Summer Is In Full Swing And It's Time To Get Your Car Looking Great!

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49erinnc

Platinum Member
Feb 10, 2004
2,095
0
0
Did I miss a product guide in this thread are are you still working on it?

Just curious what a good brand is for bug/tar removal? When I detail my car, it comes out great but I always seem to still have some spots on the front end that I can't get off. What's the best stuff I can buy at my local Walmart or auto parts store?

Nice guide btw. I need to do a polish/wax job here soon.
 

SVT Cobra

Lifer
Mar 29, 2005
13,264
2
0
Originally posted by: 49erinnc
Did I miss a product guide in this thread are are you still working on it?

Just curious what a good brand is for bug/tar removal? When I detail my car, it comes out great but I always seem to still have some spots on the front end that I can't get off. What's the best stuff I can buy at my local Walmart or auto parts store?

Nice guide btw. I need to do a polish/wax job here soon.

Sorry no product guide yet, the weather is good here and my detail shop has been swamped...

The best bug and tar removers are in aerosol cans (make sure it is aerosol, some look like a spray can but then have a top that pops off). Just spray it all around the bottom of the car before you wash. I put some additive in the wash bucket too.
 

screw3d

Diamond Member
Nov 6, 2001
6,906
1
76
This is an awesome guide! Doing a quick online search, Autozone has only 2 Meguiars prodcuts, Walmart and Target has none. It seems highly recommended in this thread. Where do you guys buy these? I'm in Los Angeles btw.

I'm thinking of paying for carwash by hand, and do the exterior detailing on my own. How does that sound?
 

SVT Cobra

Lifer
Mar 29, 2005
13,264
2
0
Originally posted by: screw3d
This is an awesome guide! Doing a quick online search, Autozone has only 2 Meguiars prodcuts, Walmart and Target has none. It seems highly recommended in this thread. Where do you guys buy these? I'm in Los Angeles btw.

I'm thinking of paying for carwash by hand, and do the exterior detailing on my own. How does that sound?

Sounds fine. Sometimes I get worn out just washing the car and getting road gunk off of it and am exhausted when it is time to really put the finishing touches on it.

WalMart and Target will have Meguiars products...but AutoZone does have a much better selection, but on average they are fifty cents to a dollar more expensive.
 

Muse

Lifer
Jul 11, 2001
38,365
8,676
136
I detailed my Mazda 626LX 1997 coupe yesterday, for the first time in a few years. I don't think I've ever washed it with soap, not once. I always hose it off, then if I have the time and it needs it I scrub it with car wash-mits (Costco), and rinse. Yesterday, I didn't stop until it was almost as clean as the day it was driven off the lot. Vacuumed the trunk, inside, even under the hood. Glass cleaner inside and out. Primo.

It was easier because it had rained the night before and the exterior was virtually clean. A wax job was all it needed on the exterior, for the most part.

I've always done my own cars' detailing. Never once brought one of my cars to a carwash.

Family is coming to town today, and I'm the transportation.

Edit: I just read the beginning of the OP! Thanks SVT Cobra for this thread and especially the first post. I'm copying it into my car database, and I will read it carefully. I love your attitude and congrats on your success! Great story.
 

Nutdotnet

Diamond Member
Dec 5, 2000
7,721
3
81
Originally posted by: Muse
I detailed my Mazda 626LX 1997 coupe yesterday, for the first time in a few years. I don't think I've ever washed it with soap, not once. I always hose it off, then if I have the time and it needs it I scrub it with car wash-mits (Costco), and rinse. Yesterday, I didn't stop until it was almost as clean as the day it was driven off the lot. Vacuumed the trunk, inside, even under the hood. Glass cleaner inside and out. Primo.

It was easier because it had rained the night before and the exterior was virtually clean. A wax job was all it needed on the exterior, for the most part.

I've always done my own cars' detailing. Never once brought one of my cars to a carwash.

Family is coming to town today, and I'm the transportation.

Edit: I just read the beginning of the OP! Thanks SVT Cobra for this thread and especially the first post. I'm copying it into my car database, and I will read it carefully. I love your attitude and congrats on your success! Great story.

Just don't follow his advice about using bath towels for drying and you'll be golden. :D

(Pokin fun at you SVT nothing to get riled up about...I think this is something we're going to have to agree to disagree.)

On a serious note...for drying I use Microfiber drying towels + California Water Blade.

Actually, lately I've been using Optimum's No-Rinse Car Wash...stuff is AMAZING... works great as a clay-lube too.
 

ZippyDan

Platinum Member
Sep 28, 2001
2,141
1
81
so lets say someone does not want to spend all this time and energy doing it themselves...

where do you guys go to get your detailing done? im betting that by not going to those detailing/carwash spots that are popping up all over the place (and employ minimum wage immigrants), you can get the job done better and cheaper by a professional... so the question is how do you find these freelancer pros... and how much should one expect to pay them for a full interior/exterior detailing?
 

