Car Care and Detailing Thread

[lewdog]

Others mentioned I should start this thread in my other thread. And while I won't have the new car for a while, I'd like to hear some thoughts and recommendations so I can have most of it on hand before the car shows up. My other thread had a lot of great posts in it and you guys have been a big help.

While black cars looks great clean, keeping it relatively clean in Phoenix might be the death of me. But I'll sure as shit give it my best shot.

I actually like cleaning and waxing our current cars but it's not like I am being meticulous about it. I've never had a car with rims either and I know those can get dirty quick. I've never owned a dark colored car and I've never had a car with leather. I plan to take really good care of this car and would like some tips on doing so. But I'm just a ****ing n00b.

I'll throw some links out from Amazon as I mention things.


Some of the things already on my list are:
1. Not sure if everyone recommends wool wash mitt over micorfiber here but many people I know do?
http://www.amazon.com/Mothers-Genuin...wool+wash+mitt

2. Grit guard and two wash buckets. One for rinse and one for soap/water.

http://www.amazon.com/Mothers-Genuin...wool+wash+mitt

3. Waffle Weave Drying towel. There are tons of towels out there but this seems to be able to take up a lot of water.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001Q8DMA0/...I21164SXVV1AWB

4. Car Wash

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0009IQXFO/...b_recs_2_title


Some mention that after washing you should use a paint cleanser before waxing. But wondering if washing then clay baring is sufficient prior to wax?

I've seen this P21S Paintwork Cleanser mentioned on a few reads. Looks like good use for water spots and swirls prior to waxing if needed. Not sure if you would do entire car first or just use it for bad spots before waxing?

http://www.amazon.com/P21S-12350B-Pa...twork+Cleanser


Also, a company called Zaino has great reviews and recommendations. They have a package that looks like it includes all products I'd need together including wash, polish, wax, leather and tire care.

http://www.zainostore.com/mm5/mercha...y_Code=prokits



I do not have a polisher and would need to get one of those as well but not sure where to start on that front.



Can't wait to see what you guys have tried and recommend.

[Miles]

Originally Posted by SAGA45

Okay now I need a claying product, a dual-action polisher ..and polish, right?

Man...look...as you all can see Im a noob beyond a basic wash and rinse. But Im willing to go the extra mile for that "Got Daaaayum!" look to the car.

Any good tutorials for each of those steps?

Google Mike Philips on each of those and he has great vids. He goes into a lot of detail and don't really stress about getting it all perfect sice you can still get great results.

The super mirror finish really comes from claying to prep and polishing rather than wax/sealant. You can get the clay at a local auto parts store (clay magic is good) or order online and best tip is use a lot of the lubricant. I'm trying the nanoskin pad that someone posted above that does the same.

For polishers griots garage and porter cable 7424 are kinda the standard but also hear good things about the Harbor Freight if you want to save some.

Autogeek.com and sister site autopia.com have all this stuff and often run sales.

What polish is kinda harder though. Depends how messed up the surface is.

[Miles]

This dude also has really great instructional/informative videos but keep in mind he is super anal so not hard to shortcut some of his steps/advice even but I really like his attention to detail.

https://www.youtube.com/user/AMMONYCdotcom

[Dayze]

Originally Posted by SAGA45

Okay now I need a claying product, a dual-action polisher ..and polish, right?

Man...look...as you all can see Im a noob beyond a basic wash and rinse. But Im willing to go the extra mile for that "Got Daaaayum!" look to the car.

Any good tutorials for each of those steps?

I just gave it a go the first time. mainly I researched the order in which to do things. I haven't used any power tools for the polishing. just by hand.
I never thought the clay bar would do anything, until after I was d one and saw how nasty the clay bar was after it had been over my newly washed and 'clean' car. The polish took care of a lot of stuff I couldn't see with my eyes, and the wax sealed it in nicely.

[SAGA45]

Originally Posted by Dayze

I just gave it a go the first time. mainly I researched the order in which to do things. I haven't used any power tools for the polishing. just by hand.
I never thought the clay bar would do anything, until after I was d one and saw how nasty the clay bar was after it had been over my newly washed and 'clean' car. The polish took care of a lot of stuff I couldn't see with my eyes, and the wax sealed it in nicely.

Found this vid very informative - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9r5XS0xriI

I know they're using a specific brand of products but I was focused more on the techniques which I assume are universal regardless of what line of products you have. I also love that they give both a machine and by-hand polishing/wax tutorial.

