Ok, I'm looking to you, the experience car washers/waxers/buffers/etc for advice. I'm looking for a set of products that meet the following criteria:

Wash:
Easy to use, inexpensive, good quality

Wax:
NO residue, easy off, good quality, not expensive

Tools:
Preferences on Sponge/Towel/Buffing cloth, etc? Microfiber the way to go?


Thanks I'm trying to build myself a little car care kit here.

Llathos

 

Try the Search option above... heard it's great help.

 

jeeeeeeeeeeeez- try the relax option- I heard it's great!

 

meguiars sells a starter kit that is pretty good

 

The Search option? Did you even think of that before saying it?

You do realize I'm essentially tapping people's opinions across all types of cleaners, waxes, and cloths.....do you have any idea how big that search result would be?

You just as easily could have been helpful as you were a jerk.

 

Get one of the meguiar's starter kits, an absorber (for drying), and some made-in-the-USA 100% cotton towels for waxing. I also recommend the Mr. Clean Autodry if you live somewhere with hard water.

 

Llathos

No worries man. Often people that have been here for a long time answer EVERYTHING with search...... search often solves problems but I feel your pain.

This is it for me - First, the microfiber towels are good to use inside and out. I bought a set of them pretty cheap from Costco. These are not super duper thread count high quality but they will do the job just fine for ya. Buy a couple packs as it never hurts to always have a clean one in hand when washing and drying. Grab a set of shop rags for some of the dirtier, grimy cleaning.

I bought the Zaino starter kit but I think that might have been a bit much. Overall, I did not end up with the "bow down" finish that people here rave about. Dont get me wrong, it is really good stuff but I dont think I will ever get the results that people talk about until it has 4 or 5 coats on it.

I would go to your local Pep Boys and load up on the Meguiars products (wash, wax, in between wax glaze). I have used them before and you cant go wrong. I might replace my Zaino for that or the liquid glass depending on what I decide to try out. the meguiars wheel clearner is tops.

I use two buckets, one for wheels with a sponge and another for the body. I just try to make sure that the wheel cleaner chemicals dont get on the car.

Hope this helps and PM me if you have other questions.

 

One other bit of advice... Meguiar's Quick Detailer is some GREAT stuff. Between that and a good car duster, it's easy to keep the car looking freshly washed.

 

Check out www.autopia.com

They have an auto detailing book that you can download for free. Answers every question you might have and ones you didn't even know to ask.

Booster - try modifying your two bucket system. Use one bucket for the suds and the other bucket to rinse out your rag. That way you can get rid of most of the dirt before going back to the suds. You can put clean water in the rinse bucket as often as necessary and the suds bucket stays clean all the way to the end of the wash.

 

beachdog, thanks man, great idea. I will try something like that next go round.

 

my advice stay away from wheel cleaner. i used the meguirs and my wheels on my corolla started looking crappy it was like peeling off.. ive sen using regular car soap w/ a sponge works best.