Car Cleaning

[crimsonGST]

What do you guys like to use to keep your DSM looking good? I use your run of the mill ArmorAll for the interior and tires, Perfect Glass for my windows and mirrors, and a Mr. Clean AutoWash for soap and wax.

 

[No_Skillz]

Blood, sweat, tears.

Aw man, I jsut realized maybe that's why it looks like crap...

 

[fwdmaster]

I use Stoner products, for glass I use Invisible glass, for interior I use Trim Shine, as for exterior I use Meguiars NXT tech wax

 

[NeMiZiS]

I like to use Amoral Ultra shine and any kind of aerosol foaming window cleaner.

 

[crimsonGST]

The foaming window cleaner is my best friend

 

[blcknspo0ln]

Where do I start?

wax: Zaino Store > show kit
Wash with detergant, clay bar, 2 layers each of Z2 and Z5, finish spray with Z8

wheels: simple green

between wax: meguire's or mother's show spray

wash: meguire's car wash

engine bay: simple green, elbow grease, and mother's mag

interior:

seats: zymol leather cleaner, meguire's pasty leather creme
dash/accessories: meguire's leather wipes

glass: stoner's with newspaper

 

[EDM95]

meguire's car wash
foaming window cleaner
black magic tire shine
$$$nascar rim cleaner.

 

[Blaze2gDSM]

Not trying to jack the thread but what do you guys use to keep ## cowl panel black? Mine is turning gray and I'd like to darken it back up.

 

[DSM_PWR]

Where do I start?

wax: Zaino Store > show kit
Wash with detergant, clay bar, 2 layers each of Z2 and Z5, finish spray with Z8

wheels: simple green

between wax: meguire's or mother's show spray

wash: meguire's car wash

engine bay: simple green, elbow grease, and mother's mag

interior:

seats: zymol leather cleaner, meguire's pasty leather creme
dash/accessories: meguire's leather wipes

glass: stoner's with newspaper

ah so thats the secret
Looks like ill be changing my products

 

[snowborder714]

Tom, I was wondering if you've used any other wax, clay bar, or other cleaning products. I've heard Zaino is some really good stuff, but have also heard about a few other companies that have really good products.

Also, what do you guys use to dry your cars? I got a microfiber drying towel, but all it seems to do is spread the water out and leave lint behind. I didn't think I got a cheap one, but I may have to try another.

Here's my list.

Wash - Meguiars Gold Class
Wheels - A2Z™ All Wheel & Tire Cleaner spray and Meguiars Gold Class
Clay bar - Sonus SFX Ultra Fine Detailing Clay (haven't used yet)
Wax - Megiuar's NXT 2.0 Tech Wax (haven't used yet)
Towels - microfiber
Mits - Sheepskin and microfiber wash mits
Interior - Armor All
Engine bay - Simple Green
Polished parts - Mother's Mag and Alum. Polish
Brushes - variety of specific wheel, spoke, and detailing brushes

I'd like to get into polishing, but that's pretty expensive if you go with an electric polisher (Porter Cable). Plus, I haven't had time to even clay bar and wax the car recently, let alone polish it.

 

[crimsondragon]

I use dirt.
As LSD would say:
GO DIRTY OR GO HOME!

 

[zrb16]

i just use some good old fashion elbow grease

 

[SD99GST]

I have my mobile detail guy! Wake up every Saturday to a perfectly clean car! In between I use Mothers detailer.

 

[Lofty]

Fire.

 

[EventsCo21XL]

Here's my list.

Wash - Meguiars Gold Class
Wheels - Pull them off and scrub them by hand
Wax - Megiuars NXT 2.0 Tech Wax
Towels - Microfiber and a Absorber
Mits - Sheepskin mit, old shirts for wheels and exhaust
Interior - Armor All
Tire dress - Armor All goo with the sponge
Windows - Windex and RainX

I need something good for the motor. I was thinking maybe Simple Green

 

[Lofty]

Here's my list.


I need something good for the motor. I was thinking maybe Simple Green

Simple green works very well for the motor.

