WheelMaker

Congrats on the new Pisan! Nice work buddy. Cheers!

Most wheels are still traditional liquid paint. If they are cast aluminum aftermarket wheels, chances are they are made in China or Taiwan, and they most definitely are liquid painted. Powdercoating can cost as much as cast wheels cost to pop out of a mold, whereas paint is cheaper and more forgiving (they can 'fix' minor imperfections before they leave the factory). You only really encounter the powdercoated stuff if you go to a forged one-piece or three-piece wheel, and even then only the US-made stuff. The Japanese and Germans are still painting wheels - there are reasons for this, which would require its' own blog. Care and feeding are the same, though. Minimize abrasive polishes and acidic cleaners. I like Adam's Car Wash because it is pH balanced and, to be honest, all that is needed to remove moderate grime and brake dust. Of course, we don't have much in the way of rain or harsh elements here in CA...

Without question, the best thing I have ever used on Matte Black wheels is... Adam's Detail Spray. It gives them a nice dark black look without streaking. Unless the wheels are REALLY dirty, I would use ONLY detail spray. Use one microfiber (or as many as you need) to remove brake dust (you simply cannot get them perfect if you try to use the same microfiber start to finish, in my experience) and come back with a fresh microfiber and detail spray to make 'em pretty. I'd try a little Buttery Wax on the slightly stained area; I tend to start with something mild and this stuff can "fix" minor problems.

Interesting, will have to check them out. Great looking lift! Bruce, do you have a contact there I should speak with? I need two 4-post lifts for parking cars on. 4-post is better me: I'm on a post-tension slab and cannot cut or drill I have limited overhead clearance, if the suspension is not loaded on the top car, the car underneath will not fit. The two cars going up are 2200 lbs and 2500 lbs. each, so I don't need a heavy-duty lift.. BTW, that XLR is still in great shape! -Bob

Is this still "on?"

I thought this was going to be about drinking a beer while detailing. Pity...

Looks like a sharp AW11 there - '85? I have one, too - perhaps the only car I will keep forever. I have a two car garage with three cars stuffed in it. This summer I am adding two parking lifts so I can put four cars in. Always get the most garage you can afford!

Yeah, I can see evidence of pitting between the spokes - the chrome is done. People don't understand the importance of maintaining chrome until this happens. Brake dust and road salt & crap are very corrosive, especially over time. It is compounded by the cheap Chinese chrome used on these one-piece cast wheels (our chrome platers here in the USA do a much better job but are more expensive so the cast wheel manufacturers do not use them). Time for chemical strip and rechrome or powder coat. Make sure they are COLD stripped, or the temper of the aluminum will be compromised! By the time you do all of this, of course, it's probably about the same price to replace with new non-chrome cast wheels...

You've heard of the "Mob's accountant?" I am the "Mob's wheel guy." Untouchable - as close to a made guy as a non-Italian can get!

It's because he's Italian, right? Because everyone who is Italian is in the Mob/Mafia! Guilty until proven innocent! *waits for Adam to chime in*

The NSX got treated to Adam's Super Machine Polish and Super Machine Wax yesterday. Porter Cable machines are a life saver! Black paint looks great when clean. My brother thought I had repainted the car! Here's the NSX next to the MR2 (which is awaiting reassembly from new paint job):

Holy smokes - another AW11 fan! I have an '85 hardtop (no sunroof) that my Dad bought new. I bought the car from him when I was in college and have put TONS of time and money into it. I'm actually just finishing a total rework of the car, with new paint, coilover suspension, etc. The car was cherry to begin with - now it is insane! Suede dash, turbocharged/built 4AGE, just silly. I did 8" Boston Pros in sealed cabinets behind the seats. Run with 1100 watts: Off to the paint shop (BEFORE paint)

Only one of my cars has a vanity plate; somehow, I figure what it says will be no surprise: "WHELMKR" - Fantastic shine courtesy of Adam's!

Best wishes, old man!

Hot Wheels. I probably have about 2,000 new in boxes. Most are from the mid-90s. And a bunch from when I was a kid, which are... not in boxes. And anything Shelby Cobra-related.

One of me and Adam on his recent video shoot.

I've seen this thing in action, and it is AWESOME! Must... put... away... credit... card!

Love the UC spray! Makes the car smell good when you walk up to it!

In my experience, using the Clay Bar does not require much pressure at all. The idea is that the sideways motion of the clay will "shear" off the contaminants and little doobies that accumulate on the paint. Using too much pressure or too little lubricant can sometimes cause the clay to break-up a bit and actually leave a film on the paint; I haven't experienced the 'filming' with Adam's clay, but I have seen it with other brands. I usually keep a bucket filled part way with clean water and a little car wash soap to rinse the clay periodically. This doesn't really do much, as the contaminants mostly get stuck in the clay, but my idea here is that it will reduce the amount of larger particles, thus reducing the possibility of scratching other areas of the paint.

That sucks, but it sounds like you were not hurt; that's the important thing. The good news is that the Lexus that hit you was probably insured. A friend of mine had his M3 totaled when an uninsured driver made a sudden, illegal U-turn in front of him and he T-boned her. Airbags deployed, he broke his wrist and his girlfriend broke her ankle. The other driver gave an address when the Sheriff showed-up; when the insurance co. and Sheriff investigated later, the woman had high-tailed it back to Mexico.

I have the opposite problem with a 30-series tire... I usually just use an old MicroFiber towel with a little VRT. I like the tires black, but not shiny.

I use my Porter Cable buffer with Adam's Fine Machine Polish on my black kitchen range top and white washer and dryer... I guess that's not really stupid, but it sure was EFFECTIVE! I also have buffed my upstairs bathroom countertop, which is that white molded plasticky material. It worked GREAT! Almost forgot: I used Revive on the exterior panels of my outdoor air conditioner condenser unit. Hey, it's visible from the patio and I can't stand faded paint!

Doing my thing on the Beneteau 10R

Good times at that shoot- one of the more fun and interesting shoots I've ever been on! Special thanks to Adam, Dylan, the Power TV guys, and the crew at Crevier Classic Cars- these guys were extremely accommodating! I created a Picasa gallery; here are a few pics: Dylan fixed a 996 mirror that the owner hit on his garage door frame (came out perfect) The Pitchman! Sweeeet... Magic in a bottle Picasa gallery here (view as slideshow for best results) http://picasaweb.google.com/BigAudioBob/AdamsVideo#

Nothing quite like a custom set of wheels... the fit, the finish... I've said it many times before: wheels make or break the look of a car! This is going to be a sweet machine...