Beginner Supplies

nitronic

nitronic

New member
I went to 4 places last night and here is what I picked up. We've had the car almost a month now and it has yet to be hand washed. Please ignore the messy garage.
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2x 5-GAL Bucket/lid
1x Meguiars Gold Class Wash shampoo and conditioner
1x Multi sprayer
2x quick connect sets (I should have gotten an additional male... one more trip to make
1x control valve
2x 7" hose with a spring wrapped around it
1x "Ultimate Water Blaster" adjustable angle & extendable arm washing wand
1x 15-Pack of multipurpose microfiber towels
3x microfiber drywing towels
2x Microfiber Wash Mits-not identical. One has a net-like weave on the back, I assume for getting bugs off (see below). Good? Bad? I don't know, but below is a shot of the front after 4 hours on the highway.
1x 50-ft hose (not pictured, I forgot to get it out of the truck when I started the photo shoot)....brass fittings.
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Should I expect this stuff to come off easily with the car wash and soft side of the mit or should I use the "rough side"?

Nobody hat grit guards, so I guess I'll order those through this place as well as possibly a foam sprayer.

I also plan to get some tarps to hang in the garage so I can wash there without sunlight hitting it.

Thanks,

Nic
 
yeah those are basically bug scrubbers built in to the mitt so that you don't need a separate one. its good and bad. the good is obvious, 1 tool for both jobs. the bad is that now you cant really flip the mitt over while washing to use the "fresh" side because you probably wouldn't want to wash anything except the front end with the scrubber side. so you may find yourself rinsing the mitt a bit more often, really not a big deal. everything else looks very solid. you made the right moves here.
 
I would avoid using the rough side on the paint, maybe try a test spot first to see how badly it mars the paint. The stuff will only come off easily if there's already a LSP (last step product) on your car (Wax, Sealant, Coating). Assuming you don't have a LSP on the car it should still all come off, but I'd recommend a good strong pre-rinse.

Sunlight hitting the car when washing shouldn't be a huge deal just don't let the water or soap dry on the surface.

Grit guards are only sold online (from what I've found).

Looks like you got a good start with those products. I can't speak for the microfibers or the wash mitts but that soap is still one of my favourites despite trying 10-15 others.

The only thing missing from your list to complete the wash is a dressing for the tires and the trim. The glass can be cleaned without a cleaner, using microfibers to buff dry after washing. I would also recommend something for the interior plastics like Meguiar's Quik Interior Detailer the smell isn't the best, but it leaves a nice matte finish that stays clean for longer than other OTC products. If you're ordering online or happen to find it in the store 303 Aerospace Protectant is typically preferred over Meg's Quik Interior Detailer.
 

Nitronic- Let me address some of what 4u2nvinmtl's points, you can compare our takes on the topics. (Not arguing with him at all, he and I just sometimes have differing takes on some stuff.)

I would avoid using the rough side on the paint..
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Yeah, absolutely...let the product do the work not the application/cleaning medium.

that soap is still one of my favourites despite trying 10-15 others.
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Heh heh, you and I are gonna keep disagreeing about that GC soap, OK...could do worse.

The only thing missing from your list to complete the wash is a dressing for the tires and the trim.
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I wouldn't use a dressing on trim, just the tires.
The glass can be cleaned without a cleaner, using microfibers to buff dry after washing.
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Eh, that never worked for me. And you gotta watch which MF you use as MF lint on glass is awful.

I would also recommend something for the interior plastics like Meguiar's Quik Interior Detailer the smell isn't the best, but it leaves a nice matte finish that stays clean for longer than other OTC products.
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Great stuff! The bad-smelling batch has been acknowledged by Meguiar's and they'll replace it.

If you're ordering online or happen to find it in the store 303 Aerospace Protectant is typically preferred over Meg's Quik Interior Detailer..
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Eh, my 303 just sits on the shelf while I use my IQD every time.
 
