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Post by jt33396 on Jun 4, 2017 20:29:56 GMT
So my car is pretty new (2012, one owner before me) and I obviously want it to look good, so what products do you guys use on your own cars and what do you recommend? What should I avoid? How do you clean and detail your car?
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GalantEvo
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Formerly known as Esperante.
Posts: 874 
Registered on: November 2015
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Post by GalantEvo on Jun 5, 2017 10:57:32 GMT
So my car is pretty new (2012, one owner before me) and I obviously want it to look good, so what products do you guys use on your own cars and what do you recommend? What should I avoid? How do you clean and detail your car? I own a 1990 Toyota Starlet, so I don't really clean it that often, since it's not worth it. Not because I don't like my car, but because I live in a part of town where currently alot of houses are being built, so sand goes literally everywhere. Maybe this'll help though: |
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Deleted
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Registered on: January 1970
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Post by Deleted on Sept 15, 2017 13:45:12 GMT
I wait until it rains and then drive around for a bit. Natural cleaning > being a corporate slave to the evil car cleaning product industry.
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Traumbrecher
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When all else fails, die in a fire.
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Post by Traumbrecher on Sept 19, 2017 1:17:19 GMT
Interior, vacuum like you're an OCD freak on a binge, wipe down the dash/console/etc. with a microfiber towel. Use some water and a towel to wipe down and clean out your door jambs, sills, hinges, etc. Same goes for the trunk, don't forget to clean under/behind the weatherstripping where it routes excess water in the rain.
Engine bay, cover up or remove your alternator and battery (you can wipe these down separately outside the car) and if you have a car with an exposed air filter/box, either cover it up or remove it and just put a bag and rubber bands over the throttle body to keep water out (make sure it's secure and won't leak). Then, you can do it the quick way (spray on some engine de-greaser, let it sit for ~5-10 mins, then pressure wash the engine bay, dry it good with a leaf blower or air compressor, then spray on just a bit of engine shine) or you can do it the thorough way (engine de-greaser and a toothbrush, get into every nook and cranny you can scrub until it all shines, then spray it all clean, then engine shine).
I've always used a bit of dish soap and water to wash the exterior (this cuts through the wax already on the car), then spray it off with a hose and use a leaf blower to dry the car. Then, get the car into some shade (like inside a garage or something) and clay bar the exterior to get all surface grime stuck on there cleaned off. Rinse car again with hose, dry again with leaf blower. Then, use a good liquid wax with an orbital buffer (or a hard wax and do it by hand if you're really feeling energetic). Let the wax dry/cure for a little bit, then wipe off the excess with a microfiber towel.
Spray on some tire shine, wipe down your wheels real good (I've even gone as far as taking my wheels off to clean the barrels inside and get the brake dust off - use some Simple Green or something similar).
Double check the car front-rear, top-bottom for any water streaks and wipe them clean, then you should be good to go and car show-ready.
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Askorbiini
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Post by Askorbiini on Oct 16, 2017 10:47:29 GMT
I'm a bit lazy on cleaning my car, I usually just end up washing it once in 1-2 months (except during winter, when I don't wash the car at all, as freezing is a real issue). My biggest tip for washing is to avoid using a sponge - it just traps sand and other stuff and will eventually scratch the finish. The pre-washing I usually do with highly diluted tall oil soap (pine oil soap?) as it's really effective in taking out dirt from the surface without really eating away the surface wax. The washing itself I do with a washing glove and the "two bucket method" (one with washing solution, one with plain water to rinse the glove). For my wheels I use a dish brush as it's softer (doesn't hurt the finish), I can reach into the wheel spokes with it and I can get them cheap everywhere. I use a lot of Dodo Juice products, since I've been really happy how they work. Especially their "Sour Apple" washing concentrate is great as it has some carnauba wax in it, cutting my need to wax my car that often. These methods work very well for me, although few of my more "detailing oriented" friends claim I cut corners too much.  |
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Post by cloudmcshort on Oct 16, 2017 11:34:00 GMT
There's 2 Youtube channels i watch a lot that do this kind of stuff.
If you're really OCD you have to check out "AMMO NYC" (cant link im on mobile atm, just search on YT).
He is a professional detailer, one of the best in the business, and also really good at teaching as well as being entertaining. Love his videos. He also makes products (they are a bit expensive, but they're mostly for pros)
If you're more DIY there's "ChrisFix" (again, search on YT without the quotations).
He is more casual, but has some incredible attention to detail. He also does alot of mechanical stuff, very helpful and entertaining videos to watch.
I've learned alot from these 2. Haven't really applied any of the stuff yet, mostly because of time/money restraints, but eventually i'll do some work on my whip and it'll look real pretty!
(Just realised this thread is pretty old, but it just popped up in the 'recent threads' so dont judge me xD )
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