Car Care Products

[Phlip]

For those of you who like the exterior of your cars enough to wash them, what car care products do you use?

Me, I use Meguiars (Gold Class when possible) wash, scratch remover, cleaner, polish, wax, wheel cleaner and (today for the third car outta 10) tire shine... What does everyone else use?

[infinitexsound]

P&S wash and wax, 3m buffing compounds and race glaze... for tires silicone dressing..., and real wax not the crap u squeeze out of a bottle, but the wax that comes in a can that u sometimes have to heat up with a lighter so u can apply it...

[Var]

I just bought my first car care products EVAR..(first car worth keeping clean) I bought exactly what you(Phillip) have, but i didnt buy wax. I bought the suede drying towel. It works pimp. I have a steam washer at my shop, so i just ran the car wash soap through instead of the degreaser and gave it a nice hot bath.

[Phlip]

P&S wash and wax, 3m buffing compounds and race glaze... for tires silicone dressing..., and real wax not the crap u squeeze out of a bottle, but the wax that comes in a can that u sometimes have to heat up with a lighter so u can apply it...
No "squeeze from a tube" shit here, except for when there is not another choice... With THAT being said, the ONLY thing that matters to me really is wax. Carnuba, it must be and will sit in the sun for a while to soften a bit before use. I only use it from a can, not from the bottle.

... on top of that, Meguiars shit smells good, too.

[95Blue240sx]

I used meguairs stuff. If im going through the whole shabang, it goes wash Meguairs NXT car wash, meguairs clay bar, depending if they are scratches - meguairs scratch remover, then meguiars fine cut 2.0, then finishing off with the meguairs #16 wax. I only use their professional line.

[infinitexsound]

u guys use alot of meguiars.. that shit is expensive...

[DaPCWiz]

I use mother's products, or cheaper stuff. My paint is in too crappy shape to spend alot of money on. I use whatever keeps it shiny. I will get a new paint job one day... and from that day forth I shall pour money into taking care of it.

[cali240sxdrifter]

Since I got my S2000 I been on a buying spree with car care products... Geez I spent a good 50-60 bucks on stuff already. Dozens of microfiber towels, 2 gaint drying towels, a few detailing towels, new wash mit, tire gloss from Meguairs, Leather Cleaner/Conditioner Meguair, 303 Aerospace UV protection (this is awesome stuff on outside rubber trim and my top), Stoner Glass Cleaner, PlasticX from Meguair, and Quick Wax from Meguair.

I have never done waxing before, so I'm starting out simple with a quick wax. I dry the car after a good wash, I spray on one of my detailing towels and do one panel at a time and then I take a a microfiber towel and wipe it off. Stuff leaves my car shiny! I love it, can't wait to upgrade to Zaino and a PC machine.

[SimpleSexy180]

i use eagle one products...and i love Greased Lightning Orange Blast all wheel cleaner it works hella good taking off the dirt on rims and tires.

[Phlip]

u guys use alot of meguiars.. that shit is expensive...
Anything that is availale at most auto parts stores and/or discount retailers (Wal Mart, KMart, Target) isn't that expensive.

[radhaz]

I'm waiting for the paint to fully cure on my car as per the paint shops instructions so I have been researching what I will use on the car the first time around. Meguiars in general has a good reputation but I'm also looking into a product called "zaino" because it has a really good reputation on some of the forums I frequent. If I do go with zaino I will be sure to post up a review on here. Speaking of review's folks should start posting more reviews in the /exterior/miscellaneous section on car care products :p

[Phlip]

I'm waiting for the paint to fully cure on my car as per the paint shops instructions so I have been researching what I will use on the car the first time around. Meguiars in general has a good reputation but I'm also looking into a product called "zaino" because it has a really good reputation on some of the forums I frequent. If I do go with zaino I will be sure to post up a review on here. Speaking of review's folks should start posting more reviews in the /exterior/miscellaneous section on car care products :p
I haven't gotten this one painted, but when I had the Zenki S14 painted when I had it, the shop told me to wait like 90 days and use NuFinish polish on it, which has been the ONLY time I have used that particular brand... I STILL have that damned bottle of NuFinish to this day, damn near 4 years later. Nothing against them, but I have always been personally partial to Meguiars products.

