Car Detailing Thread

[Girardcorp]

Just bought a new car and want to take good care of the paint. What a good wax/polish that can be found in a store? I want to get it on today so can't wait for something online.

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[fupresti]

Just bought a new car and want to take good care of the paint. What a good wax/polish that can be found in a store? I want to get it on today so can't wait for something online.

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Do you have a marine supply store near you? If you do they should have Collinite 845.

 

[Girardcorp]

Not sure. Don't have a boat so never paid attention if there is a boat store in town. Off to Google

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[Breaking 79]

If you have a dark colored car go with a paste, tend to last a bit longer then carnauba wax. Used to use blue coral but they went oob years ago.

 

[annsguy]

What is a good brand of car wash. Then is the right order?
1 Wash the car
2 Polish the car
3 Wax then car

I have always wash my cars and waxed when I had time. Suddenly with kids in college I have time. Maybe I should play golf!!

 

[choppstixxx]

Just bought a new car and want to take good care of the paint. What a good wax/polish that can be found in a store? I want to get it on today so can't wait for something online.

Something from Meguiars will probably be your best bet, I prefer liquid wax over paste for the shear ease of application. If you can find some type of sealant, I'd go with that before you apply wax for durability. Recommend ordering a good liquid sealant and wax online for future applications.

What is a good brand of car wash. Then is the right order?
1 Wash the car
2 Polish the car
3 Wax then car


I have always wash my cars and waxed when I had time. Suddenly with kids in college I have time. Maybe I should play golf!!

A good car wash for me is PH balanced, does not include any sort of enhancers, and suds really well.
If your talking in the simplest form of detailing your car's paint, it would go:
1) Wash
2) Clay Bar
3) Dry
4) Machine Buff (paint correct/polish)
5) Seal
6) Wax

 

[annsguy]

So I read all of this info and decided to go for it today since wife is out of town.Washing the car was where I usually stop.Clay barring my old Volvo could not have been easier. I followed up with the Gigots All in One and the Collinite. I found that at West Marine. The car looks amazing. Really fun project that didn't take too long and provided huge results. Thanks

 

[Quickstrike]

I used to when we financed vehicles but now we just get new every 2-3 years and I can have them cleaned at my work. That and it hurts my back! I have quite a few new products I should probably sell...

 

[annsguy]

I just became an empty nester so I have more time to do it. Plus I drive cars into the ground

 

[annsguy]

Always. Any non-carnauba sealant works great and it makes cleaning off a breeze in the future.

And for cleaning the wheels go with a magic eraser. You will thank me afterwards

You were right about the magic eraser. This is me thanking you later.

 

[ToohipGottaGo]

You were right about the magic eraser. This is me thanking you later.

Also if you're rims are coated you can seal and wax them also. You'll be able to hose a lot of brake dust off in the future vs. have to scrub it off.
It takes a little while but it's worth the effort.

 

[Northerner]

I might as well go here for this question.


I have a car that is in nice shape - the paint is good on it and I will need to cover it as I don't want to drive in in the Winter here in Minnesota.

I covered it last Winter but the cover was cheap and flimsy and didn't cover it good or sufficiently protect the paint.


What is a GOOD all season/Winter cover for a car that will be sitting outside in harsh Winter/snowy weather? What brand? How much would I have to spend?


Any suggestions/info would be appreciated.

 

[choppstixxx]

I might as well go here for this question.

I have a car that is in nice shape - the paint is good on it and I will need to cover it as I don't want to drive in in the Winter here in Minnesota.

I covered it last Winter but the cover was cheap and flimsy and didn't cover it good or sufficiently protect the paint.

What is a GOOD all season/Winter cover for a car that will be sitting outside in harsh Winter/snowy weather? What brand? How much would I have to spend?

Any suggestions/info would be appreciated.

You'll probably want a cover that is multi-layer. Something like a soft/plush layer that contacts the cars paint, then another layer or two that is waterproof to protect it from the elements. I bought a simple cover on eBay over last winter for my summer car (stored in a garage tho) that sold all different levels of covers for different applications. I'd check there and find a reputable seller that is in the US.

 

[annsguy]

I had been looking for an opportunity to finish detailing my Volvo but life kept getting in the way. I had a free day suddenly appear so decided to give it a go. The Collinite 845 is the best wax I have ever used. And the easiest. I had already clay barred and polished it not too long ago. Also the Mr. Clean magic eraser is just that on the wheels.
Even the dog liked it.

 

[Northerner]

Any tips on winterizing my car? It will be sitting parked outside in Minnesota. Some people are telling me to cover it but a lot of others say I shouldn't keep it covered up.vthere is going to be like 3 feet of snow on it. Also I want to make sure ant small rust areas don't grow. Any tips would be appreciated.

 

[Mulligan9111]

Any tips on winterizing my car? It will be sitting parked outside in Minnesota. Some people are telling me to cover it but a lot of others say I shouldn't keep it covered up.vthere is going to be like 3 feet of snow on it. Also I want to make sure ant small rust areas don't grow. Any tips would be appreciated.

