[HOWELLiNC]

So I'm just curious about what everyone's favorite car wash/care products are. I have always been very particular about getting and keeping my cars shiny and pretty, but over the years I have managed to accumulate various products at random times and while I have many of the necessary products and tools, I have never had a "complete" car care kit. So I decided that this month I am treating myself and my TL to a nice car care kit and would love to hear some opinions. I have it narrowed down to two kits for most of what I want. There are some pretty significant product differences between the two kits but only a $15 difference between the two. Love to hear your thoughts, suggestions, opinions!


Mothers Wash, Wax & Maintain Kit

Pro Kits Esoteric Wash and Maintenance | Free Shipping Available - Detailed Image

[b15]

I've been using Mothers products on the exterior and Megiuars on the interior of all my cars for years and it's been great. I like that it's readily available at retail stores so I don't have to order and wait when I run out. It also keeps my car looking good.

At any given time I always have mothers gold car wash, cleaner wax and quick detailer. I also have their reflections quick wax (pretty much everything in your first link) which I put on the cars after every wash for that deep gloss 'wet' look and shine. For the interior I use megiuars quick interior detailer wipes and their gold class leather wipes. Nothing fancy but I get compliments all the time on how good my cars look.

[TLin401]

Adams Polishes are some of the best products that I have ever used

[justnspace]

<p>one comes with a bucket, the other comes without.&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>both &quot;kits&quot; are from reputable detailing websites, so, you're golden on which ever one you choose, as the kits &nbsp;seem to be put together well.&nbsp;</p><p>(P.S. I'd get the cheaper of the two kits)&nbsp;</p>

[justnspace]

<p>I've also found useless products in their &quot;kits&quot;&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>what I would do is; pick and choose which items I NEED on hand. that way, you arent spending money on items that you dont need.&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>(quick detailer will run out quickly and I've found that I dont even need to use it)</p>

[justnspace]

<p>you need</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>-Bucket(s) one rinse, one soap...both with grit guards&nbsp;<br />- microfiber cloths for washing<br />- microfiber waffle weave cloth for drying (important)<br />- car shampoo (your choice, I like optimum)<br />- clay bar</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>and that's about it, any thing else in their kits are Extra and you're paying for it.&nbsp;</p>

[justnspace]

<p>then, if you would like to get into detailing, you can then buy a machine polisher like PC 7424XP and some paint correction products(polish, waxes and sealants)&nbsp;</p>

[Jesstzn]

In reality you don't need 2 buckets if you use a good sheepskin wash mitt for the body and another mitt for the wheels. . Just one bucket with a grit guard. Chemical Guys make a few great wash soaps that only need an oz to 4 gal. Or the Turtle Wax soap .. just mix it about 2 oz or better to 4 gal.

For drying ... a leaf blower and a couple Waffle Weave drying towels.


If you want to go past the washing that's another new ball game.

[dezymond]

Optimum No Rinse/ Wash&Wax for exterior. Optimum spray wax as well.

Interior been using Meguiars quick interior detailer, but have picked up some Optimum Opti-clean. Going to see which one I like better.

[HOWELLiNC]

Right on, thanks for the input guys! I might even do a clay bar treatment Sunday too

[truonghthe]

meguair product with two Home depo bucket along with grids guard.

[ulrblitzer]

<p>

Originally Posted by HOWELLiNC

Right on, thanks for the input guys! I might even do a clay bar treatment Sunday too

</p><p>I wouldn't even bother with waxing the car if you aren't going to clay bar it this time, specially if its never been done. You'd be surprised what you will pick up with the clay bar that isn't visible to your eyes. You don't need to clay bar before waxing every time, but need to periodically. Watch some Youtube videos on it.</p>

[HOWELLiNC]

Originally Posted by ulrblitzer

<p></p><p>I wouldn't even bother with waxing the car if you aren't going to clay bar it this time, specially if its never been done. You'd be surprised what you will pick up with the clay bar that isn't visible to your eyes. You don't need to clay bar before waxing every time, but need to periodically. Watch some Youtube videos on it.</p>

Thanks for the advice, will do.

[WDPinit]

Turtlewax Wash and wax. Love the stuff! Btw OP, nice to see another STL member!

