Car cleaning products

[Greaver]

Yeah its that nooby thread

I could have asked this in nooby questions but I expect a bit of discussion given the question.

Alright, what are the best products for car care? If it makes a difference I have a JDM 2003 BH5.

I have only ever bothered using armorall, but I understand wax etc is important

[Swindog]

Come round over weekend ill show you what i use. well have an experiment.

[newsuba]

Just buy what ever fits your budget.

Detailing experts reckon product choice only accounts for 10-15% of the final result.

The major determinant is technique.

[thorpy]

I use re-po to get any marks out and then wax with auto glym i think it is.

Re-po and wet 2000 grit is good for cleaning stubborn brake dust off rims.

[Wiretap]

I've found Turtle Wax Premium rubbing Compound to do an insanely good job of Subaru paint, have used it on a BC5, a GF8 and a BE5 with great results

[Greaver]

Thanks for the tips people, and yeah will text you this weekend swindog

[STiNGR]

Super-rip. The shit works wonders on exterior and spot cleaning interior!

[Swindog]

I use meguiars stuff or mothers if its too expensive.

clay bars do wonders and does my drywash but thats used and i cant get any more.

so i use nextwax and carnuba on a palm polisher. I use a cutting compound on the legacy as its white and tends to mark easy.

[Timmah]

Just started using Turtle Wax - Was and Wax, don't find it any different from Armorall's Wash and wax.

And if I feel like being fancy, or have time, I use Armorall's Wax and Polish, smells nice

I also use Armoralls plastic/vynal protectant on the dash, makes it look shine and nice.

[embai]

this is what i've used and bought my stuff from, apparently a recommendation from a detailing mate in UK, not the cheapest but i rather pay more for quality stuff.

http://www.clubsub.org.nz/forum/index.php/topic,29362.0.html <-- that is the review i have done on the wheel cleaner, takes off brake dust with ease.

www.maxdetail.co.nz <-- this is where i get my stuff from

if you need any advice, feel free to PM me

[Guest]

meguiars on the wash, repo for cut and polish. Been meaning to get some of that good as wheel cleaner in above post.

[Timmah]

 embai said:

this is what i've used and bought my stuff from, apparently a recommendation from a detailing mate in UK, not the cheapest but i rather pay more for quality stuff.

http://www.clubsub.org.nz/forum/index.php/topic,29362.0.html <-- that is the review i have done on the wheel cleaner, takes off brake dust with ease.

www.maxdetail.co.nz <-- this is where i get my stuff from

if you need any advice, feel free to PM me

Have you tried either the "CQUARTZ CERAMIC COATING" http://www.maxdetail.co.nz/product.php?id_product=10

Or

"CQUARTZ DLUX COATING" http://www.maxdetail.co.nz/product.php?id_product=24

Watched the videos and sparked my interest.

[embai]

yea, i had the cquartz on my car, i would say it's awesome, it sort of makes the car easier to maintain with the layer of protection, i didnt really believe it at first but yea...

here's a video showing its durability.

i dont have the guts to do what they did in the video, but yea...

i havent tried the DLUX but apparently in the UK it is getting positive reviews, i think would be really good on those faded trims and bumpers.

let me know if you want any advice on it, i will be more than happy to help, i am sure every car lovers here in the forum wanted to keep their cars looking at its best.

[embai]

 evowrx said:

meguiars on the wash, repo for cut and polish. Been meaning to get some of that good as wheel cleaner in above post.

well... i highly recommend you get them, definitely worth the money. Their range of products is pretty good in my opinion

[Eight_dollar]

auto glym as a finishing product as a polish is amazing, and autosol for all your headlights/tail lights etc makes them come up great, a spray on acidy thing for the wheels with a water blaster does the trick, gets off brake dust pretty easy. and autosol for exhaust generally comes up pretty nice

[QBALLZ]

I have done my time as an Auto Refinisher so i thought i'd throw my 2c in, i dont mean to offend just giving some tips

that i have been taught/discovered ;D

If your paint is in good to great nick 99% of the time the product choice for washing wont make a difference. The main thing you want is correct technique from the start! DO NOT use brushes on paintwork!! Always give the body a solid firm hose/spray before touching it with any sponge/mittens, too many people do not spend enough time with the pre hosing to dislodge any debri that will scratch the S$&^% out of the paint when it gets caught in the weave of your chosen cloth/mitten/sponge. Always start at the roof and wash down, also as im sure everyone knows dont wash in the sun, or when the car is hot-you will become the proud owner of a water droplet stained car- i have seen this a million times!!! Always shammy the car dry afterwards, it will always look better.

As for waxing/reglossing the clear or just protecting your weapon, again technique is the winner here. There are soooo many companys out there claiming to have the "best product" but IMO it will depend on the age of your paint, and how much effort/time you want to throw at it. If your lucky enough to own a base coat/clear coat paint job (mettalics etc) be vey very careful when putting any kind of cutting compound on. The more you cut the more microns of clear you rub through, in some cases it's worth getting professional help so they can 're-flow' your clear with a buffer. If you have a solid colour (2k,1k,HB) cuuting the misty colour away with a MILD cutting compound then waxing it up will be all you will need to keep her looking sharp for months. The same does apply for BC/CC as to solids the more you cut the more paint you cut off so be careful.

Like i said before it's not always the best product but is always the best technique that will keep everything looking SHARP!!

Also keep your beast well maintained, don't leave bird doo doo on the paint to stain, clean any mud etc off straight away and keep her waxed up, i do mine atleast once a month to keep the paint in tune and looking bayyyutifool. ;D

One final tip of overly long speil is the bucket- keep your car cleaning bucket seperate, do not rinse dirty water back in the bucket-squeeze it out on to the ground and rinse and ensure each time your mitten/cloth/sponge touches your car it doesn't have any dirt on it or you will get the 'ol swirl effect' in your nice paint work.

I know it's not quite car cleaning PRODUCT related but atleast i may stop one person from the poor paint-care maddness i see destroying great paint jobs everyday!! ;D

[newsuba]

Told ya...

Technique over product

[Deforester]

Meguiars Cleaner Wax is pretty good, stuff smells nice too