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.

[lewdog]

Originally Posted by Miles

For the DA can't go wrong with the Porter Cable or Griots Garage. Autogeek and Autopia have sales where you can get a great package deal like you said.

Aerospace 303 would be by suggestion as well. That stuff is great.

Where's the cheapest place you can get the 303? It's expensive stuff but worth it IMO.

[Miles]

Originally Posted by lewdog

Where's the cheapest place you can get the 303? It's expensive stuff but worth it IMO.

I last bought it with some other stuff in an Autogeek or Autopia sale as one of their 20% off deals. Ace Hardware once had the stuff but no idea if they still do. A bottle lasts me a long time.

[MTG#10]

Probably already been covered but any recommendations for faded moldings, particularly b pillar covers?

I noticed Mother's Back to Black has good reviews on Amazon but is there something better?

[SAUTO]

Originally Posted by MTG#10

Probably already been covered but any recommendations for faded moldings, particularly b pillar covers?

I noticed Mother's Back to Black has good reviews on Amazon but is there something better?

Are they clear coated or rough plastic?

[MTG#10]

Originally Posted by JASONSAUTO

Are they clear coated or rough plastic?

Rough plastic and faded all to hell

[SAUTO]

Originally Posted by MTG#10

Rough plastic and faded all to hell

Try the back to black first

[El Jefe]

Originally Posted by MTG#10

Probably already been covered but any recommendations for faded moldings, particularly b pillar covers?

I noticed Mother's Back to Black has good reviews on Amazon but is there something better?

Mothers is great, Meguiars ultimate black is awesome too. Used both on a badly faded highlander and odyssey, both worked way better than I expected.

[MIAdragon]

Originally Posted by MTG#10

Probably already been covered but any recommendations for faded moldings, particularly b pillar covers?

I noticed Mother's Back to Black has good reviews on Amazon but is there something better?

Most OTC stuff is temp and runs everywhere. This works great.


http://www.autopia-carcare.com/cquar...l#.V5VDKPT3anM

[Baby Lee]

http://jalopnik.com/bmw-finished-res...-pe-1784819603

[lewdog]

Alright car guys. I found the custom cover for my Mustang that I forgot I had from my FIL. It's has a great fit and a super soft side that sits on the car's paint. It fits really nice and I am getting really tired of washing my car every 10-14 days here due to all the ****ing dust/pollen here. I park in an uncovered parking lot at work all day and I am thinking of using the car cover every day. I have seen another guy do this and no doubt it would save me time later as my wash routine takes me about 90 minutes each time I do it.

However, I know car covers can be bad for your paint as well (along with washing it). It takes me 20-25 minutes to drive to work. At all other times the car cover will be on or my car will be in the garage at my house with the door closed. Do you think it's more damaging to the paint to wash my car every 10-14 days or to take a car cover on and off every day but wash the car less frequently? The car gets a full wax every 3-4 months and an extra coat on the hood and roof ever 4-6 weeks.

Thoughts for my OCD ass?

[Indian Chief]

Part of the issue with car covers (and I'm not attempting to dissuade you from using it) is that you have a car with dirt on it, you cover it, and that cover sits on the dirt making the inside of the cover dirty now.

In my opinion, covers really do a nice job when they are used inside a garage. You wash your car, pull it into the garage and put the cover on. The car is clean and the cover keeps dust and dirt off of it. If you put it on even a slightly dirty car, that's no longer the case.

Just my $.02.

Edit: I should add that car covers are one of those polarizing topics even among auto enthusiasts. So take it with a grain of salt.

[lewdog]

Originally Posted by Indian Chief

Part of the issue with car covers (and I'm not attempting to dissuade you from using it) is that you have a car with dirt on it, you cover it, and that cover sits on the dirt making the inside of the cover dirty now.

In my opinion, covers really do a nice job when they are used inside a garage. You wash your car, pull it into the garage and put the cover on. The car is clean and the cover keeps dust and dirt off of it. If you put it on even a slightly dirty car, that's no longer the case.

Just my $.02.

Definitely understand.

What I am saying is that I might only leave the car uncovered to drive it 20-25 minutes to and from work. I have been taking the side streets and don't need to get on the freeway to get to work. It rarely rains here and the roads are usually always dry, which differs from what I think you are trying to say in most areas (with cars getting dirty just on a commute). I don't seem to get much dirt accumulation from driving, it's mostly floating in the air all day and settling on cars around here after a full day in a parking lot (tons of pollen!). Obviously if I noticed the car got dirty, I'd skip the cover all together for a few days and wash accordingly. Maybe I'd even cover it at night in the garage, although that might be a pain, to further keep dust off even though it's in my closed garage?

[Indian Chief]

In that case, I'd use your best judgment. Here in NJ, even a 20 minute commute gets some shit on your paint.

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by lewdog

Alright car guys. I found the custom cover for my Mustang that I forgot I had from my FIL. It's has a great fit and a super soft side that sits on the car's paint. It fits really nice and I am getting really tired of washing my car every 10-14 days here due to all the ****ing dust/pollen here. I park in an uncovered parking lot at work all day and I am thinking of using the car cover every day. I have seen another guy do this and no doubt it would save me time later as my wash routine takes me about 90 minutes each time I do it.

However, I know car covers can be bad for your paint as well (along with washing it). It takes me 20-25 minutes to drive to work. At all other times the car cover will be on or my car will be in the garage at my house with the door closed. Do you think it's more damaging to the paint to wash my car every 10-14 days or to take a car cover on and off every day but wash the car less frequently? The car gets a full wax every 3-4 months and an extra coat on the hood and roof ever 4-6 weeks.

Thoughts for my OCD ass?

when I got my car and checked and asked around about car covers, 90% said don't get one. Dirt gets under them and they flop around in the wind no matter how well they are tied down.

Scared me off. I have an 80 minute round trip commute. Paint still looks fantastic.

[MIAdragon]

Originally Posted by lewdog

Alright car guys. I found the custom cover for my Mustang that I forgot I had from my FIL. It's has a great fit and a super soft side that sits on the car's paint. It fits really nice and I am getting really tired of washing my car every 10-14 days here due to all the ****ing dust/pollen here. I park in an uncovered parking lot at work all day and I am thinking of using the car cover every day. I have seen another guy do this and no doubt it would save me time later as my wash routine takes me about 90 minutes each time I do it.

However, I know car covers can be bad for your paint as well (along with washing it). It takes me 20-25 minutes to drive to work. At all other times the car cover will be on or my car will be in the garage at my house with the door closed. Do you think it's more damaging to the paint to wash my car every 10-14 days or to take a car cover on and off every day but wash the car less frequently? The car gets a full wax every 3-4 months and an extra coat on the hood and roof ever 4-6 weeks.

Thoughts for my OCD ass?

The only time a cover should touch your car is right after its been thoroughly cleaned and in your garage. You wouldn't rub a dry towel across your dusty paint all day long, that is all a cover does. I wouldn't do it.