First time washing/detaling the Special...what do I need?

[charles]

Please, oh great detailers of LHForums.net, enlighten me as to what products are essential to cleaning the car. Wax and clay bars are not essential. ;) Also bare in mind, this humble peon is on a very tight budget. ;)

[00R/T]

Wax and clay aren't essential? Oh man, you wouldn't like most of our suggestions then! If you just want to wash the car, I guess you'd just need soap.

[charles]

Haha, I suppose if I wanted to be hardcore I'd use wax and a claybar. I'm not that hardcore yet, lol. The obvious answer is "just soap," but there's got to be a few other products to use, right?

[DrDodge]

take a peek at the detailing threads on here,, they will point you in the right direction

by the way,, dont use products like household cleaners,, dawn dishwashing liquid,, or Tide with the fresh spring scent,, are murder on auotmotive finishes, go to auto zone or walmart and get some car wash soap thats made for cars,,

[00R/T]

Haha, I suppose if I wanted to be hardcore I'd use wax and a claybar. I'm not that hardcore yet, lol. The obvious answer is "just soap," but there's got to be a few other products to use, right?

Wax is not "hardcore". I consider wax to be a mandatory part of car care. Not everybody wants to get in to polishes, glazes, power polishers, etc. and I can live with that, but wax and clay are cheap and extremely beneficial.

I would say you need soap, several wash mitts, scrub brushes, tire dressing, glass cleaner, interior protectant(NOT Armor-All!!), leather cleaner, leather conditioner, a chamois, and wax as the bare minimums.

[charles]

See, I've always thought that wax and clay were expensive. You learn something new every day. I'm about to head to Advance auto parts to see what I can find. Don't know if I'll be buying anything tonight though.

[TrooperTrep07]

Pretty much what was previously mentioned, car wash soap, car wash mitt or sponge, tire dressing, clay bar/wax (most clay bar kits come with wax ;)), a can of stoner invisible glass (or any glass cleaner) and something to clean the interior.

[Dodgaholic]

If you are never gonna wax your car, you may as well just set fire to it now...
In Florida, if it's an "outdoor" car, you need to wax at a minimum, every 3 months, but ideally, every month. If you keep it garaged all the time, a couple times a year. The Florida sun will positively DESTROY it otherwise. You need to keep the seats conditioned, and the rubber bits too, and if the product has Armor All in the name, do not buy it.

[charles]

Okay, so I'm back from Advance Auto Parts. I didn't see any all in one kits, or I would have bought one. I bought a chamois, wash mit x2, Meguiars Gold Class rich leather cleaner/conditioner and Quick All Suface Interior Detailer, Turtle Wax Zip Wax car wash soap and Turtle Wax 1 Step Wax & Dry.

Is the 1 Step Wax & Dry at least better than not waxing at all?

[Great White]

Trust me, you need a clay bar...............

It's the easiest way to remove road tar, tree sap, gummy crap, road paint, etc.........

I used to be a hard core advocate of solvents as that's all that used to work (Forgive me, I'm old), then I took a chance on a clay bar.

Took me 20 minutes to do what it used to take a whole day. I was an instant convert to the the clay.

You need a clay bar..............well, if you want it clean.

[Dodgaholic]

Yes, but not by much. That's more of a maintenance type wax. You'll need to use it after every wash probably. Spray your car with water, and look at it. If the water beads are bigger than a dime, it's time to wax again. When you are ready to invest in some premium products, check out www.adamspolishes.com

[Dodgaholic]

Watch these videos too..
http://www.adamspolishes.com/t-videos.aspx

[dudley]

Well Charles, the products you use effect the look of your car. If you want it to keep the look we see in your sig then you need to get somewhat or a little carried away eveyone has their preferences and technique. There are a few basics and tip you need to know. Take the time to watch these vids. They answer a few of your questions.


Car cleaning how to's (at bottom of page) (http://www.autogeek.net/detailingtips.html)

[cokey11]

Try to stay away from anything that contains silicone, not just Armor-All but quite a few other dressings do as well, as well as wax-wash soaps. If it says on the instructions not to use it on "motorcycle tires, seats or any surface that you don't want to become slippery" stay away from it. I will be waxing my car for the first time in 18 months, this weekend, it was going to get painted, but plans have changed.

[charles]

Watch these videos too..
http://www.adamspolishes.com/t-videos.aspx

Very informative. Thanks :thumbsup:

Well Charles, the products you use effect the look of your car. If you want it to keep the look we see in your sig then you need to get somewhat or a little carried away eveyone has their preferences and technique. There are a few basics and tip you need to know. Take the time to watch these vids. They answer a few of your questions.


Car cleaning how to's (at bottom of page) (http://www.autogeek.net/detailingtips.html)



Believe it or not, I had gone to an automatic car wash before I took the pic in my sig. It wasn't your average car was though. They measure your car with (frickin') lazers and they dont use those big rotating things that slap the shit out of your car. This contraption goes over and around (and under) your car and it sprays the water/soap/rainx on and then it rinses it all off, and then these huge blowers blow dry your car.

And again, thanks for the video links. This is all really interesting.

[mnitetrain]

I go looking for the cheerleader fun raising car washes!!

[dudley]

I go looking for the cheerleader fun raising car washes!!

This Post is worthless without Pictures!!!! :innocent:

[dudley]

Very informative. Thanks :thumbsup:





Believe it or not, I had gone to an automatic car wash before I took the pic in my sig. It wasn't your average car was though. They measure your car with (frickin') lazers and they dont use those big rotating things that slap the shit out of your car. This contraption goes over and around (and under) your car and it sprays the water/soap/rainx on and then it rinses it all off, and then these huge blowers blow dry your car.

And again, thanks for the video links. This is all really interesting.

If you have a good coat of wax it will be gone. The detergents they use there are harsh. May not even be clear coat safe. In time it will show. I owned a black road runner and my miscare showed terribly after time.

Ohhhhh and by the way..... the camera does lie. Photo's here online rarely show that level of detail to show scratches that make the car look less than acceptable in person.

[cokey11]

Ohhhhh and by the way..... the camera does lie. Photo's here online rarely show that level of detail to show scratches that make the car look less than acceptable in person.

They also lack the level of detail to show how nice a car ( like Dudley's and Tooche's ) really is in person, as I'm sure a lot of others are as well.

[TrooperTrep07]

you might want to read through this too:

http://www.lhforums.net/forums/showthread.php?t=913

That's pretty much the steps that I follow

[LTrain01RT]

I go looking for the cheerleader fun raising car washes!!

LOL hell yeah!!!

[cokey11]

Wow,that was a lot of reading! I only have one correction and that is that 3M products are now available in most automotive stores, they are the best I have ever used, but they require a lot of steps and work.

[dudley]

Wow,that was a lot of reading! I only have one correction and that is that 3M products are now available in most automotive stores, they are the best I have ever used, but they require a lot of steps and work.

We had this discussion at my place and I totally agree.

[mnitetrain]

Uhh, don't foreget with new paint, no wax for 90 days!!

[Avenger]

You need a new bumper and to stop hitting boards falling off trucks!!!

[IntrepidBus IV]

I think my buffer may have gotten heisted... :cuss: Hey, there's another essential product for ya!