evanskies

I went to the store the other day and i got Turtle wax compound and turtle wax super hard shell wax. are those good ingredients to make my car look good or should i have gone with Adams car wax or something. Any help would be appreciated. thanks

MB The Body

I have heard good things about Adam's but have never tried it myself.

Here is my process... taken from my <a href="https://forums.audiworld.com/a4gen2/msgs/857353.phtml">How I Detail My Car Thread</a>. Things are always subject to change or experimenting with new products and liking them. This process has really worked nicely though. The one major component that I am lacking is a PC RO Buffer. It would certainly help with some of the swirls I am currently dealing with.

Alright here it goes...

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<b>The Basket</b>:

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/39591/dscn3017.jpg">

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<b>Meguiar's NXT Generation Car Wash</b>:

This car wash soap makes you feel like the washing mitt is literally going to fall off of your hand and "slip" off the car. This stuff is great and it leaves the car shining like never before!

<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~bodnerfam/nxt_wash.jpg">

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<b>Pinnacle Microfiber Mitt</b>:

Every time I decide to buy a new mitt, the most recent old mitt is recycled to become the new rim/tire/exhaust mitt.

<img src="http://pegasus.cc.ucf.edu/~mi167268/pinnacle_mitt.jpg">

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<b>Water Sprite Plus</b>: (Synthetic Chamois)

Pretty straight forward here. The Water Sprite has held up very well and is able to pull a lot of water with it as it goes. Makes drying the car off very quick and easy and does so without streaking and leaving water spots behind.

<img src="http://pegasus.cc.ucf.edu/~mi167268/water_sprite.jpg">

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<b>Pinnacle PolyClay Clay Bar</b> and <b>Pinnacle Clay Lubricant</B>:

The next step is to clay bar the car if necessary. When using the clay bar, I will re-wash that section of the car after and re-dry the car. Some have stated that their are other clay's out there that are better (and cheaper), and I have experienced some of the concerns they had with the Pinnacle Clay. Main complaint being that it's a little too soft and easily falls apart. I really don't have a need to use the clay bar often enough to buy another. The Pinnacle Clay Bar set came with 3 pieces of clay, so when I finish them up I guess I will give another product a shot.

<img src="http://pegasus.cc.ucf.edu/~mi167268/clay_bar.gif"> <img src="http://pegasus.cc.ucf.edu/~mi167268/clay_lube.jpg">

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<B>Pinnacle Paintwork Cleansing Lotion</B>:

To remove any excess wax from the last application or any blemishes, restore paint condition, etc. There are better (more aggressive) products on the market, but this came with my Pinnacle Souveran Kit so I continue to use it. I have rarely come across a situation where this wasn't enough to pull a blemish off the paint such as: water spors, tree sap, etc.

<img src="http://pegasus.cc.ucf.edu/~mi167268/paint_cleanse.jpg">

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<b>Klasse Red Bottle "AIO" All-in-One</B>:

To bring out a deep and brilliant shine. Really makes a dark car look great. This product makes the use of a paint cleanser a little redundant, as it has a cleaner in it and is almost always enough for my needs.

<img src="http://pegasus.cc.ucf.edu/~mi167268/klasse.jpg">

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<B>Meguiar's NXT Generation Liquid Tech Wax</b>:

I use this as my first coat of wax. It actually has a decent ability at filling in and "leveling" off the paint/clear coat, which in turns helps to minimize swirls and other blemishes from appearing. Quick application and quick removal makes it very easy to work with.

<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~bodnerfam/nxt_wax.jpg">

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<b>S100 Carnuba Paste Wax</b>:

I seal my work in with this wax. The S100 replaces the Pinnacle Souveran Wax I was previously using and it essentially leaves the car looking just as nice while it's easier to take off, leaves less dust and residue behind, and lasts longer, so it's a win-win situation all around and it's very fairly priced as well. <b>Hint</b>: S100 is P21S for less money because it's branded for motorcycles, however it's the same product

<img src="http://pegasus.cc.ucf.edu/~mi167268/s100.gif">

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<b>Detailers Pride Gloss Tire Gel</B>:

Again a straight forward product, but I have liked this more than the multiple products I have tried before it. I apply the Tire Gel to an applicator pad and then apply 2 coats evenly to each tire.

<img src="http://pegasus.cc.ucf.edu/~mi167268/dp_tire.jpg">

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<b>Michelin Brake Dust Repellent</b>:

To help combat the rear brake dust issues our cars have I gave the Michelin Brake Dust Repellent a shot and while nothing is perfect I have noticed it at least helps a little bit. Application is pretty straight forward. You spray it on the rims, count to 15 or so (until it <i>fizzles</i> and then wipe off).

<img src="http://pegasus.cc.ucf.edu/~mi167268/michelin_brake.jpg">

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<b>Stoner Invisible Glass</B>:

Leaves the windows perfectly clear without a greasy residue, all the while its tint safe!

