new car and I have nothing to clean it with...

[Big T]

Hi everybody, followed some links over from ClubRSX to find this place and had some questions...



on my older cars, i used to use meguier`s 3step, etc... (basically the auto-zone good stuff :rolleyes: )



but those were all used cars, etc...



now i have a brand new car, all my former cleaning supplies are in a town 100miles away, and i need to wash my car.



being that I could go to auto-zone, spend $50 in their "good" stuff, and be done with it, I really dont want to do that on this new car.



What do you guys, the experts, recomend for me to use on this:



http://memimage.cardomain.com/member_images/12/web/588000-588999/588674_13_full.jpg

http://memimage.cardomain.com/member_images/12/web/588000-588999/588674_43_full.jpg



I basically am going to need everything to do the outside; from towels to polishes to waxes, the inside (black leather, titanium trim (plastic), and this rubbery dash thing that acura decided to use:

http://memimage.cardomain.com/member_images/12/web/588000-588999/588674_9_full.jpg



anybody have any suggestions for somebody new to the "upscale" world of car cleaning / detailing???

[flyinhigh]

Hey and welcome..

well Im not an expert .But I can say the only thing my AZ has that anybody uses here is #7.

Take a look around and see what people are using.you may haft to go to the Acronym section to figure out what people are talking about,but just print the page up and keep it by your computer..

Dont worry youll be spending alot of time hear :D If you love your car that is..There is just too much info and too many products to learn about .plus this stuff is addicting

Check out the Learn section and dont forgett the online store here,they support us so please support them

BTW Nice looking car you got..:cool:

Do you have A rotory buffer or PC? (porter Cable 7424)



Once again :welcome :xyxthumbs

[Big T]

no, i don`t have a rotary buffer or PC...



its gonna be good ol` elbow grease for me... for a while... (till i get used to this stuff, then i might try a buffer / PC...)

[imported_FordTaurus]

If you are going to be sricking strictly to Auto Zone, you probably would be good going with a combo like #7, NXT, and #26 on top of that if you`ve got the time or feel that it improves the look. The NXT protectant for vynil/rubber works fine for your exterior trim. Look for Meg`s #40 for the interior. Stoner`s invisible glass/Trim Shine/Tarminator are all great products. I prefer Meg`s Gold Class car wash. Pick up a chenille wash mitt or "cube" instead of a normal sponge.



Don`t know if you need to clay or not, but The $10 ClayMagic kits can`t be beat for the price.



If you are looking into ordering some stuff online, you have a lot more choices. The online store here or properautocare.com are great places to get things. I think a Blackfire GEP, followed by Blackfire AFPP, followed by Meg`s #16 paste wax would look great on your color, and it would give you great smoothness and durability. I prefer Meg`s Endurance for the tires (gel form - the spray cans are a waste of time and product) and Eagle One A2Z or other wheel cleaner depending on what type of wheels you have. Stoner`s products for the windows, big trim areas, and tar/bugs work great and have a good reputation here. Pick up some good MF`s as well. You`ll find a lot of debate here about what brand is best. As I said above, I`ve found Gold Class car wash shampoo to be the best I`ve used, nd you can pick it up at any place like AutoZone or Pep Boys.

[Big T]

I`m hoping to find some good stuff... if I have to buy it online, thats fine with me, as long as it is good, proven, quality stuff I would be using. I just know there are WAY too many things for me to just start picking and using without having any great idea as to what I am looking for and I appreciate any help that I am given / all the help that you guys have given so far!

[Accumulator]

Arctic04S- Welcome to Autopia! Congrats on the new car and also on your intention to keep it nice.



Compare what we recommend (it`ll vary due to our individual preferences) and then do what seems right to you.



Definitely get some good MFs, including some Waffle Weaves to dry with. Use good car wash shampoo and work at not marring the finish when you wash/dry.



Get a good, mild wheel cleaner, and make sure it`s something safe for *clearcoated* wheels. Don`t use one of the stiff brushes sold for wheels, it`ll scratch them.



Most interior vinyl/rubber products from Meguiar`s, Eagle One, etc. are fine.



Yeah, do the claying. Most any clay kit will work well, these days they`re all pretty good. A good start for now might be to get the Mother`s claybar kit, which contains a small bottle of their cleaner wax. You could wash, clay, and use the cleaner wax, and have the car protected and looking good for now while you consider getting some "serious" products. That can be a good first step and would sure beat not having any protection on the vehicle.



