How to use steel wool?

FirmWind · 08-10-2001, 04:18 AM

I've been told by a car detailer to use steel wool for tougher grime/tar stuff on the paint. Anyone know how to do it so that the paint doesn't scratch or become dull-looking (result of layer of paint taken off)? Do you use wax before or after using steel wool? Do you use some other products in conjunction with the steel wool? Does it matter if I get synthetic or real steel wool?

Thanks!

Darwin · 08-10-2001, 04:36 AM

Said detailer must want you to come in for an expensive buffing!

Steel wool!? Holy cripes.. that will gouge the shiznit out of your thin, soft, cheap Subaru paint, even the fine stuff. Use some sort of liquid tar remover and a cotton towel or diaper instead.

08-10-2001, 07:33 AM

I know you can use steel wool on windows to get them clean, but NEVER use it on paint! Yeagh....

MikeyG

randolph-rs · 08-10-2001, 02:02 PM

Its not safe for glass either, I found that out on my own. Maybe a very fine steel wool, but sos pads and such will leave swirl marks in glass. Then when you are driving at night you will see all those nice swirls.

HoratioCaine · 08-10-2001, 02:43 PM

I used to use very fine steel wool on glass and chrome pieces when I did cleanup/detailing at Maaco. It worked great for removing overspray. Then I tried using it on my brand new Grand Cherokee a couple of years ago to remove some rubber (melted windshield wiper smears) off the windshield and it scratched the holy bat dung out of it.

NJ WRX · 08-10-2001, 02:55 PM

well my experiance with steel wool in chemistry class.....hahaha....just kidding...never passed it anyway
NICK

08-10-2001, 04:28 PM

I used to work for Macco also! heh.. Yeah i used steel wool to remove overspray also.. Do you think glass has different hardnesses?

Man Macco was some of the most messed up stuff I have seen in a paint shop...

MikeyG

NJ WRX · 08-13-2001, 11:08 AM

I thought you could use steel wool on glass?
Nick

spd wgn · 08-13-2001, 08:29 PM

for tough spots on glass (like sun dried rain or water that has high mineral content) :

use terry cloth (towel rag) moistened and liberally sprikled with

Bon Ami.. rub til spot disappears then clean well with regular glass cleaner

no scratch..works like a charm

DW

HoratioCaine · 08-14-2001, 12:06 AM

hehe...
maaco painter " I got baked at lunch today but i forgot to cook the car."

Yeah. some of the most messed up stuff ever...

maaco owner "we keep an extra employee on file so we can rotate one through jail without being understaffed"
hehhehe

oh well.

steel wool isn't that great to use on hard to remove stuff. fresh paint is really soft. Just don't use very much pressure and you're ok. I never screwed up glass at work, only on my brand new jeep.

08-10-2001, 04:18 AM	#1
FirmWind Scooby Newbie Member#: 8276 Join Date: Jul 2001	How to use steel wool? I've been told by a car detailer to use steel wool for tougher grime/tar stuff on the paint. Anyone know how to do it so that the paint doesn't scratch or become dull-looking (result of layer of paint taken off)? Do you use wax before or after using steel wool? Do you use some other products in conjunction with the steel wool? Does it matter if I get synthetic or real steel wool? Thanks!

08-13-2001, 08:29 PM	#9
spd wgn Scooby Newbie Member#: 8571 Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: arlington VA Vehicle: 2002 wrx	cleaning glass for tough spots on glass (like sun dried rain or water that has high mineral content) : use terry cloth (towel rag) moistened and liberally sprikled with Bon Ami.. rub til spot disappears then clean well with regular glass cleaner no scratch..works like a charm DW

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

08-10-2001, 04:36 AM	#2
Darwin Scooby Specialist Member#: 2704 Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Campbell, CA Vehicle: 2001 Impreza 2.5 RS Blue Ridge Pearl	Said detailer must want you to come in for an expensive buffing! Steel wool!? Holy cripes.. that will gouge the shiznit out of your thin, soft, cheap Subaru paint, even the fine stuff. Use some sort of liquid tar remover and a cotton towel or diaper instead.

08-10-2001, 07:33 AM	#3
MikeyG Guest Member#:	I know you can use steel wool on windows to get them clean, but NEVER use it on paint! Yeagh.... MikeyG

08-10-2001, 02:02 PM	#4
randolph-rs Scooby Specialist Member#: 3371 Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Asheboro, NC Zoo country Vehicle: 2004 Forester XT Java Black	Its not safe for glass either, I found that out on my own. Maybe a very fine steel wool, but sos pads and such will leave swirl marks in glass. Then when you are driving at night you will see all those nice swirls.

08-10-2001, 02:43 PM	#5
HoratioCaine Booty Connoisseur Moderator Member#: 3409 Join Date: Jan 2001	I used to use very fine steel wool on glass and chrome pieces when I did cleanup/detailing at Maaco. It worked great for removing overspray. Then I tried using it on my brand new Grand Cherokee a couple of years ago to remove some rubber (melted windshield wiper smears) off the windshield and it scratched the holy bat dung out of it.

08-10-2001, 02:55 PM	#6
NJ WRX Scooby Newbie Member#: 6929 Join Date: May 2001 Location: Walking distance from E-Town Raceway Park Vehicle: 02 Impreza WRX Aspen White	well my experiance with steel wool in chemistry class.....hahaha....just kidding...never passed it anyway NICK

08-10-2001, 04:28 PM	#7
MikeyG Guest Member#:	I used to work for Macco also! heh.. Yeah i used steel wool to remove overspray also.. Do you think glass has different hardnesses? Man Macco was some of the most messed up stuff I have seen in a paint shop... MikeyG

08-13-2001, 11:08 AM	#8
NJ WRX Scooby Newbie Member#: 6929 Join Date: May 2001 Location: Walking distance from E-Town Raceway Park Vehicle: 02 Impreza WRX Aspen White	I thought you could use steel wool on glass? Nick

08-14-2001, 12:06 AM	#10
HoratioCaine Booty Connoisseur Moderator Member#: 3409 Join Date: Jan 2001	hehe... maaco painter " I got baked at lunch today but i forgot to cook the car." Yeah. some of the most messed up stuff ever... maaco owner "we keep an extra employee on file so we can rotate one through jail without being understaffed" hehhehe oh well. steel wool isn't that great to use on hard to remove stuff. fresh paint is really soft. Just don't use very much pressure and you're ok. I never screwed up glass at work, only on my brand new jeep.