 

[NeMiZiS]

Not trying to jack the thread but what do you guys use to keep ## cowl panel black? Mine is turning gray and I'd like to darken it back up.

Amoral will blackin it back up some, but I like to use tire shine and it will last a little longer..
But they all ways seem to fade some in between washes.

Or you can go buy a carbon fiber wiper cowl!

 

[crimsonGST]

Not trying to jack the thread but what do you guys use to keep ## cowl panel black? Mine is turning gray and I'd like to darken it back up.

Took mine off last weekend and sprayed it with some gloss black, looks real good. And as soon as I get my car repainted (has tons of overspray and some orange peel) I'm going to invest in a clay bar

 

[blcknspo0ln]

Tom, I was wondering if you've used any other wax, clay bar, or other cleaning products. I've heard Zaino is some really good stuff, but have also heard about a few other companies that have really good products.

Also, what do you guys use to dry your cars? I got a microfiber drying towel, but all it seems to do is spread the water out and leave lint behind. I didn't think I got a cheap one, but I may have to try another.

Zaino is awesome. I've tried a whole bunch of different off-brand kits from various car shows and zaino seems to work the best. I'm not sure it chemically bonds, but it seems to be really tough stuff. I apply with a regular pad, buff off with clean terry's on a 7" orbital. After that will be a series of foam, wool, and/or microfiber, depending on how energetic I am.

For drying, I use a water blade to wipe excess off and hit it with 2 absorber clothes from target. The rest gets tidied up with a clean terry

 

[crimsonGST]

This is a big relief, atleast I'm not to the point of obsession as blcknspo0ln. JK! I wish I had a car that looked like yours man! I've become inspired, and even though I just washed and waxed the car today, I think I'm going to be sprucing up a few more things now

EDIT: I was just reading on that link that was posted above, and it says clay bars are pretty effective in removing overspray blcknspo0ln you seem to be the clay expert, would the Z18 help me out?

 

[cano86]

I use the following:

Meguiar's-for my tires and
Doctor Mecanico(Dr.Mechanic) for the body

 

[Defiant]

The Tunnel of Rain at the gas station.

 

[blcknspo0ln]

This is a big relief, atleast I'm not to the point of obsession as blcknspo0ln. JK! I wish I had a car that looked like yours man! I've become inspired, and even though I just washed and waxed the car today, I think I'm going to be sprucing up a few more things now

EDIT: I was just reading on that link that was posted above, and it says clay bars are pretty effective in removing overspray blcknspo0ln you seem to be the clay expert, would the Z18 help me out?

Ya, I've used that claybar and really it doesn't make a difference versus something cheaper like a mother's kit. Either way, you have to absolutely make sure your car is free of dirt and crap before you claybar. I mean, use washer detergent or something really effective (like DAWN) to remove all of the wax from the car. Claybar the car, keep it wet, and wax afterwards. You'll see your car shine like you've never before.

The Tunnel of Rain at the gas station.

 

[kmoore]

Meguiars Clay/Spray
Griots Machine polish 2 w/ random orbital
Meguiars N/X generation wax
Griots window polish w/ random orbital

And nothing but Microfiber touches the car

 

[tonster]

Paint - blue magic clay bar with soapy water as a lubricant.
Wash with Megs gold class
Using PC 7424 I polish with Menzerna SIP followed by 106ff
Wash with Megs gold class
I apply 1 coat of Megs #26 followed by 2 coats of NXT 2.0

Interior - I use Woolite diluted 1:8 on everything with a soft bristle brush.
I follow up with Zymol Leather Conditioner on the leather
Also use Megs interior quick detailer on all other surfaces to keep conditioned

Glass - Stoner's Glass Cleaner

Wheels - Meg's Wheel cleaner, misc brushes, then wash with gold class, and top with 1 coat #26

Wheel wells - Degreaser 2:1 and misc brushes

Engine bay - Degreaser on certain areas that are needed, otherwise Megs QD on painted surfaces and topped with Megs #26.

Polished Metal surfaces - Blue Magic Metal Polish

I use microfiber towels and a lamb wools mitt for the paint. Also various others.