4u2nvinmtl said:
...Assuming you don't have a LSP on the car it should still all come off, but I'd recommend a good strong pre-rinse.
...

The only thing missing from your list to complete the wash is a dressing for the tires and the trim. The glass can be cleaned without a cleaner, using microfibers to buff dry after washing. I would also recommend something for the interior plastics like Meguiar's Quik Interior Detailer the smell isn't the best, but it leaves a nice matte finish that stays clean for longer than other OTC products. If you're ordering online or happen to find it in the store 303 Aerospace Protectant is typically preferred over Meg's Quik Interior Detailer.
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if any LSP is on it, it was whatever the factory, distributer, or dealer applied...I've done none and I don't know what they did. Any recommendations on something to try?

It's a 2015 4Runner, white, if that makes a difference as to what type of paint process Toyota uses.

Also, there are so many types of plastics/synthetics on interiors I didn't buy anything for that yet so I can learn about something good to try.

MooreImpressive said:
yes I suppose we should ask about what tire cleaner and dressing you plan to use, since it doesn't look like you bought any?
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Same story with the tire cleaner/dress, I bought none since I didn't yet have any suggestions on what to try. I've read that foaming products tend to brown the tires after a few weeks, so I didn't get any of that. I experienced this many (10+) years ago but I forget the name of the product.

I also wonder if I should apply a LSP of a different type to the windshield; it is quite the bug killer as well.

Thanks,

Nic
 
New white vehicle = I'd decontaminate it with ValuGard's ABC as the first step. Easy as doing a series of washes.
 
All that work gathering supplies and washing the car, yet no way to protect the paint : /.

I'll second Accumulator on the decontamination though, get rid of that rail dust and iron fallout before using a good sealant on it. And I would definitely recommend a solid sealant over a carnuba wax. If you bought a new car and didn't wash it for a month, you're not likely to keep up on waxing it as often as you should using only wax instead of a sealant. I'm not saying that's a bad thing at all, just be realistic about how often you're going to re-apply protection, it will be better for your car's paint in the long run.

As far as which sealant to use, Just search the forums, the topic gets covered on a consistent basis here. I prefer Hydro2 when I'm not busy being a broke college student. Kind of expensive, but IME I got a solid 2-3 months out of it (before I sold my last car, the one I applied it to) and it is THE easiest thing to apply, you just mist on after washing then pressure wash off. If your nozzle doesn' have the pressure required and yoy have no pressure washer just head to your local coin op after washing and use theirs.

Also, I used thise MF wash mitts for years thinking all wash mitts were the same, just needs to wash dirt off and release dort when dunked in rinse bucket right? But after ordering a lamb's wool wash mitt it would be hard for me to go back to anything else lol.

Also, to help get the bugs off easier stop by your local walmart or wherever, but some cheap bath or beach towels, soak them in water and drape them across your bumper. You're not using them to scrub or anything, but it will get the bugs wet and keep them wet for a while, then the bugs should come off much easier. Just remember, those towels are only for soaking the bug guts, not scrubbing them off.

As far as glass goes... find something that works, glass is a PITA lol. I personally just wash them with the car wash, squeege them off right away, the buff them with a MF towel. But a lot of people do glass different ways. For the inside I just use glass cleaner. Stoner's invisible glass in a pump is what a lot of people prefer.

And Grit Guard, make sure you get 2 of those bad boys ordered. You would think the rknse bucket will take jn all the dirt, but I still always end up with a little in the was bucket somehow.

As far as tire dressing goes... I honestly just use the "NO TOUCH" from Dollar General, cheap as hell, works great on fender wells and tires, only leaves them wet looking for a day or so, but IME when it dries it leaves the tires nice and black and not too "wet looking." Never had a problem with it turning the tires brown, but I also use bleach-white (have for 10+ years) without any issues at all. Brown stuff comes out while cleaning the tires, but from what I understand that's supposed to happen, something to do with the tire or what not. Never head a dry rot issue of any sort like some people claim.

