I know I am in the wrong forum. But the wash/wax forum will not let me post. I have read a lot of the amazing info in the wash/wax forum. LOTS of stuff there. That is the problem. So much info, that it still kind of confuses me as to what to do to my new car. Would like someone to just say, step 1-use this for washing; 2-this for quick detail; 3-this for a sealant/protectant; 4-this for wheels/tires; 5. and should i put a clay bar on it. It is a the crystal black pearl with ebony interior. I need to get my routine started so I can create and keep that great beautiful black paint job showroom quality or similar. Don't mind spending money for what is needed; but also, if there are products in my autoparts store that work good, that is cool too. Online ordering is fine. Thanks in Advance. can email if that is better at peachpup47@gmail.com

 

Your question doesn't have a simple answer to it. What works well for some people doesn't work for others. I suggest you check out a few of the auto detail forums out there and make a choice on what your looking for in a car detailing product. Kinda like asking who makes the best truck.

 

CKay, I have moved your thread to the Wash & Wax Section for you. Welcome to Acurazine.

Personally, I get a lot of satisfaction keeping my car clean.

Just know that your black color is one of the most difficult to keep clean. You're in for some work to keep it showroom clean. But diligence will pay off.

I didn't know anything about paint until I got to Acurazine, but now I use a multitude of products on my car to keep it showroom clean.

You may look into getting a Porter Cable buffer to keep the swirls away. We have a lot of terrific sponsors who can give you a lot of suggestions.

The clay bar is a must, especially for black. You'll want to choose a good paint cleaner, sealant and wax. You can also use a wheel cleaner, tire black product....then there is the interior products too. 303 Aerospace is a great product for a lot of your interior pieces.

Some of the vendors even have "how to" video's on their site too.





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Take it from a NBP TL owner....Get a clear bra on the your car NOW! Stone/rock chips will make you sick when they begin to appear....Yes, they WILL appear.

My favorite vendor on this site Exceldetail is closing his store. But, you could PM him for advice on what products to use.

Good luck with you black car. CLEAR BRA NOW!

 

The same way you would clean any year TL or any car for that matter.....

 

Clean your car yourself.

3x Sheepskin Wash Mitts
2x Buckets with Grit Guard
1x Foam Gun (optional but I recommend)
15x Microfiber towels (few large-- buy from detailing site)

If washed with these items, it is very hard to scratch your car.

Clay twice a year with Iron X. Polish/Buff only spots that are needed to. Wax every other car wash.

Clean interior with Optimum, 303, or any non-abrasive leather cleaner.

Get all purpose cleaner for tires, fender wells, and engine bay.

Get brushes for tires, wheels, and other small areas.

 

Buy a starter package for a ton of money from an online vendor rather than figuring out what really works for you.





EDIT: You are new. Red text indicates sarcasm.

 

Try these links, "New Car Care/ Suggestions" - https://acurazine.com/forums/wash-wax-23/new-car-care-suggestions-advice-684980/

"Car Care FAQ" - https://acurazine.com/forums/wash-wax-23/acurazine-car-care-faqs-293029/

 

This was my biggest issue when I first decided to dabble in detailing...All the vendors saying this is best and this is best...

I can tell you what has worked best for me so far...But I am far from a pro...

My personal preference...

Properly Detailing How-To Videos

Heres a list of some other helpful detail threads here

Detailing-Acronyms

Product-Reviews

Buffer

Porter Cable 7424 & Foam Pad Kit

- I like this set because you get 8 pads 2 of each color which in reality is what a beginner should at least have; 2 pads of each color because if your trying to use only one pad to go over the entire vehicle it you will have to be making frequent stops to clean it (brush)/wash it/ dry it . Plus you also get a good 5" backing plate.

Lighting

Craftsman 1000watt Light

- I have these light and they work great, absolutely necessary when doing paint correction to see all the defects. It’s just as important as having the Porter Cable to do correction work with. This is something that is always, and I mean always over looked by beginners. I would say without proper lighting don’t even attempt to do any correction work period.

