Cleaning & detailing your pride and joy

[BlackOne]

I've seen a few guys talk about this topic on other forums and thought it would be interesting to hear your experiences with detailing your cars and the products you use to keep them looking their best.

A couple of weeks ago I decided to detail my car and gave my car the once over with a Meguiar's Clay Bar (http://www.meguiars.com.au/productdetail_2006.php?seq=73&category=CAR%20CARE&subcat=Paint%20Care&subsubcat=Surface%20Prep&show=1). Man this is a bloody fantastic product and I totally recommend it to anyone who wants the best finish on their pride and joy. They say to use this one your car at least twice a year.

Takes about an hour to go over your car with this but well worth it. The end result is a 'smooth as glass' finish to your paint work ! After this you need to apply a coat of wax and your paint work comes up a million bucks !! The wax I use it Meguiar's NXT Generation Tech Wax Liquid.

I'm very happy with all the Meguiar's products that I use but would also be interested to hear everyones experiences with these products and.or other brands.

My car cleaning / detailing kit consists of :-

** All Meguiar's Products **

2 x Lambswool Wash Mitt with Bug Remover
2 x Microwipe Super-Glide Chamois
1 x Slide Lock Interior Detail Brush
2 x Even-Coat Applicator
3 x Supreme Shine Microfibre Cloth (one for the interior and 2 for exterior)
1 x Microwipe Dust Magnet
4 x Microwipe Polishing Cloth
4 x Hand Applicator Pads
1 x Tube of ScratchX and Swirl Mark Remover
1 x Quik Clay Detailing System with Clay Bar
1 x NXT Generation Tech Wax Liquid
1 x Soft Wash Gel
1 x Quik Interior Detailer
1 x Gold Class Rich Leather Wipes
1 x Car Odour Eliminator
1 x Hot Shine Tyre Spray (Trigger Pack)
1 x Nxt Generation Glass Cleaner
1 x Boot Organiser


I know some people think it's a pain in the arse cleaning and detailing the car but I actually get a lot of satisfaction cleaning mine.


Cheers....

[Nick]

I agree with you on the clay bar mate. I used it on mine before the respray and it came up awesome. I washed it and thought thats really clean, then got the clay bar and tried that out and damn there was so much more dirt and bits and peices and it was like glass after that. I still use it on mine every so often.

Products I use.

Meguiars Gold Class Car Wash Shampoo And Conditioner.
Megiars Lambswool Mitts. I Use 2 - 1 For The Car And 1 For The Wheels.
Meguiars Hi-Tech Yellow Wax.
Meguiars Interior Cleaner.
Meguiars Glass Cleaner
Meguiars Scratch X (For Light Scratches)
Meguiars Dust Cloth (When It's Just Dusty And Doesn't Need A Wash, Or Car Shows)
Meguiars NXT Generation Tyre Shine And The Other One WIth The Adjustable Nozzle
Export Interior Cleaner (Cheap But Effective With A Nail Brush For Carpets)
Auto Glym Polish
Cheese Cloth (For Polishing)

And Today For The First Time Today I Used:
Meguiars Waterless Wash
Kenco Polishing Cloths (For The Waterless Wash- 1 For Cleaning 1 For Cleaning Whats Left)

Thats all I can think of now. But thats basically what I use whenever I clean my car.

[BlackOne]

Hey Nick, how do you the waterless wash products ?? I've always been skeptical myself.

[Nick]

So have I until I used it on mine and my dad used on his car (Evoke VE). Two different colours and they both came up magic, there aren't any scratches from it that I can see and it was great at cleaning the car. Only thing is they are only really for dusty cars and need to be dusted with a duster provided in the pack. But they came up brilliantly, highly recommended.

[Tigerv8]

I am also a fan of Meguiar's products. But I am interested in the clay bar. I've heard about it but never got one. I'll get one now. Pity they haven't got something to fix stone chips.
The Tech Wax I use is great stuff and so easy to put on and off. Gives that extra new car shine that is better than normal polishing. Great stuff.

[Nick]

Do the Clay Bar mate, you'll never be happier.

[BlackOne]

Tiger you HAVE to give the clay bar a go mate. It is the BEST thing I have ever done to my car. The paint comes up as smooth as glass and gives a really deep wet look shine, especially on dark cars like mine.

After you clay bar it, give it a coat of the Tech Wax mate and it will look a million bucks !!

[Tigerv8]

OK, guys, I'm sold.
Will get one this weekend but may not be able to use it this weekend due to prior engagements. Also want to watch the Grand Prix if I can. But I am certainly keen to use the thing. Thanks.

