Q: I need help, we recently had our car detailed, inside and out. This is now 2 days later and the car ... A: What you have here is someone that should be removed from the ranks as a Professional Detailer. I ... | |
Auto body repair & detailing
Answers by Expert:
Bob
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
Most questions pertaining to Automotive and Motorcyle Cleaning & Detailing. Please DO NOT SEND ME QUESTIONS PERTAINING TO PAINTING, BODY WORK, DENTS, DINGS, REPLACING PANELS....ETC.
Experience
I have operated a stand alone detail center for 25%2B years
Organizations
Professional Detailers Association
Publications
Auto Laundry Magaazine
Carwash & Detail Magazine
Old Cars News
Education/Credentials
College credits in law, business, public speaking & instruction.
Awards and Honors
Ardex ClearCoat polishing course
Best of the Best Auto Detailing Central Jersey
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