[glen e]

I get a lot of PM’s asking me what I mean by certain tools that I use to mod stuff and if you are a novice, this will make your life a lot easier. The first is the 5 pc trim tools that are plastic and do not mar things when you can take them apart, I’m sure some will say thy don’t need them…fine, these are just nice to use. Use them once and you'll use them all the time.


Look on amazon for "trim tools"

The 2nd thing is a universal cleaner which is 25/75 alcohol/water mix - just rubbing alcohol from CVS. (I used to use 50/50, 25% is good enuf) It melts all waxes and give you a clean surface for sticking the tape below, and applying sealants to a virgin surface. It does not hurt paint. Detailers use it between polish steps and call it IPA.


Alcohol packets from CVS, the same way for sticking the VHB tape below - for remounting badges and getting things to stick, wipe the surface, get the box.


The greatest mod stuff ever - 3M VHB tape, it’ll stick forever if surfaces are clean with the alcohol above.

On amazon:: Scotch Permanent Outdoor Mounting Tape, 1 Inch x 450 Inches (4011-LONG): Office Products[/url]

single sided razor blades and 3M blue "easy release" painters tape
self explanatory

jeweler's screwdrivers - to open stuff up so the trim tools can get it.

Happy modding!

 

[glen e]

If you are going to add your own items you like , please put a link and a pic so the thread remains valuable....

if you don't know how to add a pic send them to me...

 

[MYKZDRM]

Thanks glen. This is a big help for me.

Michael

 

[smajicek]

I get a lot of PM’s asking me what I mean by certain tools that I use to mod stuff and if you are a novice, this will make your life a lot easier. The first is the 5 pc trim tools that are plastic and do not mar things when you can take them apart, I’m sure some will say thy don’t need them…fine, these are just nice to use. Use them once and you'll use them all the time.

Amazon.com: 5 pc. No-Scratch Tools for Removing Fastener & Molding: Automotive



The 2nd thing is a universal cleaner which is 50/50 alcohol mix - just rubbing alcohol from CVS. It melts all waxes and give you a clean surface for sticking the tape below, and applying sealants to a virgin surface. It does not hurt paint. Detailers use it between polish steps.


Alcohol packets from CVS, the same way for sticking the VHB tape below - for remounting badges and getting things to stick, wipe the surface, get the box.

The greatest mod stuff ever - 3M VHB tape, it’ll stick forever if surfaces are clean with the alcohol above.

Amazon.com: Scotch Permanent Outdoor Mounting Tape, 1 Inch x 450 Inches (4011-LONG): Office Products

single sided razor blades and 3M blue "easy release" painters tape
self explanatory

jeweler's screwdrivers - to open stuff up so the trim tools can get it.

here's a nicer kit:
Amazon.com: Herco HE826 Herco Mini Screwdriver Kit: Musical Instruments
Happy modding!

Glen,
The Alcohol from CVS is 91% so you take that and mix it 50/50 with water?

 

[glen e]

yes...detailers mix anywhere from 50/50 to 75/25 alc/water depending on their use...50/50 is an all purpose mix that works well for elim polish and waxes, and cleaning large surfaces to mount spoilers, etc, for taped badges and the like...

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/auto-detailing-101/25252-question-about-isp-wipedown.html

 

[jsvette]

Really a valuable post Glen. Thanks for posting. As always the correct tools make DIY a lot easier and less frustrating.

 

[glen e]

I forgot about the most important tool for working/detailing --> good microfiber towels...this is the distributor that supplies the other detail houses so when you buy from these guys, you eliminate the middle man. This is a damn good towel and yes, you need 10...

they are so popular they are back ordered a lot - I have 40 of them..

16''x16'' Extra Plush Elite Microfiber Towels - 530 gsm - 75.25 - Blue

 

[glen e]

For debadging - much faster and easier than regular floss or fishing line - be careful, it cuts thru badges like butter and your skin as well, a flexible razor blade, at your fishing store for $8:

 

[akpancake]

I'm thinking your Idea of a "Mod" is a bit different than mine. My Idea of a modification is more like powertrain mods. blower, turbo, headers, etc.
I refer to all the other stuff as "accessorizing" kind of like placing a vase of flowers at the dinner table.

 

[glen e]

I'm thinking your Idea of a "Mod" is a bit different than mine. My Idea of a modification is more like powertrain mods. blower, turbo, headers, etc.
I refer to all the other stuff as "accessorizing"

yeah I got that.. from your posts a long time ago....I don't give a damn about going faster....

 

[Derrick1812]

yeah I got that.. from your posts a long time ago....I don't give a damn about going faster....

I'm with you glen, I can care less about going faster. 460hp is plenty for me. My friends are like super charge it, turbo it, new headers, exhaust. I'm like why don't you buy a c7 so you can do all that? I'll will stick with my 20% tint, red stitch and expel maybe some wheels in the future/be happy.


Sent from my iPhone using Corvette Stingray Forum

 

[53Vette]

Glen, the 50/50 alcohol is strong enough to strip the wax from the paint?

 

[MYKZDRM]

I ordered all the tools you recommended, glen. I will be keeping my Vette mostly stock, but then again that's what we all say in the beginning! Heck, I'm having side skirts, air splitter and curb sensor installed Friday. So much for stock.

Michael

 

[jsvette]

Glen, the 50/50 alcohol is strong enough to strip the wax from the paint?

Dawn dish washing detergent is strong enough to strip the wax from paint.

 

[glen e]

The alcohol is for "clearing the decks" in a project. There are sometimes you can just throw dawn at it. I'll give you an example. Today I polished out my side skirts with Megiuires 105 polish and wanted to mount them on the car. It requires a long piece of the VHB tape above to be used to attach the skirt between the jacking pucks. I want the surface virgin so the VHB will hold for years. A simple spray of the underside of the car and the skirt with the windex bottle above and I'm ready to use the tape and all the polish is gone...you will find a use 100 places on your car...

 

[glen e]

bump for new owners...

 

[Tom0021]

Thanks for bumping Glen, not just for new owners, somehow I missed this thread when you first posted.

 

[Torch-Red-Z06]

From the picture above it appears that you as well as I have determined that good/low cost spray bottles are from glass cleaner. Nice even mist. Buy it and dump the contents, rinse thoroughly and relabel. All aftermarket bottles I've tried are $$$ and are crap.

 

[glen e]

From the picture above it appears that you as well as I have determined that good/low cost spray bottles are from glass cleaner. Nice even mist. Buy it and dump the contents, rinse thoroughly and relabel. All aftermarket bottles I've tried are $$$ and are crap.

Pretty much, I have also found great sprayers from bottles left over from PRIMA, AND CARPRO....wide and fine mist

 

[elpunoFL]

Thank You, so very easy for my problem.