[Ritz S14]

Clay bar, zymol *shit you squeeze out of a bottle* wax, show and shine *poser boy* compound(for buffing), 2000 grit sand paper*(removes light scratches+must be used with rubbing compound), THE ABSORBER, CALIFORNIA WATER BLADE, wash mit, meguires lazy man tire spray(aeresol).

I used to use 3M Show room wax$25 till I lost the tin cover :(

[mistaanime]

expensive? use dish wash soap heeh..but Mother's Clay Bar package works wonders..

[S14DB]

expensive? use dish wash soap heeh..but Mother's Clay Bar package works wonders..
Why even bother using wax? Cause the dish soap will just strip the wax right off.

[Phlip]

expensive? use dish wash soap heeh..but Mother's Clay Bar package works wonders..
I sincerely hope you're joking with the dish soap comment.

[aznpoopy]

i use that mr. clean carwash ish. my friend got it for me for last christmas... XD

the soap smells pretty nice.

for waxing i use turtle wax or mothers. i've clayed my car once with that mother's claybar system... didn't make too much of a difference.

[S14DB]

after a while the Mr Clean makes your car look like someone jizzed all over it. Those ads on TV got so annoying that I started mocking them. My GF had no sense of sarcasm so she got me it.

[aznpoopy]

really? i've been using it for a long time now and it still works fine. i did change the filter once.

[mistaanime]

im juss messin around with the dish wash haha...i use clothes detergent...lol..

[ZK]

Since I'm a clean car freak, I use Pinnacle Souveran wax on it. It's well known in the car detailing and professional car show circuits.

I've used Meguir's Gold Class, Turtle Wax, Zymol, P21S, Klasse All in One but this stuff has the best shine and finish when you are done. This is not a cleaner wax and is not for paint with any kind of contaminants or swirls in it. The stuff doesn't last very long either. It is a boutique show car wax for that perfect shine. Works awesome and the car looks like a rolling mirror.

Downside is it costs $70.
http://www.pinnaclewax.com/souveran.html

[infinitexsound]

basically its a glaze.............. cause glazes are usually applied after a hard core buff.... espacially at bodyshops where they cant use wax, because its considered a contaminate...

[vinhisbored]

Uh, for the person who started the thread, does the scratch remover stuff work? Oh yeah, I use Meguiar's quick wax, and the soap.

[Phlip]

Uh, for the person who started the thread, does the scratch remover stuff work? Oh yeah, I use Meguiar's quick wax, and the soap.
As the person who started the thread, I answer "yes," but keep in mind that this is for MINOR scratches and not for that gash your ex left in your passenger door with her keys... Keep in mind, as well, for Zenki S14 owners, it works well in clearing those pesky yellow headlights as well, been there and done that.

[wingsnthangs]

I use a bunch of products, but i particularly like Meguiars Quik Detailer, Quik Wax, and Claymagic clay bar.

Everyone's got their own take on whatever products they use. Here's a comprehensive review on products and methods from one guy: http://forums.nicoclub.com/zerothread?id=68531

[95Blue240sx]

I wish i had a pc machine =\ I used to use Zanio, but i hear there other stuff out there that is just as good. Right now im still using the Meguiars #16 and im getting the same results.

www.offtopic.com Is the best place to go for car detail information. Just goto the "That'll buff right out."

[cali240sxdrifter]

Yeah Zanio gets really expensive. I might try Klasse All In One and the High Gloss Sealant Glaze, its real easy to use and you can use it without the PC Machine. Just need a foam applicator like Handi-Grip and then a Polishing Towel to buff out.

[95Blue240sx]

i forgot to tell you guys, if you goto costco, you can get a 20pack of microfibers for $10

[justinhustle]

http://www.shiningmonkey.com/

is what i use :)

[hellion240sx]

i think that 5 star shine stuff is supposed tro be up there with zaino bros. stuff. anyone every tried that yet. you use it then all you have to do is spray it off with water?

