mc2hill

Here is the video on bug gut presoak

 
APC would work better for tar. Soak it on a utility towel and leave it to soak for a few minutes to soften up the tar. Same procedure can be used for bugs. Make sure to rinse off right away though.

You have your priorities straight and twins do take a ton of time.  Mine just graduated from college, so my time in mine again.  But from 0-18 I had to make sacrifices and I wouldn't change it for anything.  They grow up so fast. 

Wolf-
I'm only redoing the garage for the GT3 since I'm not ready to move yet. But I won't be here more than 2-3 years. I can't still be in a town home when I turn 40!! I'll need a REAL garage by that point as I plan to get into club racing quite heavily.
So, I don't want to invest any more into this garage. As it is I'm at about 5k with the remodel!! Granted, I can take about 1200 worth of storage with me when I move... But still...you get the point.
 
I think the only answers to my sweat issue are:
1- Visor suited for sweat absorption
2- Keep a towel around my neck (I was just periodicaly using a paper towel to dry myself. Doh!!)
3- Wrist bands worn up around elbow (douche alert!)
4- suck it up...or shut up!

The problem is this is not a support group, we are all enablers!

Put together some sampler packs for my uncles.  I need to find out if Adam's has any more of these Catalogs that used to come with some orders, since these are my last two.
 

Thanks for posting this info Dylan.  Todd is very, very knowledgeable about detailing and I am glad he is now working 'for all sides' at Rupes.  
 
I have been lucky enough to spend sometime with him at detailing events, and to hear his stories - some about detailing, others that cannot be repeated on a family-friendly forum (right Sizzle Chest!).  But I always learn something!         

LOL... yep... a few of Todd's tales are not fit for AF.

Actually I'm just using the iPhone for most in progress shots or some quick shots for posting on FB/Instagram like before & after.  I only break out my camera when I want some quick "promote" shots.  Also, don't over spend on a DSLR camera.  Most entry level DSLR would be fine.  I sold all my Nikon gears and is using the little Fuji X-E1 currently.
 
Most current smart phone could take fairly decent photos IMO.  And it's super easy simple to take a shot, process it, stitch (if wanted), and sharing.  I could recommended some apps if you guys wanted. 
 
Again, pay attention to the reflection.  Capturing those and it'll make a very strong photos especially for detailing show off IMO.
 
Here's some sample photos that was all taken by the iPhone, and none of them are processed.  Just straight out of the phone.

I too disagree on the polarizer.  At least it's not a must have tool that you use every time shooting a car.  I started out as a landscape photographer, so I'm sensitive with the "right" light.  And it helps to translate on car photo too.  As other had mentioned, shoot near sunset, not have to be golden hour (the hour before sunset) or the blue hour (the hour after sunset), but the closer to the sunset time, the better in general.  
 
And I generally like to photograph with the sunlight directly hits the car.  Like I'm in between the car & the sun.  In most case, it will give the best look of the paint/color of the car.  Of course given the paint is in good shape to start with.  You don't want to show all the swirl marks with the sunlight hitting it!  But pay attention of your own shadow tho!  You don't want to included that in the shots.  Also pay attention of the reflection on the car.  Like how the clouds show on the hood, it make a good show case photos too.
 
Here's a few example that I did after I finished detailing the client's ride.  I work in my home garage, so I don't have a good background in my neighborhood for a clean background shots.  But I'm not out shooting dedicated photoshoot neither.  Just to show case my detailing work.
 
If you've notice, most of my shots have the sunlight directly onto the car to better show off the color and to give the car a warm glow.  And yes, don't forget you don't have to shoot the whole car, sometimes some close up detailed shots work even better too.  
 
p.s. sorry if I uploaded too many photos.  

Hey, if you get a dutch oven you can make Smacos on your next trip!
 
Smaco - think a smore and a soft taco combined...
 
I used to make these on Cub Scout camping trips.  I have spent many evenings with a never-ending line of little boys waiting for these.  We used other 'cookie chip' ingredients too - butterscotch chips, white choc. chips , etc., and also bananas (sliced thin).  Most recipes online do not use the cinnamon sugar, but we found it added a more 'rounded' flavor (and of course more of the graham cracker taste).  
   
 
Smacos
Ingredients:
         Vegetable oil
                  6” flour tortillas
         Mini marshmallows
         Chocolate chips
         Cinnamon sugar
-------------
Place Dutch oven (D-O) over medium heat
 
Wipe with oil
 
Place tortilla in D-O
 
Cover with lid
 
Let sit for about 10 seconds
 
Remove lid
 
Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar and place a small handful of chocolate chips and mini marshmallows on the tortilla
 
Cover with lid
 
Let sit for about 10 seconds
 
Remove lid
 
Fold tortilla in half
 
Cover with lid
 
Let sit for about 10 seconds
 
Remove lid
 
Remove Smaco and EAT!
 
Well actually put it on a plate or napkin for someone else and start making the next one…you are going to be doing this for a while!
 
Reapply vegetable oil when the D-O gets a little dry (after every 2-3 Smacos)
 
 

bad picture taking is a pet peeve of mine...so much so that i have a small facebook page dedicated to people that take terrible pictures of their rides lol
 
where you can see fine artistic work like this:

It had been about 5 weeks since applying LPS, so I figured it was time for a boost from a layer of H2O Guard & Gloss.
 
