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.

[MIAdragon]

Have the piano trim corrected then wrapped in PPF. Worth it IMO.

[Peter Gibbons]

Originally Posted by lewdog

What about chemical guys pink soap? I seem some good reviews on that.

With the foam gun are you still using a wash mitt, or can you get most off with a full soap and hard rinse?

I have not tried the CG pink soap. Most of the CG products work pretty well so I would suspect that to at least be suitable for purpose.

As for my process, I do a full pre-soak and let dwell for 5 minutes. If truly filthy, I then rinse with my pressure washer and do a full second wash with Carpro Reset and a microfiber mitt along with a boar's head brush (Montana round boars head brush). If somewhat clean, I will still use the brush/mitt combo along with reset but I will do it on top of the already foamed car.

This may seem like overkill, but it truly removes all road grime and gets my black SUV looking factory new/clean each time. I also have white, red, and green vehicles and this works for them too. However, they are not as hard to keep looking good. All are coated with Gtechniq Crystal Serum Light and I use (liberally) the C2V3 as a drying aide each time.

[Peter Gibbons]

Originally Posted by MIAdragon

Have the piano trim corrected then wrapped in PPF. Worth it IMO.

I second this. I have a red RR Evoque that has A LOT of piano black exterior trim and no matter what I did, I could not keep it looking good until I had it corrected and wrapped (Suntek Ultra PPF).

[Bugeater]

I bought a TrailBlazer earlier this year and the wheels looked like shit, so one of the first things I did was strip off the clearcoat, then polished the hell out of them, and then painstakingly taped off the polished areas and painted the inset areas black. Any of you have a suggestion on a good clearcoat to keep them looking good?

[Kopinto]

Originally Posted by lewdog

I did get rid of that black car!

New car is machine grey metallic and it’s got a ceramic coat on it.
Got it via this very helpful company.

Never heard of ceramic coating before Looks gorgeous!

[loochy]

Originally Posted by Bugeater

I bought a TrailBlazer earlier this year and the wheels looked like shit, so one of the first things I did was strip off the clearcoat, then polished the hell out of them, and then painstakingly taped off the polished areas and painted the inset areas black. Any of you have a suggestion on a good clearcoat to keep them looking good?

You're going to wants to use a real, 2 part automotive clearcoat. Normal rattle can stuff ends up too soft for use on wheels

[lewdog]

Originally Posted by MIAdragon

Have the piano trim corrected then wrapped in PPF. Worth it IMO.

The inside trim in PPF?

[Miles]

I bought a sports car as my second car about 2 years back and it came with the front end wrapped in xpel ppf and that stuff has been great. Other than cutting out the damage from rock chips it really helps with general upkeep ease. I underestimated its value when it bought the car but a believer now.

[loochy]

My car has hit 5 years old and the ppf is peeling on a lot of edges. I removed the ppf from the side skirts last weekend. What a bitch! It leaves a very difficult adhesive residue behind. The only reliable way I found was doing some detailed work with the pressure washer.

Just a warning because it's a BITCH to get off

[Peter Gibbons]

Originally Posted by loochy

My car has hit 5 years old and the ppf is peeling on a lot of edges. I removed the ppf from the side skirts last weekend. What a bitch! It leaves a very difficult adhesive residue behind. The only reliable way I found was doing some detailed work with the pressure washer.

Just a warning because it's a BITCH to get off

Not sure if you had the PPF installed or someone else, but most new PPF installations come with a full 10 year warranty for both parts (film) and labor. If it starts to peel up, you should be able to get it replaced for free. Same is true for discoloration or other issues.

[loochy]

Originally Posted by Peter Gibbons

Not sure if you had the PPF installed or someone else, but most new PPF installations come with a full 10 year warranty for both parts (film) and labor. If it starts to peel up, you should be able to get it replaced for free. Same is true for discoloration or other issues.

I bought the car after it had been used for 6 months. The previous owner had it installed, but there was no certificate or info regarding the ppf install. It wasn't done through the dealer and it wasn't part of the CPO warranty.

[MIAdragon]

Originally Posted by loochy

My car has hit 5 years old and the ppf is peeling on a lot of edges. I removed the ppf from the side skirts last weekend. What a bitch! It leaves a very difficult adhesive residue behind. The only reliable way I found was doing some detailed work with the pressure washer.

Just a warning because it's a BITCH to get off

A steamer will do wonders getting old ppf off. 5 years is way too early to be dealing with issues like that, guessing either a poor install or shitty film. I have two cars that are going on 12+ years with old tech film and look great.

[MIAdragon]

Originally Posted by lewdog

The inside trim in PPF?

Yes sir, do it and forget cringing each time your keys or phone slides across the trim. Hell I have just about every stainless appliance covered in PPF in the house, zero scratch’s or fingerprints. I should own stock in 3M.

[HC_Chief]

Originally Posted by Kopinto

Never heard of ceramic coating before Looks gorgeous!

It is worth every penny. Protects the paint (and glass) from all kinds of nonsense including bugs, bird droppings, and even rocks (small ones, obviously). I got 5 coats of it on my ride