[95Blue240sx]

Not I. http://www.autopia-carcare.com/ has some good stuff too. They also have good info on detailing.

[kandyflip445]

http://www.motorbooks.com/Store/Product_Details.aspx?ProductID=10369

I just picked up this book at a Barnes & Noble.

I use Meguiars NXT Liquid Wax. I don't care what you say it works good and looks good. I just has to be done every month.

For soap I use Meguiars...the pink stuff. Dish washing soap isn't that bad if you intend on doing a wax job right after. DO NOT use it if you won't wax it though.

I use Black Magic Tire Foam in the aerosol can. After I let it soak in I take a rag and dampen it with a little bit of soap and water and wipe the tires down. I get a nice black tire without the REALLY shiny deal and they stay clean because the greasy stuff is gone and doesn't attract dirt. ;)

I use 3M for Plastic Cleaner/Polish.

I use Mothers Back to Black for some of the trim.

For my VERY water stained windows I bought some stuff from a local detailing shop. http://sparkleauto.com/ I don't know what it was called.

For the dash I usually use this dash cleaner thing I got from Sparkle Auto. It's like a big rubber sponge/eraser thing. It picks up dust like crazy and doesn't require using chemicals. I don't really dress my dash because it's cracked sooooo bad it would look stupid.

For the windows Eagle 20/20 since it's safe for tint and doesn't turn it purple.

I used the Prestone carpet foam stuff but Spot Shot works better. It's more expensive though. I'm still experimenting with different shampoos.

Simple Green for grimey stuff.

For tools:

-Cotton Wash Mitt
-Buttload of Microfiber towels
-3 big Microfiber towels for drying (the big blue ones from wal-mart)
-dishwashing sponge :for applying wax, it's better than the circle things cause it has an edge so you can avoid getting it on other things that you don't want wax on
-Soft bristled painter brushes for getting in places where the mitt can't get the dirt up
-Soft toothbrushes for takeing excess wax off.
-Tire Brush

I dunno if there is more. I have a bunch of stuff in the garage. I don't clean it really good as often as I should but it's nice to have the stuff to do it when you want to.

[kandyflip445]

http://www.eastwoodco.com/index.jsp

Another good place for car care stuff.


I found the glass stuff on there too.

http://www.eastwoodco.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemType=PRODUCT&RS=1&itemID=2036&keyword=40057

[95Blue240sx]

NXT is good stuff, suppose to be the best stuff that you can find locally.

[TurDz]

From all the research I did on Autopia and becoming a mobile detailer for a summer, and having over 50 types of products, Klasse is definately the easiestt wax/polish to use, it lasts the longest, and you can be assured the acrylic polymer will stay even after many, many washes (at least 3 months). I know if I waxed the car about once every two months, cleaning is extremly simple. With a slight pressure wash, everything comes off with no scrubbing.

[TurDz]

Not I. http://www.autopia-carcare.com/ has some good stuff too. They also have good info on detailing.


Autopia is definately the place to go if you want to learn. I learned everything there, and it's great, since there are many contributions and you can choose your preferred method and product. They're also a bunch of rich anal MF's...hehe j/k

David Bynon, the owner of that site, is really well informed and is a great moderator. He produced a book you could buy [paperback or online version] and he has good basics for everyone to follow.

[Drunk Bastard]

the best products to use are:

kitchen dish soap
+
steel wool


...only if you want your paint to really shine though. if you want your paint to fade, use any of the products mentioned above.

also, NOOBS:
steel wool inside the throttle body helps you drift better.....even Kazama does it!!!!! :hsdance:

[the head]

I buy most of my stuff from a local guy that makes his own detail supplies
www.prevettes.com has hands down the best detailer and clay/clay lubricant ever

for wax I use auto glym's super resin polish if it is good enough for the british royal family and (more importantly) ferrari it is good enough for my cars