Cleaning Arsenal

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Old 07-08-2004, 07:10 PM
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Cleaning Arsenal

What do you guys think?

Meguiar's GC Shampoo
Meguiar's Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner
Meguiar's Scratch X
Meguiar's Deep Crystal Polish
Klasse AIO
Klasse Sealant - 3 layers
Meguiar's Deep Crystal Carnauba Wax - top with 2 Layers
Old 07-08-2004, 10:39 PM
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sounds hardcore
Old 07-09-2004, 12:22 AM
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This is for your TSX? How's the condition of the paint, especially scratches or swirls? The Paint Cleaner, ScratchX, and Polish are all abrasives. At least the first two are moderately strong, I don't know about the third. I wouldn't expect a 1 year old TSX to need more than a mild to medium polish.

To me, the missing ingredient in your list is a detailing clay step. Even with paint in great condition, the surface accumulates all sorts of stuff over time. I was very surprised and pleased with what clay did; my first use was with my TSX (I use Clay Magic and am very satisfied with that.)

AIO/SG are excellent and durable products. I assume you're using the carnauba for that wetter look.

You've probably visited Autopia (www.autopia.org), but if not I'd suggest you check out their comments on the various products and relative abrasiveness. There are also suggestions on applying AIO/SG that make it much easier.

Given your list, looks like a long day with a smooth and well protected TSX to follow!
Old 07-09-2004, 07:35 PM
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pinnacle liquid soverign wax(use every month)
pinnacle crystal mist(use weekly- a detail spray)
armor all car wash wipes- use several times a week
car is seven months old and looks as good as when i got it.
Old 07-09-2004, 07:52 PM
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Sounds like your car is being pampered well!

Since the finish is in excellent condition, I'd only use at most one very mild abrasive (after washing and claying) to achieve the smoothest surface gloss. If there really isn't any surface marring at all, skip the abrasive polishes completely and just begin with the AIO. It has chemical polishing action, with a little mechanical action.

I definitely wouldn't use ScratchX for anything except removing a scratch, I don't know the Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner or Polish. Pick the mildest one!
Old 07-09-2004, 10:10 PM
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with a one year old car or so waxing like for most cars is the most important. you can never wax too much and wax can do miracles and keep the paint in great shape in addition to getting lots of heads turning.
Old 07-09-2004, 10:47 PM
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Meguiar's Scratch X << good
Klasse AIO << bad, tried it on my 4Runner. Nowhere as good as Turtlewax or Zaino
Old 07-12-2004, 03:30 AM
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This is what I use:

1. Local coin-op car wash with my own microfiber sponge
2. One-mile drive back home @ 45 mph aka "drying the car"
3. Park in carport and dry excess water with microfiber towells
4. Clay with Mother's Clay Bar and Detail Spray (once every 3 months)
5. Wax with Meguires NXT Tech Wax (once a month)
6. Clean wheels with Armour All Wheel Cleaner
7. Shine/Clean tires with Armour All
8. Wash windows with Stoner's Invisible Glass
9. Clean interior with water in a spray bottle
10. Clean All Weather Floor Matts with a dilluted mixture ofArmour All
11. Clean leather with Lexol Leather Cleaner
12. Condition leather with Lexol Leather Conditioner
Old 07-12-2004, 05:44 AM
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Is the Armor All wheel cleaner useful? I have turtle wax and it does nothing. It is hard to keep the wheels clean if you do a lot of driving. I like the armor all car wash wipes to wipe down car daily- they are a great convenient product.
Old 07-12-2004, 01:14 PM
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Yeah, Armor All Wheel Cleaner works great. However, you're right--you have to use it at least once a week before the brake dust starts caking on. Have you tried any other brand of wheel cleaner?
Old 07-12-2004, 05:08 PM
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turtle wax wheel cleaner and not very good. picked up the armor all wheel cleaner today and i agree it works much better.
Old 07-17-2004, 03:17 PM
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ccarbajal08 do all those products that u said make ya car look really good b/c i think armor all is a good brand but this TSX is prb gonna be my first car so i want it too look really good b/c cause that i just how i am n plus its black so i want it to look really really really smooth if ya know what i mean so just hook me up on that info ight man appreciate it thankx
P.S. not just the armorall products but all of them on the TSX later man
Old 07-17-2004, 04:07 PM
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Yeah I would use all of the above. If you don't want to use Armor All, use Meguires Tire Cleaner and Wheel Cleaner. Email me if you need specific details how to detail.
Old 07-18-2004, 10:40 AM
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nah i dont have a problem wit armor all i help my bro clean his car wit armor all n it looks pretty good but i think i will use what u use cause those are some good products i think everyone likes the meguires but likes armor all on the tires which i think armor all on tires looks the best but yea i wil have to print out what u have n then go to teh store when i get my car n clean it wit what u got ight thankx man. P.S. about how long does it take u to clean ya car...but i dont think i will use the car wash thing at gas stations i will just clean at my house. but hook me up wit that info ight man peace
Old 07-29-2004, 10:29 PM
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detail supplies

Throw out the Scratch X. Its only a filler and wont remove anything. Your list sounds too abrasive for a new car. Always start with the least abrasive polish to do the job and then go from there. I would skip the Deep Crystal paint cleaner and the Scratch X for sure.

Dawn wash
clay
re-wash
Polish
Klasse AIO
Klasse SG
Carnuba if you think its needed ( remember it looks good but doesnt last very long)

Do you have a Porter Cable for your polishing?
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