[CheeseyPoofs McNut]

My favourites:

1) Duragloss Car Wash Concentrate #901 - great stuff and smells good too.
2) Cobra Guzzler - for drying. Get the three pack.
3) Grit guard - get two - one for the wash bucket and one for the rinse bucket.
4) Duragloss Auquawax - use as a drying agent (lightly spritz the car while it's wet then dry then dry as you would with the guzzler) or as a topper after you dry it.
5) Girots Interior cleaner - very mild for wiping down everything on the inside.
6) Aerospace 303 - for interior protection once a month or so after cleaning.
7) Pinnacle Souverän™ Liquid Spray Wax - pricey but leaves the car with a silky smooth finish that lasts for days!
8) Blackfire Wet Diamond - easy on and easy off paint sealant.
9) PorterCable 7424 Dual Action buffer - for polishing and doing paint correction when needed.
10) Sonax Wheel cleaner - use a couple times a year to really clean up the rims
11) PERL - for dressing the tires - super glossy and wet!
12) "Big Boy" microfiber towels from the Pakshak! Great Stuff!
13) Meguiars Ultimate Compound - for polishing out those minor scratches and swirls etc.

Those are the highlights - I've got far too much crap in my basement. Just bought some Collinite 845 - going to try that on my old truck for this Winter!

[Steven Bell]

I've used the Griot's Garage products with tremendous success. Adam's stuff is excellent too.

[fishin412c]

- Turtle Wax Ice[/COLOR] (car wash and interior detailer)
*foam gun before dread lock mitt/bucket wash really works sell
- Griot's Garage (polish, sealant, wax)
* the more time I have to put in, the better the results

[karlmax]

My fave is the Ultima Paint Guard Wash. Very concentrated, cleans very well and smells good.

[Rolaur]

I have always used Zaino products and have been very happy with them.

[dbarnhart]

Originally Posted by CheeseyPoofs McNut

My favourites:

1) Duragloss Car Wash Concentrate #901 - great stuff and smells good too.
2) Cobra Guzzler - for drying. Get the three pack.
3) Grit guard - get two - one for the wash bucket and one for the rinse bucket.
4) Duragloss Auquawax - use as a drying agent (lightly spritz the car while it's wet then dry then dry as you would with the guzzler) or as a topper after you dry it.
5) Girots Interior cleaner - very mild for wiping down everything on the inside.
6) Aerospace 303 - for interior protection once a month or so after cleaning.
7) Pinnacle Souverän™ Liquid Spray Wax - pricey but leaves the car with a silky smooth finish that lasts for days!
8) Blackfire Wet Diamond - easy on and easy off paint sealant.
9) PorterCable 7424 Dual Action buffer - for polishing and doing paint correction when needed.
10) Sonax Wheel cleaner - use a couple times a year to really clean up the rims
11) PERL - for dressing the tires - super glossy and wet!
12) "Big Boy" microfiber towels from the Pakshak! Great Stuff!
13) Meguiars Ultimate Compound - for polishing out those minor scratches and swirls etc.

+1 for almost everything on this list

[FoxRL]

I enjoy detailing - a lot.
I am constantly getting compliments on my 2006 RL with 338000KM.
Here is what i use:

- 3D Products "Pink Car Soap"
- Clay Mitt (removes everything your soap wont - HIGHLY RECOMMEND)
- Depending on the surface condition, I use an Orange pad on my Porter cable DA polisher with HD UNO
- Once the UNO is removed, I apply HD Speed.

Rims:
- 3D Products BDX (Brake dust, iron remover)
- Department store tire "shine" foam - let it sit for 30 seconds then wipe it off with a cloth (I don't like shiny tires)

I don't work for 3DProducts/HD Car Care but I support the crap out of their products. I have not had 1 issue with them at all. The wax/polishes are the EASIEST to remove too.

These are my opinions and preferences.

[FoxRL]

I enjoy detailing - a lot.
I am constantly getting compliments on my 2006 RL with 338000KM.
Here is what i use:

- 3D Products "Pink Car Soap"
- Clay Mitt (removes everything your soap wont - HIGHLY RECOMMEND)
- Depending on the surface condition, I use an Orange pad on my Porter cable DA polisher with HD UNO
- Once the UNO is removed, I apply HD Speed.

Rims:
- 3D Products BDX (Brake dust, iron remover)
- Department store tire "shine" foam - let it sit for 30 seconds then wipe it off with a cloth (I don't like shiny tires)

I don't work for 3DProducts/HD Car Care but I support the crap out of their products. I have not had 1 issue with them at all. The wax/polishes are the EASIEST to remove too.

These are my opinions and preferences.

[zeppelincody]

I too enjoy detailing cars A Lot. In Fact I find myself wiping down my car every 2-3 days, if time allows. My garage is filled with a huge Gammut of waxes, washes, treatments from professional detail shops, pep-boys, on-line...you name it.


