detailing/washing tips tricks???
detailing/washing tips tricks??? definately need to keep this baby looking as spotless as she was when i got her... im very leary about what products to use, and what materials to use them with... I want no scratching or swirls due to wrong fabric towels or wrong products... Ive pretty much already decided on zaino products since they were used to keep the car in the shape its in, but will have to store buy some stuff till i can get the good stuff in the mail. Im really leary about what towels to use when im applying stuff to the exterior, or washing/drying the car for that matter that wont scratch her up.
so what can i use for NOW that i can get over the counter (AZ, NAPA etc...)
and what for permenant that i cant get today...
thanks in advance.
-Randy
so what can i use for NOW that i can get over the counter (AZ, NAPA etc...)
and what for permenant that i cant get today...
thanks in advance.
-Randy
I recommend:
Lamb's wool wash mitts - Eurow wash mitts work well and are available at Walmart
2 buckets - One filled with soapy water, one clean water. Dunk mitt in soapy water, wash area of car, dunk mitt in clean water and get the dirt off, repeat. This way, you keep the dirt out of the soapy water (and off your car)
Car wash solution - Meguiar's Gold Class and NXT Wash both work well, and are readily available
Spray nozzle - I have a spray nozzle that has a "shower" setting, which I find works great for washing. Final rinse should always be without a nozzle. Let the water sheet off the car instead of spraying, to reduce water spots
Waffle weave microfiber towel - I've not seen these at Autozone/O'Reilly's/etc., but there's not much else I would use to dry my car. Meguiars makes one, but I've never used it. I get mine online. Some people use a leaf blower and that works great, but mine leaks oil, so I can't really use it for that.
As for the "heavy hitter" supplies that you can get online, I recommend you read my Porter Cable FAQ (located in the "Hall of Fame" sticky at the top of this section). If you still have questions after that, feel free to ask or PM me.
-Mike
Lamb's wool wash mitts - Eurow wash mitts work well and are available at Walmart
2 buckets - One filled with soapy water, one clean water. Dunk mitt in soapy water, wash area of car, dunk mitt in clean water and get the dirt off, repeat. This way, you keep the dirt out of the soapy water (and off your car)
Car wash solution - Meguiar's Gold Class and NXT Wash both work well, and are readily available
Spray nozzle - I have a spray nozzle that has a "shower" setting, which I find works great for washing. Final rinse should always be without a nozzle. Let the water sheet off the car instead of spraying, to reduce water spots
Waffle weave microfiber towel - I've not seen these at Autozone/O'Reilly's/etc., but there's not much else I would use to dry my car. Meguiars makes one, but I've never used it. I get mine online. Some people use a leaf blower and that works great, but mine leaks oil, so I can't really use it for that.
As for the "heavy hitter" supplies that you can get online, I recommend you read my Porter Cable FAQ (located in the "Hall of Fame" sticky at the top of this section). If you still have questions after that, feel free to ask or PM me.
-Mike
Last edited by chupr0kabra; Apr 27, 2006 at 10:55 AM.
im definately a believer in the stuff you get online, i just hate driving this thing around dirty, and i wont get to drive her all weekend, so i thought id wash her while i was at work.
you use any spray on shine enhancers, any recommendations????
you use any spray on shine enhancers, any recommendations????
As for spray stuff, I use the companion product for whatever sealant I'm using. Right now, that's Blackfire, which I got online.
I've purchased some microfiber towels at Walmart and Autozone, but they're hit or miss on quality. Some I've used for detailing, but most of those get used for cleaning engine parts and such.
Where are you located?
-Mike
I've purchased some microfiber towels at Walmart and Autozone, but they're hit or miss on quality. Some I've used for detailing, but most of those get used for cleaning engine parts and such.
Where are you located?
-Mike
On The Tree
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
If you have a dark color car swril & scratches are a pain to keep out. Just like Chupr0kabra explained to do & use. I also use a Ca jelly water blade, absorber & a 200 MPH "electrical leaf blower". Some people use an air compressor to blow down there cars. CA duster just use it lightly. I only use Zaino products on my cars if I have swirls or scratches I use my porter cable 7474 with Zaino Z-PC Fusion, 3m perfect-it II rubbing compound, & or 3m perfect-it foam polishing pad glaze dark #39009.
im located in indiana, so i have the walmarts, napas, and autozones nearby me.... i just want some temporary detail stuff so i can clean her up before i take her out... i just really want some stuff that wont scratch her up when im washing or drying, or ussing some spray on detailer...
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For wipe downs and such, I use the Sonus MF towels from Autopia. They're GREAT. Drying, buffing, polishing...they're somewhat pricey but well worth it. The MF towels "over the counter" are fairly hit or miss as chupr0 said. Some of them arent great quality, but they are swirl/scratch free.
