cleaning products?

[sjscura]

ok. list your favorite and the best cleaing products you use and have used...

[Jemdawg]

For washing or for waxing?

[sjscura]

oops...edit**

for washing, overall cleaning...and your best waxing material too is cool.

[versabundus]

I really like that new nxt wax. It does a good job on a clean car and doesn't leave residue on black plastic.

[Ever Victorious]

Blue Coral wash.

Meguiars wax.

I'm easily entertained.

[proxim2020]

Blue Coral wash.

Meguiars wax.

I'm easily entertained.

Hear, all ye good people, Hear what this brilliant and eloquent speaker has to say! (In other words, I use the same.)

[Jemdawg]

Dawn and/or Meguiars NXT wash, a nice soft and thick wash mitt or sea sponge, a big microfiber towel for drying, a small microfiber chamois for getting any smaller wet spots, Meguiars NXT wax, Armor All Tire Shine Gel.

[proxim2020]

Dawn and/or Meguiars NXT wash, a nice soft and thick wash mitt or sea sponge, a big microfiber towel for drying, a small microfiber chamois for getting any smaller wet spots, Meguiars NXT wax, Armor All Tire Shine Gel.

I don't know about using the Dawn alone . Actually you shouldn't use it at all. That is if you're talking about Dawn the dish detergent. Dish detergent works well when you're trying to get old wax off, but it wouldn't be suggested on an unwaxed car. Check the article below.

http://www.carwash.com/article.asp?indexid=6632713

[sjscura]

ive actually used the rain x cash wash solution and it works great. a bit on the pricey side, but it really does leave a nice shine. does anyone use that spray on wax stuff? it comes in like a windex bottle and you spray in on and wax with it. I was wondering if it was any good...

[Ever Victorious]

ive actually used the rain x cash wash solution and it works great. a bit on the pricey side, but it really does leave a nice shine. does anyone use that spray on wax stuff? it comes in like a windex bottle and you spray in on and wax with it. I was wondering if it was any good...

That would be Turtle Wax, and it's better than no wax at all... but just spend a couple bucks more on a bottle of Meguars New Car Glaze or NXT, then a few bucks on some cloths to wax with. You'll thank yourself later.

As for the Dawn... that's what's usually mixed with water and put in a spray bottle for use while installing vinyl graphics. Its purpose is to make sure the surface is as clean and smooth as possible for the installation of said vinyl. Installers also note that you MUST wash the car as soon as the graphics have dried and won't move anymore.

[sjscura]

I've never waxed a car before. I hear its really easy to damage the paintjob on a car if it isnt waxed properly...any good sites with quick tips for good waxing?

[Ever Victorious]

Hmm... must be really hard to wax a car wrong, then... because I'm usually a total idiot when it comes to doing things on my car, and I've never screwed up.

I've always hand-waxed my cars... rub the wax onto a freshly washed and dried surface with a rag, then use cloths to rub it off. I usually do this second half twice, just to get all the wax residue off. Depending on how nuts you are, you might use two different grades of cloth for removing the wax, using a finer (chamois) cloth for the second pass. I'm not that nit-picky, so I generally use the wash/wax towels you can buy in bulk at any parts store.

[proxim2020]

If have the basic idea about waxing, it's not that hard to do right. Wax goes on, wax goes off Hand waxing is really hard to screw up. Follow EV's instructions and you should be ok. But if you don't have the patients or arm longevity, you can use a buffer. Don't use a ROTARY BUFFER unless you know what you're doing. You can easily screw up your paint job from the one direction action. Orbital buffer have completely random action so it's easy to learn for a beginner. Put the wax on by hand, and buff it off with the buffer. Keep the buffer moving until the wax is gone. Never stop in one spot.

BTW, you should wax every once in a while. Twice a year will do. Use a spray on wax in between waxings. It will help your car keep that new car shine for long time.

[Jemdawg]

I don't know about using the Dawn alone . Actually you shouldn't use it at all. That is if you're talking about Dawn the dish detergent. Dish detergent works well when you're trying to get old wax off, but it wouldn't be suggested on an unwaxed car. Check the article below.

http://www.carwash.com/article.asp?indexid=6632713

Oh, of course. I only use it to remove old wax, the Meguiars is for weekly washing.

[Caddy65]

I used to detail cars at a funeral home (insert laugh now) and I am very specific when it comes to washing my cars. I use zip wax for soap, turtle wax titanium (about every 4-6 months), armor all on the inside, wet black on the tires, I wash it with a very soft wash mit, and dry it with a soft clean chamois. My Versa is black so i take extra care to try and avoid micro scratches. The trick is washing your materials after each use with about 1/2th the recomended dosage of detergent. Then wash it again with no soap just to make sure you get all the soap out. I know a lot of people just keep re-using their chamois and never wash them which is fine for a lighter color, but not for black. If you are waxing, I recommend putting some painters masking tape (the blue stuff - peels off real easy and wont damage anything) and taping anything plastic to avoid the pesky wax residue.