Car Wash

Glossworkz-AUTO WASH -Gloss Booster and Paintwork Cleanser ( 1 Gal)

- This is a good wash I have personally had time to play around with the dilutions since i purchased a gallon of it when it was introduced, I wanted to see what would give me the best cleaning/ lubricity abilities while washing. Chemical Guys recommends using it at 1 oz per 5 gallons of water. I have found that this does work but its not up to par with many other soaps. So since it is never really necessary to wash with 5 gallons of water (unless you have a full sized truck or SUV) especially if your vehicle is a Mustang. I wash with 3 gallons of water to be both friendly to the environment but also to save on my water bill. Since doing weekly washes will tend to jack up your bill a bit. So onto what I am getting at, 3 gallons of water mixed with 2oz of Chemical Guys Glossworkz will make one of the best washes you can use. The only other soap I like more is Majestic Solutions Ultra Gloss it also can be used at the exact same dilution.

Majestic Ultra Gloss

- I have not used this yet but everyone I know that has is ranting a raving about it. This will be my next shampoo purchase.

YouTube - Paul Dalton shows how to wash your car properly

Grit Guards

The Grit Guard Insert - 2 Pack

- The GritGuards are an essential tool that you would want to have in your detailing arsenal. Getting 2 of them are defiantly worth it. To further understand how they work watch this video made by Paul Dalton. This will also show you how to properly wash your vehicle, this and several other good detailing videos are located in the detailing stickies.

Good Wash Mitt / Sponges

**Listed from least expensive to most**

Mothers Genuine Lambswool Wash Mitt

Autowerkes Exclusive :: RaceGlaze Deep Pile Natural Sheepskin Washmitt :: 2008 :: Shop

Uber Wool Wash Mitt

Uber Yellow Wash Sponge

- Another product that is essential to prevent you to further scratch and mar your finish whether your paint has been corrected or not is a quality wool wash mitt or quality sponge.

For Rims/Tires

SONAX Wheel Cleaner, all wheel cleaner, chrome wheel cleaner, aluminum wheel cleaner, full effect wheel cleaner

- Very good quality wheel cleaner that can literally be used on any wheel no matter what the metal is or weather is coated or not.

Clay Bar

Clay Magic Fine Grade Clay Bar - 200 g | Detailed Image

Mothers® California Gold® Clay Bar System

- I like this clay (Clay Magic), it does a really go job at removing above surface embedded contaminates. Not only that but since Automagic, makers of the original clay bar Claymagic clay holds the rights to make every clay bar in the US as of now, excluding only Gliptone clay anything you buy is going to be from so just get this or Mothers clay bar locally at any auto part store or Walmart which is also made by them. Unless you’re willing to import clay like Bilt Hamber clays from out of the country.

Chemical Guys Clay Bar and Luber

- I tried this the last time I detailed my car. And I have to say this is my new favorite clay/lube. The lube is awesome. I felt that it went alot further then alot of the QD's I have used and the clay works great. I cut the bar into 3rds because the bar is huge.

Compound/Polish

Mezerna Compound/Polish/Sealant Kit – All Inclusive

**Menzerna Kit includes compound/polish/and sealant protection So if members want they technically wouldn't need to invest in CG Blacklight or V7 just go straight to LSP after applying Powerlock**

Optimum Compound

Optimum Polish

- I really like the Optimum Compound/Polish combo due to the ease of use with the spray on application and the fact that it works so well together.

CG Blacklight and CG V7

- I really like the Blacklight and V7 combo. I think it gives a very nice wet look to the paint and helps protect for a good amount of time.

Top it with Autoglym HD or any other LSP. If your lucky walmart has it on sale for $20. It’s regularly $50. See if you can find it.

