Archives for February 2010

Product Spotlight: Griot's Garage Paint Glaze

Most of us would rather remove fine scratches than hide them, but consider this: every time you compound, you are removing tiny amounts of clear coat in order to level scratches. Because there is a finite amount of paint on your vehicle, you’re better off putting off paint correction until there’s a real need for it. For minor scratches and fine swirls, you have another option: Griot’s Garage Paint Glaze.

 

At Autogeek, we always say, “Use the least aggressive approach that will work.” Sometimes that means opting for a glaze rather than a swirl remover. Griot’s Garage Paint Glaze is formulated to discreetly hide those minor scratches and swirls so you still get the appearance of perfect paint. It’s a great option for older vehicles when you’re trying to preserve the original finish or to put off a full detail until you have time.

 

Griot’s Garage Paint Glaze contains premium oils and fillers that hide swirls and light scratches while enhancing the overall look of the paint. Layer the glaze for better coverage. Even as you’re filling in the low points in the paint, the overall finish will appear clear and bright.

 

When small blemishes appear on your otherwise perfect finish, use Griot’s Garage Paint Glaze to hide them until it’s time to polish.

As seen on the SPEED Channel…

Our first Autogeek’s Show Car Garage segment has debuted on the Speed Channel during Two Guys Garage! More segments are coming. Stay tuned to Two Guys Garage and check us out at Autogeek’s Show Car Garage homepage for extended versions of the videos you see on tv.

Happy Valentine's Day! Show your vehicle some love!

Yes, it is snowing outside so you’re probably not going to do a full detail, but there are some things you can do to help your car look the best it can given the circumstances.

 

1. If you have access to a garage, you can clean your car. It’s a good idea because road salt is brutal on paint and metal. Use a rinseless wash, like DP Rinseless Wash & Gloss or Optimum No Rinse Wash & Shine. Both require just a gallon or two of water and do not need to be rinsed off. If you use them outside, just make sure the temperature is above freezing!

 

2. Protect rubber weatherstripping. Cold temperatures cause rubber door seals to dry out, crack, and even freeze. You can prevent this with a product like Wurth Rubber Care Gel Stick. This product protects the rubber and it also prevents freezing. You’ll like that feature when you need to get into your car and out of the cold.

 

3. For the windshield, use Glass Science Ultra Clean Windshield Wash Concentrate. It cleans the glass and, at higher dilutions, keeps the washer fluid from freezing in the tank.

 

4. Just because it’s a winter wonderland outside your vehicle, that doesn’t mean the inside can’t be clean and cozy. Get some rubber floor mats to protect the carpet. WeatherTech FloorLiners provide great coverage to catch snow and slush. Cover the seats with Sheepskin Seat Covers. They provide a soft, warm place to sit when the world outside is cold and uninviting.

 

Just remember, Spring is right around the corner! There are perfect detailing days ahead.

Compare all your microfibers in one place!

On AutogeekOnline.net, we asked what changes you would like to see in the new year to our forum or Autogeek.net. The response was tremendous and we thank you for all the feedback. We immediately started looking for ways to implement your suggestions. One suggestion that we jumped on right away was putting towel sizes in the Microfiber Comparison Chart. We can’t believe we overlooked this! What a great idea! Now you can get all the technical information you need to compare microfiber towels in one place. Brilliant!

 

By the way, if this chart is new to you, you can find it on all our Cobra microfiber towel pages. Let me explain a couple of key points when towel shopping. Blend tells you the percentage of polyester and polyamide used in the towel. A few years ago, a 70/30 towel was almost always softer than a 80/20 towel because of the higher percentage of polyamide. But now all bets are off. It’s all about the weave structure. Microfiber is manmade so the towels have gotten softer and more plush as the manufacturing process has evolved. Today, either blend can be just as soft as the other.

 

The weight of the towel indicates its thickness. Microfiber weight is expressed in grams per square meter, or g/m². The higher the number, the thicker the towel. The heavier, thicker towels tend to be best for buffing off quick detailers because they are soft cushiony and soft against the paint. For more info on this topic and to see all our towels go to our Cobra Microfiber Comparison Chart.

