So I'm gonna go on a shopping spree...

[Veez]

aight....im bout to wash my car today as soon as i get off work in a few...and i have nothing..i never detailed my own car..and ima start with this one..hehe..and basically..all i have right now is a bucket....so what i wanted is for someone to basically tell me all i need since i've never done it before..

i know im gonna get that deep crystal car wash...the 3 step thing...and im still not sure if i would need the detailing clay....now are there specific towels that i would need..a scrub or something..anything else that im leaving off...

i know im asking a lot, but i would really appreciate the help :)

[Special Ringpop]

Here's my recommendation if you're just washing. If you want me to do an "interior" list or a "waxing" list, let me know. Be advised, this will be a read:

EXTERIOR:

1. High quality car wash solution:
   You want a car wash that is pH balanced, ideally, or, in the very least, specially formulated for cars. I still know many people who wash with Dawn. This is not a wise idea, as it will remove whatever wax coat you have on the car, and will dull the finish over time. My recommendation for car wash solution is Meguiar's NXT Car Wash. It's moderately priced, and it works fairly well. It also claims to keep dust off your car, but that's a crock of crap :).
   
2. Two Buckets:
   I didn't buy into this at first. I told myself, "My car never gets dirty enough to warrant using two buckets. This is wrong. Your sponge is going to pick up stuff from your car that was on the road or other places, and to put it simply; it will damage your paint, even if you can't see it. When you use two buckets, you soap up your sponge with the wash water bucket, sud a SMALL section of your car (roof, door, rear quarter, rear bumper, etc.), then put the sponge in the rinse water. Rinse the soap off your car before it can dry. For safety sake, swish the sponge in your rinse water, and repeat. This helps remove crap from your car being put back into your wash water, where it will probably end up going back on your sponge, and rubbed into your car's paint, which will make you sad in pants. Trust me, I learned. It's a bit more work, and people judge you, but what the hell do they know, they probably drive SUVs.
   
3. High quality wash mitt:
   A high quality sponge or wash mitt is incredibly important. Others may have better recommendatiosn than I in this area, but I use an incredibly soft microfiber sponge. Microfiber is microscopically woven, and will lift stuff off your car, and likely not scratch your paint. Like I said, this is just my preference. Others may have better ones, but the moral of this icon is that you should snub your nose at the .97 Wal-Mart sponges (or any super cheap one in general).
   
4. Westley's Bleche White:
   This is not necessary for most people, unless you're OCD about your car like I am. This is a whitewall cleaner. Your tires are going to get dirty no matter how good you treat your car; accept that now. This stuff, you spray onto your sidewalls, let it soak for one minute (use a tire brush to agitate it and do a better cleaning job) and wash it off high pressure. You will see the filth come streaming off your tires. This leaves your tires with a nice, natural black clean finish, and is a perfect primer if you use (which you should) tire shine. I highly recommend this.
   
5. Tire Brush:
   This goes along with the Bleche White I just mentioned. These brushes are shaped like the sidewalls of your tire. I highly recommend this (it doesnt need to be the "best" or most expensive brush, but this will greatly increase how well Westley's Bleche White works. You spray the cleaner on, use this brush to scrub the sidewells (being careful not to slip and scratch your car, like I did once ).
   
6. Wheel cleaner:
   This is another not necessary item. They make tons of different kinds of these, and I don't think they work all that well. You spray them on the rim of your car, or behind it on the inside lip (where all the brake dust accumulates on the inside circular lip of your rim), and you let it sit, and then spray it off. Personally, I find using an old rag to "shine" the rims and clean the brake dust off (the 17" wheels are big enough so you can stick your arm around to remove the nasty brake dust). This would probably be most beneficial to someone who doesn't clean the crap off their rims often.
   
7. Wheel Brush:
   This goes along with the wheel cleaner. This, again, is like the tire brush. It will help you reach into the rim area where the brake dust accumulates, and help you "brush it" off, much like you do with your teeth (provided, not the same brush, I hope...) Not necessary if you clean your rims by hand, but nice nonetheless for those hard-to-reach areas.
   
8. The "Absorber":
   This you need. This is around $10, and it is a synthetic chamois (shammy) to dry your car. It comes premoistened, and sucks up the water from your car like a sponge. When it dries, it becomes rigid and hard. All you need to do is rewet it, squeeze it out, and then you're good to go. When it stops sucking up water, it's full. Squeeze it out until it's light colored again, and continue drying. This is an invaluable drying asset.
   
9. California Waterblade:
   I swear by this thing. This thing is like a windshield wiper. It sheets water off the car 100% and leaves it dry. I use this immediately after I wash the car to get 90% of the water off, then use the Absorber above to completely dry it. Note: be extremely careful to rinse this off so that no grit or dust gets on the "blade", because you can cause considerable scratches if you recklessly use this.
   
10. High quality microfiber towels:
    These will be a great asset when removing wax. Some people use them for drying, which I wouldn't disagree with, as they absorb water well, but when you wash them, make sure you use VERY little detergent, wash them alone, and DO NOT use a dryer sheet on them, as it will make them less absorbable.
    
11. Tire Shine:
    I live by Armor-All Tire Shine Foam. You spray the white foam onto your sidewall of your tires, and let it sit for 15 minutes. It makes them shine, very nicely, but not greasy looking. And it lasts. It lasts a long, long while, long after other brands have sucked up every bit of thing the wheel touches like glue. It keeps the tire looking shinier than stock, but without the greasiness or "vacuum action" the other brands do.
    
12. Quick Detailer:
    This is not an exchange for washing a dirty car. Use this after it rains, or your car gets wet, or a bird poops on your car, or if its lightly dusty, using a microfiber cloth. You spray it on, then wipe it off. I recommend against using the kind where you spray it on, buff it to a haze, then remove it. Just get the kind you spray on and wipe off. Read the instructions, as this is a vague point, and you may buy the wrong kind if you aren't paying attention, like I have done.
    
