Automotive detailing. Post your detailing work, tips and questions. Wed, 12 Aug 2026 08:21:33 +0000 Wed, 12 Aug 2026 08:21:33 +0000 Gearhead Central http://www.gearheadcentral.com/index.php?forums/detailing.4/ Sat, 12 Mar 2016 21:00:56 +0000 http://www.gearheadcentral.com/index.php?threads/cleaning-your-headlights.4600/ http://www.gearheadcentral.com/index.php?threads/cleaning-your-headlights.4600/ invalid@example.com (Berthfield) Berthfield
The reason I am asking is because headlamps for my car are almost impossible to find locally and I do not want to go the route of just sticking HID's in them for slightly higher visibility at the expense of other road users.

As a reference this is what my headlights look like currently...

Cleaning your headlights]]> 18 Mon, 19 Oct 2015 23:16:03 +0000 http://www.gearheadcentral.com/index.php?threads/windshield-chip-repair.9609/ http://www.gearheadcentral.com/index.php?threads/windshield-chip-repair.9609/ invalid@example.com (Flexin) Flexin
I received training on doing the repairs in 2005 to do them and some other things. I still have the equipment but my resin was dried up. I have used it but it has been a while. To get the repairs done it would have been $70 for the first and...

Windshield chip repair]]> 2 Mon, 19 Oct 2015 03:53:43 +0000 http://www.gearheadcentral.com/index.php?threads/part-of-car-truck-that-is-your-favorite-to-customize.5074/ http://www.gearheadcentral.com/index.php?threads/part-of-car-truck-that-is-your-favorite-to-customize.5074/ invalid@example.com (dannyboy) dannyboy 5 Tue, 05 Aug 2014 06:58:00 +0000 http://www.gearheadcentral.com/index.php?threads/any-tips-to-either-repair-or-stop-leather-from-cracking-or-splitting.7101/ http://www.gearheadcentral.com/index.php?threads/any-tips-to-either-repair-or-stop-leather-from-cracking-or-splitting.7101/ invalid@example.com (justusforus) justusforus 5 Sun, 20 Jul 2014 14:11:43 +0000 http://www.gearheadcentral.com/index.php?threads/how-often-should-you-wash-your-car.3633/ http://www.gearheadcentral.com/index.php?threads/how-often-should-you-wash-your-car.3633/ invalid@example.com (iRichard) iRichard 37 Sun, 06 Jul 2014 02:42:44 +0000 http://www.gearheadcentral.com/index.php?threads/what-colour-vehicle.1893/ http://www.gearheadcentral.com/index.php?threads/what-colour-vehicle.1893/ invalid@example.com (Motorhead4000) Motorhead4000 36 Tue, 01 Jul 2014 04:24:04 +0000 http://www.gearheadcentral.com/index.php?threads/cigarette-smoke.5/ http://www.gearheadcentral.com/index.php?threads/cigarette-smoke.5/ invalid@example.com (Flexin) Flexin






James]]> 63 Sat, 17 May 2014 22:05:46 +0000 http://www.gearheadcentral.com/index.php?threads/thorough-interior-cleaning-tips.2459/ http://www.gearheadcentral.com/index.php?threads/thorough-interior-cleaning-tips.2459/ invalid@example.com (kdlt) kdlt 5 Sat, 10 May 2014 00:17:01 +0000 http://www.gearheadcentral.com/index.php?threads/how-do-you-wash-your-car.599/ http://www.gearheadcentral.com/index.php?threads/how-do-you-wash-your-car.599/ invalid@example.com (Flexin) Flexin
I wash my car by hand as much as possible. I find its the best way to wash it if you take the time to do it right.

James]]> 46 Tue, 06 May 2014 23:46:10 +0000 http://www.gearheadcentral.com/index.php?threads/paint-job.2731/ http://www.gearheadcentral.com/index.php?threads/paint-job.2731/ invalid@example.com (mansawalta) mansawalta 9 Thu, 24 Apr 2014 19:16:00 +0000 http://www.gearheadcentral.com/index.php?threads/dealing-with-moss.7937/ http://www.gearheadcentral.com/index.php?threads/dealing-with-moss.7937/ invalid@example.com (Rivethead) Rivethead
Thanks much for any pointers.]]> Fri, 18 Apr 2014 11:36:47 +0000 http://www.gearheadcentral.com/index.php?threads/99-accord-sticky-center-console.6950/ http://www.gearheadcentral.com/index.php?threads/99-accord-sticky-center-console.6950/ invalid@example.com (Rob93FL) Rob93FL very sticky, which I assume is from the heat. It has captured crumbs, dust, and other particles and it looks disgusting. If I scrape my finger at it, I can take off a layer of pasty, black,...

