2 functional ways of using rubbing alcohol:

(1)
I noticed my silvery shifter frame had a bunch of scratches from the previous owner so I was trying to figure out a way to fix the problem without having to replace it. So, I did some research using the handy-dandy s2ki forums and happened upon several threads that recommended wet-sanding and what not to give it that super shiny metal look. Well, imma lazy ass so that was definitely not an option for me.
Instead, a few weeks pass by and I happen upon another thread, where this time the use of rubbing alcohol is suggested to give it that very same look.

So today, I decided to give this gamble a shot and it worked! But not only did it work, it was a complete ease to do so. I'm not a huge fan of the vibrant shiny silver-metal look so I did things a little differently in order to achieve a moderately shiny blacksilver-metallic look.

I added a VERY small amount of rubbing alcohol to a terry cloth towel and gave my bows alil workout. Be warned because I did notice it started scratching up so I used a regular paper towel (or if you must, try microfiber) for some parts that seem to rub off easier than others. As for the stubborn areas, I resorted back to the terry cloth. Basically, the more rubbing alcohol you use, the shinier-silvery look you'll achieve. If you want a matte/luster look like I did, then apply sparingly.

**Disclaimer: IN THEORY, it only works with MY's 00-01. I'm not too positive on how creditable this is, but I noticed in some of the threads it says rubbing alcohol wouldn't work for any other model years.

*My camera was stolen two weeks ago (eff you ya dumb klepto) so I couldn't take a picture of mine but here's a picture stolen from Tedow (Btw, THANK YOU for the suggestion and help):
**Again, mine is NOT as shiny as Tedow's. Visualize a more SHEEN tone in between Tedow's shiny silver and what you currently have now and that's what mine looks like.



(2)
So I was washing my car today and noticed A LOT of hard water stains on my driver side window. I tried EVERYTHING from 409 to CLR and NOTHING worked. I see a magnificent bottle of glory outta the corner of my eye and thought "oh what the heck" . So, I took a COTTON BALL (retains liquid better), drenched it with rubbing alcohol, and smeared that sucker all over my window. And low and behold, it worked! Mind you, it is HARD water stains so I had to put alil elbow grease into it. But nonetheless, it was a complete ease.

Having done that, I noticed some black/brown splatter majig thingys (could be hard water but who knows and who cares) by my driver door handle and the rear fender. I've washed my car and scrubbed extra meticulously at this point, and still no luck. So, I figured since the rubbing alcohol worked on my windows, then maybe it'll work on the body. Being a hasty idiot like I am, I just smeared that sucker all over my paint like there's no tomorrow. ..it removed the stains just as it did on the windows but left a hazy white streaky mark. I took my shammy and wiped the paint, praying to God hoping I did not just botch my paint, and .................
....it came off! Worked like a charm.


(3)
Oh and ALSO, I tripped on the hose while washing my rims and scrapped my shin. I added alil bit of rubbing alcohol to that and sweet mother of jesus did it hurt like hell. So versatile that rubbing alcohol..


Anyways, if you've reach this point and have fully read all of my crap, then I applaud you. I hope that you'll find my suggestions useful sometime in your car's near future.

Thx,
Macy

 

Nice writeup

Isn't rubbing alcohol bad for the paint? I would have tried clay bar or polish for those areas

 

she said windows

 

 

hahaha i like

 

So didn't even have to remove it??

What if you would have used excessive amounts of rubbing alcohol?? Would it simply give me a ''Chrome'' look?


Thanks.

 

I dunno?? It didn't do anything to my paint. Like I said, left a white streak but came off when I wiped it with water...

Using an excessive amount of rubbing alcohol will give you what is shown in the photograph. If you're wondering if it'll turn out STRAIGHT SILVER, then no, from today's experience, I'm assuming it'll still have a black-silver metal look.

 

you know alcohol will strip any wax that was on the cars paint?? *shameless plug* If you need a detail shoot me a PM!

 

thx

 

price range and your location por favor? and are you OCD? ... cause I prefer my detailers to be OCD.