<img src="http://pegasus.cc.ucf.edu/~mi167268/invisible_glass.jpg">

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<b>Detailer's Pride Total Interior Cleaner</b>:

With Beige Leather interior I find its always incredibly dirty... and this stuff is simply amazing!

<img src="http://pegasus.cc.ucf.edu/~mi167268/dp_interior.jpg">

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<b>Wolfgang Leather Care Conditioner</b>:

After cleaning the seats I follow up with the conditioner. Note: I apply the conditioner by hand, and let it sit for about 10 minutes before wiping it off. This application method helps to not waste the leather conditioner and hey I can treat my car like my face if I want too

<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~bodnerfam/leather_conditioner.jpg">

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<b>Detailer's Pride Waterless Auto Wash</b>:

For situations where I have gone on a road trip and I don't want to do a full wash, but I want to get the bugs off the front end the Waterless Auto Wash and a microfiber towel come in handy.

<img src="http://pegasus.cc.ucf.edu/~mi167268/dp_waterless.jpg">

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<B>Pinnacle Crystal Mist Spray Wax</B>:

This is a nice product to use to restore the wax finish in between waxings and just a simple wash.

<img src="http://pegasus.cc.ucf.edu/~mi167268/pinnacle_mist.jpg">

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I bought a 20 pack of great, soft microfiber towels from Costco for like $8 and I use those to do the windows, interior, and remove the brake-dust repellent. I have Pinnacle microfiber towels that came with the Pinnacle Souveran kit and use those to remove the paint cleanser, Klasse, and S100 Wax.

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<b>The Wish List</b>:

Of course the number one thing on the wish list is a Porter Cable buffer (not sure yet which one). Unfortunately the money I had ready to purchase the buffer and pads went to the new In.Pro Mirrors, so I'm gonna have to save up some money for the buffer one of these days. Also on the wish list will be a Swirl Remover + Polish (likely Menzerna), but not until I have the buffer as I likely can't get anywhere regarding swirls when working by hand.

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And the results (besides forecasted rain):

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/39591/dscn1806.jpg">

RichAA

There's a great article at the top, everyone's helpful. I'm just a novice, but I learned a lot just in the last few weeks and my car has never looked better.

Glazing or polishing is the step I didn't even know about until a few years ago. After you wash and before you wax, you apply a polish and this is where you get the deep, wet-looking shine.

Good luck<ul><li><a href="https://forums.audiworld.com/detail/">AudiWorld Detailing Forum</a></li></ul>

street_b

I spent some time on the detailing forum to figure out what people strongly recommended. These are the things that people usually think are the pretty good:

P21S Gloss-Enhancing Paintwork Cleaner (GEPC)
P21S Bodywork Conditioning Shampoo
3M Imperial Hand Glaze
One Grand Blitz Carnauba Wax
One Grand ERV Dressing
One Grand Show-Off Quick Detailer Spray
Micro Fiber Cloths
Sheepskin Wash Mitt

I bought all of those at www.carcareonline.com. They have great prices and super fast service.

DalD

I have to admit, their stuff works, and it caters to people who don't spend hours online in the detailing forum discussing syntetic wax vs. carnauba and the difference between german paint and american paint. Seriously, they really do debate this $hit over there (and I am thankful that people like that care so much so the rest of us can benefit from their knowledge).

The nice thing about Griot's is that they have free detailing manuals and instruction if you aren't sure what to use. They'll walk you through it over the phone too. No more expensive than a lot of stuff out there, but WAY more than you need to spend to get good quality products.

I used their clay, then their liquid carnauba wax with PC orbital this past weekend and it came out amazing. My car is only 4 mos old, but there were no swirl marks, and a nice depth. It rained the next day (natch), so I couldn't take pics, but I plan to this weekend after I clean it up a little.

Even if you never buy a thing from them, the catalog is a blast to look through (even though I could do without the owner, Richard Griot, showing up everywhere throughout it).

I have read nothing but great things about Zaino -- if you want to save $, that is probably the way to go. I haven't tried it yet though.

Bluebox

<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/100387/img_0921.jpg"></center><p>I just did a full detail with Menzerna, and loved the results. There are pics posted and many people chimed in with thoughts. I would search for Menzerna.

chaotic

<center><img src="http://www.invisionworks.com/images/detail_5082006---6.jpg"></center><p>I used mostly meguiars stuff here, except the pre-wax polish I used Klasse High Gloss Sealant

<img src="http://www.invisionworks.com/images/detail_5082006---4.jpg">

the sheriff

.....you have to be selective as to what you do and do not get from them. Personally I think the Best of Show Wax is amazing! As 'DalD' stated, the product is great. I also use the machine 1 and 2 polishes and have had amazing results. The window polish the have is bar far the best I've owned.

I do think they get a bit expensive with things like the wheel cleaner and some of the other accessories. Just be selective on what you order. Oh, and they have a red pad available that's for the Porter Cable.....amazing pad!!!