For the "serious" products, there are a lot of choices and everyone here has a particular favorite. For hand use, *I* always recommend 1Z products. They work *very* well by hand and look great. IMO it`s well worth ordering them online instead of limiting yourself to the stuff you can buy locally. For someone just starting out with serious detailing, they are a pretty surefire way of getting great results without wearing yourself out in the process.

[NavindraLR]

mmm.... a spec type s... nice... lol... but yeah what everyone else said... id recommend a good car wash, like nxt or mothers, then claying, then wash again, then using 1z polishes (as stated before.. i`ve had good results with them).. you`d probably need only the 1z metallic polish, but if u already have swirls, which i hope not, ud have to step up to their more abrasive polishes... after that, u would have to wax, but i dont know how long inbetween u would be waxing, or what kinda look u want... but any meguiars wax is good, but for your car, and the color, id recommend meguiars nxt wax, and if u wanna get a lil more expensive, then id try klasse sg, or p21s.. something of that sorts... click on the links above, (learn link), and you`ll take in a s*** load of information

[White95Max]

Nice car.

First of all you definitely need some clay and MFs.

After you clay, I recommend the Meguiars #7 and NXT combo. #7 can be a hassle, but just don`t apply it too thick and you won`t have a problem. The NXT is really simple to use, and won`t stain trim...and it smells great.

You can buy all of these at a local auto parts store, so that adds to the convenience. The Mother`s clay kit at Adv. Auto Parts is ~$15, but you could buy some clay bars from the Autopia store for much cheaper.

Have fun with the RSX!

[flyinhigh]

Hey he`s going to need some applicators also:D what type would you guys recomend he use for a full hand job??

Foam,terry,MF . or were you guys recomending the MF towels to use as this :nixweiss

[Sveta]

I would say Accumulator has the right idea with getting the basics and then spend several weeks getting a feel for better things. I`ll throw in my $.02.



Get a natural sheepskin wash mit and the special red wash bucket with grit trap in it $9.88(?) that looks like a fireman`s hat from Wal-Mart. Meguiar`s Gold Class or NXT soap. My local Pepboy`s said the corp.is not going to carry Clay Magic because of pressures from Meguiar`s and Mothers. :nixweiss. Got 4 @ $6.00.

If you can`t find Clay Magic (Autozone here 12.99!) then Mothers at 13.48 at Wal-Mart is next best. EO A2Z Wheel stuff is good too from W-Mart.



Don`t even think of cheap MF if you can afford better, although I have no problems with the two big blue MF drying towels I got from Wal-Mart. (Get the WW if your going to order a bunch of towels but for now get one $6.88? to dry your car.) I like the $4.99 Viking orange edgeless polish MF at AZ and Checkers for polish/wax removal. Get two Viking orange until you get a big order from the better MF online guys (i.e. PakShak)...Check it out, bite the bullet and place a good order and tell him your an Autopian.



Check your local NAPA for Meguiar`s as mine carries all the professional line...Hand Polish, #34, etc. Ask for the Pepboy price and they usually give it...mine at least does.



Get that car washed and clayed ASAP...and I would recommend because of color be happy for now with #7 Show Car Glaze or Hand Polish and #26 LIQUID Hi-Tech Yellow applied by hand. It will look great I promiss.



Search around this site for rec`s on wheel brushes, etc. since there are many options.



Many choices, I know, and probably nobody is going to give you "bad" advice.



:wavey



EDIT: I use MF and Meguiar`s foam to put on polish, wax and sealants. See what you like best with which product. Also, I have used a low end MF towel to put polish on wheels.

[Wasatch]

For polishes/glazes MF Apps, for waxes/sealants foam Apps.

[Arctic04S]

Ok, this is what I am thinking now based on the input from you guys... feel free to suggest other products (as you will see, i like Meguiars as I have never had a problem with them, liked what I used in the past, and see that some of you have also recomended them... I do not know enough of the 1Z, zaino, etc yet to make any sort of informed decisions based on their brands yet that would make me comfortable, but if any of you have suggestions, lets hear em! haha)...



