AudiOn19s

Great...and up-to-date version of a Testarossa body kit on a Fiero.

Yes. My black Audi is washed exclusively with ONR or similar products in the winter. You need to be very attentive to proper technique. I personally wipe one direction with my wash sponge / mit flip it over, wipe the other direction and then go straight to the rinse bucket with that mit to wash it out. What willl cause issues is if you're working in a heavily soil'd areas without frequently washing out your mit or sponge. I also put some of the wash solution in a spray bottle and pre-spray each pannel prior to washing them I don't use alot here, about a 12oz bottle of liquid per car. Despite the manufacturers claiming this doesn't need to be done I do it for peace of mind. Also a soft porus sponge or log nap Sheepskin or Lambswool mit are best to use with these products as it's got surface area or pockets to pull the dirt into as you're wiping along rather than wiping it into the surface of the paint. Also: If the car / truck is heavily soiled spend $1.50 and go to a quarter car wash and pressure wash the heavily soiled areas first to knock off any of the big chunks. From there you should be good.

I'm currently using the Optimum over the QEW that was in my origional post. though I really have no preference between the two. I buy whichever one I can get my hands on the cheapest when i'm ordering as they're both outstanding products. I'm with Todd here...not sure how I'd wash my vehicle without them in the winter. Andy

Agreed. Hopefully the plans work out to have a Ferrari power in that chassis to keep it alive for next year. I just read a bit more this morning and I'm not sure that's as likely as it sounded to be just the other day. In other notes. Did you guys see this week the Audi also announced they will be pulling the LMP-1 R10 from ALMS this year? They're going to run Sebring 12 hours with it and then not run the remainder of the season and instead only focus on Lemans efforts. It sucks but they were basically racing themselves in-class all last year kinda like the 'vettes did in GT1. However, it sounds like they will remain in the series with efforts shifting to the GT2 class and the racing version of the R8 street car. GT2 is going to be GREAT this year with 4 strong makes going for the title. BMW will be back in the game with the new M3 along with Audi's R8 to challenge the Ferrari vs. Porsche battle that's been great for the last two seasons. So at least we've got SOMETHING positive to look forward to in the racing world this year. Andy

From what I read Ferrari bought the team and will be funning it under the Ferrari Enzo banner as a development group. Hopefully this is true so we've still got full fields in F1. I really enjoy'd the last season. Andy

Most people here won't know what a radical is because it doesn't race at the drag strip. I'll help you out with that one. http://www.radicalsportscars.com/ Despite that being a positive your intro sux. Andy

While I don't have much to add to this thread I just wanted to say thank you for some great insight on this matter. There was a home invasion right around the corner from us last week and aside from getting weapons back in the house and teaching my wife how to properly use them we have yet to come up with a plan for what we would do if that was our house instead of the one around the corner. Andy

Agreed on the ECS Site. I'll still give the local guy the first shot on something as long as they're close to the same price and availability as ECS (usually next day since they're in cleveland). Luckily I've got a hookup at byers too if I need a dealer-only part but I try not to abuse that privelage Andy

4 generations of males on my fathers side have not made it to 60. So...carry a hefty insurance policy / 401K/ etc. to cover the wife then spend what I can having fun while Im here

Give the gift of Carcare this season. Today only (12/1/2008) 20% off all microfiber orders. This includes gift certificates as well. http://www.andyschoice.com I'll be giving 10% off orders for the remainder of the week if you miss out today. Andy

Looking Good. I have to say I fell in love with the color when I saw it in person. They should have made all of them in that color in my opinion. Enjoy the ride! Andy

beat me to it, That's a 599 599 > 612

I think it's more the Gallardo is slower than it should be....at least at real highway speeds. Remember the Top Gear test of the "lightweight cars". The Aston sucked so we'll forget that one. BUT compare the Gallardo Superleggera to the GT3RS Gallardo: 520hp, 3400lbs GT3 RS: 415hp, 3250lbx Freeway pull was nearly a dead heat with the Gallardo just barely ahead. Didn't make sense in that test either but both show the Gallardo to be slower than it "should" be. Wouldn't keep me from buying one if I had the means though as I'm asbolutely enamored with the Gallardo for some reason

Early Gallardo's were 495 and the HP rating was bumped to 500 (must have been alot of development there!) for 2006. However depending on the source the gallardo is anywhere between 3300-3500 lbs AND all wheel drive so you're talking about a car that's at least 200lbs heavier, has roughly the same power and is trying to put that power to all 4 wheels vs. just 2. Not really a suprising result. Still an entertaining video though. Andy

We put our Yorkie on one every other day in the winter for 20-30 minutes. He's to the point now where even when we get on the treadmill for ourselves he'll jump on and want to join in. It's a great way to get the energy out on the cold days. Don't know what we'd do without having it around. Andy

Eric, great intro!!! Good to see more familiar faces here. Andy

Yes mainly because it's much less likely to remove any wax / sealant you've got on there. However when my car gets really nasty I do hit up the pressure washer first to knock the crap off of the car and then go home and use the "no-hose" type of products at home. As for the QEW vs. Optimum. I've got both sitting at home right now. Each has their advantages but they work soo similarly in the end that I really have no preference in which one I use. Andy

uhhh.....ummmmm......so what can I drive again?

On-line is the only availability right now unless you're lucky enough to come across some of the QEW at an RV store. I always order it on-line. I've used the first two pretty heavily over the last 3 seasons without a complaint...and no real favorite between them either. The detailers pride one I havn't used yet. http://www.protectall.com/estore.htm http://www.protectall.com/estore.htm http://www.autogeek.net/dp-rinseless-four-in-one.html If there's enough interest I could carry some here locally and sell it with some microfibers as a winter wash kit???

I did the 19" to 15" swap earlier this week. Car looks like poo

It's that time of year again. I think I've posted this in the past but wanted to put this up as a reminder of the best way to be washing your cars in the winter to avoid any un-necessary damage through your wash procedures. No hose necessary, you can do this in your garage or driveway using warm water from the sink / tub and with very little mess. There's a few of these "hoseless" wash products on the market these days and they all function well. Once you get used to this procedure you can do it quickly and swiftly. As a matter of fact those of you who live in apartments should consider this procedure all year round as you can do it right there in the parking lot of your complex without worry. http://www.tauruscarclub.com/wiki/index.php/How_to_use_QEW_%28Quick_Easy_Wash%29 Happy detailing! Andy

+1...I too was eyeing the 'Rock when I was up there last week. Nice car and well kept. Andy

Welcome.

Tuckin' tire and plowing free of charge. http://www.andymobiledetail.com/winter002.jpg

Correct but they don't open up the registration until PCA members have been given preference. I'd worry that with the new track the event may be full. BUT last season I wasn't at an event that was more than 70% full. They usually don't even charge a non-member fee which is way cool.