TLDR; Decontaminate, Sealant, 2 grit guards, nice wash mitt, beach towels for soaking bug guts, whatever works for glass, and whatever you want for tires (I go cheap, see no need for anything else.)

Hopefully I gelped a little!
 
brownbob06 said:
All that work gathering supplies and washing the car, yet no way to protect the paint : /.

I'll second Accumulator on the decontamination though, get rid of that rail dust and iron fallout before using a good sealant on it. And I would definitely recommend a solid sealant over a carnuba wax. If you bought a new car and didn't wash it for a month, you're not likely to keep up on waxing it as often as you should using only wax instead of a sealant. I'm not saying that's a bad thing at all, just be realistic about how often you're going to re-apply protection, it will be better for your car's paint in the long run.

As far as which sealant to use, Just search the forums, the topic gets covered on a consistent basis here. I prefer Hydro2 when I'm not busy being a broke college student. Kind of expensive, but IME I got a solid 2-3 months out of it (before I sold my last car, the one I applied it to) and it is THE easiest thing to apply, you just mist on after washing then pressure wash off. If your nozzle doesn' have the pressure required and yoy have no pressure washer just head to your local coin op after washing and use theirs.

Also, I used thise MF wash mitts for years thinking all wash mitts were the same, just needs to wash dirt off and release dort when dunked in rinse bucket right? But after ordering a lamb's wool wash mitt it would be hard for me to go back to anything else lol.

Also, to help get the bugs off easier stop by your local walmart or wherever, but some cheap bath or beach towels, soak them in water and drape them across your bumper. You're not using them to scrub or anything, but it will get the bugs wet and keep them wet for a while, then the bugs should come off much easier. Just remember, those towels are only for soaking the bug guts, not scrubbing them off.

As far as glass goes... find something that works, glass is a PITA lol. I personally just wash them with the car wash, squeege them off right away, the buff them with a MF towel. But a lot of people do glass different ways. For the inside I just use glass cleaner. Stoner's invisible glass in a pump is what a lot of people prefer.

And Grit Guard, make sure you get 2 of those bad boys ordered. You would think the rknse bucket will take jn all the dirt, but I still always end up with a little in the was bucket somehow.

As far as tire dressing goes... I honestly just use the "NO TOUCH" from Dollar General, cheap as hell, works great on fender wells and tires, only leaves them wet looking for a day or so, but IME when it dries it leaves the tires nice and black and not too "wet looking." Never had a problem with it turning the tires brown, but I also use bleach-white (have for 10+ years) without any issues at all. Brown stuff comes out while cleaning the tires, but from what I understand that's supposed to happen, something to do with the tire or what not. Never head a dry rot issue of any sort like some people claim.

TLDR; Decontaminate, Sealant, 2 grit guards, nice wash mitt, beach towels for soaking bug guts, whatever works for glass, and whatever you want for tires (I go cheap, see no need for anything else.)

Hopefully I gelped a little!
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Yes, I think you helped a lot. I haven't hand washed mostly because I've been out of town for a week and the other few weeks it did nothing but rain/flood here. It did go through an automatic wash once and coin-op pressure wash a few times.

But realistically, I don't have time to wax or apply a last step product every month, I'd say quarterly is probably realistic. A good hand wash I hope to do every week or 2, depending on how busy I am. When winter comes I hope to have the tarps in the garage so I can do it in there and keep some heat going.

And the reason I hadn't waxed/LSPed is because I hadn't properly hand washed :-D Didn't want to seal in the crud... and also I wasn't sure what I should use... I'm a bit overwhelmed but I guess I asked for it. I plan on getting a couple of grit guards and I'll look at a few polymer sealers in teh autopia store, and maybe a lamb wool mitt.

As for glass, I wondered if Rain-X was decent to treat with after the windshield is clean and/or all the other glass (tinted, if that matters... I don't know if the tint is on the inside or outside).


