New member here with a new car, want to start on the right foot! Need advice (pics inside).

[danondorf]

Hello all,

I was browsing this forum and noticed how educated and passionate you guys are about your rides so I decided this would be the best place to come to.

Just got a brand-new 2008 Mitsubishi Eclipse GS (Rave Red). Want to keep my investment "showroom" shiny......I'm new to all of this, so would anyone be so kind to point me in the right direction?

So far I've gotten these items:

Armor All Microfiber Wash Mitt
Armor All Car Wash/Wax (2 in 1)-Carnauba
The Absorber

That's it thus far.

Also, what are your opinions on Nose Masks/Bras or car covers? On Mitsubishi's official website they have these items available for the Eclipse. Please note I commute to work everyday on highway in a relatively dirty area (rocks, dirt).

Any advice?

Thanks! Oh and here some pics of my new baby

 

[cwcad]

If you are just starting out to detailing a brand new vehicle then look to our sponsors here on the site to get you started.

Four Star, Poorboy's, and Optimum all have good products to care for you car. Getting started can be expensive if one gets caught up in the hype of the latest and greatest of products and machines.

To get started at the minimum of expense all that is needed is what you have list plus detailing clay and lubricant(once a year and to each new car), paint cleaner(to prepare the surface for the LSP), and an LSP to get it shining and protected. Purchase some applicator pads for the paint as well as the wheels and some MF towels. There are dedicated protectants for wheels that are very good but if you are wanting to keep it simple using your LSP on your wheels will work albeit not as long.

Once you decide on a product the biggest aide I can be to you as someone just starting out in detailing is to stress that proper techniques and practices of maintaining your paints surface. Less is more when it comes to product placement. Make sure you allow for cure time when dealing with sealants for best protection.

I cannot comment on a Bra for your vehicle.... I have never owned one.

 

[Bunky]

Congratulations, You are going to find a lot of opinions here on which products to use. Almost all these products are available by mail order from those that sponsor this forum and this is a good weekend to buy some since almost all have sales in progress. The choices are endless.

I would not recommend using the Absorber to dry your new car. It sticks to the paint when drying so it can increase the possibility of scratches. Scratches from poor washing and drying techniques is a leading cause of losing that new car appearance.

The Absorber is great for removing water but I would get a good microfiber drying towel such as the Viking yellow drying towel at Kmart or use several smaller detailing towels. You can use the Absorber to blot off the water and then dry the remainder with the towel If you go shopping for microfiber towels (drying, detailing, polish removal) the good ones are not cheap.

 

[RANDAL]

IMO, (In My Opinion), LSP= Last Step Product, AIO =All In One. Back to the thread, I DONT use wash/wax products. It just leaves another product to remove withe either clay bar or polish, and the wax part really doesnt do much coverage I would think it should. Heres what Id purchase to start with using Walmart over the counter products OTC. Armour All wash, Mothers clay bar and lube in the box, about 16-24 blue and white or white and blue microfiber towels, a large MF drying towel or 2, Turtle wax bug and tar remover, a MF wash mitt or 2, 2 wash buckets, 50 of garden hose, hose nozzle, They have a $30 power washer buy the wiper blades and windsheild washer fluid, 4-6 wax applicater pads, and finally a wax of your choice or Meguires NXT wax which is a sealent and should last longer. I used WM as I was there loclly last night and saw these products. I personally use products from the sponsors 95% of the time. Other items that you can add are a PC 7424 DA buffer, a line of polishes for paint correction and shine. Tire and wheel cleaners. Trim cleaners. APC. pads for the PC. Always more MFs and applicator pads. And as CW said Less is More! A lesson Im still learning but my UDM is helping that. (UDM is comparable to PC 7424 but more amperage=more POWER).

Stay away from the car bra, it collects moisture and dirt under it. Plus the rest of the vehicle fads differently also. just keep the bug spats off and vehichle washed followed by easy applied wax and you can keep your vehichle looking nearly new.