Sealant

BlackFire Wet Diamond

- I have fell in love with this sealant. It leaves the paint looking wet like no other sealant I have seen. Goes on easy but be leary of putting it on too thick because it will be a pain in the ass to get it off. The results are so damn awesome IMHO.

Chemical Guys V7

- I have used this as both a sealant for blacklight and a quick detailer. It works great in both applications.

Quick Detailer

Automotive Detail Quick Detail Spray and Clay Lube With Carnauba

- CG Pro-detailer is used as a great quick detailer and clay lubricant

For Interior

303 Aerospace Protectant 32 oz

- 303 Aerospace Protectant check out Danny’s review on it in the detailing product reviews sticky

Leather

Zaino Z-9

Zaino Z-10

- I have used the Zaino leather stuff for years. I love it. The smell is AWESOME. But the leatherique works ALOT better IMHO

Leatherique Rejuvenator Oil - 16 oz | Detailed Image

Leatherique Rejuvenator Oil - 32 oz | Detailed Image

- To use basically watch the video on how to clean and condition leather properly it’s in the detailing video library

APC - All Purpose Cleaner

Zep

- I Love ZEP because its about $11 a gallon at home depot and has so many uses. I use it to clean heavily greased areas like the fenderwells, engine bays, and underbody parts. I also use it to clean my garage floor so you can dilute it to whatever way you would like to use the product.

Microfibers

Microfibers

- These are great for removing polish residue/wax residue/quick detailing, ipa wipe downs.

MICROPAK 25" x 36" Ultra-Soft Waffle Weave Micro Fiber Towel

- These are a GREAT drying towel

Micro Rejuvenator Microfiber Detergent Concentrate

- To keep up your microfiber towels wash with 1 to 2 oz (depending on the load size) of this use a warm setting with a second rinse cycle and then dry on medium to low heat with no softeners or dryer sheets. Then fold and store them in a clean area or in plastic storage containers.
Also some have used Tide “Free” in the wash cycle with no additives and dried on medium to low heat with great success. Just remember before you toss out a good MF thinking it is done try boiling it and that can a lot of the times bring it back to life.

Total Cost = $749.29 + Shipping***

OR

I have just bought the Meguiars DA Correction System and have not yet had a chance to use it...It is however getting rave reviews and is priced right as well...

Porter Cable 7427XP

Porter cable 7424xp, 7424xp, Porter Cable 7424XP Dual Action Polisher, Porter Cable polisher, car polisher, buffer, sander-polisher

Meguiars DA Correction System

Meguiars DA Microfiber Correction System 5 Inch Starter Kit, paint correction kit, dual action polishing kit

The DA Kit already comes with a compound, polish, backing plate and pads so it can save you alittle money and from what I have seen is a GREAT system and seems to be getting rave reviews so this is definitely a formidable option to the Foam pads and the mezerna compounds. The microfiber pads are made to be used with the Meguiars compounds and polishes but many people have used them with other compound and polishes with GREAT success. I cannot report on that personally as I have not tried them with others.

Everything else would be the same for either kit with the exception of the Meguiars Kit you do not need the Porter Cable kit with the foam pads and backing plate and the merzerna compound/polish.

Total Cost = $672.52 + Shipping***

***Little tidbit about Boutique Detailing Product Vendors that I have learned is that they ALL charge some flat rate shipping charge for the most part (some exceptions) and it is best to buy as much as you can in one order to make it count.

 

LSP

Autoglym HD

- This is the first LSP I used and I loved it. It lasts for about 1 - 1.5 months and if easy to apply and easy to remove. As with all LSP's its only as good as the prep work.

Pinnacle Signature Series II

- My new favorite LSP. As with all other its only as good as the prep but I paired it with BFWD after a correction and the paint looks like a sea of black water. And that was just with 1 coat of it. I have been told to follow this with a coat of [url=http://www.autogeek.net/pinnacle-souveran-spray-wax.html[Pinnacle Souveran Spray Wax[/url] to make it pop for that much longer.

