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.

[Bugeater]

Originally Posted by Warpaint69

The towels work great and cut claying time down considerable not to mention give more uses than clay. Drawback a new towel even being broke in on glass as its recommended leaves considerable paint marring the first few times you use it until it gets really broke in. So if you're not planning to paint correct, don't use one.

So what you're saying is...use it on the wife's car a few times before you use it on your own?

[Warpaint69]

Originally Posted by Baconeater

So what you're saying is...use it on the wife's car a few times before you use it on your own?

That or a few buddies cars .

[Demonpenz]

There is a place called Rise and Rinse here in Overland Park. I have found them very awesome. I got the season pass so I can drop my car off over my lunch and then I can sneak in a quick meeting at a coffee shop. When I am done with my lunch my car and the inside look great. I would recommend a set up like that if you are on the go all the time and can't really afford to take time out of your day to clean.

[kccrow]

Originally Posted by lewdog

I'm not sure I am that anal and the paint is in great shape already. I'm mostly looking for ways to wash it weekly and wax/polish every few months. I've heard about those wraps and many say those actually oxidize in the heat (I'm in Phoenix) and can turn yellowish themselves?

Although this is pretty sweet in the video! If the paint is fine and doesn't need to be fully corrected, you think it costs about $1,500 to have someone do the Xpel wraps and you are saying do the whole car, not just the bra area like many people do? I just looked online and many say $3k is the minimum that would cost so I am surely out on that. Would think about it for the front end area but many people say if your car is exposed to lots of sun, this will be, it has the risk of oxidizing and turning yellow. Do you just wax/polish over this area like you normally would a car without this wrap?

Just buy and do yourself. Ceramic polymers are pretty awesome. I don't know how it will be in Phoenix heat like you said though. When I sold cars in KY, we didn't seem to have any complaints on the stuff.

Anyhow, I've always used Mothers cleaners/compounds and Meguiars wax.

[lewdog]

Originally Posted by Demonpenz

There is a place called Rise and Rinse here in Overland Park. I have found them very awesome. I got the season pass so I can drop my car off over my lunch and then I can sneak in a quick meeting at a coffee shop. When I am done with my lunch my car and the inside look great. I would recommend a set up like that if you are on the go all the time and can't really afford to take time out of your day to clean.

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.

[lewdog]

Originally Posted by kccrow

Just buy and do yourself. Ceramic polymers are pretty awesome.

I've heard horror stories about doing it yourself. Not sure I am good enough to do that. Plus I keep reading forums where they oxidize in high heat and this car is black and will be outside during the day when I am working. Not a good combo.

[lewdog]

Originally Posted by petegz28

Zaino is the shit! I use it on the Camaro. Top notch stuff. Expensive but it will make your car shine like a ****ing mirror!

Is that bullshit from you? I mean, do you really own a Camaro or is that the inside CP joke you are using?

[SAUTO]

I just have my body shop buddy take my DD every other Friday and hook it up.


Works out great.

[lewdog]

Originally Posted by JASONSAUTO

I just have my body shop buddy take my DD every other Friday and hook it up.


Works out great.

Must be nice. So back to my situation!

[SAUTO]

Originally Posted by lewdog

Must be nice. So back to my situation!

,due to that I got nothin for ya in this one...

[MahiMike]

I like the ICE products, both for their gel wax and their interior cleaners. The gel waxes let you do a monthly wax and another one that's a spray on lighter wax for in between.

The interior cleaner can be sprayed on anything from plastic to leather. Not that greasy film like the old stuff. Smells good too.

[jerryforeverrice80]

i use Meguiars products on my ride.

[lewdog]

Originally Posted by Warpaint69

I have the Griot 6" and 3" polishers, very affordable for the do it yourselfer, not to mention both come with a lifetime warranty. Before you polish you'll want to clay your car. Some also do a wipe down with deluted alcohol to remove old wax. I found a safer means with Griot Garages Paint Prep. As far as polishes there are many great options. An affordable pair is meguiars 105 and 205 or the Wolfgang twins. I personally like the Menzerna line of polishes. Their FG400 is a diminishing polish that will correct and also polish out to 95% in one step with a lake country flat orange pad with decreasing pressure with your passes. That last 5% are people who desire that true show car finish and the Menzerna SF4500 with a lake country flat grey will get you there. I've also used a white flat with the 4500 with great results. The thing you'll learn about pads is there really isn't a right or wrong pad. You just always want to start with the least aggressive pad and cutting compound to achieve your goal. I recommend plenty of testing/trial and error. Lake Country and Buff and Shine make good quality pads. After I'm through polishing I wipe the vehicle down with CarPro Eraser to remove left over polish residue and oils. The best glaze on the market for those with fine swirls and don't wish to do paint correction is Chemical Guys Black Light. My favorite sealant is Black Fire Wet Diamond. With 2 coats of Pinnacle Souveran wax on black or red paints it gives deep shine and looks super wet. Wolfgang Fuzion wax is also amazing on dark paints, it lasts a little longer than Souveran, but the $195 price tag is steep, you do get 1 free refill. I dry my Camaro with a Metro Vac Master Blaster blow dryer, they're pricey, but reduce chances of swirls. The best quick detailer spray is made by Adams Polishes. Something else you want in your arsenal is plenty of microfiber towels and it's wise to color code your towel to specific steps in your detailing to never cross contaminate products on your finish. Here's a list of places I visit and hit sales.

Auto geek- auto geek often has sales, but their shipping is pricey want to reach their free shipping with your order.

Detailers Domain- I've done a bit of business with Phil and he's always willing to offer me 15% off on any of my orders.

Detailed Image

Adams Polishes

Superior Car Care- Always get 10% off with SUPERIOR10 code

Auto Detailing Solutions

Auto-Topia Car Care

Detailing.com

Great post. The confusion on the Griot site was trying to find descriptions of all those pads and which to use? You pretty much polish and wax with pads/polisher and buff by hand right? I've never really been told best method and having a polisher will be new. I've always done it all by hand.

[Silock]

I don't get too hyped up by brand names.

Clay bar of any ilk will work wonders. My wax of choice is Colinite. It's AMAZING.

http://www.amazon.com/Collinite-Liqu...ywords=car+wax

Shine is amazing and it's tough as nails. I believe it was originally developed for boats, but it works better on cars. And because it's so tough, it really holds up to the rough weather here, in terms of all the salt and heat.

[KC native]

This is the kit my friend has for his Challenger. He loves it.

http://www.chemicalguys.com/Black_Pa..._p/hol_201.htm

One of my good friends uses Zaino's stuff. He loves it as well.

I bought an orbital polisher from Harbor Freight for about $50 and it has worked perfectly.

I can't say enough good stuff about the Chemical guys stuff though. They have stuff for every experience level and price point.