Car Detailing

Originally Posted by brianja

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As I had said... Optimum is clearly a second choice to a regular wash, but it is def. a good option for those of us who don't have easy access to a hose or who live in a cold winter climate.

I agree that Zaino Z7 is a great wash. It's what I use 75% of the time (I use Adams wash in a foam gun the rest of the time). In my experience P21s TAW is a bit too strong for an everyday wash and tends to strip off my LSP.

Picking up some MF towels (waffle weave) for drying is a great idea. If you really want to get crazy I have the CR Spotless and I was surprised at how good of a job it does.

For the interior I used 303 Aerospace for a number of years and really like it, but if you prefer something that leaves NO residue and a completely matte surface you can't beat Einzett Cockpit Premium.

I am a fan of the Einszett (1Z) products as well but Cockpit premium leaves the surface too matte for my tastes and doesn't last as long. Their Scheibenklar window cleaner however is the best I have tested.

Total Auto Wash is not the P21S I am recommending...I was thinking of P21S Bodywork Shampoo. It's gentle and won't strip the wax.

Originally Posted by Artisan Fan

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I am a fan of the Einszett (1Z) products as well but Cockpit premium leaves the surface too matte for my tastes and doesn't last as long. Their Scheibenklar window cleaner however is the best I have tested.

Total Auto Wash is not the P21S I am recommending...I was thinking of P21S Bodywork Shampoo. It's gentle and won't strip the wax.

As you said... interior dressings are a matter of taste. I don't mind shorter life of CP in exchange for the matte look. A lot of people prefer a little shine like 303 gives (I did for quite a while). I still have a few bottles of 303 around because some of the cars I do prefer that look. Some people even like that super-gloss armorall style finish. Blech.

I haven't tried P21s bodywork shampoo... if its like TAW but more gentle and LSP friendly then it should be a good product.

TAW is not meant for literally washing the car. I use it for stubborn brake dust, tree sap, dead bugs and other difficult to clean areas and degreasing the engine. It strips all the wax you meticulously applied as well. My fav is the bodywork shampoo and the einszett perls which is superb leaving a ridiculous shine. As a matter of fact I just got my foam gun after waiting for so long to pull the trigger so I'm going to give it a whirl soon.

Originally Posted by romafan

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What happens in 'the tunnel'?

Well, ever seen a real dirty vehicle go through one? Where's that dirt go that gets washed off? Certainly most goes down the drain, but some stays on the brushes. And then the brush is slapping your car, and causing swirls and such. Or, the touchfree. How's it clean all the grime with no touching? Harsh chemicals and water pressure. Those same chemicals that can clean off the car w/o any touching probably aren't doing your wax any favors. At least it's not slapping dirt against the paint though. If anyone is near Meguiar's in California, then it would be worth attending one of their classes, even if you don't necessarily settle on their products. Free.. Check out http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12004 I'm not so "sick" that I've bought a foam gun yet. I've read about them for years, but...

This time of year I prefer the touchless car wash. I went through one today to remove the road salt from the car.

What is the best way to get rid of water spots? They are pretty much unavoidable for me because I have to park my car in the street and it has been raining a lot lately.

I'll try the optimum no-rinse stuff with some microweave towels. I'm not going to worry about waxing it for now.

For the dash I bought some basic Armor All from Auto Zone, is this stuff bad to use?

My girlfriend's car is 2 years old and 2 CA summers have made the dash look like it has faded slightly. What is the best way to restore the dash?

Originally Posted by tiecollector

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What is the best way to get rid of water spots? They are pretty much unavoidable for me because I have to park my car in the street and it has been raining a lot lately.

I'll try the optimum no-rinse stuff with some microweave towels. I'm not going to worry about waxing it for now.

For the dash I bought some basic Armor All from Auto Zone, is this stuff bad to use?

My girlfriend's car is 2 years old and 2 CA summers have made the dash look like it has faded slightly. What is the best way to restore the dash?