I think I'm afraid of making a mistake using a bad product and then either having to scrub it off to apply something else, or causing further damage to the finish.

BUt thanks for the help! I like paragraphs... I tend to write that way myself.

Nic
 
Right on man. I tend to write long responses so it's much easier to organize it somewhat lol.

Tint is on the inside, so has no effect on the rain x. I do well by applying Rain X then using the washer fluid with Rain X in it. Seems to keep everything working great.

And you're not going to do much more damage hand washing it even if you do it wrong than you are at the coin op. My philosophy is: If I HAVE to use a coin op, I use a touchless automatic, some of these guys on here will disagree with that even, but not everyone has time to hand wash every week.

And if you just use some wax you'll have some short term protection at least until you choose a good sealant that you like.

Being realistic about how you're going to apply protectant every few months is a good thing. People can come on here and feel discouraged if they're not waxing every week just because those are the habits of some of the people here. Nothing wrong with either of those approaches to me, as long as you have the right product for the job.

Good luck!
 
nitronic said:
Yes, I think you helped a lot. I haven't hand washed mostly because I've been out of town for a week and the other few weeks it did nothing but rain/flood here. It did go through an automatic wash once and coin-op pressure wash a few times.

But realistically, I don't have time to wax or apply a last step product every month, I'd say quarterly is probably realistic. A good hand wash I hope to do every week or 2, depending on how busy I am. When winter comes I hope to have the tarps in the garage so I can do it in there and keep some heat going.

And the reason I hadn't waxed/LSPed is because I hadn't properly hand washed :-D Didn't want to seal in the crud... and also I wasn't sure what I should use... I'm a bit overwhelmed but I guess I asked for it. I plan on getting a couple of grit guards and I'll look at a few polymer sealers in teh autopia store, and maybe a lamb wool mitt.

As for glass, I wondered if Rain-X was decent to treat with after the windshield is clean and/or all the other glass (tinted, if that matters... I don't know if the tint is on the inside or outside).


I think I'm afraid of making a mistake using a bad product and then either having to scrub it off to apply something else, or causing further damage to the finish.

BUt thanks for the help! I like paragraphs... I tend to write that way myself.

Nic
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Honestly I've tried many products and haven't come across one that's "bad" just some a better than others (you'll notice this in user reviews as well). Like most would say, it's not the product it's what works best for you (durability, cost, ease of use).


Frankly most people (non-autopian) wont notice the difference between one LSP and the next and the key really is protection that works for your maintenance/wash plan.


I went over board and bought many products that have very similar uses, I'd recommend starting with one product per crucial category (i.e. washing, interior cleaning, microfibers, decontamination, polishing/compounding, dressing, and protection/LSP) like you've started, your just missing a few products for some category like others pointed out.
 
Okay, folks. Thanks to your suggestions, a little reading, and a little roll of the dice, here's what I ordered. I think I have everything but some tire spray. I was torn between some tire stuff and interior stuff for my free sample, and figured I'd take the interior stuff since tires will wear out and be replaced many times (don't worry, I'll still buy something, just not today.... that was just the reasoning behind my decision on free sample).
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I didn't tell my wife. But it's her car, so she can't be mad. Especially if it looks good when I'm done with it. Hopefully between the bug sponge, brownbob06's suggestion of soaking a towel and draping it over the bug splatter, and some clay, maybe I convert the front from Cookies 'n Cream to some good old fashion vanilla.

And I chose the free ground shipping.... hopefully it all gets here before next weekend and I can get going on cleaning this thing up.

Thanks again for everyone's suggestions. Brace yourself, questions will probalby be posted. If nothing else, some before & after photos.


Nic
 
...somehow forgot the clay. Went back to get that and ended up with another $100 worth. I have a problem.
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Happens to all of us when we first get bit by the bug lol. Just remember to find something you like and stick with it. If something doesn't work out well for you, just move on and try something else. If one thing worked well for everyone you wouldn't have entire online stores full of detailing supplies lol.
 
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