'99 Accord Sticky Center Console]]> 6 Thu, 17 Apr 2014 21:19:44 +0000 http://www.gearheadcentral.com/index.php?threads/dirty-seat-detailing.207/ http://www.gearheadcentral.com/index.php?threads/dirty-seat-detailing.207/ invalid@example.com (Flexin) Flexin
We had a truck shop bring in a seat out of a highway tractor. They wanted us to see if we could clean it up. I went to work and vacuumed it, scrubbed it with a degreaser and then extracted it. I think I did this about 3 times or so....

Dirty seat detailing]]> 30 Tue, 08 Apr 2014 02:39:31 +0000 http://www.gearheadcentral.com/index.php?threads/favorite-detailing-brands.5542/ http://www.gearheadcentral.com/index.php?threads/favorite-detailing-brands.5542/ invalid@example.com (downloadsincomplete) downloadsincomplete
I'm a big fan of Griot's Garage. They are a little more expensive than what you would find at Wal-Mart or Target, but they are well worth it. I use everything from basic car wash, interior cleaning, and polish/wax. They don't...

Favorite Detailing Brands?]]> 6 Thu, 31 Oct 2013 11:33:50 +0000 http://www.gearheadcentral.com/index.php?threads/how-do-you-remove-door-panels-without-doing-damage.5116/ http://www.gearheadcentral.com/index.php?threads/how-do-you-remove-door-panels-without-doing-damage.5116/ invalid@example.com (justusforus) justusforus 1 Thu, 10 Oct 2013 02:34:22 +0000 http://www.gearheadcentral.com/index.php?threads/bubbles-on-surface.4409/ http://www.gearheadcentral.com/index.php?threads/bubbles-on-surface.4409/ invalid@example.com (Rivethead) Rivethead
Any ideas on a fix for these spots? Thanks much.

Bumper ...


By trunk ......

Bubbles on surface ...]]> 8 Fri, 04 Oct 2013 02:57:08 +0000 http://www.gearheadcentral.com/index.php?threads/smoked-headlight-kits-or-vht-spray-tint.4540/ http://www.gearheadcentral.com/index.php?threads/smoked-headlight-kits-or-vht-spray-tint.4540/ invalid@example.com (Rvinyl.com) Rvinyl.com
I kind of disappeared after my intro because I got swamped at work. Anyway, I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with smoking out their headlights. It's pretty popular with the tuner community and I seem to have seen a pretty even split. I have my own thoughts on the matter but wanted to open this up for discussion first.

Here is one of the top sites for the vinyl precut kits: http://www.rvinyl.com/headlight-tints.html

Here is VHT spray tint:...

Smoked Headlight Kits or VHT Spray Tint]]> 4 Tue, 24 Sep 2013 01:55:11 +0000 http://www.gearheadcentral.com/index.php?threads/how-do-i-start-waxing-my-car.4456/ http://www.gearheadcentral.com/index.php?threads/how-do-i-start-waxing-my-car.4456/ invalid@example.com (The Kaiju Subie) The Kaiju Subie
I know the benefits are that it protects the paint and forms a protective layer that can keep dirt off. However, I would like to know how to get started.

Do I have to buy one of those expensive buffers or can I just hand wax my car?

Also, what products would you guys recommend and what tips do you have for a newb like myself.]]> 4 Fri, 06 Sep 2013 20:46:30 +0000 http://www.gearheadcentral.com/index.php?threads/removing-some-light-scratches-on-a-toyota-corolla.3792/ http://www.gearheadcentral.com/index.php?threads/removing-some-light-scratches-on-a-toyota-corolla.3792/ invalid@example.com (Flexin) Flexin
I removed them using a Porter Cable polisher and Meguiars dual action polish. There are some scratches that I could have removed but going more aggressive but I decided not to. One I didn't want to spend the extra time today because I am wore out. Two, I feel you only have to go as aggressive as needed. What is...

Removing some light scratches on a Toyota Corolla]]> 6 Fri, 06 Sep 2013 15:42:23 +0000 http://www.gearheadcentral.com/index.php?threads/any-one-know-how-to-clear-interior-plastic-like-over-the-instrument-panel.4359/ http://www.gearheadcentral.com/index.php?threads/any-one-know-how-to-clear-interior-plastic-like-over-the-instrument-panel.4359/ invalid@example.com (justusforus) justusforus
Any products or tricks or tips would be so appreciated.]]> 3