OK, so why does Vaseline shine up Fuchs?

[nostatic]

you don't believe in voodoo? I'd be careful if I was you, man.

[carreradpt]

I've used the stuff for a number of years now on my fuchs and get comments all the time. I show the car at club events but also drive it alot when I'm around. You have to remove the extra or the dust and everything else will stick to it. I'll put it on using my fingers only to get around the lug nuts and leave it on until just before I take it for a spin. It really is pretty amazing. Keeps that look for quite awhile.

[aigel]

There is detailing sprays for under hood after they get a good wash. The used car dealers love that stuff. I think it is silicone based. Makes the engine compartment look like it rolled off the showroom floor. Pretty funny that people fall for that and think they buy a better car, because the underhood is shiny?

George

[Randy Webb]

"you're filling in the surface of the clearcoat"

- Fuchs are not clearcoated. Maybe you meant into the anodized layer?

[RSBob]

I always use KY instead. Reduces friction on the wheels run cooler and it really drives the women crazy.

[audi2.7t]

Originally posted by Randy Webb
"you're filling in the surface of the clearcoat"

- Fuchs are not clearcoated. Maybe you meant into the anodized layer?

I meant "clearcoat" as a generalization of an opaque coating forming a barrier between the elements and the finished material....maybe Waynes next book should be titled "Vaseline ,101 uses and counting".........

[CJFusco]

hmmm... does Vaseline do the same thing on Cookie Cutters?

[masraum]

It's kind of like getting something wet, makes a smooth reflective surface for light to shine off of instead of a rough surface that diffuses light. You could pour Mobile 1 or WD40 on it and it would be similar, but probably not as long lasting and much messier.

[Bruce Huling]

I dont know about you guys, but if my wife caught me going to the garage with a jar of vaseline with some lame explanation of rubbing it onto the p-car "tires" I would never hear the end of it. Never, ever. Thus, I make sure she is out shopping or something and get it done quick. Also, buying a monster jar at the local store is another great opportunity to tell the clerl you rub it on your "tires". Jeez, who would have thought owning a p-car would be so hilarious?

[Randy Webb]

But that's just it, the anodizing is not an "opaque coating" nor is opaque the term for what you want anyway. It alters the surface of the material itself and... it's porous.

Vasoline gets down into the pores unlike say a wax. I do not know how it achieves its effect nor do any of the other posters above. Ifyou really want to find out, I suspect you will need a chemist and a metrologist -- i.e. a hefty research budget. The latter measure things esp. surface roughness - and you can find them at most chip research facilities.

[Noel]

Randy,

I think you are right. It does fill the small pores that exist on the anodized portions of the rim. Which makes sense if you think about the rims getting cloudy as they get old. After using a gentle wheel cleaner, my wheels looked more dull. I thought it was because of the acid, perhaps it is due to the fact that the rim was truly clean and this is how they really looked "Un-masked." I guess I prefer the vasoline mask.

Thanks for the comments guys.

[CJFusco]

.....but does it work on cookie cutters?

[wrx paul]

What about that new warming liquid? Will it heat my tires up sooner?

[Shadetree930]

I don't need no Dyno run to know if Vaseline works or not. I can feel it in the seat of my pants , er , ummmm maybe thats the Vaseline I feel down there. Excuse me just a second ... got some more rubbin to do.

Woooohooooooo

[Paulporsche]

The Burt Reynolds character w/ the Vaseline in his cowboy boots in that movie w/ Demi Moore as a stripper! LOL!

[porschenut]

Originally posted by masraum
It's kind of like getting something wet, makes a smooth reflective surface for light to shine off of instead of a rough surface that diffuses light. You could pour Mobile 1 or WD40 on it and it would be similar, but probably not as long lasting and much messier.

It should work great on my paint then. Might load up the buffing pad though.

[SLO-BOB]

Well, we will have a definitive answer as to whether it "heals" the anodizing or just fills it in before too long I suspect. If the run marks reappear on my wheels then it was temporary. If not, it's a permanent fix for some things like the damage my wheels sustained.

Fwiw-Today I asked a friend who's a metalurgist about the mysteries of vaseline. He actually worked for Reynolds aluminum in their wheel division. He said that they used vaseline all the time for many things and that it's one of those "wonder substances". Then he got real quiet and wouldn't talk about it anymore. What's up with that?

Anyway-I'll post long term results.

[fuelie600]

Unfortunately, it wears off.

My anodization looks like a previous owner used westley's on the tires, there are white runs and spots on the rims. Vaseline makes them look great, but each wash removes a little bit of the magic elixir....

I also notice a slight increase in brake dust on the wheels when using vaseline.

[stormcrow]

I had a problem with the wheel cleaner etching into my rims leaving marks. I don't disagree with using vasoline but you can also use Marine Past Wax. It works the same way. After you apply it, let it set, wipe it to a nice shine. Apply several coats this way.

One application should last several months then it has to be re-applied. I believe the reason is because the heat the rim receives eventually evaporates it.

Steve

"A Porsche does more then just go fast in a straight line"

[CJFusco]

BUT DOES IT WORK ON COOKIE CUTTERS?!?