Overwhelmed with product selection...Please help!

[BMW335i]

As a beginner to this whole detailing process, I can not find consitent and reputable advice. Therefore, I seek to ask you, the members of autopia, to ease my fears. As you see, I have just purchased a BMW335i. In order to protect this investment, I am seeking the best in car care, and I mean THE BEST regardless of cost. The vast selection is just overwhelming me. Some of my concerns include what brands reign superior, where to buy, and what methods to use. But most important, I would like a short list of the BEST in car care. Please include types of wash mitts, drying towels, and car wash soaps. I have already purchased a Meguiars Chenille Wash Mitt, Meguiars Super Suede Drying Towel. However, when I rubbed the chenille mitt on a CD, i noticed numerous scratches which scared me. I am just lost and need some advice. Thank you.

[BigAl3]

look in the click & brag section and you`ll see lots of autopians process and products used. if you don`t have a pc, get one! http://www.guidetodetailing.com/arti...p?articleId=47 :waxing:

[joyriiide1113]

All I can recommend is to read the Manual. All the advice you`re aksing for is there and is too much for any of us to type.

[BMW335i]

Yes, but the manual is vague. They only suggest BMW products, which are probably not the best. I need specifics on the best products, even a few suggestions is appreciated...

[whitejavaS500]

Hi there...



I drive an 06 330i, and I can help you out here. Please just help me out with the color of the car. (int & ext)

[the other pc]

Hi BMW335i, :welcome to Autopia.



Here’s the easy answer: there is no such thing as “the best� of anything.



Everyone has their own favorite products that are “best� for them. I’m sorry that I can’t wrap it all up in a neat little package but that’s just not the nature of the beast. You’ll have to read a bit, experiment a bit and find your own way. Luckily, pretty much any advice you get around here will be a great starting place for your detailing “journey.�



Here’s an example: I was hanging out with a group of my waxhead buddies just last night and a newbie asked about waffle weave microfibers. Me and a couple other guys went off on how much we loved them then another guy chimed in that he didn’t like them. He loved his Absorber. Me, I hate the Absorber. Then somebody else said he didn’t like either and preferred terry weave microfibers. I dislike terry weave mf for drying. Yet another person said he likes old fashion animal hide chamois. And of course we had a leaf blower proponent in the crowd as well.



So who was right about which is best? Everyone was, for themselves.



So dive on in, read what others have to say about what products they like and why, then try something for yourself.



Enjoy the ride.





PC.

[BMW335i]

Hi BMW335i, :welcome to Autopia.



Here’s the easy answer: there is no such thing as “the best� of anything.



Everyone has their own favorite products that are “best� for them. I’m sorry that I can’t wrap it all up in a neat little package but that’s just not the nature of the beast. You’ll have to read a bit, experiment a bit and find your own way. Luckily, pretty much any advice you get around here will be a great starting place for your detailing “journey.�



Here’s an example: I was hanging out with a group of my waxhead buddies just last night and a newbie asked about waffle weave microfibers. Me and a couple other guys went off on how much we loved them then another guy chimed in that he didn’t like them. He loved his Absorber. Me, I hate the Absorber. Then somebody else said he didn’t like either and preferred terry weave microfibers. I dislike terry weave mf for drying. Yet another person said he likes old fashion animal hide chamois. And of course we had a leaf blower proponent in the crowd as well.



So who was right about which is best? Everyone was, for themselves.



So dive on in, read what others have to say about what products they like and why, then try something for yourself.



Enjoy the ride.





PC.

Good advice. So there isnt anything that is the most popular? Also, is the Meguiars Water Magnet towel a Microfiber Towel? I am looking into getting this but it doesnt say anywhere on the package that it is...Oh yeah and I drive a Titanium Silver 335i or TiAg as I like to call it being a biochemistry major hehe



I need a sort of "stepping stone", something to feel the waters. Really, ANY advice on product selection is appreciated. My only hope is you guys lol, nobody else I know is detail crazy.



Is Meguiars the best product that is locally available? (It seems to be the only name brand product locally available, along with Mothers).