This time, I used the Ricky Bobby method (thanks Jason!), which involved using the wet method, but doing the whole truck with the spray-on and wet wipe, before going back to buff out any residue with the dry towel.  This method saved some time, and also solved the problem of needing three hands for the one-panel-at-a-time method (spray, wet wipe, then dry wipe).
 
With the truck clean and wet, I sprayed the HGG on the hood, roof, and windows, then quickly wiped those areas with the wet Double Soft Towel.  Next, I sprayed the HGG on one whole side, and then wet-wiped.  Then I did the whole other side and wet-wiped.  I did the tailgate and rear bumper, then finished on the front.  With the quicker process, I found that the towel picked up more water and needed to be wrung out a few times.
 
Once the whole truck had been sprayed and wet-wiped, I went back with a dry Double Soft towel and wiped the little bit of residue.  For the areas that got some HGG splatters when I sprayed an adjacent area, I went back over these with the wet towel to remove the splatters, then the dry towel for the residue.
 
After letting the HGG dry/cure for a few hours (while I cleaned up, put away the washing equipment, and had lunch), I put on a layer of Patriot Wax.  This was my first time using Patriot, and I found that it took longer to haze/dry.  Not sure if it was because the HGG was still fresh, but I ended up applying the wax to the entire truck before it hazed enough to remove.
 
Overall, the shine was impressive.
 

 

 
 
I also made a cover plate using a black blank and one of the red Die-Cut decals.  It goes better with the truck, not having the all the white that is on the official cover plates that were just released.
 

 

Wanted to post this information and photos from the Corvette club I belong too in Michigan, regarding our annual show, and the charity we support.
 
The charity is Leader Dogs for the Blind, also located here in Michigan, and a great organization which provides FREE Leader Dogs to those who are blind.
 
The costs associated with raising and training each dog is about $38,000.00 and Leader Dogs operates only on charitable contributions, no support from government or other agencies.
 
This years show raised $7054.00 through a Silent Auction alone, not counting the entry fees which also get donated, or any other fund raising activity our group puts on throughout the year to support them. We try to donate $10,000.00 to them yearly, and with the great results from our show, we should be well on the way to achieving that goal.
 

 
We are a group of Corvette owners and enthusiasts with varying interests in restoring, showing and promoting Corvettes. Our membership is both social and show oriented with activities including dinner cruises, picnics, car shows and road tours. These activities bring our members and Corvette enthusiasts together with a common interest of having fun and driving Corvettes.
The GMC Corvette Set was established in March of 1976 by a group of GM Truck and Bus employees. In August of that year they held their first annual car show with the proceeds benefiting Leader Dogs for the Blind. This annual show has been held at scenic Olde World Canterbury Village in Lake Orion, MI since 2005.
This is our largest yearly event and has become the most unique Corvette only car show in the area. The rolling and shaded grounds of Olde World Canterbury Village provide the perfect atmosphere for a day of family fun and Corvettes.
Throughout our history, the club has continued to grow and is now a self-supporting non-profit organization. We have a very active membership of all ages and interests who enjoy the Corvette lifestyle.
 
 
Now for some Corvettes, these were the cars nominated by our club to be considered for the annual Motor City Corvette Concours show to be held in the fall. Only a select group of 30, from probably a collection of 70 - 80 qualify, as other shows in Michigan, and Canada send it nominations as well.
 

 
1990 Red ZR1
 

 
1967 Red Convertible
 

 
1967 Red Coupe
 

 
2004 Blue Z06 Coupe
 

 
1961 Red Convertible
 

 
1977 Black Coupe
 

 
2013 White Convertible
 

 
1965 Black Convertible
 

 
1966 Blue Convertible
 

 
1962 Red Convertible
 
 
Thank you to Team Adam's for there support in making this show a success both from donations to the Silent Auction, and providing the great products used on a few on the above cars.

Here is an example of too much sun. This is at 6pm. Notice how washed out the car looks and it's not centered in the pic.
 

 
Verses this pic. With the lighting following the body lines. The main thing wrong with this pic is the edge of the road cutting the car in half.
 

Got rid of the billboard size badges on the door and relocated the Cummins badge to the door from fender. Washed, waxed and polished and sealed rims. Turned out good!
 

Yup, should look just as good as long as your wash technique is solid and you don't introduce any new damage.

Nice Annette, love that color combo!

The problem is this is not a support group, we are all enablers!

The problem is this is not a support group, we are all enablers!

And I bet it is your fault that your daughter and wife forgot their toothbrushes.....lol.  I have thought about making up a list and having it laminated so that I can cross things off with one of those dry erase markers.  Funny how things for me get left behind when I go camping or on vacation with my wife and kid.  Yet, when I do a backpacking adventure with my brother, I forget nothing.

My dad found them today got the last new bottle of glass cleaner. He is there with the camaro.

Michael, thanks for the DIY! I usually don't make a big deal over this stuff, but this is simple, inexpensive, and does not generate much heat. Might sell my halogen lights.
 
I can adjust height a bit more sliding the legs up and down too.
 
Thanks again.

Two pieces arrived today, and my Adam's order arrived too!  

Then you will really enjoy the LED's.  I worked right beside it last weekend while sanding some headlights, and could not feel any heat coming off it (the air temp hotter than the light!).  

If you have lots of money you want to spend, the pick of a few of these!