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 lewdog

So let me see if I can figure this out.

If I order the Porter Cable polisher

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002654I46/...I34OXS7VFQ8C11

Add a different backing

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003CH3Z8W/...I3E41CSBGR5S3T

I can use whatever pads I want on the polisher, like these below, with a new backing?

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002UQAY8/...=IFUOMQ21HBFID

http://www.amazon.com/Chemical-Guys-...=polishing+pad

I use an older version of that PC. IMO smaller pads like 4 or 5" are better for polishing or correcting.

[Nzoner]

Originally Posted by lewdog

None around here are touchless car washes. And those big ass ****ing things that touch your cars paint in car washes are horrible for it.

I had a new 2002 Yukon Denali that i kept till 2012 and now have a black 2012 Jeep Wrangler and have always taken them to a local car wash client that uses soft cloth washers(no brushes) and air dry and the damn things look(ed) brand new.In fact when I traded the Denali the sales guy was very impressed with how good it looked.

Just my experience.

[lewdog]

Originally Posted by Baconeater

Second linky no worky. I have a 10' Craftsman orbital that is over 20 years old that's similar to the one you linked and it works fine. I use a terry cloth bonnet for applying and a wool one for buffing. Although I don't have any experience with taking care of black so there may very well be better products for that.

It's the same orbital but just the 6 inch one. Again, I have no idea about black either, hence all my ****ing stupid questions placed in one thread.

Originally Posted by MIAdragon

Brother that's worthless. Here going to make it easy on you. But this, thank me later.http://www.autogeek.net/meguiars-da-correction-kit.html

$300 is a bit more than I wanted to spend but I had looked at that one. Looks nice. But if I order the Zaino products for the polishing, I was just planning on getting a different polisher.

Any thoughts on PC package from Autogeek I linked in next post?

Originally Posted by Miles

The big advantage of a dual action polisher vs. the rotary or orbital is its much more difficult to do counterproductive stuff or even burn through the clear coat.

Originally Posted by Miles

I use an older version of that PC. IMO smaller pads like 4 or 5" are better for polishing or correcting.

Good to know. I might go with that PC I linked then. Looks pretty good. Can I use most 6 inch pads with that one, including the chemical brothers stuff if needed.

This package looks good doesn't it?
http://www.autogeek.net/porter-cable...value-kit.html

Originally Posted by Nzoner

I had a new 2002 Yukon Denali that i kept till 2012 and now have a black 2012 Jeep Wrangler and have always taken them to a local car wash client that uses soft cloth washers(no brushes) and air dry and the damn things look(ed) brand new.In fact when I traded the Denali the sales guy was very impressed with how good it looked.

Just my experience.

I can't find any like that around here though. Plus I like taking care of my cars. I find it oddly enjoyable and relaxing to put some tunes on and be out there.

[Frosty]

I frankly don't have the energy to spend a bunch of time detailing my cars anymore so I go for something that is easy to use and lasts a long time but still looks good. I'm a big fan of Optimum products.

After washing the car (with Optimum car wash and a dash of Optimum No Rinse) and drying it, I start by doing the whole car with Klasse All In One. The one thing I don't like with Optimum is their no cut polish/cleaner so I use Klasse instead. Klasse AIO cleans the paint and adds a durable acrylic sealant.



I then add a sealer, Optimum Opti-Seal. It adds a super durable finish to the car. A little goes a long way and it only takes like 2-3 squirts to do a whole car. You just apply it with a microfiber towel. Too much leaves a haze, so you have be careful there.



That makes up the base which lasts quite a while, six months or so. To keep it going as long as possible, I top that with Optimum Car Wax. I love this stuff. You just spray it on and wipe it off. No buffing or residue. You can hit it again with the OCW after every wash. It only takes a few minutes.



The nice thing about all of these is that they don't stain trim. In fact they keep the trim nice and black and you don't have to use Armorall type stuff on it. My wife's CR-V has tons of that black trim and it's a pain to deal with otherwise.

Nothing super fancy but I think it ads a nice shine and some depth. It also lasts. I can do a final detail in September and still be beading in March, even with our shitty winters.

[MIAdragon]

KAIO is old school but still works well.

Lew, trust me that Meg's system is perfect for the beginner. It will give you unreal results from the jump. Spend a little more it's well worth it.

[lewdog]

Originally Posted by Frosty

I frankly don't have the energy to spend a bunch of time detailing my cars anymore so I go for something that is easy to use and lasts a long time but still looks good. I'm a big fan of Optimum products.

After washing the car (with Optimum car wash and a dash of Optimum No Rinse) and drying it, I start by doing the whole car with Klasse All In One. The one thing I don't like with Optimum is their no cut polish/cleaner so I use Klasse instead. Klasse AIO cleans the paint and adds a durable acrylic sealant.



I then add a sealer, Optimum Opti-Seal. It adds a super durable finish to the car. A little goes a long way and it only takes like 2-3 squirts to do a whole car. You just apply it with a microfiber towel. Too much leaves a haze, so you have be careful there.



That makes up the base which lasts quite a while, six months or so. To keep it going as long as possible, I top that with Optimum Car Wax. I love this stuff. You just spray it on and wipe it off. No buffing or residue. You can hit it again with the OCW after every wash. It only takes a few minutes.



The nice thing about all of these is that they don't stain trim. In fact they keep the trim nice and black and you don't have to use Armorall type stuff on it. My wife's CR-V has tons of that black trim and it's a pain to deal with otherwise.

Nothing super fancy but I think it ads a nice shine and some depth. It also lasts. I can do a final detail in September and still be beading in March, even with our shitty winters.

