Detailing Products YOU Use and Recommend

[ASHDUMP]

I'd like to get some feedback on the different types of products you use on your Genesis and other cars. I don't have much experience and knowledge of the complete car detail and this is why I'm asking the question. Theres an enormous amount of products to buy with many different reviews online and I'd rather just get feedback from this forum to keep it simple. Plus the knowledge here seems to be accurate and experienced.

I know this could be a time consuming answer for you all but it would be greatly appreciated. Right now the only thing I have in my arsenal of cleaners is "Invisible Glass" which was recommend to me by this site. That stuff kicks butt!

If at all possible I'd like to see a break down of: Interior and Exterior along with different tools and towels. Right now I'm only using old white t-shirts to wipe off dirt and dust.

I have good mechanical skills but have never detailed a car. I'm sure the first go at it will be long and hard, but I'm up to the challenge. I just need to products and tools to do it.

Full names and product information is a plus!

Let me know if you can help.

 

[jwaters943]

This has been covered before, but a new thread never hurts I suppose. Old thread: http://www.genesisowners.com/hyundai-genesis-forum/showthread.php?t=216&highlight=cleaning

Since that time I have stopped using the Mothers Reflections. It's a good inexpensive wax, but I'm always willing to try something new that might be better. I've been using Ultima Paint Sealant and Prep since October of last year and I love it. I've only had to apply it twice in that time and my paint looks brand new (my Gen will be 2 on May 8th according to the door sticker. Funny since that's my birthday as well...lol). It is expensive, but a little goes a long way...just be sure to follow the directions and resist the urge to use more product than it calls for and it's a breeze to use w/ great results.

http://www.ultimafinishcare.com/ult-1004-100.html

 

[ASHDUMP]

Thanks Jwaters! That thread goes back to 2008!!!

I'm thinking my first line of attack is getting:

Good towels
Clay bar and solution (is there any particular recommended?)
Painters tape to tape off all chrome, rubber and plastics
Car wax

What about wheel cleaner? Does any particular product work best? Oh and tire shine. I have some spray on foam stuff but I don't know if of over spray is bad for the OEM wheels?

What kind of towels are people using as well? Do some work better than others? A quick google search came up with waffle towels.

 

[jwaters943]

I use Meguiars Gold Class wheel cleaner and their Endurance Tire Gel. Works great.

I'm also a big fan of Autospa towels. They carry them at Pep Boys or you can buy them on several online detail supply shops. They're the best towels I've ever used.

As for clay kits, they're all pretty good, but I normally stick w/ Mothers or Meguiars, although I'm sure there are better ones out there if you want to spend the money.

If you don't currently have a favorite plastic polish/cleaner I recommend Plexus. It works great on the head/tail lights as well as the faux wood interior trim and clear gauge cluster cover.

I hope this helps and that more people chime in w/ some helpful tips/advice. It's spring time and I'm in the mood to detail my car again.

 

[ASHDUMP]

Thanks for all the information...

I hope this helps and that more people chime in w/ some helpful tips/advice. It's spring time and I'm in the mood to detail my car again.

...and this is how I'm feeling at the moment!

 

[Disaster]

I use "No Touch" tire cleaner to shine wheels. It seems to last the longest of all the products I've tried. After a few coats, the tires will clean easier...to a nice dark black...the dirt beads off...though it requires another coat to get the shine. Be aware, it will shine your driveway as well. I can still see all the spots on the blacktop where I applied it. If this bothers you, drive over a sheet of newspaper before applying.

 

[TJPark01]

This is near and dear to my heart. I'll start with tires and rims:

 

[TJPark01]

Exterior:
Foam Gun, Gold Class Shampoo, Lambswool mitt, many buckets (I use 4), grit guard in bottom of buckets. Many foam and microfiber applicators and towels. Terry cloth for glass, microfiber for paint and interior, water magnets for drying car when wet.

 

[TJPark01]

Interior:
Lexol, leather cleaner, conditioner and Vinylex for anything rubber or vinyl. Quik interior cleaner for general cleaning, natural shine for protection and dressing. Plexus for anything with clear plastic. Shop Vac , with blower function for vacuuming strength and blowing out water out of seams after washing, microcleaning attachments (California duster for in between washing). Meguiars odor eliminator. Nice neutral smell, not too strong, and not perfumey.

