97 GSX 97
15+ Year Contributor
- 730
- 1
- Oct 2, 2007
-
Perkasie,
Pennsylvania
I figured I would start a thread dedicated to helping the new-er members with keeping their cars in their tip top shape visually. I personally think detailing is an easy method to learn and will help you maintain the value of your car as well as the look.
My Supplies:
Interior (Dash, Doors, Plastics)- I personally have not found a better product then regular old Armor-All. This product leaves a lasting barrier to the suns rays that fade and crack dashes as well as any and all plastics within the car.
Car Wash Soap- I personally have found that the new green formula Rain-X Car Wash has been the best and most efficient soap ever. One bucket has the capability to be used for around 2.5 cars. The suds are amazing. Only cost about $5 for a large bottle.
Carpets- I personally use a carpet cleaner from a local company. This part is more of a trial and error of what is available to your locally. DO NOT use the home carpet cleaning machines as they do not dry properly and can leave mold under your carpet. Basically the product I use has the consistency of shaving creme and you use a gentle brush to scrub the carpet. This product also works on seats and takes off the years of dirt and grime. My other suggestion because there was no way some of the years of aging on my tan carpet were going to come out so I bought the molded carpet from ebay and swapped my carpet to black. I would HIGHLY suggest it because it makes a world of difference.
Engine Bay- I personally have a decent amount of polished items (UICP piping, valve cover, heatshield, and intake. For these items I use my local shops window spray. I avoid Windex and I only suggest that stuff for household items. Car specific window sprays have ammonia in them and it is not good for tint, paint, and other trims. For all the plastics, rubber, and other items in the engine bay I have something called "Quick Shot Coating" and it acts almost as a lubricant. It makes anything and everything super shiney to the point where I am asked if I put clearcoat on everything.
Clay Bar- I personally went to Walmart and bought the Meguiars Clay Bar Kit for $15. It came with 2 clay bars, 2 microfibers, and a bottle of spray wax. WELL worth the money.
Wax- Waxing is the key to preserving the paint. I suggest waxing every three months at most. Six months isn't the best idea in my opinion. Almost any wax will work just use what you prefer. I personally like the regular old Turtle Wax hardshell wax you can get from Walmart for like $4.
Tire Shine- The new Armor-All tire gel with applicator is by far the best tire shine you can buy on the market currently. At Walmart you can get the bottle and applicator for around $7. This stuff can be applied very very easily and does not sling off when you drive. Also in the spring/summer it has a long lasting shine for over 10 days.
Feel free to mention your supplies and/or methods to help others. I only named your average products that you can find between your local Walmart, Pep Boys, and Autozone. I also use a lot of other products from a local company which would be irrelevant to the majority of you. I personally have detailed for friends and family and I used to work at a detailing shop. These products are purely opinion but they have yielded the best results for me.
(Don't mind my zero post count. I only post in this appearance thread because some of your ideas are good. I prefer DSMTalk for all my mechanical needs so that is why I have "no" posts.)
There is my .02 on trying to help the DSM community clean up their image a little bit.
My Car with all above mentioned supplies and some elbow grease:
Keep in mind you need a lot of time and patience to complete the above mentioned. In the summer I detailed the car from head to toe at least twice a week. The comments and looks make it all worth it.
My Supplies:
Interior (Dash, Doors, Plastics)- I personally have not found a better product then regular old Armor-All. This product leaves a lasting barrier to the suns rays that fade and crack dashes as well as any and all plastics within the car.
Car Wash Soap- I personally have found that the new green formula Rain-X Car Wash has been the best and most efficient soap ever. One bucket has the capability to be used for around 2.5 cars. The suds are amazing. Only cost about $5 for a large bottle.
Carpets- I personally use a carpet cleaner from a local company. This part is more of a trial and error of what is available to your locally. DO NOT use the home carpet cleaning machines as they do not dry properly and can leave mold under your carpet. Basically the product I use has the consistency of shaving creme and you use a gentle brush to scrub the carpet. This product also works on seats and takes off the years of dirt and grime. My other suggestion because there was no way some of the years of aging on my tan carpet were going to come out so I bought the molded carpet from ebay and swapped my carpet to black. I would HIGHLY suggest it because it makes a world of difference.
Engine Bay- I personally have a decent amount of polished items (UICP piping, valve cover, heatshield, and intake. For these items I use my local shops window spray. I avoid Windex and I only suggest that stuff for household items. Car specific window sprays have ammonia in them and it is not good for tint, paint, and other trims. For all the plastics, rubber, and other items in the engine bay I have something called "Quick Shot Coating" and it acts almost as a lubricant. It makes anything and everything super shiney to the point where I am asked if I put clearcoat on everything.
Clay Bar- I personally went to Walmart and bought the Meguiars Clay Bar Kit for $15. It came with 2 clay bars, 2 microfibers, and a bottle of spray wax. WELL worth the money.
Wax- Waxing is the key to preserving the paint. I suggest waxing every three months at most. Six months isn't the best idea in my opinion. Almost any wax will work just use what you prefer. I personally like the regular old Turtle Wax hardshell wax you can get from Walmart for like $4.
Tire Shine- The new Armor-All tire gel with applicator is by far the best tire shine you can buy on the market currently. At Walmart you can get the bottle and applicator for around $7. This stuff can be applied very very easily and does not sling off when you drive. Also in the spring/summer it has a long lasting shine for over 10 days.
Feel free to mention your supplies and/or methods to help others. I only named your average products that you can find between your local Walmart, Pep Boys, and Autozone. I also use a lot of other products from a local company which would be irrelevant to the majority of you. I personally have detailed for friends and family and I used to work at a detailing shop. These products are purely opinion but they have yielded the best results for me.
(Don't mind my zero post count. I only post in this appearance thread because some of your ideas are good. I prefer DSMTalk for all my mechanical needs so that is why I have "no" posts.)
There is my .02 on trying to help the DSM community clean up their image a little bit.
My Car with all above mentioned supplies and some elbow grease:
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Keep in mind you need a lot of time and patience to complete the above mentioned. In the summer I detailed the car from head to toe at least twice a week. The comments and looks make it all worth it.
Besides, it feels all slippery and unnatural anyway...
