Car Care and Detailing Thread

[lewdog]

Others mentioned I should start this thread in my other thread. And while I won't have the new car for a while, I'd like to hear some thoughts and recommendations so I can have most of it on hand before the car shows up. My other thread had a lot of great posts in it and you guys have been a big help.

While black cars looks great clean, keeping it relatively clean in Phoenix might be the death of me. But I'll sure as shit give it my best shot.

I actually like cleaning and waxing our current cars but it's not like I am being meticulous about it. I've never had a car with rims either and I know those can get dirty quick. I've never owned a dark colored car and I've never had a car with leather. I plan to take really good care of this car and would like some tips on doing so. But I'm just a ****ing n00b.

I'll throw some links out from Amazon as I mention things.


Some of the things already on my list are:
1. Not sure if everyone recommends wool wash mitt over micorfiber here but many people I know do?
http://www.amazon.com/Mothers-Genuin...wool+wash+mitt

2. Grit guard and two wash buckets. One for rinse and one for soap/water.

http://www.amazon.com/Mothers-Genuin...wool+wash+mitt

3. Waffle Weave Drying towel. There are tons of towels out there but this seems to be able to take up a lot of water.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001Q8DMA0/...I21164SXVV1AWB

4. Car Wash

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0009IQXFO/...b_recs_2_title


Some mention that after washing you should use a paint cleanser before waxing. But wondering if washing then clay baring is sufficient prior to wax?

I've seen this P21S Paintwork Cleanser mentioned on a few reads. Looks like good use for water spots and swirls prior to waxing if needed. Not sure if you would do entire car first or just use it for bad spots before waxing?

http://www.amazon.com/P21S-12350B-Pa...twork+Cleanser


Also, a company called Zaino has great reviews and recommendations. They have a package that looks like it includes all products I'd need together including wash, polish, wax, leather and tire care.

http://www.zainostore.com/mm5/mercha...y_Code=prokits



I do not have a polisher and would need to get one of those as well but not sure where to start on that front.



Can't wait to see what you guys have tried and recommend.

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by lewdog

Just did a massive order for car care products on Amazon. Wife is going to wonder how I rung up that total and boy does it add up quickly!

cheaper than Garrry.

[Miles]

Originally Posted by lewdog

I'm assuming you only do that when the car isn't super dirty, right? I get the theory but you're still removing more dirt on a car with pressure from your hand than you would be with running water on the car first to remove much of the dirt.

I live in a condo so the only way I can wash my car. If it gets really dirty I stop at one of those spray wash places first.

[lewdog]

Originally Posted by phillip

Still a lot cheaper than having someone else do it though.

Yea she seems ok with it. After all, she said she'd take my man card if I passed on this car so really it was her doing that got us here.

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

cheaper than Garrry.

Lol. I watched some of his videos. I think he needs more Ritalin!

Originally Posted by Miles

I live in a condo so the only way I can wash my car. If it gets really dirty I stop at one of those spray wash places first.

Gotcha. I washed my Celica with Optimum No Rinse wash for years secondary to living in crappy apartments. Also will automatic car washes since I didn't know any better. Never like Gary does though but it seemed effective without causing too much damage. Although it was on a silver car so it's hard to tell.

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by lewdog

Lol. I watched some of his videos. I think he needs more Ritalin!



Gotcha. I washed my Celica with Optimum No Rinse wash for years secondary to living in crappy apartments. Also will automatic car washes since I didn't know any better. Never like Gary does though but it seemed effective without causing too much damage. Although it was on a silver car so it's hard to tell.

Yeah there is something "off" about the guy. But, he has a good history in the car detailing business. If he was just some guy without a history on the car detail boards and no years of youtube videos. I'd be leary of him putting him own chemical compound sealant on my car.

The bottom line is that he has the best reputation of success in the car detailing business. No one does it better. Cue Carly Simon.....

[Buehler445]

Originally Posted by MIAdragon

need more specifics and pics.

Originally Posted by Buehler445

2010 GMC Sierra 1500.
Tan leather interior.
No grease or anything. Just dust and Dog dander. Chief dog goes to work with me every day.

If you have to have it, I can get a picture tomorrow.

