Chalmerize by Chalmer

By Karen Donato
Staff Writer
    Chalmer Karnes is the best of the best when it comes to ‘car care’ and why wouldn’t he be since he started when he was 8 years old?
 Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Karen Donato
CHALMERIZE — Start the summer off right have your car cleaned by Chalmer Karnes. He has years of experience and does a thorough job cleaning your vehicle inside and out.
   Karnes, now in his 50s was the youngest of four boys born to Gilbert and Edna Karnes. He tagged along with his older brother Gil Jr. to the Fitzpatrick Truck Garage on Sugarloaf Street in Houlton when he was just a kid. Brother Gil drove a big-rig and Chalmer learned how to clean the trucks at this very young age and he’s been cleaning ever since.
    Today one would call the cleaning “detailing”. Karnes conducts his “Chalmerize” business on his days off from maintenance work at Blue Canoe on North Street.
    “Caring for your vehicle is important,” said Karnes. “You need to keep your automobile clean inside and out, even under the hood and under the vehicle itself.”
    Karnes said that it is extremely important in the winter to drive through a car wash that can clean the calcium from underneath the vehicle. The calcium if left on, can eat into the undercarriage unbeknownst to the owner.
    When washing your own car or truck, always use a special car wash, not the detergent from your kitchen sink. Another important step in car care is waxing. This needs to be done at least three times a year. The final step to waxing is using an electric buffer. This not only gives you a high-luster shine, but buffs out the scratches. If you have nicks, Karnes suggests using touch-up paint to eliminate the chance for rusting.
    Karnes said, “Automatic carwashes are convenient, but they don’t do a thorough job. I do all my washing and cleaning by hand.”
    If you do wash your own car, and do not wash it by hand a power-washer with a 1,500-psi is recommended.
    Karnes also recommends using a chamois for washing both the vehicle and the windows. He uses a window cleaner called ‘Spray Away’ found at your local Walmart. He also suggests using a special bug sponge covered in nylon mesh to get rid of the unwanted bugs.
    For inside the car, Karnes uses a blower to get all the dirt and crumbs out from the nooks and crannies. He shampoos the rugs and suggests the 2001 brand leather and vinyl cleaner. He says it smells good and it is a good preservative. If the rugs are extremely soiled he often removes the seats to do a better cleaning. It usually takes an entire day to complete the job.
    Karnes can be reached at 532-7242; no job is too big or too small. He offers several price ranges.