I know there are multiple posts on this but looking for quick recommendations (or link to my answers) for home cleaning products that do a *good* job

Wash
Wax (and how often?)
Wax for surface scratches....have one long one on bonnet stripe already :(
Wheel cleaner
Tire shine
Interior panel cleaner (since armor all looks blotchy)

Where to buy??

...and anything else I may have missed that you recommend

 

I use Griots Garage Wheel cleaner, Zymol auto bathe, Zymol wax, Griots Rubber Treatment for the tires and 303 Protectant on the interior. Black Wow on the black outside trim with 303 on it as well in between.

 

Not many of us use these.

I use Meguire's Gold Class for washes...that's available at my local auto parts store. I also use Stoner's Invisible Glass (spray), Mother's QD and occasionally Meguire's Scratch-X, also available locally. But for wax I like something easy to use and long lasting...so I order Klasse.

 

http://www.griotsgarage.com/ has it all and the products are great.

 

+1 on Griot's wheel cleaner.

I found Griot's stuff to be quite expensive, but I still have all the products I bought from them 9 yrs ago, most of them only half used. Their stuff is truely "a little goes a long way." I'm going to pick up some more wheel cleaner when I go pick up my plates from the dealer; they're right across the street from the MINI dealership in WA.

 

Thanks! Bought a bunch of stuff from Griots and Stoner's Invisible Glass Spray! Looking forward to some sunshine and a clean car

 

I use SprayWay glass cleaner. I tried Griots stuff but I like this a lot better.

http://www.amazon.com/Sprayway-Glass.../dp/B000AP585M

 

Wash: Either Blue Coral Wash and Wax or Meguiar's Gold Class.

Wax: Either Griot's Best of Show, Automagic BC-2, or Mother's Cleaner wax... decent, inexpensive waxes.

Wheel Cleaner: I like Meguiar's Hot Rims... not too aggressive, but enough to get the "junk" off.

Tire Shine: THE BEST, ABSOULTE BEST: It's a purple shine that you apply with an applicator and it's made by Meguiar's- lasts a long time and isn't too greasy.

Window Cleaner: You got this one right: Invisible Glass- the BEST cleaner. Use a really fine microfiber cloth on windows for even better results.

Interior Panel Protector: NEVER use Armor All- buy a leather conditioner- that's what we use for shine at the dealership I work at and at my last job. Look for something without silicone (breaks down vinyl and plastic, so I've been told) and look for something WITH Mink Oil. Seriously. Blue Coral makes an awesome leather conditioner, but is only available from them by the case.

I also recommend having:
1. A toothbrush- NOT to remove wax (nylon scratches paint) but to scrub with an interior cleaner.
2. A Mr. Clean Magic Eraser- good for scuffs and quick cleans.
3. Shop Vac- Obviously
4. Some kind of makeup or paint brush to pull crumbs out of cracks with.
5. A vast collection of Microfiber towels
6. California Water Blade- to dry the car- much easier and better on paint.
7. A buffer- even a cheap Wal-Mart orbital is better than doing it by hand.
8. A Boars hair brush (toothbrush size)- to remove wax from cracks (doesn't scratch)
9. Toothpicks- to pully wax out of REALLY tight places.
10. A good brush for doing wheels.
11. Several CLEAN wash mitts.
12. A clay bar (to remove contaminants).

I'm a detailer (for the last 3+ years), and truthfully what we use isn't much different than what anyone else can obtain. I recommend waxing your car about every 3 months or so... spray waxes help slightly in between waxes. If you take your car through a car wash (TERRIBLE idea), wax even more. Polish (I recommend buying a good variable speed buffer like the one on Griot's website) once a year or so and clay bar before each waxing. I also wax my wheels- protects and keeps brake dust easy to remove.

Hope that helps a little. Sorry for the laundry list- I only intended to list a few products, but then I got on a roll.

 

Thank you 22Cooper, that was very helpful!! As far as products I have bought this so far I have:

Tools and such:
Grit Guard Wash Bucket
Wheel Brush
Package of microfiber towels
Microfiber wash mitt

and from Griots:
Speed Shine
Wheel Cleaner
Bug Off!
Spray-On Wax
Weatherproof Tire Dressing with Blue Detail Sponge
Touch and Flow Valve

Other:
Stoner Invisible Glass Pump Spray
BMW exterior wash and interior cleaner (given to me at dealer)

What is best for cleaning/detailing the black trim above the tires?

Haven't purchased any waxes yet since I've only had the far a few weeks

 

Regarding #8 in 22CooperS's post, I use a cheapo disposable paint brush (natural bristle) I got from the hardware store for less than $1 and trimmed the bristle down so it's stiffer. Great for getting rid of wax crud from around the rubber trim and badges/decals/emblems.

 

I use Zaino. So far I have been very happy with results. It made my wife's dark blue SportTrac look better than new.

For drying, I use a 210 mph leaf blower. As long as you have a good coat of wax, the warer beads up and rolls right off.

 

I know a lot of people do the leaf blower thing, I did that, too. But I think I'm gonna try the sucking method, but not with a shopvac; that's being used strictly for dry vacuuming only. I have a Hoover SteamVac that works great on carpets, and I've been dying to try to dry my car with it (not the carpet).

 

I know nobody likes to go from link to link to link, but ... here's one.
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...prima+car+care

It's a thread I started a week or two about car care products. It has lots of good suggestions so far. I haven't actually ordered and tried any of them on my MINI yet, but soon! Just an FYI, if you want more info.

 

Regarding the black trim: I use Mother's Back to Black-until I can find something better. It works okay, but leaves your wash mitt black too... but for a quick shine, it looks nice!

I also bought (from Griot's) Wax Remover and Bumper and Trim Reconditioner. The Wax Remover works okay, but the Reconditioner is a dye. I accidentally dyed very tiny streaks onto my paint just above the trim. Not only that, but even after reading the directions, I think it comes out very streaky... not a great product (which is rare from Griot's!).

Go to a dealership (any dealer- BMW, Ford, Honda, Acura, etc.) and go to their Parts Department... and see what they have for sale. Some of the stuff they have in Parts is great, other stuff is truly junk. However, most of the products we have at our dealership are the same they have in Parts.

I use a leaf blower too! I was hoping I wasn't the only one.... I get lots of weird looks from neighbors! haha Remember to flip your mirrors forward- they're meant to do that so they can let all the water drop out!

 

Wow, LOL here that you guys use leaf blowers!! Thats a great idea if the sun isn't out... I find if the suns out a clean, large towel does the job in no time.

Think my husband would just roll his eyes if I asked to use his leaf blower! He says I'm a little "overboard" right now with my car, but helk, I just bought it and I want to take care of it the *right* way! Plus, who doesn't get a little (well a LOT) excited about owning a new car??!!

 

I use compressed air to blow water out of crevices, grills, but not the whole car. I worry about using a leaf blower, as it can kick up dust/dirt, and it's kind of hard to control the air flow compared to a small nozzle on an air line.

Check out these videos, they show how to sheet water off.
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...&postcount=304

Mark

 

For the black trim you need to check out Black Wow. It lasts longer than anything else on the market. It can be found at Detailer's Paradise or from the inventor himself Octane Guy at Show Car Detailing