Hot Rods are hot topics in advanced countries all over the world while New Zealand proves no exception to this near crazy exuberant phenomenon practiced by NZ hot rod enthusiasts. With their jumbo type engines, over size tires and super extended body, hot rods mostly come highlighted in psychedelic colors and antique near-amputated body parts. However, to draw a more practical image of a typical NZ hot rod, let me post an example.

1962 Ford Thunderbird Hardtop Hot rod

Engine: 390 FE big block, bored out 30 thou, Stock four-barrel intake Holley 600 vac carb, FTA headers, twin 2.5” exhaust

Body: Shaved side trim, Bodywork by Kiwi Beat, Paint prep by owner, Epoxy body and Sabaru green roof by Cascade Autofinish

(Courtesy Hot Rod Review, NZ)

Despite all these superlatives, hot rod’s biggest problem or ‘Achilles heel’ lies in cleaning and polishing such monsters on a regular basis. To begin with, they are not suitable for automatic cleaning available with most filling stations, nor are practicable for unskilled cleaners armed with a bucket of water and a couple of hard brushes.

Nevertheless, these crazy cars can be best cleaned and groomed at Shyn4u, a premiere New Zealand car detailing service owned and operated by Warren, who himself is a car care and grooming veteran. Experts working under Warren are well versed in cleaning, polishing and grooming every type or style of vehicle irrespective of whether it is a sedan, SUV, convertible, amphibian or a hot rod.

“Techniques used for grooming Hot Rods”, argued Warren “are a lot more different than those practiced on regular sedans or SUVs. First of all, you need to be extra careful about use of water on Hot Rods because many of them come sans the bonnet, exposing the engine to all and sundry. Care also has to be exercised while cleaning and polishing the kaleidoscopic paintwork that often comprise touches of hand paint. The same applies to polishing too. Wax polishes containing traces of abrasives would be fatal here as it might affect badly on those areas. However, we use a thin film of carnauba Wax Polish on surfaces such as these and then rub softly to get a reflective gloss.”

“However, the worst story”, added Warren, “relates to the restoration of the trims. First of all, being pretty old and almost antiquated, (for example those that decorate the 1962 Thunderbird), they are brittle to the touch. Nor can you use any strong metal polish on them for fear of disintegration. The only way out is replacement, which again is next to impossible, save and except to reach out for car antique dealers that can also try and fabricate such decorative items. Mind you, this applies to anodized aluminum and chrome items.”

“So far as upholstery is concerned, although Hot Rods seldom boast much of these”, quipped the veteran, “do not pose any problem for us. Light vacuuming and cleaning of the leather or vinyl seat covers and door panels are considered sufficient for these items.”

“The cleaning and restoration process for Hot Rod tires”, according to Warren, “isn’t much of a problem for us, excepting that they consume a hell of a time. They may not exceed much in circumference but more than compensate that in girth”

As a finishing touch, good old Warren added that “we finish the job by polishing the chrome parts to such perfection that the Hot Rodder can view the reflection of his face on the radiator grille.”

And, that’s the end of Hot rod and Shyn4u story.