 

And keep the great suggestions coming!

 Choose the best microfiber towel for any detailing job!

Get hands-on polisher training at Detail Fest!

Director of Training Mike Phillips will be teaching a hands-on machine detailing class on Saturday, March 27 at two times: 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. The class is a must-attend if you’re interested in machine detailing and machine sanding.

The class will go over using the correct technique for the following polishers and then the students will be encouraged to test out the polishers during the hands-on portion of the class.Learn the basics of polishing with a machine.

  • Porter Cable 7424XP Dual Action Polisher
  • Meguiar’s G110v2 Dual Action Polisher
  • Griot’s Garage ROP Dual Action Polisher
  • Griot’s Garage 3″ Mini Dual Action Polisher
  • Cyclo Polisher Dual Head Polisher
  • Flex 3401 Forced Rotation Dual Action Polisher
  • Flex 3403 Lightweight Rotary Buffer
  • Flex 603 Full Size Rotary Buffer
  • Makita 9227C Full Size Rotary Buffer
  • DeWalt 849 Full Size Rotary Buffer

The basics of machine sanding will be demonstrated with the Meguiar’s Professional Unigrit Machine Sanding and Finishing System. If you have registered for Detail Fest by paying the $20 fee, you are already enrolled in the 9 a.m. class. There is no need to re-register and there is no additional charge. For anyone not showing a car, there is no charge to attend a class but we do need you to register for one of the available times.

Register at the bottom of the Detail Fest page on Autogeek or by calling us at 1-800-869-3011.

Dig your car out of the snow with our best snow and ice tools!

Shop Autogeek's Winter Car Care products!

Mother Nature is making up for a lot of snow-free winters right now! If you’re like most of the Eastern U.S., the blizzard has taken you by surprise. A lot of us are digging out our cars for the first time in years or for the first time ever! If that’s the case, you’re going to need a good ice scraper and Autogeek has some of the best.

From now through Sunday, February 14, 2010, save on the items below. Buy one for yourself and one for a friend. If this winter is any indication, you can never be too prepared!

IceDozer Plus Ergonomic Ice Scraper
Retail $19.99
Sale $16.99
2 for $29.99

MINI IceDozer Ice Scraper
Retail $11.99
Sale $9.99
2 for $16.99

SnowMover Personal Snowplow
Retail $24.99
Sale $19.99
2 for $37.99

Ice Master Multi-Blade Ice Scraper
Retail $19.99
Sale $17.99
2 for 35.00

OXO Extendable Twister Snow Brush
Retail $21.99
Sale $14.99

Plus, all Battery Tender Battery Chargers are on sale from $10-$30 off the regular retail price! See all Battery Tender products.

Visit our Winter Car Care section for more products to beat the freeze.

We're adding on!

The future home of Autogeek's Show Car Garage

The future home of Autogeek's Show Car Garage

As you may have read in our last newsletter, Autogeek is finishing out a 5,000 sq. ft. addition to our current 15,000 sq. ft. headquarters. The addition will include a large detail bay we’re calling Autogeek’s Show Car Garage. It will fully equipped with professional video equipment to record our segments for the Speed Channel and other how-to videos. We’re also adding in a classroom for Mike Phillips’ detail classes. This photo shows the drywall completed in the garage area. The new space should be ready by Detail Fest on March 27-28, 2010. Join us!

Autogeek on the Speed Channel

Autogeek's Show Car Garage debuts Sunday on the Speed Channel.

Autogeek is coming to the Speed ChannelChannel!

Autogeek’s Director of Training, Mike Phillips, has teamed up with the SPEED Channel to bring you Autogeek’s Show Car Garage, a series of segments airing during SPEED‘s popular show Two Guys Garage. In each episode, Mike will share with you the art and science of automotive detailing. He highlights the products and techniques he personally uses to get amazing results.

Mike has been a leading expert on detailing for more than seven years. As our Director of Training, he shares his knowledge with fellow detailers at Autogeek’s Detailing 101 and 102 classes, and through his articles and videos found on AutogeekOnline.net. His in-depth explanations of the products and his step by step instructions give you at home the know-how to accomplish all your detailing goals.