I have used the Optimum No Rinse wash and the Optimum seal and wax in the past. Not the spray wax though. I had forgotten about them. Not a bad option and your car looks fantastic!

Originally Posted by MIAdragon

KAIO is old school but still works well.

Lew, trust me that Meg's system is perfect for the beginner. It will give you unreal results from the jump. Spend a little more it's well worth it.

That's a good looking package actually once reading about it. I was thinking a different polisher though because I have been leaning to the Zaino package which has great reviews and includes a car wash product, clay bar, leather protectant and tire shine. I'm not really looking to drop $400 between the two though.

[MIAdragon]

Originally Posted by lewdog

I have used the Optimum No Rinse wash and the Optimum seal and wax in the past. Not the spray wax though. I had forgotten about them. Not a bad option and your car looks fantastic!



That's a good looking package actually once reading about it. I was thinking a different polisher though because I have been leaning to the Zaino package which has great reviews and includes a car wash product, clay bar, leather protectant and tire shine. I'm not really looking to drop $400 between the two though.

You can use zanio with that polisher with different pads. Have a feeling you won't play with zanio after the megs stuff.

[lewdog]

Originally Posted by MIAdragon

You can use zanio with that polisher with different pads. Have a feeling you won't play with zanio after the megs stuff.

Well you sure know your shit I've noticed. Maybe I should just start with that package. Only having to do two steps with the compound and then the wax would be nice, especially if just those two work as good as you say. Add in some leather protectant, car wash, clay bar and tire shine from Autogeek as well and call it good. I could always try some Zaino products down the line if I get a hair up my ass.

Any good car wash product you would recommend?

[lewdog]

Originally Posted by MIAdragon

You can use zanio with that polisher with different pads. Have a feeling you won't play with zanio after the megs stuff.

So going back on this package, it looks like a heavy correction compound set with products that contain some abrasives? And correct me if I am wrong but you don't want to be polishing/correcting all the time as this strips the clear coat. It should be done sparingly (once a year if it's needed at all) and only used when paint correction is needed. Once you've corrected the paint you want to be diligent with maintenance that includes regular washing, polishes without abrasives and/or glazes applied with finishing pads and lastly followed with a wax/sealant. Right?

And since I have been told the paint on this Stang is really good, I don't want a bunch of abrasive correcting compounds to start with?

[vailpass]

Mobile detailing. Ask somebody...

[Miles]

Originally Posted by lewdog

So going back on this package, it looks like a heavy correction compound set with products that contain some abrasives? And correct me if I am wrong but you don't want to be polishing/correcting all the time as this strips the clear coat. It should be done sparingly (once a year if it's needed at all) and only used when paint correction is needed. Once you've corrected the paint you want to be diligent with maintenance that includes regular washing, polishes without abrasives and/or glazes applied with finishing pads and lastly followed with a wax/sealant. Right?

And since I have been told the paint on this Stang is really good, I don't want a bunch of abrasive correcting compounds to start with?

Exactly as you assumed. You only want to correct when you have to and do your best to maintain when washing. All polish contain at least some micro-abrasives but you just want enough to do the job. The pad will also be a factor in the amount of cut as well.

Should be no need for much paint correction if any on the stang if it was maintained really well. I do the whole car maybe once a year or so an touch up any trouble spots where needed.

I use these two polishes:
Wolfgang Total Swirl Remover (for correction)
Wolfgang Wolfgang Finishing Glaze (jeweling polish)

Also for autogeek they do have sales from time to time that can be a good way to load up. Another tip is if you order from them pick up a sample of compound if you want some on hand just in case for a scratch. You likely will never use up all of that sample.

[lewdog]

Just washed and waxed the Celica today as well.

Hose off the car followed by Optimum no rinse wash in small sections so it doesn't dry.

I have been using Finish Kare 2685 Wax for a few years after getting come containers really cheap. It goes on super smooth and I buff it once with a denser Microfiber and follow it up with a lighter Microfiber to get it super smooth. It's a good wax for the money and I have two of these containers which look like they will last forever as it's very minimal application with how well the product spreads. Has a great reflective finish that I like. A few reviews have people using it on dark cars with good results as well. I've layered it over Finish Kare Sealant in the past and both products held up very well last year when I did it. Not sure how respected their products are but they seem to have worked well in taking care of my Celica.

http://www.autogeek.net/finish-kare-2685-wax.html


Not bad for 15 year old daily driver that spent half it's life ungaraged. Of course I am gonna miss taking car of a silver car.

[lewdog]

Originally Posted by vailpass

Mobile detailing. Ask somebody...

The plan if for me to do this, not some other SOB who can mess it up. I'd rather that be me!

Plus I'm not working with a 2015 Chevy Silverado here!

[vailpass]

Originally Posted by lewdog

The plan if for me to do this, not some other SOB who can mess it up. I'd rather that be me!

Plus I'm not working with a 2015 Chevy Silverado here!

Feeling you brotha, I'm a lazy sob when it comes to that...saw the new corvette when I was in the show room now having a midlife crisis. Hope your new ride is smooth.

[lewdog]

Originally Posted by vailpass

Feeling you brotha, I'm a lazy sob when it comes to that...saw the new corvette when I was in the show room now having a midlife crisis. Hope your new ride is smooth.

I actually really enjoy it. Open up the garage, put some tunes on, chat with the neighbors if they go by, enjoy the ****ing awesome weather were we live. It's relaxing and I don't mind doing something on a car every few months outside of a normal wash. I'll probably wax the Stang every 2-3 months here.




This isn't even new! It's 10 damn years old. But sure more fun to drive than anything else I have ever driven and maybe my last fun car for a while.