Find a good detailer and buff it out with 3M pads and Zaino Z-PC or Menzerna polishes using first a Porter Cable-"PC" in detailer speak and later a rotary polisher like a Makita 9227 if needed.

The newer ArmorAll formula is fine.

Originally Posted by indy116

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I'm not so "sick" that I've bought a foam gun yet. I've read about them for years, but...

I passed that stage many years ago. I have a two filter de-ionizing filter system along with menzerna pro polishes I got direct from the manufacturer, the entire p21s line and at one point about 75% of the 1z stuff that was made back then along with a pc, **** load of pads and about a hundred mf clothes from everyone. I've been thinking about a makita rotary for awhile now and think I will pull the trigger so I can come out of detailing environment since I haven't done it so long and my paint has gone to ****. I was hesitant to pay 60 bucks for the foam gun that everyone was charging and almost did with the black friday discount codes, actually ended up getting it for 36 shipped no tax so I couldn't pass that up.

Back on topic, TC vinegar will take out water spots but you have to be careful and I advise you to search the technique before attempting it yourself. Personally I would use a chemical cleanser without abrasives such as 1z glaze or p21s paintwork cleanser.

The P21S painwork cleanser is a good idea but it does not always work on water spots. Depends on how deep they are.

Which is really one of many good reasons to use a quality polymer sealant like Zaino.

Just when I thought I knew everything, SF has to introduce a whole new world of pain for me to learn.

http://pages.sbcglobal.net/gheumann/zaino_test/
This guy seems to think Zaino is overpriced compared to Meguiar's. If the Meguiar's is that much cheaper, I may start off with it.

Which is why I suggested vinegar. While zaino is a great sealant, me and my ocd friend who is by far the most insane detailer I've ever known can't recommend zaino if an optimal finish is desired. It just leaves too much of a synthetic shine that can never match the depth of a good quality carnauba wax. It's great if longevity is concerned though.

Meguiars is garbage fyi.

Would anyone be willing to link me affordably (less than $100, under $50 even better) to items I can use to assemble a barebones, basic detailing kit?

Here's your list,

-p21s bodyword shampoo (better yet go to a bmw dealership and buy the bottle in the same shape, it's the same stuff but cheaper, don't skimp on shampoo arguably the most important step)

-sheepskin wash mitt (wash in straight lines not circles)

-invest in a nice big mf waffle weave drying towel or a nice plush cotton towel to dry

-you can just use the car wash soap that's left in the bucket AT THE END of a wash and a separate cloth to clean the wheels (never use the same item you use for the paint)

-for wax p21s wax is hard to beat and among the best

That is as barebones as it gets. Another good site and great my (my friend Nick) is www.detailersparadise.com. He will be more than happy to go over what you need to do over the phone without trying to sell you anything. I can pm you my personal washing technique just so your head can hurt more but it is a comprehensive guide that has changed little.

Few more questions:

How to get rid of caked on bird crap?

Is there such a thing as glass wax?

Should I invest in a mechanical buffer for waxing wax?

Aside from the waffle weave, what other kinds of microfiber cloths should I get?

Answers

Originally Posted by tiecollector

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Few more questions:

How to get rid of caked on bird crap? Always rinse off immediately or soak with quick detailer and gently remove, most likely it will have etched into the paint if it's been on there for awhile. Then you will need a porter cable random orbital to buff off.

Is there such a thing as glass wax? You don't need it, you can clay the windows or get a dedicated glass polish chemical cleaner so the water will sheet off. Pick up clay magic it at your local autozone, it's great and about 12 bux.

Should I invest in a mechanical buffer for waxing wax? Not for waxing, if you use p21s it is the easiest wax in the world to apply by hand and by machine would be slower. Machines are ideal at removing paint defects, since your car is new you don't have many.

Aside from the waffle weave, what other kinds of microfiber cloths should I get Get some for buffing off wax, some for absorbing quick detailer and maybe a low pile one specially designed for glass.