All,

I thought it would be a good idea to start a thread with a complete list of recommended car care products.

Sooo...

Paint: Looks like Zaino is the recommend product, though some have debated the cost/benefit ratio.

Leather: Lexol appears to be the hand down choice here. Note: if the cleaner doesn't work well enough for you, try Woollite (1 part to 6 parts water).

Dash (Plastic/Vinyl Part): Need some help here...Armorall seems too old school. What are some suggestion?

Tires: Again, what's the best product to keep our shoes shining?

Carpet: Anything we need here?

Engine Compartment: Lots of plastic and shinny parts in there...anything special for that area?

Ok, that's a start...What other items require special attention.
I'll edit this as suggestion start to build.

Wicked.

 

for the dash, use water

 

I'll second the Woolite/water combo for cleaning leather and Lexol for conditioning it.

It seems to me Zaino works best for dark-colored cars. I use Meguiar's (I have SSM).

I use Meguiar's vinyl care for the dash using litho pads (which can be purchased at art supply store). They are lintless pads that are about 3 square inches.

 

what about for the rims?

 

Zymol for the wheels. Pledge for the dash, vinyl, etc. (Popular with the Corvette crowd and works well.)

 

I would have never thought of Pledge!

Zymol sounds good for the OEM Wheels...Note: If you have the 6sp I'm sure you've noticed the brake dust that builds at an alarming rate.

For this, I picked up some Finish 2001 wheel wipes. They come in a zip-lock pouch that allows you to keep them in the truck...that way when you notice the unsightly build up of brake dust between car washes, it's a quick wipe and go to bright them up.

Wicked.

 

someone please try Adam's besides me.......

Adams V.R.T

This is the finest product for plastic, rubber, tires, moldings, dashboards and door panels. It contains no silicone or alcohol which dries out and damage surfaces. V.R.T. is a thick moisturizing cream which applies easily with a sponge. It won’t leave a greasy film, does not attract dirt, and won’t harm paint or glass. Special U.V. protection keeps your interior and exterior like new.

 

I've used the lexol cleaner and haven't been especially impressed either.

I might check out a saddle shop for some advice...

maybe a shoe repair shop....hmmm

 

I second Zymol for the wheels.

Orange Pledge for the dash and all plastic/rubber parts in the interior. It smells great too!

 

BTW, Adams can be applied in full sun!

 

moregrip....Where can you get Adams? I've never even heard of the product.

 

Now, if they had New Car scent Pledge I might give it a try!

Wicked.

 

Rob04TL

Try this: http://www.adamspolishes.com/

 

FWIW, the owner, Adam, has some great customer service and will take the time to answer all your questions.

 

How about the screen of the navi? What's a good and safe way to remove the smudges?

 

Black Magic Gel......I never seen anything work so well.

 

Being that we have Leather, I want to keep that "leather" smell as long as possible.
Why use a product that conflicts with that?
I tried a product called Mr. LEATHER, that works and smells pretty good.

As for wheels, ZAINO WHEEL DRESSING is great. Lasts through a few car washings also.

Don`t forget the exhaust tips. SEMICHROME or NOXON, keeps the stainless tips, "stainless".

For the glass, use a polish you use on the paint. I use ZAINO. Gives a really great shine and repels water. Doesn`t smudge like wax would, and doesn`t interfere with the wipers job.

 

I second moregrip's comment re: Lexol cleaner. This thing is useless. It does not work at all. I will try the Woolite method this weekend.

 

I second the Black Magic Gel!!! That stuff is incredible. I also use Zaino tire dressing on the commuter car and find it to be good just not as glossy.

Windex on the chrome rims and soap/water on the OEM rims.

I use an eyeglass cleaning cloth on the NAVI screen. I bought a pair of glass that had some protective coating on it and they provided a specail cloth. After I had LASIK there was no need for the cloth and it was in my MDX when I noticed the fingerprints on ther screen and gave it a try.

 

Someone mentioned to me that there is a product to repel brake dust. Something like teflon spray or similar. They said it makes the brake dust "float right off the rim" I'll find out the product's name or at least what type of product it is and re-post.

 

I went to the Adams website. His products look interesting. How long have you used them? The one product (VRT) that takes care of everything from the dash to tires how well does it hold-up?

Thanks for any info you can share.
Seabee

 

Paint: Zaino for a synthetic polish, Pinnacle Souveran for a wax

Leather: Actually, Zaino makes a very good leather conditioner, but I prefer Pinnacle Leather Care.

[B]Dash (Plastic/Vinyl Part) Aerospace 303 is the top choice hands down.

Tires: Meguiar's Endurance High Gloss Tire Gel

Carpet: Aerospace 303 also makes a top product

Windshield/Glass Cleaner Stoner Invisible Glass

Engine Compartment: After a proper cleaning, I recommend Liquid Glass

 

An old tip I might try to get off the smudges from the nav screen is one that is recommended for PS monitors....a used dryer softener sheet.

After I get the smudges off though, I'm going to put on the screen protector I picked up from B-Strong engineering:

http://strongengineering.com/miva?/M...uto+Navigation

 

U have been told that tire cleaner dries out the sidewalls and makes it easier to puncture or break. Anty truth to this?