I like Meguiars products for nearly everything. Mainly b/c I like going 5 min up the road and getting them vs ordering everything online and waiting. Great results with my PC 7424 too. Really easy to use and economical.
I like Meguiars products for nearly everything. Mainly b/c I like going 5 min up the road and getting them vs ordering everything online and waiting. Great results with my PC 7424 too. Really easy to use and economical.
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Originally Posted by Ling_650vette
For wipe downs and such, I use the Sonus MF towels from Autopia. They're GREAT. Drying, buffing, polishing...they're somewhat pricey but well worth it. The MF towels "over the counter" are fairly hit or miss as chupr0 said. Some of them arent great quality, but they are swirl/scratch free.
I like Meguiars products for nearly everything. Mainly b/c I like going 5 min up the road and getting them vs ordering everything online and waiting. Great results with my PC 7424 too. Really easy to use and economical.
I like Meguiars products for nearly everything. Mainly b/c I like going 5 min up the road and getting them vs ordering everything online and waiting. Great results with my PC 7424 too. Really easy to use and economical.
where do you get the sonus mf towels from?
On The Tree
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
I saw some Royal Velvet towels at Mervin's yesterday. I know RV use to be made by Cannon/Fieldcrest 100% cotton. You might want to try RV towels. I used them a few years ago they were ok. I have Cannon Charisma's 100% supima cotton towels I use. Meguires makes a detail spray that's supposely prettry good. I am in the same shape when it comes to towels my Charismas are about done. I will probably have to go to a micro fiber towels. The guy ZaneO who post here seem to have good ultra micro fiber towel on his web site link.
Originally Posted by svtwhat?
yeah ive got a few hot leads on some towels that i can mail order, but not alot of ideas of where i could go pick one up today...
keep em coming!
keep em coming!
for MF towels you can grab today .. check Meguiars online, or call their customer service number and see if there is a Meg's supplier local to you .. most of the larger suppliers will caryy most, if not all of their MF products, and you can go grab a couple for today, while waiting on whatever you decide to order.
make sure you look for professional suppliers, not simply a local retailer for their retail line (walmart, etc) It will usually be a body shop, paint supply house, full serve car wash, or something like that.
Originally Posted by Gipraw
for MF towels you can grab today .. check Meguiars online, or call their customer service number and see if there is a Meg's supplier local to you .. most of the larger suppliers will caryy most, if not all of their MF products, and you can go grab a couple for today, while waiting on whatever you decide to order.
make sure you look for professional suppliers, not simply a local retailer for their retail line (walmart, etc) It will usually be a body shop, paint supply house, full serve car wash, or something like that.
make sure you look for professional suppliers, not simply a local retailer for their retail line (walmart, etc) It will usually be a body shop, paint supply house, full serve car wash, or something like that.
thats a good idea, think i have a couple of detail shops here in town that i will call and see if they have anything i can buy....
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,419
Likes: 1
From: Holland Twp/Milford, New Jersey
Target has this awesome deal with a pack of 12 microfiber towels for super cheap! I've used these towels over and over again and they are very nice to have. There have been no scratches made with any of them. ...just thought I'd let you know about this good deal. Good luck with keeping your car clean and professional-looking!
Originally Posted by sdm1234
Target has this awesome deal with a pack of 12 microfiber towels for super cheap! I've used these towels over and over again and they are very nice to have. There have been no scratches made with any of them. ...just thought I'd let you know about this good deal. Good luck with keeping your car clean and professional-looking!
thats awesome.... I will have to keep that in mind... this car is a very limited use 8000 mile SS so im pretty strict as to what is going to be used on it, and i want showcar quality.... because its basically that way right now...
Originally Posted by svtwhat?
thats awesome.... I will have to keep that in mind... this car is a very limited use 8000 mile SS so im pretty strict as to what is going to be used on it, and i want showcar quality.... because its basically that way right now...
That way you wont feel as bad, and I can still keep 'er shining lol jk.
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 707
Likes: 0
From: Tacoma, WA
Costco has a great deal on Microfiber towels and another trick I like to do sometimes is when I wash the ride, I put in a bit of Instant Detailer in the bucket with the soap. Also, when I dry off the car, I spray on some Instant Detailer in the area I'm about to dry off, in case there is some dirt of loose contaimants still on the surface.
The California Water Blade is EXCELLENT for getting off most of the water. The leaf blower thing is a cool idea too or if you have an air compressor and an air nozzle, you can try that as well. If not, there are Microfiber drying towles on the market and a chamois is still an effective means of drying you ride.
The California Water Blade is EXCELLENT for getting off most of the water. The leaf blower thing is a cool idea too or if you have an air compressor and an air nozzle, you can try that as well. If not, there are Microfiber drying towles on the market and a chamois is still an effective means of drying you ride.