 

[TJPark01]

Glass: Self Explanatory
Pure Polishes: (Also referred to as paint cleaners): from least aggressive to most aggressive (I also have a Porter Cable Dual action polisher to apply all of this).
Glaze: This stuff is amazing Meguiars #7, adds oils to paint and gives it a wet look. The darker the car the more dramatic. It's kind of a waste on light colored cars.
Waxes and Sealants: NXT 2.0 I use on the Genesis, it's a sealant, goes on easy, lasts a long time. The gold class carnuba is new and better for darker colors (again, the oils have a better affect on darker cars).
Exterior Trim: Anything back with plastic or rubber. One is a spray and I use for the engine, the other is a gel, but they are basically the same thing.
Grease: Silicone grease is good for rubber, dry film is good for inside the car, WD-40, I use to clean, I don't really use to lubricate, lithium grease is better for door hinges and seat tracks. Painters and automotive tape to protect all chrome and rubber components while waxing and polishing.
Beer:"Expand my brain learning juice."

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[jwaters943]

Wow TJ, you went all out w/ the pics! You seem a lot like me in terms of anal retentiveness when it comes to detailing. I'm pleasantly surprised to see we like/use quite a few of the same products, beer included. What do you use the Meguiars Supreme shine on? That's one Meguiars product I've never tried.

One other product I forgot to mention that I'm a HUGE fan of, but that can be quite difficult to find, is Film-Chem 2000 Silicone Window Tint Cleaner. If you have window tint you will love this product. It leaves the window tint super smooth and static free and removes smudges/spots in seconds....I've never experienced a product that is easier to use. Plexus would probably work just as well to be honest, but my tint guy gave me a free bottle and I swear by the stuff. I've had it for almost 2 years and have used only about 10% of the bottle....a little goes a LONG way.

 

[TJPark01]

What do you use the Meguiars Supreme shine on? That's one Meguiars product I've never tried.

I've even takes seminars on this, I know, I have issues. The Supreme Shine can be used as a dressing on light colored vinyl. It's too shiny on black in my opinion. I prefer the Vinylex to the meguiars stuff to be honest. Some people swear by 303 Aerospace protectant, but at the end of the day, they are all very similar products and will keep your dash and rubber from warping or getting discolored.

 

[ASHDUMP]

YEAH! NOW WE'RE TALKING!

Great pics and description TJ. Verry much appreciated.

I'll be visiting the local auto store tomorrow to see what they have. I'm interested in what both you and Jwaters mentioned here.

I'm also a simple guy and theres been some decent talk of the Liquid Glass brand even though it is a little expensive. You can get the entire kit for around $60 which includes:

16 oz. Polish/Finish;
8 oz. Pre-Cleaner;
16 oz. Wash Concentrate;
8 oz. Connoisseur's Choice Leather, Vinyl & Rubber Protectant;
8 oz. Connoisseur's Choice Leather, Vinyl & Rubber Cleaner

This could be a good start. I could probably save some money by doing an ala carte but I don't think I'm there yet.

Looks like I'll need lots of towels for all sorts or stuff.

Have you guys ever used Purple Power for cleaning tires or alloy wheels? Possibly exhaust tips?

 

[jwaters943]

Yeah, I switched from the Meguiars Natural Shine to the 303 a while back. I find the 303 to leave a similar finish as the Natural Shine, but without the greasy residue I encountered w/ the Natural Shine...I've never tried Vinylex, but I might give it a try sometime.

 

[TJPark01]

YEAH! NOW WE'RE TALKING!
Have you guys ever used Purple Power for cleaning tires or alloy wheels? Possibly exhaust tips?