[lewdog]

Thanks for all the help in this thread. Spent about 7 hours this weekend getting her in shape! If the car is not super dirty I love using Optimum No Rinse wash. It's what I used this weekend. I don't get any water spots using it compared to a standard wash with Meguiar's Gold Class wash, mitt and a hose I did the week before when the car was actually dirty. I think that's because things here dry so fast it's hard to safely move that fast to dry so water spots get left behind. You can try to work in panels but with a hose there is some splashing, so little spots get placed back on panels that were already clean. Not to mention the water in Phoenix is somewhat hard.

Love the clay bar and can't believe I have never done that. The car isn't totally perfect but close enough for government work. I see what some of you mentioned about black cars. Hard to keep a daily driver mint, let along a black one and I can safely say that won't even be my goal after spending all that time and coming out to a car after work covered in light dust and pollen.

I smoothed on some of the Chemical guys leather conditioner and that stuff just soaks right in, no grease and smells great! These seats are in great condition so not having to clean them was a plus.

I'm getting a ton of compliments on the car and the guys at the tire shop kept commenting on how it was the cleanest Mustang of that year they have seen in a long time. Getting many comments about the Hurst Shifter. Not sure why. Maybe if I understood it's function I could talk about it!

Here she is cleaned and in the sun today after work.

[stonedstooge]

Originally Posted by lewdog

Thanks for all the help in this thread. Spent about 7 hours this weekend getting her in shape! If the car is not super dirty I love using Optimum No Rinse wash. It's what I used this weekend. I don't get any water spots using it compared to a standard wash with Meguiar's Gold Class wash, mitt and a hose I did the week before when the car was actually dirty. I think that's because things here dry so fast it's hard to safely move that fast to dry so water spots get left behind. You can try to work in panels but with a hose there is some splashing, so little spots get placed back on panels that were already clean. Not to mention the water in Phoenix is somewhat hard.

Love the clay bar and can't believe I have never done that. The car isn't totally perfect but close enough for government work. I see what some of you mentioned about black cars. Hard to keep a daily driver mint, let along a black one and I can safely say that won't even be my goal after spending all that time and coming out to a car after work covered in light dust and pollen.

I smoothed on some of the Chemical guys leather conditioner and that stuff just soaks right in, no grease and smells great! These seats are in great condition so not having to clean them was a plus.

I'm getting a ton of compliments on the car and the guys at the tire shop kept commenting on how it was the cleanest Mustang of that year they have seen in a long time. Getting many comments about the Hurst Shifter. Not sure why. Maybe if I understood it's function I could talk about it!

Here she is cleaned and in the sun today after work.

It's all about 1 panel at a time. Looks awesome

[Buehler445]

Looks good man. Glad you're happy.

[Warpaint69]

Originally Posted by Buehler445

Being a daily driver Kansas work truck, I would suggest purchasing a horse hair brush to help loosen dirt on the leather surface. This kit here from Adams will get the job done.

http://adamspolishes.com/shop/interi...ather-kit.html

Adam's is a little more pricey, I've used Chemical Guys cleaner and conditioner and haven't been disappointed. And its more reasonably priced.

http://www.chemicalguys.com/Leather_...spi_109_16.htm

I honestly purchase the leather cleaner by the gallon, I use considerably more cleaner than conditioner. I know the Chemical Guys conditioner contains UV protection.

If your leather seats are a tan or grey over time you will notice the transfer of blue jean dye to the leather surface. I've had to use the following product to totally get it out before.

http://www.detailersdomain.com/Leath...er_p_1079.html

[lewdog]

Got my first wash after applying the Opti-Gloss coat a week ago. WOW! Water just sheets right off the car. Like the slickest paint surface I've ever seen! I had the wife come out and look at it. I always start by hosing the car off with a flood type setting and then a jet setting before even touching the paint with a microfiber mitt. After just using the hose the car was virtually clean. Even the smashed bugs on the front from our 200 mile weekend road trip mostly came off with just the hose! That never happens. This looks like it's going to make maintenance that much easier with this car. It's not a deep/wet gloss like a wax but it's very reflective and looks good on the black paint. I'll sacrifice some of the deep gloss for a easy to clean surface and paint protection it provides. I should get a video next time of the water just rolling off the car. It's crazy.

A+ on this stuff. Very impressed.

[lewdog]

Got around to snapping some pictures of the crazy beading that the Opti-Gloss coat does when you wash it. I see why they say layering anything on top of it, like a wax, would be worthless. Most of the water just slides right off but the amount that remains is the tiniest and tightest water beading you'll ever see on a car.