SVT Cobra

Lifer
Mar 29, 2005
13,264
2
0
Originally posted by: ZippyDan
so lets say someone does not want to spend all this time and energy doing it themselves...

where do you guys go to get your detailing done? im betting that by not going to those detailing/carwash spots that are popping up all over the place (and employ minimum wage immigrants), you can get the job done better and cheaper by a professional... so the question is how do you find these freelancer pros... and how much should one expect to pay them for a full interior/exterior detailing?

Your best bet is to go to a BMW/Mercedes dealership or something of the like, exclusive or what not and ask them who they hire to do weekend detailing. They will be top notch and not too expensive.
 

Gabornski

Member
Jan 5, 2004
191
0
71
Great guide SVT. I did use a clay bar when I bought my new car as I read about rail dust getting into the paint since most cars are shipped by train. Figured I would do it even if it was not really necessary. I dry my car using the blower off my shop vac so I don't have to touch it. I do use zaino and am very happy with it but that is my opinion. I'm sure with all of your experience your recommendations would provide great results too. Their leather cleaning products do add the leather smell if someone is looking for that. They once shipped me an order where the tops had come loose and some of the product had leaked out. They had replacements out to me in a few days so I feel they provide good service. Again, others may have differing opinions about what to use, this is just what I decided on using after doing some research. I use 100% cotton towels (bed, bath & beyond) with the nap edge cut off as that part is not 100% cotton. Another thing I read somewhere was to do the final rinse with the spray end off the hose as the stream of water tends to sheet off the car better than a spray. Not sure if it is true but I usually can get mine dried without any waterspots. I do use the two bucket method if it is really dirty.

G
 

trmiv

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
14,670
18
81
Originally posted by: Nutdotnet
Originally posted by: Muse
I detailed my Mazda 626LX 1997 coupe yesterday, for the first time in a few years. I don't think I've ever washed it with soap, not once. I always hose it off, then if I have the time and it needs it I scrub it with car wash-mits (Costco), and rinse. Yesterday, I didn't stop until it was almost as clean as the day it was driven off the lot. Vacuumed the trunk, inside, even under the hood. Glass cleaner inside and out. Primo.

It was easier because it had rained the night before and the exterior was virtually clean. A wax job was all it needed on the exterior, for the most part.

I've always done my own cars' detailing. Never once brought one of my cars to a carwash.

Family is coming to town today, and I'm the transportation.

Edit: I just read the beginning of the OP! Thanks SVT Cobra for this thread and especially the first post. I'm copying it into my car database, and I will read it carefully. I love your attitude and congrats on your success! Great story.

Just don't follow his advice about using bath towels for drying and you'll be golden. :D

(Pokin fun at you SVT nothing to get riled up about...I think this is something we're going to have to agree to disagree.)

On a serious note...for drying I use Microfiber drying towels + California Water Blade.

Actually, lately I've been using Optimum's No-Rinse Car Wash...stuff is AMAZING... works great as a clay-lube too.

Bumping this to the top for others. Also, I use Optimum No-Rinse as well, I love it. I started with it because I live in apartment and aside from the car area with the pressure washer we have here, there is no way to wash a car with a hose. So now I use ONR with two buckets. One as my wash bucket and the other as the soak bucket to soak my mitts to release the dirt after I do a panel. I also use it as a quick detailer, and it's great at that as well. I was using Poorboys Spray and Wipe, but when I ran out and had this big bottle of ONR I just used that. Works just as well as the Poorboys I think.
 

Nutdotnet

Diamond Member
Dec 5, 2000
7,721
3
81
Originally posted by: trmiv
Originally posted by: Nutdotnet
Originally posted by: Muse
I detailed my Mazda 626LX 1997 coupe yesterday, for the first time in a few years. I don't think I've ever washed it with soap, not once. I always hose it off, then if I have the time and it needs it I scrub it with car wash-mits (Costco), and rinse. Yesterday, I didn't stop until it was almost as clean as the day it was driven off the lot. Vacuumed the trunk, inside, even under the hood. Glass cleaner inside and out. Primo.

It was easier because it had rained the night before and the exterior was virtually clean. A wax job was all it needed on the exterior, for the most part.

I've always done my own cars' detailing. Never once brought one of my cars to a carwash.

Family is coming to town today, and I'm the transportation.

Edit: I just read the beginning of the OP! Thanks SVT Cobra for this thread and especially the first post. I'm copying it into my car database, and I will read it carefully. I love your attitude and congrats on your success! Great story.

Just don't follow his advice about using bath towels for drying and you'll be golden. :D

(Pokin fun at you SVT nothing to get riled up about...I think this is something we're going to have to agree to disagree.)

On a serious note...for drying I use Microfiber drying towels + California Water Blade.

Actually, lately I've been using Optimum's No-Rinse Car Wash...stuff is AMAZING... works great as a clay-lube too.