The Vendor and product of choice is NOW Chemical Guys. I have polishes for my DA Polisher. SmartDetail, interior. I have yet to find a product that I don't like and doesn't work, especially on a Used and abused BLack Car with 115K miles on it. I now swear by Chemical Guys Products and can recommend all sorts of supplies, as I have enjoyed testing and trying out most of their line. I will post pics when my user account allows it. Hope this helps. Have Fun Washing and Polishing.

[damaged442]

I am not a professional, but I do my best to detail my own vehicles.


I like Chemical Guys soaps, preferably the ones that dilute to 1 oz/4-5 gal like Mr. Pink or Honeydew Snow Foam.


I have had good luck with XMT (Now McKee's) 360 as an AIO.


Also a big fan of Collinite waxes.

[Fabvsix]

Zaino since 2000....never looked back ...

[imj0257]

Meguiar's Shampoo & Conditioner for washes.
Bar Keeper's Friend for dirty exhaust. I used to use Nevr Dull but it really didn't work 'great'.. just ok at best. I just used Bar Keeper's Friend for the first time today because I had really caked on black exhaust and with a little effort it got rid of all of it... my new go-to for exhaust cleaning.

[RailTester]

Originally Posted by Fabvsix

Zaino since 2000....never looked back ...

agreed.

This is just the wash. I have yet to claybar or use any of the polishes if a while. The best by far.

[Fabvsix]

Just completed my two weekend back to back Zaino project. 1st weekend hand wash and prepped for Porter Cable Zaino 5 wax job the second weekend...Job completed... you are now looking at 80 coats of Zaino for the past 13 years!!!! User German chrome polish for rims, chrome trim.... Bling Bling

[Scott in AZ]

I'm a Meguiar's guy across the board. I just clay bar'd my 2010 MDX and was blown away at the result. Good stuff.

[Fabvsix]

Let's see a picture...

[ek9Kid]

Originally Posted by HOWELLiNC

So I'm just curious about what everyone's favorite car wash/care products are. I have always been very particular about getting and keeping my cars shiny and pretty, but over the years I have managed to accumulate various products at random times and while I have many of the necessary products and tools, I have never had a "complete" car care kit. So I decided that this month I am treating myself and my TL to a nice car care kit and would love to hear some opinions. I have it narrowed down to two kits for most of what I want. There are some pretty significant product differences between the two kits but only a $15 difference between the two. Love to hear your thoughts, suggestions, opinions!


Mothers Wash, Wax & Maintain Kit

Pro Kits Esoteric Wash and Maintenance Free Shipping Available - Detailed Image

mothers is sa good one i love there hard wax it always leaves a long lasting deep shine but one of my favs i think you should look into is a brand name chemical guys they usually sell there stuff on amazon but there stuff is a1 check them out on you tube to see the proof for urself

[ek9Kid]

Originally Posted by damaged442

I am not a professional, but I do my best to detail my own vehicles.


I like Chemical Guys soaps, preferably the ones that dilute to 1 oz/4-5 gal like Mr. Pink or Honeydew Snow Foam.


I have had good luck with XMT (Now McKee's) 360 as an AIO.


Also a big fan of Collinite waxes.

yes thats what i just mentioned there stuff is great

[devensd54]

I use Meguiar's products on the exterior and Lexol products on the interior. The Lexol line includes: Leather Cleaner, Leather Protector and Vinylex Protectant (cleans and protects vinyl, rubber and plastic).

I wax the car with Griot's orbital buffer using the red and orange pads (polishing and waxing).

[vetdude]

Rejex Polymer Coating: developed for military aircraft; transitioned to the tour bus industry; now available to the public. A little goes a long way. Super slick.
RejeX: Nothing Sticks but the Shine!

California Car Duster (the original): best thing since sliced bread for between washings when all you need to do is remove surface dust and/or pollen. Been using them for years. The dirtier they get, the better they work. Will not scratch paint!
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/c...FQaBswod1vkNwA

[GraySiCK]

I'm really liking the Duragloss 901 wash soap.

For wax, I typically use P21S - Pretty expensive but its a great product.

[2003CL6]

I have a lot of respect for those who clay their car. Also those who polish it. I do neither of those 2 things, but what I have going for myself is I keep frequent washes and do my best to rid bird droppings/bee vomit in a timely manner. I also wax rather regularly(when needed). Nothing like spraying your car in nice weather and really seeing it bead up.

I use meguiars deep crystal car wash and meguiars ultimate liquid wax and costco microfiber towles. And it is joyous.