[lewdog]

Need some assistance removing some scratches from my windshield. I have the harbor freight dual action polisher. I tried the orange cutting pad with some scratch X and it didn't do much. Then again, I am not sure how much passing I should do over the spot, how much pressure and how long it should take realistically to remove some scratches? I used speeds between 2-4 (max 6) on the polisher and neither seemed to do a better job. The scratches don't catch my fingernail when I rub over them so I think I should be able to get them out. I kept the pad and windshield misted with water throughout to not build up heat and crack the glass.

Is using Cerium oxide and making a paste a better option? Any tips for windshield class?

[Dayze]

Originally Posted by SAGA45

Found this vid very informative - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9r5XS0xriI

I know they're using a specific brand of products but I was focused more on the techniques which I assume are universal regardless of what line of products you have. I also love that they give both a machine and by-hand polishing/wax tutorial.

looks very similar to the ones I searched for at the time.

give it a go :THUMB. you'll be shocked with you wash, bar, polish and wash. I NEVER thought it would make 'that' big of a difference.....but it sure as hell does.
my red car looked soaking wet ALL the time. I've been delinquent on it the last year and a half, but I plan on giving it another good cleaning when the weather clears/warms.

I'm sick....I actually enjoy doing it. it's therapudic for me. Turn on some tunes in the garage, have a beer or two, a dip or two, see the finished results.....I'm a pretty happy dude lol.

[SAGA45]

Can a war be washed/ waxed TOO often? Is every two or three weeks reasonable barring heavy rain and other adverse weather conditions?

[Dayze]

Originally Posted by SAGA45

Can a war be washed/ waxed TOO often? Is every two or three weeks reasonable barring heavy rain and other adverse weather conditions?

I probably wax my car three times a year. Then just wash it in between and put on some quick detailer etc.

[SAUTO]

Originally Posted by SAGA45

Can a war be washed/ waxed TOO often? Is every two or three weeks reasonable barring heavy rain and other adverse weather conditions?

No idea. I have someone who takes care of all of that for me lol.

As long as it looks good I don't care

[lewdog]

Originally Posted by SAGA45

Can a war be washed/ waxed TOO often? Is every two or three weeks reasonable barring heavy rain and other adverse weather conditions?

I wash my car every 7-14 days. Wax every 3-4 months. Waxing every few weeks is pointless, but nothing wrong if you want to do it.

[Miles]

Originally Posted by lewdog

Need some assistance removing some scratches from my windshield. I have the harbor freight dual action polisher. I tried the orange cutting pad with some scratch X and it didn't do much. Then again, I am not sure how much passing I should do over the spot, how much pressure and how long it should take realistically to remove some scratches? I used speeds between 2-4 (max 6) on the polisher and neither seemed to do a better job. The scratches don't catch my fingernail when I rub over them so I think I should be able to get them out. I kept the pad and windshield misted with water throughout to not build up heat and crack the glass.

Is using Cerium oxide and making a paste a better option? Any tips for windshield class?

I'd trying to find a good glass shop and just ask them if they can fix it an assuming its reasonable just have them do it. If you start buying specialty products and pads it could add up to similar costs to just getting someone who knows what they are doing to take care of it.

[Miles]

Originally Posted by SAGA45

Can a war be washed/ waxed TOO often? Is every two or three weeks reasonable barring heavy rain and other adverse weather conditions?

Generally you want to touch the surface as little as possible. Though no need to make things complicated. If its dirty wash it.

No need to wax/seal often. If you use a sealant, which is much preferred for a daily driver vs traditional wax, you can go for months without needing to do anything other than wash and maybe touch up with some spray wax.

[Miles]

Lew - I have a somewhat bad scratch from a wiper blade that prior owner left me and interested in what you end up doing.

Looks like there are some on autogeek forum that have polished out minor stuff but still think it is likely easiest to just try a glass shop.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/...al-carpro.html

[lewdog]

A picture outside of my driveway for once! LOL




Used Meguiar's leather sealer on the seats this weekend. Not that the seats are very dirty but cleaned with their solution first. Then applied sealer and let sit almost 24 hours before driving the car. Less oil then when I was conditioning with the Chemical Guys leather conditioner but surface is noticeable slicker. I just like the idea of some protectant on those cream leather seats.

http://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-G3800...leather+sealer

[HonestChieffan]

Just picked up a new Pickup this week. Chevy 2500HD High Country in Butte Red Metallic. Looks like I need to get caught up on the new technology finish care. Beautiful truck for sure.