Bumping this to the top for others. Also, I use Optimum No-Rinse as well, I love it. I started with it because I live in apartment and aside from the car area with the pressure washer we have here, there is no way to wash a car with a hose. So now I use ONR with two buckets. One as my wash bucket and the other as the soak bucket to soak my mitts to release the dirt after I do a panel. I also use it as a quick detailer, and it's great at that as well. I was using Poorboys Spray and Wipe, but when I ran out and had this big bottle of ONR I just used that. Works just as well as the Poorboys I think.

Yeah dude...the stuff is pretty amazing...although the first couple times it's pretty damn scary to use it...

What I do, JUST to be safe...is run down to the nearest self-serve car wash, spray it down with the high-pressure hose to get off most the dirt (they use really hot water, which is great), and then run home and start in with the ONR...well...I'll first spray the panel down with the QD solution prior just to make sure the panel is plenty lubed up.

 

BUTCH1

Lifer
Jul 15, 2000
20,433
1,769
126
Originally posted by: ZetaEpyon
Originally posted by: txrandom
Thanks, I have no idea why I said mirror. I meant the inside of the windshield. My parents said windex isn't good, and cleaning it in general is not worth it. But there are smudge marks that I want to get rid of.

I use Stoner's Invisible Glass and a microfiber towel to clean all the windows on my car. It's an aerosol-type glass cleaner; works extremely well and leaves no streaks or smudges. I think Wal-mart has it, as well as stores like Autozone.

I use Stoner's as well, that stuff does an amazing job, tried the Armor-all wipes
as well, they can't compare with Stoner's...
 

bunker

Lifer
Apr 23, 2001
10,572
0
71
The headlight lenses on my wife's minivan are beginning to haze up a bit and I was wondering if anyone had suggestions for a polish to try and rub out the haze.
 

SVT Cobra

Lifer
Mar 29, 2005
13,264
2
0
Originally posted by: bunker
The headlight lenses on my wife's minivan are beginning to haze up a bit and I was wondering if anyone had suggestions for a polish to try and rub out the haze.

They make a plastic polish that will take that out, otherwise you can use some mineral sprints.
 

FeuerFrei

Diamond Member
Mar 30, 2005
9,144
929
126
Originally posted by: bunker
The headlight lenses on my wife's minivan are beginning to haze up a bit and I was wondering if anyone had suggestions for a polish to try and rub out the haze.
I haven't tried this stuff but it looks like what you need.

Plexus

After further digging it appears you have to buy it in packs of 12 or 24
 

HiTek21

Diamond Member
Jul 4, 2002
4,391
1
0
Not trying to steal SVT Cobra's thunder, its a great guide.

This is what I use on my cars

Regular weekly wash

Meguiars Gold Class Car Shampoo - 1oz to 1 gallon of water and a good soft sheepskin wash mit.

Microfiber Drying Towels - Sonus has some good ones at Autopia-Carcare.com 2 for $20

Eagle One Aluminum Wash & Cleaner - claims its PH Balanced (not sure though). Spray on your wheels, let it sit for 30 seconds and hose off with a jet of water. it'll get most of your brake dust off. Heavier soiled wheels spray on, agitate with a soft brush, and hose off.

If you've got really expensive wheels you should wash, claybar, and wax/seal your wheels to protect and make it easier to clean in the future.

Stoner More Shine Less Time Wheel Shine - After your wheels have dried spray a coat on and let it dry. Add a second coat to make it ultra glossy. Let it dry before you drive or it'll splatter, you can also wipe off excessive shine with a towel if you're in a hurry.

Aerospace 303 - Best vinyl & plastic dash protection. I also use this on the black trim on my car. Vinylex also works very well.

Stoners Invisible Glass (Aerosol can) - Use a clean microfiber towel or newspaper

Tuff Stuff (Aerosol can) - Small spots and stains on the carpet and fabric.




Detail cleaning

Mothers Claybar Kit (Never seen Meguiars in stores until recently) - there are different grades of claybar (Mild, Medium) which you can use more or less frequently.

Porter Cable 7424 Random Orbit Buffer

3m Rubbing Compound fine cut - heavy oxidation spots, bad swirl, and scratches. Use a yellow foam heavy cutting pad

3m Swirl Mark Remover - medium to light swirls and light oxidiation. Use an orange light cutting pad

3m Finesse it II Machine Polish - Removes fine swirls and brings out the paints gloss. Use a white polishing pad

3m Liquid Wax - Apply in thin layers with a Grey or Red foam pad, buff off with a microfiber bonnet.


Good online stores to buy your product
Autogeek.net
Proper Auto Care
Autopia Car Care

Autopia Detailing Forum
 

Doodoo

Golden Member
Feb 14, 2000
1,423
0
76
I always thought Armor All would dry out your trim. For trim, i like using Aerospace 303.
 

SVT Cobra

Lifer
Mar 29, 2005
13,264
2
0
Originally posted by: Doodoo
I always thought Armor All would dry out your trim. For trim, i like using Aerospace 303.

It has silicon in it, which is bad for leather as it absorbs oils, but plastic nor vinyl need worry.