 

Thats what happens when there is silicone in the ingredients. Haven`t actually seen it or heard it happening

 

Just ordered a screen protector from Strong Engineering. Thanks for the tip!

 

Also checked in at Adams. Great Stuff!

 

The VRT seems to hold up well. I honestly can't comment on the long term durability because I'm a new user too.

Basically, There were three companies I was interested in based on info from this board and other boards I belong too.

The three most often recommended was Adam's, Poorboys, and Zaino (in that order).

From all the positive feedback from this site regarding Zaino I thought that was what I was going to try, however, I couldn't get a straight answer if they offered a military discount and was reffered to Sal the owner. After trying to reach him with no luck, my next choice was the first choice of most, Adam's Polishes, with the added benefit he was located in CA, as am I.

So now that I've recieved his kit and had the chance to touch, smell, and use his products I think there are many people out there that would like his products as well as, or better than Zaino.

First impression was you can get a hold of him on the phone and he will guide you through whatever you need for your specific application/s. Two, he responds directly to all his emails and quickly. Three Shipping was fast, mostly due too proximity I imagine. Four, believe it or not I was impressed with the bucket the kit came in, ( spin off top instead of pull type ). Five, quality of applicator pads (microfiber) and towels. Six, Its a numbered system and easy to follow. Seven, All his stuff smells good (important to me at least, its always nice to use product that smells good). Eight, the VRT is not shiny at all, so if you like the shiny look this wouldn't be your choice. It goes on nice and the excess, i.e. windows comes of easy enough. Nine, Leather conditioner is great as well.

Lastly, Today I'm doing a complete exterior detail from the wash to the butter wax (Six steps). Basically wash, clay, wash, clean paint, polish. I'll post my impressions if anyone is interested.

The interesting thing about his products is that you apply the polish directly on top of the cleaner, no need to remove before application. And besides his scratch out, you can apply his products in full sun for those that don't have a garage or access to one and they don't taint the outside black rubber with any marks. His spray detail is used as clay bar lubricant and a daily cleaner (i.e. waterless wash/cleaner for light dust and grime).

Hope this helps answer your questions, So far I've been extremely impressed with his service, products.

Late

 

Let us know how they work
If you can see them when they are on, or looks like stock screen
keeps cleaner, easier to maintain.........

 

moregrip,

Thanks. Looking forward to more info and maybe pictures after your complete clean & polish.

Are you currently active duty? I'm retired US Navy.

Thanks again,
Seabee

 

yes, active duty navy. OS1 type.

 

I found this on the net....http://www.wheelwax.com they claim that the product repels brake dust. Anyone ever use it?

Wicked.

 

Bump!

 

Back from the dead!! I have used Rejex for wheels which actually works pretty well at preventing brake dust from sticking. What dilution is recommended for woollite on dash panels??

 

I'll usually wash my wheels with soap and water and a microfiber cloth and then hit them with a coat of Meguiar's Finishing wax (red spray bottle). It does a pretty good job of keeping brake dust from settling in. I bought a bottle of Armor All Leather Cleaner / Conditioner and tried it out but it doesn't seem to work that well. For dashes and interior bits I use ArmorAll cleaning wipes and standard ArmorAll wipes... they both seem to work fine for me. Those wipes work good under the hood too (then if I'm going to a show I'll hit the underhood with WD40 in some spots... secret formula to give it a sick shine! Just be careful where you're spraying it :P)

 

1 part woollite to 6 parts water

 

There's a whole sub-forum on this stuff:

https://acurazine.com/forums/wash-wax-23/

FWIW - I've been using Meg's because it seems to do a good job and is easy to find.

- Gold Class Vinyl Cleaner Conditioner for vinyl/rubber.
- Gold Class Leather Cleaner/Condtioner for the leather (duh - lol)
- All Wheels to clean the wheels inside and out (NXT synth wax to make clean up easier)

Stoners for the glass, inside & out.

Interior cleaned with Woolite (either 5:1 or 10:1 depending on need).

I've got some 303 aerospace cleaner/conditioner for the dash and other vinyl, but have not yet formed an opion of it.

 

I like 303 for the dash and seals. Lexol for the leather. Clay bar and Meguires Tec Wax (wich isn't a wax but a paint sealent) Anyone know how to get the tires really clean before you put the dressing on? I use to have a tire that would loose 2 PSI per week and I think that it was because of silicone build-up. I usually use the generic stuff from advanced auto parts to clean the rims. Every now and then when I pay for the $20 car wash, I think that they use a dressing with sillicone and the break dust will live there forever. I find the lug nut brush to be a verry useful tool. to get the rims very clean.

 

My thing about the 303 is that the dash always looks dry. It always looks like you need to re-aply. The stuff is expensive. How often do you really need to apply it. My car is out in the sun alot in South West Florida. You spend about $2- worth of the stuff just getting a small micro-fiber towel moist.

 

sonus leather cleaner and conditioner for the seats
invisible glass for the windows
303 aerospace for the plastic parts

mothers clay bar once and a while
meguiars gold class wash for the suds
eagle one all wheel tire cleaner for the wheels
eagle one tire shine with the wipes for the tires
mothers detailing spray when you see dust

blue magic metal polish for exhaust tips

cs-x3 squash air freshener to keep it FRESH

oh. and PLENTY AND PLENTY OF MICROFIBERS