I have never used Purple Power for anything so I can't say. But I would not use a general degreaser for rims. The rims on the genesis are clear coated (just like your paint), so you need to use something that is made specifically for that. Go for a all wheel tire and rim cleaner. The degreaser should be used for the rubber tires and wheel wells. Also, you are better off ordering a kit from Autogeek or ADS or Detailing.com, it's much cheaper than ala cart.
As far as Liquid glass goes, it's been 10 or more years since I used it, can't say anything great or bad about it, just this. It claims to be a polish and sealant. Those two things are different applications. I try and stay away from all in one or multi purpose products. But then again, I'm nutz and the pictures I took merely scratch the surface of car cr*p I have in the garage.
Exhaust tips are stainless steel. I wash it with car wash soap and use metal polish on that. The degreaser is probably OK for that.

 

[TJPark01]

Yeah, I switched from the Meguiars Natural Shine to the 303 a while back. I find the 303 to leave a similar finish as the Natural Shine, but without the greasy residue I encountered w/ the Natural Shine...I've never tried Vinylex, but I might give it a try sometime.

If you took the pepsi challenge with the 303 and the Vinylex, you couldn't tell the two apart. I just find the Vinylex easier to find, but they are both outstanding products for vinyl, rubber and hard (non clear) plastics.

 

[ASHDUMP]

I have never used Purple Power for anything so I can't say. But I would not use a general degreaser for rims. The rims on the genesis are clear coated (just like your paint), so you need to use something that is made specifically for that. Go for a all wheel tire and rim cleaner. The degreaser should be used for the rubber tires and wheel wells. Also, you are better off ordering a kit from Autogeek or ADS or Detailing.com, it's much cheaper than ala cart.
As far as Liquid glass goes, it's been 10 or more years since I used it, can't say anything great or bad about it, just this. It claims to be a polish and sealant. Those two things are different applications. I try and stay away from all in one or multi purpose products. But then again, I'm nutz and the pictures I took merely scratch the surface of car cr*p I have in the garage.
Exhaust tips are stainless steel. I wash it with car wash soap and use metal polish on that. The degreaser is probably OK for that.

Good looking out on the Purple Power! I'll make sure to be careful with it and possible use it to clean the rubber tires.

After using a polish, would you recommend a spray on type wax or a full on "get out the Makita power tools" and wax the hell out of it?

OK - Help me out with this for a second. What the heck should I buy for towels!!!! I'm a huge fan of the Cobra mit though.... but seriously... what would you recommend?
http://www.autogeek.net/mictow.html

 

[TJPark01]

After using a polish, would you recommend a spray on type wax or a full on "get out the Makita power tools" and wax the hell out of it?
OK - Help me out with this for a second. What the heck should I buy for towels!!!! I'm a huge fan of the Cobra mit though.... but seriously... what would you recommend?
http://www.autogeek.net/mictow.html

Spray wax is like spray tan, supplemental to keep what you got. It's not meant to do much but get you through to the next real waxing. I use it in between waxes after a wash, but if I were you, I would skip it.
Skip the Makita too, it's too much power. Get a DA polisher, you can't F-UP on a DA, unless you're on crack. Porter Cable 7424XP is the industry standard, but Meguiars makes a decent one too. The DA is best for polishing. You don't have enough arm speed to polish by hand. Waxing can be done by hand, but the DA makes it much easier and keeps your pimp hand on the ready.

Cobra microfiber is expensive. I've found that spending a lot on the towels isn't that good of an idea, because they are gonna get schmeged no matter what you paid for them and I would rather just toss them out. If you buy the cobra, use them strictly for paint detailing. Go to Costco or walmart or target and buy the cheap microfiber towels specifically for auto detailing, like in the picture, I listed, and use those for the lower half of the car, tires and rims and interior.
I segment my towels this way.
1. Paint - Spend money here
2. Interior - Costco MicoFiber
3. Rocker Panel - Costco
4. Rims - Costco
5. Glass - Terry cloth, has more bite.

 

[jwaters943]

I agree w/ TJ on the Spray Wax. It's for quick touch-ups, but don't expect any real protection. With that said, I love to use it on my wheels once they're clean. Do this every other time you clean the car and brake dust/grime seems to come off so much easier.

 

[ASHDUMP]

Jwaters - What did you use on the interior of your car from that thread back in 2008? Was it a 303 product? I looks really good... are you still using it?