13. Invisible-Glass:
    This glass cleaner is the end-all, be-all glass cleaner. I use crumpled up newspaper to apply it, as it leaves absolutely no streaks that way. When I'm done, I run a clean microfiber cloth over it, to make sure I got everywhere.

[CHRIS]

holy crap super long reply!!!!

[Special Ringpop]

Originally Posted by CHRIS

holy crap super long reply!!!!

I type around 125 wpm.

But actually, I copy and pasted that from a similar thread in the past that I had responded to.

[OMGWTFBBQIMDEREK]

Originally Posted by Special Ringpop

I type around 125 wpm.

But actually, I copy and pasted that from a similar thread in the past that I had responded to.

You sir. Are my hero. You never cease to amaze me how you are a well of knowledge and eager to help those in need. Anyways.. I'd recommend pretty much all of that.. a wool wash mitt.. a LOT of microfiber towels.. two buckets.. a grit guard to keep your towels clean and to prevent contamination of water/soap.. Rain-X wash/wax soap solution.. I haven't tried it personally.. but I've heard only good things about the Zaino line of products.. Oh.. and here's a tip.. I suggest cleaning the interior of the car too.. my exterior is almost immaculate but when my friends approach my car.. they are frightened at the sight of clothes and papers covering the floormats (which is caused by pure laziness and the fact that my house is being remodeled so I pretty much live out of my car)

[Veez]

what do you guys think about the claybar...is it really necessary?

and you prefer zaino over meguiars?

[JeShUa]

I need to claybar my car.. and soon.. but idk where to buy it from :].. I hate pep boys lol.

[Special Ringpop]

Thanks for the kind words, Derek. I just really like to help other people out. I'd give you more rep, but I need to spread more around before I can give you anymore lol.

As for a claybar, I wouldn't detail without it. It removes harmful contaminants on your paint. If you run your hand (SOFTLY) over the paint, if you feel gritty or bumpies (thats a new word I've decided to use, by the way), then it needs a claybarring. By claybarring, your surface will be back to smooth as glass.

I try to do it at least once or twice a year.

Zaino, while I have not used it, is fantastic from what I've been told. However, it is incredibly pricey (around $100 for a solid kit, last I checked).

I use Meguiar's NXT Tech Wax (the liquid, not paste), and I have actually had several other uses start to swear by this wax after I recommended it and showed some pictures. I do a three day application. I apply a light coat on day one, cure it for twenty minutes, remove it, and then wait twenty four hours, and apply another coat (after washing it again, mind you). I do that one more time over the span of three days. Even if it doesn't provide extra shine and protection (which I think it does), it provides you with safety of mind knowing that you didn't miss any areas.

[Veez]

Originally Posted by Special Ringpop

Thanks for the kind words, Derek. I just really like to help other people out. I'd give you more rep, but I need to spread more around before I can give you anymore lol.

As for a claybar, I wouldn't detail without it. It removes harmful contaminants on your paint. If you run your hand (SOFTLY) over the paint, if you feel gritty or bumpies (thats a new word I've decided to use, by the way), then it needs a claybarring. By claybarring, your surface will be back to smooth as glass.

I try to do it at least once or twice a year.

Zaino, while I have not used it, is fantastic from what I've been told. However, it is incredibly pricey (around $100 for a solid kit, last I checked).

I use Meguiar's NXT Tech Wax (the liquid, not paste), and I have actually had several other uses start to swear by this wax after I recommended it and showed some pictures. I do a three day application. I apply a light coat on day one, cure it for twenty minutes, remove it, and then wait twenty four hours, and apply another coat (after washing it again, mind you). I do that one more time over the span of three days. Even if it doesn't provide extra shine and protection (which I think it does), it provides you with safety of mind knowing that you didn't miss any areas.

thanx so much !

[06 Civic Ex]

actually all clay is the same no matter if its clay magic poorboys sonus or meguiars. its all made by automagic since they have the patent. some is more agrresive then others so watch out you dont want to mar your finish. make sure to use alot of lube.

[xmx250]

Whats clay woudl you guys suggest for our cars, since they are all fairly new. Mine is only four months old and i feel a few rough spots.

What clay do you guys reccomend? i would want something on the less aggressive side just to be safe

[Special Ringpop]

Originally Posted by xmx250

Whats clay woudl you guys suggest for our cars, since they are all fairly new. Mine is only four months old and i feel a few rough spots.

What clay do you guys reccomend? i would want something on the less aggressive side just to be safe

Meguiar's or Mothers (can't remember which) makes a kit (long and vertical) that contains a few bars of clay, spray detailer (for lubrication) and a microfiber cloth for anywhere from $12-20 dollars. That'll probably be your best bet.

Anything in the general automotive detailing section of a car parts store or chain retailer will probably be on the safe side for you. If you stroll into any aisle that has paint remover, sandpaper, or anything else, stay far away.

EDIT: Here's a few examples I've found of what the boxes look like:



And here is a wonderful site that tells you what to do and what not to do:

http://www.advanceautoparts.com/engl...20030401cb.asp

[06 Civic Ex]

yea i use the meguiars smooth surface sometimes the kit isnt bad 1 bottle of qd 2 bars of clay and a decent towel but i decided it wasnt soft enough so i used a pakshak towel.

sonus is alrite but people notice marring after

[Bootsie]

I just clayed my car last night, I used the smooth surface kit. My car is only 1 month old, so I was amazed at the amount of stuff that it removed. WOW!

[dextor]

I went on a shopping spree a few days ago and spent ~$150 CDN on detailing supplies