I need car care supplies for everything.

[GoingUp]

Just got myself my first new car.
http://forums.anandtech.com/me...=2180958&enterthread=y

I've never really worried about washing and detailing etc before. Please help me put together a list of items to buy to keep the car looking sharp.

Heres what I plan to get so far this weekend.

Mother's Wax.
Rainex.

What tire shine do you recommend? I've heard it can make the tires brown. Comments?
Interior protectant would be good as well, but something that won't make my ass slide all over the seats.

Is there a special glass cleaner you recommend?

What kind of soap to wash the car with? Special sponges? Any specific kinds of towel for drying?

Thanks for the tips!

 

[rh71]

http://www.detailersdomain.com/

has a tips section.

BTW, I have a gray car as well and the pollen in the air sticks to it very visibly. You're gonna have to keep up with it. At least it's not black, right?

 

[thomsbrain]

There was a fantastic car detailing instructions thread floating around here for a while. Some searching might pull it up.

 

[BUTCH1]

I've been using Zaino since I bought my 'bu
in 05, decent shine and really lasts for a long time..pic

 

[sindows]

Car Wash-anything made specifically for washing cars will be good although I recommend stuff made by Meguiars
Wash material-again most anything works, I like sheepskin mitts

Tips for washing cars:
Rinse the car off with water before you actually "wash" it to get rid of loose dirt
Use 2(two) buckets, one as a rinse bucket and one as a "fresh soap dip" bucket
Rinse the car after you've washed each side

Drying-Use microfiber towels, they're just better
tips
I use a squeegee and it'll help the drying process but dirt may get lodged between the squeegee/paint and cause swirls so YMMV

Wax
I like Meguiars NXT or Turtle Wax Platinum, don't like Mothers as it doesn't last long at all
tips
don't use too much as it'll make buffing a nightmare
buffing with microfiber towels is fine as long as they're dry
I prefer solid waxes as I think they're easier to use but you may prefer the liquid version

Tire Shine
Can't give you recommendations as I don't use them

Wheel Cleaner
really depends on what type of wheels you have, some cleaners with work great with car A and suck at cleaning car B
I like Eagle One stuff for wheel cleaning

This is far from a professional de
This is what stuff done by real Pros look liketail but it should be good enough to make it look better than most cars on the road.
For this level of detailing don't expect anything done for under $200, closer to $3-400 if done by someone else. If someone says they can do the same thing for $70, trust me they can't. Trashed cars take anywhere from 5-20 hours to correct.

 

[bruceb]

Everything you need to know about what to clean, how to clean / detail it
and what to use is here. A lot of people that own Antiques and Classic
cars buy their supplies from here. They also have plenty of good information
as to methods and procedures and some items, that are hard to find locally.

http://www.griotsgarage.com/

 

[tigris649]

here is forum member SVT_Cobra's car detailing guide Text

 

[T2urtle]

i need some new wash mitts/ sponges

 

[JulesMaximus]

Get a decent car wash solution and follow their mixing recommendations. I'd follow that with Meguiars polish and wax. You can add their paint cleaner for getting sap, bug and road grime off your paint. Clay works quite well at cleaning the paint too.

Always use clean dry rags and never dirty gritty rags or towels. Wash them after every use. I have tons of terry cloth rags for auto/motorcycle cleaning and detailing.

Never use Windex on your windows unless you like streaks. Get some good automotive glass cleaner for that...works great on mirrors and windows around the house too.

 

[BUTCH1]

I've been using Stoner 91164 Invisible Glass Cleaner, it's amazing how
crystal-clear it gets the glass. I drive about 15Mi.@ night so I'm really picky about the
glass being clean for safety reasons, Stoner's is unmatched IMO...

 

[HiTek21]

Wash
Duragloss 901 CWC shampoo
2 x 5gallon buckets with grit guards
several Waffle Weave Microfiber drying towels (Excel detail monterey waffle weave or Pakshak)
Soft Sheepskin washmit or an edge schmitt grout sponge

Wheels
P21S wheel gel
swissvax wheel brush
zaino z16 tire shine

Wax
Collinite 845
P21S 100% Carnuba Paste Wax

Sealant
Zaino Z2 ZFX w/ Z5
Chemical Guys Jetseal 109 w/ Ez Creme Glaze


Glass
Stoner Invisible glass w/ microfiber towel

Dash & Interior
Aerospace 303

Autogeek.net
Autopia Car Care
Proper Auto Care

Autopia.org