Hey what do you guys/gals use for this:

1) rim cleaner?

2) body wax? what are the steps, I see all kinds of things on here, but its pretty intense, I need help.

I'm looking forward to finally being able to wash/wax my car this weekend. I need a good wax and need to know the steps taken to get the car looking like it should. I live in Minnesota, so the weather is just getting nice. I've never wash this car myself, I just bought in March.

thanks for the help!

 

Duragloss All Wheel Cleaner for me.

Its kind of hit and miss. I tried several brands before settling on Duragloss.

Allow the wheels to cool first. You never want to add cold water or chemicals to wheels which may still be warm to the touch. Read and disseminate your own method, after reading the manufacturers directions. I could tell you what to do, but each product may have a different recommendation. It may read something like, "Apply to cool surface, and agitate until clean. Repeat if necessary".

Find a soft nylon brush which is comfortable to hold, and will reach your particular wheels crevices. I can tell you to only spray one tire at a time, and start with the side which is in the shade. If you start with the sunny side, you will more then likley get spotting, as the sun will aid in a quick dry time. Make sure you rinse thoroughly, even around calipers and rotors.

The rest of your query could get very involved........

Washing shouldn’t be a time consuming task. I like to pretreat the surface with a medium stream of water. This flushes loose debris away, and also helps soften up chemicals (salt in particular for you) that may accumulate between washes. I then flush wheels and wheel wells, allowing just a few minutes for the water to soften the dirt and help loosen the road film.

Take a bucket with about 2-2.5 gal's of water, and add a few oz of your favored wash product. Agitate slightly, just enough to incorporate. Dip your sheepskin (Again, my preference) and allow the soapy water to absorb into it.

Start at the top of the vehicle and from a back to front motion, (or VV) gently wipe away collection of dirt etc.... Take a few swipes at the paint, redip the mit into the bucket, and agitate. This will help loosen any accumulated dirt on the mitt.

In warm/dry weather, you may find it beneficial to quick rinse each panel after washing, to help avoid spotting. Repeat process from hi to low points on the car.

To rinse, first use a medium flow type pressure nozzle to rinse debris and suds off the car. Again, start high and work low. When the car is completely rinsed, remove the adapter from the hose (with the water off). Turn water on medium flow, and while unrestricting the flow, start high, and let the waters flow push/sheet the water off. This is called sheeting. What you actually want to do is use the stream of water coming from the hose, and push the larger puddles, beads off the horizontal surfaces. This makes for a much more expeditious dry time. Repeat this process on all horizontal surfaces.

Although less effective on vertical panels, its still aides in drying.

Complete the process with a Waffle Weave drying towel. One large for your initial dry, then follow up with a smaller leaner, associate towel. Use the smaller towel in your non dominating hand to lean on, and wipe up any small streaks which the larger towel may leave. This leaner towel also helps keep belt buckles and buttons, zippers, and pocket knives away from contacting the painted surfaces.



As for wax? Well, several ways you can do this! How dedicated are you?

 

1) Poorboys Spray and Rinse- Truly is spray on-hose off. Makes for an easy and effective washig.

2) Pinnacle Souveran- Made-up for 40% to volume of pure carrnauba, ivory carnauba at that. Only a few of the Zymol Concours has more carnauba than this. Very easy on, easy off wax, dont even let it haze. Apply to a panel and wipe off in the matter of a minute.

Make sure you get a good paint cleanser and clay bar to clean your paint before wax or sealant application. This will give you a "clean canvas" so to speak, for preparation is the most important aspect in detailing.

 

I use the brake dust repellant, it works great!!!! haha
~Jason

 

I used to use Meguires 'hot rims' which I liked a lot, but thought I'd see if anyone knew of a better cleaner for the rims.

as far as waxing, I'm used to using zymol. Have you guys had better luck with a different wax? Do you recommend using a clay bar after the initial wash and before I start to wax?

thanks again!