[lewdog]

Well, I have a saying that's probably been muttered by black car owners before...."Once you go black, you'll NEVER go back."

I am as delicate as I can be and don't cut corners when washing. Washing her every 7-14 days, taking me about 1.5 hours each time, I still see some very light but noticeable micro-marring in the bright sun of AZ. Very frustrating. Even though the picture above looks flawless, it's not in the direct sunlight of mid day when it was taken. It's not noticeable until you are up close but still noticeable to me. Maybe I'm just being anal.

Even if I use the Optimum No Rinse formula, I always hose the car off before even touching the paint. I then use a two bucket method with grit guards in each. Two clean Microfiber wash mitts, that rarely show any dirt on them when I wash. Small panel sections at a time before rinsing the wash mitt off again. Dry with 4 waffle weave towels and blot drying as much as I can. If I do swipe across the paint to dry, the towel is held lightly at the corners and dragged across the paint with no pressure put on by my hands.

Maybe it's just the particles in the air whizzing across the car when doing 70+ MPH on my commute? Maybe this is all just common with black paint no matter how careful you can be?

I've given up on the California Duster after using it on half the hood. I could see it leaving slight marks in the paint with barely any dust and some tree pollen on the hood. I'd rather she be left a little dusty than worry about keeping her spotless but adding more micro-marring.


/Rant

[Bearcat]

Originally Posted by lewdog

Damn.


Heading to Amazon...

[MahiMike]

Originally Posted by lewdog

Thanks for all the help in this thread. Spent about 7 hours this weekend getting her in shape! If the car is not super dirty I love using Optimum No Rinse wash. It's what I used this weekend. I don't get any water spots using it compared to a standard wash with Meguiar's Gold Class wash, mitt and a hose I did the week before when the car was actually dirty. I think that's because things here dry so fast it's hard to safely move that fast to dry so water spots get left behind. You can try to work in panels but with a hose there is some splashing, so little spots get placed back on panels that were already clean. Not to mention the water in Phoenix is somewhat hard.

Love the clay bar and can't believe I have never done that. The car isn't totally perfect but close enough for government work. I see what some of you mentioned about black cars. Hard to keep a daily driver mint, let along a black one and I can safely say that won't even be my goal after spending all that time and coming out to a car after work covered in light dust and pollen.

I smoothed on some of the Chemical guys leather conditioner and that stuff just soaks right in, no grease and smells great! These seats are in great condition so not having to clean them was a plus.

I'm getting a ton of compliments on the car and the guys at the tire shop kept commenting on how it was the cleanest Mustang of that year they have seen in a long time. Getting many comments about the Hurst Shifter. Not sure why. Maybe if I understood it's function I could talk about it!

Here she is cleaned and in the sun today after work.

Sweet!

[MahiMike]

Originally Posted by lewdog

Well, I have a saying that's probably been muttered by black car owners before...."Once you go black, you'll NEVER go back."

I am as delicate as I can be and don't cut corners when washing. Washing her every 7-14 days, taking me about 1.5 hours each time, I still see some very light but noticeable micro-marring in the bright sun of AZ. Very frustrating. Even though the picture above looks flawless, it's not in the direct sunlight of mid day when it was taken. It's not noticeable until you are up close but still noticeable to me. Maybe I'm just being anal.

Even if I use the Optimum No Rinse formula, I always hose the car off before even touching the paint. I then use a two bucket method with grit guards in each. Two clean Microfiber wash mitts, that rarely show any dirt on them when I wash. Small panel sections at a time before rinsing the wash mitt off again. Dry with 4 waffle weave towels and blot drying as much as I can. If I do swipe across the paint to dry, the towel is held lightly at the corners and dragged across the paint with no pressure put on by my hands.

Maybe it's just the particles in the air whizzing across the car when doing 70+ MPH on my commute? Maybe this is all just common with black paint no matter how careful you can be?

I've given up on the California Duster after using it on half the hood. I could see it leaving slight marks in the paint with barely any dust and some tree pollen on the hood. I'd rather she be left a little dusty than worry about keeping her spotless but adding more micro-marring.


/Rant

Used to rehab/paint cars as a kid. Black cars require a perfectly straight body. Shows every flaw. That may be why white cars are so popular. Most folks are too lazy.

Black is the shit.

Too hot in Florida though...