Good Detailing Products

[emerson1]

I wanted to do a full detail on my truck. A summer full of sand volleyball last year and 9 months of other dirtiness have built. I vacuum it out about once a month, but want to go all out. I've looked around here, but still am not sure on what products to use. I want something good, but don't want to try and spend under $50 if possible.

 

I have that light tan leather. I am good about cleaning that more often because of how bad clothing color rubs off onto it. I was just using a rag and couch leather conditioner. I also want to if possible give the dash a good wipe down and maybe wax it.

 

I've never done this before so I have a few questions, bear with me please.

 

 

1. What is a good product to clean the leather? Dashboard? Inside on tinted windows?

 

2. I'm tired of spending $5 in change for a crappy hand wash at carwash. What is a good soap to use? Should I wax the paint? I've never done this, how hard is it to do?

 

3. What is a good product for tires and rims? I saw the thread with the black truck that made it looked amazing. My truck is brown though.

 

 

If I've missed anything else I should do let me know. Thanks for any help!

[txab]

Lexol for leather

[Georgebaumann]

I Use armor all on basically all my dash door, panels and leather and i use rug doctor cleaner on my rugs.

 

on my exterior paint im a big fan of all mothers 3 step detailing and wax kits. to wax its not that hard just very tedius to get all the wax off the paint and make sure not to get it on the plastics or it will dry on it and a pain to get off. if its ur first time watch either someone do it first or there is always youtube.

 

 

i use armor all tire shine foam on my tires and any blak trim peices, mirrors and plastic peices on my bumpers.

 

on my rims i use glass cleaner on my rims then wipe armor all on them.

 

rainx on my windows and mirrors.

 

this makes me wanna detail my truck now that its getting warmer out

hope this helps

[RyanbabZ71]

This site has a ton of tips

 

Products there are so many out there. Over the years I have switched occasionally.

 

I use stoners window spray for the inside windows, it is safe for window tint.

 

www.autogeek.net

[Superperv23]

I personally like chemical guys chemical guys products, they make leather cleaners that produce a new leather scent. As far as cleaning tinted windows you want to make sure you have a tint safe cleaner. The dash is personal preference, I do not like a shiny dash so I just use window cleaner on it. Waxing is not that hard, it is just removing it from all of the body gaps, trim pieces etc that can get annoying. You basically have to buff the car and then leave it for an hour and go back when the wax you missed is fully dry so you can see it all. As far as soap you always want to make sure you use car soap, using regular dish detergent or house hold cleaner is terrible for your paint. For tires I doubt you will find anything better than chemical guys black forever, really shiney and long lasting and not greasy.

[kdrchuck]

Autopia.org is a great resource. Get ready to get overwhelmed and spend some money if you want to "go all out".

 

Meguiar's Gold Class Shampoo is a good OTC wash.

I also like Meguiar's Interior Detailer (for cleaning dash and things) and their Quick Detailer for the paint. Meg's also has some nice interior protectant products.

You should definitly Wax your paint. but you may want to clay the paint first (any OTC clay kit) I like Meg's NXT paste liquid or spray (but you must be careful around the plastics). Have heard great things (and will being trying myself) Optimum Spray Car Wax. You can put it on just about everything exterior.

 

Wash wheels and tires first with the same thing as the rest of the truck. I use Armor all's Gel tire deressing (SPARINGLY) I like it but i am looking for better. NXT wax on the wheels.

 

Grout sponges 2 buckets from lowes. "Grit gaurd" Good microfiber towels can get pricey but check out www.stocktowelsnow.com Costco or Sam's club towels are good for everhything but paint.

 

Gold Class shampoo, NXT, Clay Kit (Comes with a detail spray) Meg's detail stuff on sale at Wal-mart for $4 a bottle. So maybe 1 $50 trip to advanced auto and another $50 trip to walmart and lowes.

[dsr611]

I don't like the "glossy" look and feel of ArmorAll similar products, so I use 303 Aerospace Protectant or Bass Boat Saver on the dash, door panels, etc. They both have UV protection in them (think sunscreen for your dash...prevents discoloring over time). I use Bass Boat Saver more due to the fact that it smells great!)

 

For the glass and mirrors, I use Stoner's Invisible Glass.

 

I use Meguiar's Gold Class Car Wash Shampoo & Conditioner and NXT Tech Wax for washing and waxing. I use Mother's Instant Detailer spray, just because I had a couple of bottles given to me and haven't used it all yet.

 

For the tires, I use Stoner's More Shine. It lasts a while and doesn't sling all over the side of the truck like ArmorAll and other greasy dressings.

 

I saw the pics of sic lsx's truck, and picked up a bottle of the stuff he used. Whenever I get off of this 6 day, 1 night stretch at work, I'm going to give my truck a good detailing and try it.

 

Most important thing is to make sure you keep your cleaning sponge rinsed well. Use the 2 bucket method with a grit guard in the bottom of one bucket with water to rinse it and then use it in your soap bucket. You don't want to wash the truck with a sponge that has grit on it...easy way to scratch the paint up good. I use my leaf blower when drying the truck...it blows almost all of the water from everything...mirror housings, body panels, body gaps, etc. What little bit of water is left, I use a quality MF towel.