----------Car Wash----------

Meguiars Hi-Tech Wash (http://store.yahoo.com/autopia/meg-m-0016.html)



the only thing i don`t like about choosing this one is that i see it is on clearance... what will replace it and will it be as good as the existing product? or should i get this:



Meguiars Gold Class Shampoo (http://store.yahoo.com/autopia/meg-g-7116.html)



----------Wash Mits----------

Sonüs Der Wunder Mitt (http://store.yahoo.com/autopia/son-dwmitt.html)



----------Clay Bar----------

Meguiars Quik Clay Detailing System (http://store.yahoo.com/autopia/meg-g-1116.html)



----------Car Polish----------

Meguiars #7 Show Car Glaze (http://store.yahoo.com/autopia/meg-m-0716.html)



----------Car Wax----------

Meguiars #26 Hi-Tech Paste Wax (http://store.yahoo.com/autopia/meg-m-2611.html)



----------Trim Dressing----------

Meguiars #38 Tire and Trim Dressing Gel (http://store.yahoo.com/autopia/meg-m-3832.html)





Here is the part that I have no idea what-so-ever on:



----------Micro-Fiber Towels----------

How many do I need? For what? What kinds do you guys suggest?



----------Leather Care----------

I, personally, liked the Meguiars 2-step leather care:

http://memimage.cardomain.com/member_images/2/web/230000-230999/230170_91.jpg

What does everybody else suggest in-light of the fact that I haven`t seen it online anywhere, and purchaced it a long-long-long time ago (leading me to believe it is no longer produced)



I think that is all... what am I missing, and what suggestions would you all make to me as far as ammending my selections, adding new products, changing things for my perticular color, etc...



thanks everybody!

[Accumulator]

I like the Meg`s High-Tech better than the GC wash, but that`s just me. But even at the closeout price, that`s sorta pricey for a shampoo. I`d find something (good) you can buy in larger quantities. But if you don`t mind the cost, you won`t go wrong with the Meg`s #00.



IMO the #7/#26 combo is a) not the most user-friendly approach (#7 is tricky untill you get the hang of it) and b) not all that swell for clearcoats (the #7 doesn`t work all that well for that application, doesn`t penetrate/bond with the clear the way it does with single-stage). And I prefer #16 over #26 if you`re gonna order a Meg`s wax, but once again that`s just a personal preference.



In all honesty, if you`re gonna order from the Autopia store (good move, BTW :xyxthumbs ) I`d order the 1Z Metallic Polish and the Meg`s #16. I can almost guarantee that you`ll get great results right off the bat with little effort. The 1Z MP is a *lot* easier to use than the #7, for instance (and I`ve used #7 since the `70s) and is simply a better product for your application. I think the #16 would be a great topper for it on your color and it lasts a *long* time (and it`s cheap).

[imported_Macgirl]

Great ideas for you so far, just like to add a vote for 1Z Metallic Polish. It is the easiest *I`ve* used by hand and gives you a great finish. Of course, I like anything 1Z (http://store.yahoo.com/cgi-bin/clink?autopia+ufAdJU+einszett.html+) :xyxthumbs . If you`re going to order online, pick-up some quality microfiber towels, I like the Khaki towel, and all the SONUS towels that they have at Autopia Car Care. I like using MF applicators if I`m using a polish by hand also. Oh, and get yourself some 303 Aerospace Protectant for the interior, good stuff with UV protection and a matte finish. I usually clean the dash and seats with warm water and a dash of Ivory dish soap.



Good luck and enjoy :)

[imported_fireberd350]

I`m sure the Sonus mitt is good but I HIGHLY recommend the wool wash mitt. This thing is IMO the best/safest thing for washing

http://store.yahoo.com/autopia/vk-103.html



Also, you can`t go wrong with the Khaki MF towels. You get 6 in a pack and they are great rags. Then buy some cheapo ones from Target for wheels/interior/etc.

http://store.yahoo.com/autopia/kikhdeto.html



I also HIGHLY recommend the Concours Buffing Towel. It is by far the best rag I have ever come across I actually just noticed it is on sale so I may order another. You won`t regret it. Awesome rag:xyxthumbs

http://store.yahoo.com/autopia/mf-cbt.html



Also, a Waffle Weave (WW) drying towel is a must. Without it you will most likely scratch your paint every time you dry it. Actually preventing scratches 100% on a dark colored car is an impossible feat, although the WW will get you much closer than anything else.

http://store.yahoo.com/autopia/pupadrtoset.html or

http://store.yahoo.com/autopia/son-dwdt-2.html



also you can save some $$ and get David`s clay...same stuff

http://store.yahoo.com/autopia/tps-clay-f80y.html





Dang, now that I seen all this stuff I want to order more...thanks alot:rolleyes: Goodluck, and nice car:up