 

fucking great Chris!!!!

will quote your post for all the noobs from here on out!

 

If a mod can put my LSP post right under my Sealant that would be great as that is how I have it setup everywhere else but forgot it there bc I had to add my exp with Pinnacle in it...

Just remember this is all my personal experience and I am not a pro so it can very easily be flawed by own biases...

 

Great job Chris. That was a lot of effort but super job!

 

Wow. I want to thank all you guys that took time to answer. I am a noobie at detailing a car the right way, and I have read many of the articles, FAQ's, etc... on this site. It will take me a little time to digest everything. My new black TL came off the showroom floor, so it was not sitting out in the elements as some new cars do. So far, I have purchased (ordered/none arrived yet), Optimum No Rinse Wash&Shine shampoo, Four Star Ultimate Spray Wax, a superplush authentic lambswool mit; a ultrasoft waffle weave 25x36 micropak; and a micropak of 16x16 microfiber towels (all from pakshak). I plan to wash it good with the optimum product, use my waffle-weave to dry, then spray on the four star quick detailer. Soon, I will invest in some of the other products (clay bar, polisher, sealant, wax, interior cleaners, etc...).

Im not going to wash my car every day (LOL), but I do like to lightly run a very super soft cotton towel over it, just to remove dust and pollen. Within minutes, pollen begins to collect on my black car, it seems when parked at work, or parking lot. I also use a very soft towel to wipe the wheels, inside them, and brake calipers (or whatever they're called/I'm not a guru mechanic). Should I use the microfiber towels for that as well?

 

No problem!

Just trying to do my job to pass on the info I learned myself...We have all been new to this at one time or another...

You should use a microfiber towel and some quick detailer to get rid of the bust...DO NOT dry wipe it...

 

OK. thanks for that info as well. Is running water over it hurt anything. Just gentle water (no fast stream) to knock off pollen dust, etc... No wiping. Pollen appears everyday. In fact just letting the car sit for an hour or so will collect pollen down here in Georgia. LOL. I don't want to quick detail it everyday. I've also been using a very soft towel to wipe down the wheels (brake/road dust). Will that harm anything?

I appreciate you guys being patient with me. When I get my washing/waxing/microfiber towel products, I will keep you guys informed. Also, when I get read to claybar my car, polist, seal, and wax, I will also let you guys know what I am doing so you can keep me from going astray. Detailing my own car is new to me. I have always been like the typical car owner-soapy wash down, rinse, clean tires, I'm done. My car is beautiful and I want to do what I can to keep it that way. Thanks.

 

When I say quick detailer I am meaning something like Chemical Guys P40...

Here is the link

http://www.chemicalguys.com/Automoti..._p/wac_114.htm

I have heard the Prima brand is even better but I have yet to use it...

I guess you could spray the car down good with water and then use the P40 and a MF to clean it...

I dont like this method though...I always take the time and do a full wash and then wipe down with P40 and a MF...

 

OP, people will have opinions either way on this, but have you considered a California Car Duster?

http://calcarduster.com/originalDuster.asp

They are $15 at Walmart/etc. and while I don't suggest them for anything OTHER than very light dust/pollen, it will be better than dry wiping your car. There is a way to condition the CCD so it doesn't leave wax streaks on the car, too.

You may want to then follow up with a QD spray on a super plush MF towel with no pressure, just a wipe.

 

Keep 'er clean CKAY! You've got a beautiful new Acura. Take good care of it and it will take good care of you.

 

The car dusters always scare me so I dont use them so I really cant comment there...I do know that I have cleaned up my fair share of mars and scratches from users using the car dusters in the wrong manner...

 

Yeah, they CAN eff stuff up if people have too high an expectation for them...

OP, forget what I said.


Probably better off with a car cover.

 

Oh lord...Now you just went out of the frying pan into the fryer in my book