[emerson1]

Vacuumed all of the grass and dog hair out. Wiped down the plastic parts with a rag and water with a dash of soap in it. Going to order either some Mother's or Meguiars leather cleaner and conditioner from amazon. Whichever ends up being cheaper.

 

Two more questions, what kind of rag should I use for cleaning?

 

and what is this? It kept peeling off when I was doing the part on the bottom of the seat where the switches are.

 

http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/6544/img6776x.jpg

[kdrchuck]

Vacuumed all of the grass and dog hair out. Wiped down the plastic parts with a rag and water with a dash of soap in it. Going to order either some Mother's or Meguiars leather cleaner and conditioner from amazon. Whichever ends up being cheaper.

 

Two more questions, what kind of rag should I use for cleaning?

 

and what is this? It kept peeling off when I was doing the part on the bottom of the seat where the switches are.

 

http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/6544/img6776x.jpg

 

I like the Lowes ProForce sponges for washing. Definitly keep it clean like said above.

 

As far as rags go: "Vroom" or "ProForce" from Target or Walmart or the bulk MicroFibers from Costco or Sam's Club are good for interior, wheels and tires.

 

For Paint (detailing, buffing, drying) You might want to get a few high quality MF towels which can cost $3-5 a piece. Cobra is a brand i doubt anyone will argue with. I like the ones from www.stocktowelsnow.com I've read good things about "PakShak" towels also.

 

"The Absorber" works great drying for me. Not everyone likes them.

Stoners for glass (safe on tint)

 

I don't have any experience with leather.

[brad519]

I only use Adam's Polishes on my truck but it isn't cheap.

 

Since your not wanting to spend a bunch of money try Meguiars.

Get some Meguiars Car Wash Soap to wash with as it's not expensive and works fine.

And YES you should wax the truck. But don't get Turtle Wax....seriously.

I use Adams Americana but its 60.00 a tin. Get some Mequiars Gold Class or the NST.

If I hadn't moved up to Adams and was going to buy OTC car wash stuff I would use Meguiars.

Check out Meguiars

 

And don't use Cheap Microfiber on your paint. IT WILL SCRATCH.

[emerson1]

Might go with this - http://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-Complete-Ca...lone_00_01_t_lh

 

and add in this

 

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002V9IF...m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

 

How many uses do you usually get out of a bottle of some of these items? Do you just add the product into a bucket of water and hand wash after soaking it down?

 

What should I use while I am washing it to wipe off tough dirt and grime that has been shot up from my tires? I've always just used a bath towel before.

 

Also I think I drove threw some tar a couple months back, there are some random black splotches. Any suggestions?

 

 

thanks everyone for all the advice!

[brad519]

Just my opinion but I wouldn't buy that 1st kit you posted because that Swirl x and Plastic X really isn't worth adding to your cost. I would probably go with this kit over the other one NXT KIT it's 30.00 and the NXT stuff is supposedly better.

 

With the car wash you just put some in a bucket and fill with water. Put your wash mit in the bucket, pour the soap on the wash mit then spray with water to get it foam up nicely, then hand wash.

Depending on how much you use I would guess 10-15 washes per bottle. You can pick up the car wash at auto stores and walmart when you run out of the car wash soap.

 

Use your hose to wash off as much dirt as possible before you touch the paint with any towel or rag. If your wiping dirt off the paint that is dry or with a cheap towel you are scratching the paint.

You can get some tar remover from an auto store, walmart, etc to use for the tar. DO NOT use a bath towel on your paint unless you want some nice Swirls and Scratches.

[700 sportsman]

I agree, I'd go for the nxt package and then get whatever else you need from there. I also like the leather spray posted above.

[brad519]

I didn't look closely to see if the bottle of wash was a 16 oz or 1 gallon. If it's a gallon you will get a lot more than 15 washes.

If you have a WalMart or that type of store around you; go get some car wash in a gallon size. Any car specific wash will work fine. Just dont use dish washing soap.

If you buy it locally you won't have to pay for shipping.

And you can usually get the Meguiars wax and other stuff locally again saving on shipping. Might want to price compare local prices to ordering the kit and see which way saves you money.

 

Adams Polishes has a detail forum but they are pretty much adams specific. You can go to Autopia and learn a great deal about auto detailing.

[emerson1]

Wash and Wax kit

 

microfiber wash mit

 

leather cleaner/conditioner

 

Am I good to go? Use those microfiber towels that come with the kit to dry, correct?

 

 

If you buy it locally you won't have to pay for shipping.

And you can usually get the Meguiars wax and other stuff locally again saving on shipping. Might want to price compare local prices to ordering the kit and see which way saves you money.

Amazon doesn't charge for shipping on orders over $25. 99% of items are the same or cheaper as they are in a store. Amazon doesn't have to charge tax either in most states.