Detailing Products YOU Use and Recommend

[dave3.8]

Call me old fashioned but I've been winning contests with Zymol for years and years. Go to a car show and walk around. See what the guys with the $400K collectables are using.

 

[scottdk]

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.

TJ I think I found the perfect product for washing and drying your car all at once!

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvGntuiIDtg"]YouTube - 2011 Hyundai Genesis 4.6 washed by Shamerrific[/ame]

 

[TJPark01]

TJ I think I found the perfect product for washing and drying your car all at once!

That dude is being way too aggressive.
Start at 1:20
[YOUTUBE]BZCi0_55ZDo[/YOUTUBE]

 

[mike1947]

Can anyone recommend a good tire dressing that does not fly off.something that lasts awhile

 

[Ckerr]

Try "System 51". It's not cheap ($25.00) but I have not see anything that reflect light like this stuff. I use it on my bikes as well.

 

[NCZ13]

Wash:
Optimum No Rinse.
Optimum car wash
Chemical Guys Citrus wash and Gloss
1z Perls

Wax:
Pinnacle SigSeriesII (hands down best budget wipe on/off carnuba)
The Dodo products are ok as well. I have the hard wax set, but ive heard great things about supernatural

Sealant:
UPG
Megs 21 synthetic sealant.

Polish:
Menzerna IP, FPII, PG

Dressing:
Megs Hyper Dressing. (dilutable bulk product) I cut mine at 2:1. It will never sling, and dries on its own leaving a satin/matte finish. Which really is how the tire should look.

APC:
Chemical Guys Grime Reaper

Wheel Cleaner:
P21s Gel
Alternative:
CG Diablo Gel (nothing comes close to touching p21s in cleaning power)

I dilute CG Grime Reaper about 4:1 and use that to clean my wheels, tires and wells. You cannot let it linger like a gel as it will eat the finish. Its fine to let it sit, but p21s can dwell for up to 2 hours. I would never attempt this with an APC.

 

[robthoke]

Nobody's mentioned Rejex or Bead X Detail Spray. As you can tell, everyone has a favorite that works for them. You can go broke trying everything, so if you find something that works for you, that's all you can hope for. Good luck.

 

[CLTCMB]

After two BMWs (325i and 740iL), I just took delivery on my new Genesis (3.8, premium/nav, white satin pearl/cashmere) and I can say I'm more excited about this car than any. It's now sitting in the garage waiting for the snowstorm (if you can call it that) to blow over Charlotte.

I've found this thread fascinating and I'm really interested in taking over the detailing duties for this car after having it done professionally on previous cars. Your tips have been very helpful.

I'm curious about the clay bars. How are they most effectively used and how often should they be used on the car?

 

[STREETS]

"I dilute CG Grime Reaper about 4:1 and use that to clean my wheels, tires and wells. You cannot let it linger like a gel as it will eat the finish."- NZC13

YIKES! Like egg whites- nice and shiny before it melts into the paint!

 

[TJPark01]

I've found this thread fascinating and I'm really interested in taking over the detailing duties for this car after having it done professionally on previous cars. Your tips have been very helpful.

I'm curious about the clay bars. How are they most effectively used and how often should they be used on the car?

CLay bars fall under the cleaning the paint thesis, and is part 1 of 3 simple steps. 1 clean paint, 2 polish paint 3 protect paint. Their frequency of use is largely dependent on environmental factors, which are variable.
1. Garage Queen - 1 every 6 months
2 - Outdoor Dweller - 1 every 3 months.
[YOUTUBE]VD9Qc84vSyY[/YOUTUBE]

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[CLTCMB]

Thanks, TJ!