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.

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by Miles

Really curious how the Optimum coating works out. Have always wondered if those coatings helped much with all of the micro-scratches black picks up even when you are being really careful.

Not black but my Mustang had the coating put on back in 2005. 10 years and 144k miles later it looks great.

[frankotank]

Originally Posted by lewdog

Well, she's done. Much better. Cannot tell at all there's tint on the front window. Tinting makes any car sleeker looking.

sweet!
what kinda horsepower is that thing pumping?

[MIAdragon]

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

Not black but my Mustang had the coating put on back in 2005. 10 years and 144k miles later it looks great.

Here is that detailer his name is Gary
813-846-4406

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by MIAdragon

Here is that detailer his name is Gary
813-846-4406

This guy rocks. Anything you want to know about detailing a car, this man figured it out years ago.

He invented his own chemical compound to do the paint sealant better than the cquartz/opti-coat. He is selling it on the internet

Check out the guys you tube channel. Shows you how to properly wash a car, use a claybar etc.
https://www.youtube.com/user/premiumdetailfl/videos

He also gave me the name of the top tint guy in the Southwest. They are booked out 3 months in advance during slow times. And these are not slow times. I mentioned Gary referred me and he moved me up to 2 months out. Going to be a couple of months before I take delivery anyway.

Thanks man, very good lead.

[MIAdragon]

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

This guy rocks. Anything you want to know about detailing a car, this man figured it out years ago.

He invented his own chemical compound to do the paint sealant better than the cquartz/opti-coat. He is selling it on the internet

Check out the guys you tube channel. Shows you how to properly wash a car, use a claybar etc.
https://www.youtube.com/user/premiumdetailfl/videos

He also gave me the name of the top tint guy in the Southwest. They are booked out 3 months in advance during slow times. And these are not slow times. I mentioned Gary referred me and he moved me up to 2 months out. Going to be a couple of months before I take delivery anyway.

Thanks man, very good lead.

He's a little nutty but knows what he's doing.

[lewdog]

Originally Posted by frankotank

sweet!
what kinda horsepower is that thing pumping?

You're asking the wrong dude! LOL.

I'm not sure and not sure I'll pay to find out. I could ask my FIL but not sure he knows either.

[stonedstooge]

Hey lewdog: check out my black Trans Am after 30 minutes of work. I live 2.5 miles from pavement so you can imagine how much dust and dirt gets all over my baby. It becomes a labor of love living with a black car.

I've waxed her twice so far this year with Maguires wax made specifically for black cars. I buff it off with a 10" buffer, hit it with the California Duster, and then wipe it down with a microfiber towel.

After driving in a couple of days ago, it was all dusty and had many bugs on the front nose, side of the bumper and mirrors. I dusted it down with the California IMG_0868.jpg Duster, sprayed it with a detailer and wiped down with a microfiber cloth. I let the detailer sit on the bugs for a spell to loosen them up.

Here's what she looks like when done

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Not bad for a lady that will turn 20 this fall


Shit, can't get photos to load right now. When I got a new computer that had Windows 7 I haven't figured out how to get pictures to appear in my post. Anyone have some help?

[Time's Yours]

What do you guys to for carbon fiber on the inside of the car? Is it typically clear coated how a hood would be?

My seat backs have lost their shine and are pretty rough to the touch. You think just clay and wax them?

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by stonedstooge

Hey lewdog: check out my black Trans Am after 30 minutes of work. I live 2.5 miles from pavement so you can imagine how much dust and dirt gets all over my baby. It becomes a labor of love living with a black car.

I've waxed her twice so far this year with Maguires wax made specifically for black cars. I buff it off with a 10" buffer, hit it with the California Duster, and then wipe it down with a microfiber towel.

After driving in a couple of days ago, it was all dusty and had many bugs on the front nose, side of the bumper and mirrors. I dusted it down with the California IMG_0868.jpg Duster, sprayed it with a detailer and wiped down with a microfiber cloth. I let the detailer sit on the bugs for a spell to loosen them up.

Here's what she looks like when done

Attachment 109606

Attachment 109607

Attachment 109608

Attachment 109609








Not bad for a lady that will turn 20 this fall


Shit, can't get photos to load right now. When I got a new computer that had Windows 7 I haven't figured out how to get pictures to appear in my post. Anyone have some help?

They are upside down on your computer. Attaching them doesn't rotate the view.

Sweet looking ride! Even if it is upside down.

[MIAdragon]

Originally Posted by phillip

What do you guys to for carbon fiber on the inside of the car? Is it typically clear coated how a hood would be?

My seat backs have lost their shine and are pretty rough to the touch. You think just clay and wax them?

Nope need to be Clayed, compounded and polished then coated.

[lewdog]

Originally Posted by stonedstooge

Hey lewdog: check out my black Trans Am after 30 minutes of work. I live 2.5 miles from pavement so you can imagine how much dust and dirt gets all over my baby. It becomes a labor of love living with a black car.

I've waxed her twice so far this year with Maguires wax made specifically for black cars. I buff it off with a 10" buffer, hit it with the California Duster, and then wipe it down with a microfiber towel.

After driving in a couple of days ago, it was all dusty and had many bugs on the front nose, side of the bumper and mirrors. I dusted it down with the California IMG_0868.jpg Duster, sprayed it with a detailer and wiped down with a microfiber cloth. I let the detailer sit on the bugs for a spell to loosen them up.

Here's what she looks like when done

Attachment 109606

Attachment 109607

Attachment 109608

Attachment 109609








Not bad for a lady that will turn 20 this fall


Shit, can't get photos to load right now. When I got a new computer that had Windows 7 I haven't figured out how to get pictures to appear in my post. Anyone have some help?

She looks really good buddy! Sounds like you've got a good system for cleaning. So if you get sticky shit, bugs or tree shit, how long do you let the detailed sit before wiping? Do you let it dry a bit and do you spray the whole car each time?

[lewdog]

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

He invented his own chemical compound to do the paint sealant better than the cquartz/opti-coat. He is selling it on the internet

Any link to this? I'm gonna be doing a full cleaning and seal job next week.

Good stuff being shared in here. I'm learning tons!

[Bearcat]

Originally Posted by MIAdragon

Lew, car looks great!

Originally Posted by lewdog

Except for those wheels, right???!!! .

Ever since that was mentioned I've been looking at my wheels and thinking, damn, I need to wash those more often...

I saw mentions of Sonax, going to give that a shot.

[TrebMaxx]

Originally Posted by Bearcat

Ever since that was mentioned I've been looking at my wheels and thinking, damn, I need to wash those more often...

I saw mentions of Sonax, going to give that a shot.

You should check out bimmerfest.com and join their forums. A lot of knowledgeable folks over there and threads for you specific model.

[lewdog]

Originally Posted by Bearcat

Ever since that was mentioned I've been looking at my wheels and thinking, damn, I need to wash those more often...

I saw mentions of Sonax, going to give that a shot.

Good!

My comment was for MIA who said he hated the rims on the mustang. I actually really like them in person, 19", clean as shit, and were hard to acquire back in 2005. And boy do I love to keep them shiny. Ammonia free windex takes the daily dust right off and shines them nice. That was a trick I learned years ago from my girlfriend at the time's father. He used it on some nice rims he had.