There will be 12 different segments from Autogeek’s Show Car Garage, airing from February to August 2010. An extended version of each segment will appear on Autogeek.net.

To see Mike Phillips and Autogeek’s Show Car Garage, tune into the SPEED Channel’s Two Guys Garage. Then come to Autogeek for extended videos and more information on the products and processes that will make your vehicle shine.

Show Schedule:
“How To Create A Show Car Finish Using The Cyclo Orbital Polisher” on February 7, 10, 12 & 13.
“Swirl Removal Using The Porter Cable 7424XP Polisher” on February 14, 17, 19 & 20.

Autogeek's Show Car Garage will appear on the Speed Channel during Two Guys Garage.

About Autogeek’s Show Car Garage

 

All of Autogeek’s Show Car Garage videos are filmed on location from the current 400 sq. ft. garage located in Stuart, FL. To accommodate our growth, we are putting the finishing touches on a new 5000 sq. ft. addition. The new space includes the 1600 sq. ft. Autogeek’s Show Car Garage, complete with state-of-the-art video equipment, and classroom space for up to 30. The 5000 sq. ft. addition brings Autogeek’s headquarters up to 20,000 total sq. ft. of products, professionals, and work space, all dedicated to auto detailing. Tour Autogeek’s Show Car Garage and the entire facility at Detail Fest!

 

Autogeek’s 5th Annual
Detail Fest
& Car Show

Detail Fest 2010 is being held on March 27-28 at our Stuart, Florida headquarters. Come join us for two days of detailing instruction, product demonstrations, and cars detailed to perfection!

During the festival, you’ll be able to take a tour of Autogeek’s headquarters including the new Autogeek Show Car Garage!

There’s no better way to get your vehicle ready for Spring than to learn from the pros and from fellow hobbyists about the latest techniques and products. Meet your favorite manufacturers and see their products in action. Demonstrations will be ongoing all weekend.

Meguiars is bringing their big rig back again this year and Mothers will bring theirs as well!

Show off your own detailing skills on site. Wash stations and plenty of power outlets will be available for your buffer.

Detail Fest is also a great opportunity to meet fellow forum members face to face and see their handiwork up close.

Detail Fest is open to anyone wanting to walk around and check out the products and demos. It is also open to those who would like to bring their car inside Detailers’ Row to either try products out or display their vehicle.

A Florida-based band, Tradewinds, will be playing at Detail Fest and Sandy Hook Deli will serve up sandwiches and snacks all weekend.

Computers will be available to place orders on site! Orders will be packed and ready to go home with you the same day.

Click here to view a slide show of Autogeek’s 4th Annual Detail Fest.

Manufacturer Meet & Greet

Autogeek Show ‘N Shine Car ShowRegistration is $20 to participate in the car show and park along “Detailers’ Row” by all the action. This fee includes:

  • A reserved parking space
  • Goody bag valued at a minimum of $50
  • Official Detail Fest 2010 T-shirt
  • Participation in the raffle for three $100 Autogeek Gift Certificates.
  • Enrollment in Mike Phillips’ 9 a.m. detailing class

If you wish to participate in the car show and receive all of the above, you must register at Autogeek.net or by calling 1-800-869-3011.

Detail Fest is free to attend if you do not wish to receive the above amenities and you will not be showing a vehicle. Extra T-shirts will be available for purchase.

 

Travel Information

Hotel: We have reserved a block of rooms for special rate at a new hotel less then a mile from us. Please call 1-800-869-3011 ext. 207 or email us for room rate discount information.

HOTEL INFO:
Courtyard by Marriott
7615 SW Lost River Road
Stuart, Florida 34997 USA
Phone: 1-772-781-3344

Airport: West Palm Airport (PBI) is 30 minutes south of us, Orlando (MCO) is about 2 hours north and Fort Lauderdale (FLL) is about an hour and a half south.

Join us on March 27-28 in Stuart, Florida for an entire weekend of detailing how-to’s, demos, and prizes! Register here.