If you do cover the car for the winter, you would want to make sure you remove the snow from the car still. You would also want to check on the car once a week or once a month (depending on how much moisture you get) just to make sure no water got underneath the cover. I certainly wouldn't just throw a cover on it and then forget about it for 3-4 months.

 

[Boltripper]

This is something that I just recently got into. Bought a Flex 3401 and some menzerna products. I am not sure why I didn't do it sooner! Amazing results! I find myself judging every dirty and swirl marked car I pass now...How about you guys?

 

[Howzat]

Not exactly a detailing question but has anyone put Cocomats in their car. They are spendy but if they work as advertised it could be worth it with the conditions I have to deal with. It seems like the fibers trap the dirt so the mat looks clean and there is a thick natural rubber base to hold the dirt and help keep the mats in place. https://www.cocomats.com

 

[choppstixxx]

This is something that I just recently got into. Bought a Flex 3401 and some menzerna products. I am not sure why I didn't do it sooner! Amazing results! I find myself judging every dirty and swirl marked car I pass now...How about you guys?

Love my Flex 3401, came from a PC 7424 and the extra power the Flex has is great. Still wanna try a Rupes tho, cuz why not!?

Not exactly a detailing question but has anyone put Cocomats in their car. They are spendy but if they work as advertised it could be worth it with the conditions I have to deal with. It seems like the fibers trap the dirt so the mat looks clean and there is a thick natural rubber base to hold the dirt and help keep the mats in place. https://www.cocomats.com

Never tried those type of mats, but seem popular to add a little flair to a classic or summer car. I'd imagine they'd work out pretty good for hiding how dirty a mat looks, but not really something that'd be practical for winter snow/slush.

 

[Mark_UK]

Any good products to wipe down the bike after a spirited ride? I’m using either windex or Meguiars quick retailer at the moment. Anything else better out there?


#FiberLaunch

 

[Howzat]

Never tried those type of mats, but seem popular to add a little flair to a classic or summer car. I'd imagine they'd work out pretty good for hiding how dirty a mat looks, but not really something that'd be practical for winter snow/slush.

The Fürstil m+s is actually marketed for snow and slush and that is exactly what I have to deal with up here. I am sick of the regular rubber mats needing to be cleaned all the time and turning white from the road salt.

 

[ToohipGottaGo]

Love my Flex 3401, came from a PC 7424 and the extra power the Flex has is great. Still wanna try a Rupes tho, cuz why not!?

Never tried those type of mats, but seem popular to add a little flair to a classic or summer car. I'd imagine they'd work out pretty good for hiding how dirty a mat looks, but not really something that'd be practical for winter snow/slush.

If you get the Rupes and love it let me know. I'll either buy your Flex or invest in a Rupes. :blob:

Any good products to wipe down the bike after a spirited ride? I’m using either windex or Meguiars quick retailer at the moment. Anything else better out there?


#FiberLaunch

I use Meg's Last Touch Spray Detailer. Stuff works on everything except leather. I believe my brother uses it on his Harley also. Great stuff. And for the price
I buy it by the gallon.

https://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-D15501-Touch-Spray-Detailer/dp/B0006SH4NC/ref=pd_sim_263_4?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=04MR5EPTS0B38WS7W8Y3

 

[choppstixxx]

Any good products to wipe down the bike after a spirited ride? I’m using either windex or Meguiars quick retailer at the moment. Anything else better out there?
#FiberLaunch

Hopefully your not using Windex on the paint! For windows, my go to is Stoners Invisible Glass hands down. No residue, cleans bugs off with ease and just works. If my convertible is really buggy after a spirited drive, I use a waterless wash like Optimum No Rinse.
If it's not too bad, I love Kenotek Showroom Shine. Probably one of the best quick detailers/spray sealants I have ever used in my 15+ yrs of detailing. It has a anti-static property to it too, so it helps with repelling dust etc. The key for any vehicle is to have it properly paint corrected, then re-up the protection every year with some type of sealant.
And when you do use a quick detailer on the paint, make sure you are applying it liberally when there is a heavy amount of dirt/bugs/grime. Use a long nap microfiber to trap all the crap as well.

 

[kandyman]

Detailing fanatics

Detailing fanatics

Hopefully your not using Windex on the paint! For windows, my go to is Stoners Invisible Glass hands down. No residue, cleans bugs off with ease and just works. If my convertible is really buggy after a spirited drive, I use a waterless wash like Optimum No Rinse.<br>
If it's not too bad, I love Kenotek Showroom Shine. Probably one of the best quick detailers/spray sealants I have ever used in my 15+ yrs of detailing. It has a anti-static property to it too, so it helps with repelling dust etc. The key for any vehicle is to have it properly paint corrected, then re-up the protection every year with some type of sealant.<br>
And when you do use a quick detailer on the paint, make sure you are applying it liberally when there is a heavy amount of dirt/bugs/grime. Use a long nap microfiber to trap all the crap as well.

<br>Yes I do my own detailing<img src="https://d1whqs0mmc4mjk.cloudfront.net/forum/images/smilies/banana.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Dancing Banana" smilieid="150" class="inlineimg">

 

[choppstixxx]

Yes I do my own detailing

Ummm OK?