[imported_02ZTSfocus]

Best is a very subjective term. Based on what is used a lot on here and what I have had some experience with, I will just quickly suggest the following;



Wash Mitt - Eurow Sheepskin

Soap - Most people around here use Megs Gold Class

Drying Towel - Any Waffle Weave as long as it a decent brand like Cobra

Porter Cable - 7424 or 7336

Pads - Lake Country are my personal favorites

Compound - Optimum Compound (incredibly user friendly while delivering outstanding results)

Polish - Optimum Polish (see above)

LSP - Zaino and Pinnacle Souveran are both VERY highly regarded

[BMW335i]

Best is a very subjective term. Based on what is used a lot on here and what I have had some experience with, I will just quickly suggest the following;



Wash Mitt - Eurow Sheepskin

Soap - Most people around here use Megs Gold Class

Drying Towel - Any Waffle Weave as long as it a decent brand like Cobra

Porter Cable - 7424 or 7336

Pads - Lake Country are my personal favorites

Compound - Optimum Compound (incredibly user friendly while delivering outstanding results)

Polish - Optimum Polish (see above)

LSP - Zaino and Pinnacle Souveran are both VERY highly regarded

For the drying towel, is Meguiars considered a "descent" brand? It seems that Cobra products are not available locally...Oh yea, sorry for using the word "best", what I meant was what is "popular" among detailers.



I heard that Eurow Sheepskin is available at Wal-Mart, is this true?

[the other pc]

I’m sure if you took a pole of all Autopians you’d find products in each category that come out on top as far as number of fans. I have no idea what those products would be and I can guarantee you that no one person uses them all regularly. But that’s all hypothetical anyway.



My normal advice is to start with Meguiar’s. Their stuff is works great, it’s available everywhere and it’s inexpensive. Then you can go on from there to try other things or just stay there if you find you’re happy. If you buy on the internet rather than over-the-counter you can say the same thing for all the brands that are popular here (well, maybe not the inexpensive part for a couple). Just pick a reputable supplier and start with what they have.



Yes, Meguiar’s Water Magnet is a waffle weave microfiber. I like them a lot but if I were to buy another (I think I have three now) I’d get their Marine Water Magnet. It’s exactly the same but it’s larger (and blue). I also have Pakshak, Excel and some other wwmf’s. They’re all good.





PC.

[BMW335i]

I’m sure if you took a pole of all Autopians you’d find products in each category that come out on top as far as number of fans. I have no idea what those products would be and I can guarantee you that no one person uses them all regularly. But that’s all hypothetical anyway.



My normal advice is to start with Meguiar’s. Their stuff is works great, it’s available everywhere and it’s inexpensive. Then you can go on from there to try other things or just stay there if you find you’re happy. If you buy on the internet rather than over-the-counter you can say the same thing for all the brands that are popular here (well, maybe not the inexpensive part for a couple). Just pick a reputable supplier and start with what they have.



Yes, Meguiar’s Water Magnet is a waffle weave microfiber. I like them a lot but if I were to buy another (I think I have three now) I’d get their Marine Water Magnet. It’s exactly the same but it’s larger (and blue). I also have Pakshak, Excel and some other wwmf’s. They’re all good.





PC.

Thanks. One last question - Does Meguiars sell Sheepskin Wash Mitts? I looked but am inconclusive. Im weary of using this Chenille stuff.

[the other pc]

Not any more (well, I think they do in Australia or something).



For sheepskin you’ll need to look elsewhere.





PC.

[Mobilejay]

well its not local, well not to me but this is the place I go to get my drying towels, polishing microfibers etc. His Waffle Weave towels are the best I`ve tried. Waynes Towels hope this helps. and I used to do the same thing and it would get on my nerves that no one could tell me what was the best polish or wax or any thing, but after countless hours of researching postings on forums researching products and testing I now know why. Just take your time and after a while you will start to notice the same brands popping up in the forums, theres a BUNCH of different products out there but if you pay attention theres only a select few that people speak highly of. good luck!

[Grimm]

The Eurow Sheepskin mitts at Walmart are probably one of the best OTC wash items that you can get. Just make sure to feel out all of the mitts on the rack to find the softest since some can feel rather stiff. I think the consensus would be that Megs stuff is the best OTC products, but there is better stuff out there that you have to buy online. But you can`t go wrong with Megs. It`s just one of those personal preference things where you`ll have to find out for yourself. Other than that, as someone else mentioned, hit the Search function and type in BMW and check out all the Click and Brag posts to see what everyone is using. That should give you a good start on what will work for your paint, since that is a big factor.

[BMW335i]

Thanks guys. Any ideas on some good websites to purchase the more high quality items?