First, many people on other forums list things they do beyond the simple wash and wax. What else do they do?

I want to clean my car that has 6 to 8 month old paint. The interior is pretty clean and I'll just use some sprays to shine it up a bit. What else should be done the the exterior? I know to clean tires and wheels, but what else?

Also, people have mentioned a clay bar, what is this used for?

When it comes to car cleaning / detailing - the critical factor is how much time you have on your hands.

I wax my car 2 to 3 times a year. I apply the wax with an applicator pad by hand but I use an orbital polisher to buff it off. Zymol wax is my favourite. Very good stuff. People can't believe that I still have the original 13 year old paint on my car.

Clay bar is used to get tar and other stuff that wont come off with a normal washing. I would recommend highly that you be careful with it as it will damage the paint if used improperly. you have to makes sure the bar is good and soapy and so's the surface you're using it on. Run your hand over your car after you wash it. If it feels rough and almost sandpapery that's a good time to use the bar. For wax I would recommend using past wax every few months or so, and using spray just to maintain the shine. Also get some simple green to clean the grime off of your wheels if you have alloys.

Yeah, I've got time. I'm on Spring Break right now so time isn't a problem.

I think I'll avoid the clay bar right now, it isn't that bad and I'll probably just wash it and wax it real well.

I have stock hubcaps right now till it's time for new tires because I don't want to buy wheels for 14" tires...

If you want advice on how to detail your car...

www.autopia.org

www.detailcity.com

www.meguiarsonline.com

Anything you want to know will be right there!

Engine. Today I cleaned my engine bay.

Engine bay's good to clean if it's dirty; I suggest getting the most of it with Gunk degreaser (it's a brand) and a hose. Make sure the engine isn't hot when you spray it with water or you may crack the block, which would be dumb and expensive. When you wash the rest of your car, here's what I reccomend for a super duper wash:

1) Wash car with Ivory dishwashing detergent. Dishwashing detergent strips all the old wax buildup from your car.

2) Use mother's clay bar on paint to remove the rest of the impurities.

3) Wash car with normal car washing liquid.

4) Wax (one or two coats) with a high quality wax.

I also prefer to start out by cleaning the glass inside and out with windex and newspaper (newspaper is the best material to clean glass with; practically lint free and slightly abrasize so it polishes away imperfections.)

Anyway, that's my M.O. I would allow oneself at least three hours to do all that, depending on how fast you are, maybe four or five.

A 50/50 mix of vinegar and water is better than windex. However, I do highly agree with using newspaper.

I used a degreaser called PENAIR HD-1, which is for jets. And industrial use, my brothers friend who is an helicopter mechanic gave us some. It's known to be the best, but the most exspensive. My block is now silver, and I sprayed this shit on, and seconds later with the hose, it was silver as new. My brothers friend uses this stuff on all his cars, he really loves it.

i generally take it to a car wash........i get free coupons every 1-2 months

Hand washing is the best. You get everything. My friend took his car to a carwash once, the stupid attendant didn't know how to drive stick and then he proceeded to tear the tire when he went up the ramp and put the car on wrong.

that sucks

Doesn't the ink from the newspaper come off?

Nope, not at all.

that's really interesting about the newspaper^ I'll have to try that. I usually start out just vacuuming out my car, every few months i'll wash the inside of the windows and use some armorall wipes on the dash and other vynals/plastics inside. When i wash i use gold class (i think its meguiers) soap, its really thick and makes some awesome suds. I have never used a clay bar so i do not know much about them. Something that may prove helpful, i use a seperate wash mit for my wheels than for the rest of my car, as the wheels tend to get rather nasty. After drying off the car with a chamois i apply Rainx to the windshield and rear window and i do the side windows every few weeks or so (i even do the side mirros and my headlight lenses because they are glass) Following that i use this Bumper Black compound to bring the shine out on my plastic bumpers and other black plastic parts(mudflaps, trim, etc -this works quite similar to the armorall wipes as i have found out-) After that if it has been several months i will hand apply wax all over the car and buff off with an orbital, using a soft rag to do the tight spots. I then may put some of that stuff on the tires to make it a really shiny black for fun, although i have not done this to the tires in quite a while.


- yes i am talking about my 91 toyota station wagon even though it is slow i enjoy taking care of it and i am extremely vain about it, especially the interior (no eating inside, dont you dare touch the inside of the windows, etc )

i dunno maybe im just nuts

you are not "nuts"...

It's what we at www.autopia.org call being "autopian"

I just use simple Turtle Wax... and my car shines like no other...

Fuck Armor All, fuck Turtle Wax; it's all about 303 Aerospace Protectant for the interior plastics and S100 paste wax for the paint.

And autopia kicks ass; my brother's an autopian, he's taught me most of what I know about how to properly wash cars.

I could never undersatnd how someone could spend tens of thousands on a vehicle then either let it turn to crap or use the cheapest waxes and protectants to "protect their investment".



I use both, as well as the Meguiar's professional line of polishes and waxes, 3M professional line of polishes and waxes, Mother's polishes and waxes, Liquid Glass, Stoners, Dupont products, CarBrite and other professional detailing products. I have over $800 invested in polishers, a pressure washer, a carpet extractor and wet dry vacs.

I like my cars clean. I will drive 5 miles out of my way if it means avoiding road construction, puddles, etc. It drives my wife crazy!

Yes, everybody, listen to Gonzo, with a list of products like that he definitely knows what he's talking about.

You covered practically every car cleaning product in my garage with that list

I know a bunch of guys that swear by Zaino. They say it's the best. I haven't tried it as I'm happy with Meguiars.

Yeah, lots of guys love Zaino but the thing about Zaino is that it's just really really shiny is all; there are better waxes out there IMO

There are Zainoians, Klassecons, Zymolians, Meguiarites, Motherians, LiquidGlasserites, PoorboysFanatics, Wolfgangers and other car care fanatics. The object is to make your vehicle look it's best.


Technique has a lot to do with the way a finish comes out. Some of the products require 24 hours or more of cure time for the finish to fully set up.

Using quality products + learning proper car cleaning techniques + taking your time = stunning results!