[Purple_Power]

I use my keycard to get my car clean. I drive in to Splash 'n' Dash, pay the nice lady with my keycard, and voila! My car is clean. :)
I literally can't park anywhere near my house, and have nowhere to wash my car. Splash 'n' Dash have a great wax that brings the paintwork up very nicely, so I'm going to fix all the little scratches (from parking near trees), and then get it waxed and polished. Woohoo.

[Vixen]

I will never use a local car wash again!!
My 2nd to last car went through one of those 'brushless' washers. Sadly the water was so 'recycled' that it was like putting prepsol on my bonnet.
By the time I got her home, there was a burn mark in the clearcoat on the bonnet in the shape that the water had sheered off. (I hope that makes sense .. LOL)
It would polish out and then 2 days later it was back again.
So, ever since, it's been a hand wash job, with only Meguires products, for all my cars. A much better result too.

[Tigerv8]

I almost used a carwash cafe once, but while I was watching, one of the mental giants who work there dropped the sponge on the ground then picked it up and continued soaping the car without rinsing it off.
That was the end of that idea.

[BlackOne]

I hear ya Tiger. There is no way in hell I would ever take my car to a car wash cafe for the reason you have just stated. You just don't know what the condition of the sponges, chamois, and even the water is in.

Heck, I don't even let the dealership wash my car when I take it in for a service. They have instructions punched into their computer system that flashes up "DO NOT WASH THIS CAR".

:lmao:

To say that I love my car is an understatement !

[Vixen]

And I don't blame you at all for that Matt.
You pay good momey for your pride and joy ... you like to look after it!

[Tigerv8]

I've got the clay bar. Let's see how it goes on a car that's parked outside every day for the last 8 years. Even though I care for the car, I am looking forward to seeing if there is an improvement.

[BlackOne]

I've got the clay bar. Let's see how it goes on a car that's parked outside every day for the last 8 years. Even though I care for the car, I am looking forward to seeing if there is an improvement.

There will be a big improvement Tiger, I guarantee it !

Before you use it, run your fingers lightly over the duco and you'll feel very fine grit, even after washing and chamoising the car. After applying the clay bar tat will all be gone and the pain will feel as smooth as glass.

I love my clay bar, I've done my car 3 times in the past 12 months.

[Purple_Power]

Where do you get the clay bars from? I might just have to accidently wash my car at work one Saturday.
If it's from Super Cheap, I'm not buying one. Suggest somewhere else please. :)
Ta.

[wazza]

Where do you get the clay bars from? I might just have to accidently wash my car at work one Saturday.
If it's from Super Cheap, I'm not buying one. Suggest somewhere else please. :)
Ta.

SUPER CHEAP !!! do we have a problem ? which we would like to share ? yes / no
Yes I know what you mean , sometimes I have those little accidents as well .

[BlackOne]

Glenys you can buy the Meguiars clay bar from AutoBarn, Repco too. Don't have to go to Super Cheap.

[Tigerv8]

OK, I used the clay bar on the bonnet , roof and boot to see how it went.
I will probably need a little practice but there was a great improvement in the shine after running it over the paint.
It may need another couple of goes before all of the roughness is out but the thing really works. A lot of junk came off the car onto the clay. Amazing.
Then I used Meguiar's Wet Look polymer sealer. It seems to keep the water beading off the paint longer than waxes or other polishes.
Little beastie looks nice now. Might be able to get photos onto the forum soon.:bling:

[BlackOne]

Excellent to hear Tiger.

One thing I forgot to mention (which you may already know), BUT if you ever drop the clay bar onto the ground, THROW IT AWAY and buy another one !!!

[pink bits]

I use Meguiar's products on my "PINK BITS" and wouldn't use anything else, but I haven't used the clay bar YET ! lol

[Tigerv8]

Meguiar's products are for CARS Louise. Not your pink bits.
Heaven only knows what you may have had in mind for the clay bar!!!!!!!!!
The mental imagery is interesting.:omg:

[Vixen]

:lmao: :lmao:

[pink bits]

Meguiar's products are for CARS Louise. Not your pink bits.
Heaven only knows what you may have had in mind for the clay bar!!!!!!!!!
The mental imagery is interesting.:omg:


At least your brain is getting a workout:D:D:D lol

[Purple_Power]

Yes Wazza, I have a problem with SuperCheap. Maybe it's just pedantic old me.... but I went there to buy something for my previous car. After standing around for 20 minutes waiting to be served, I gave up. The staff (or maybe not, I couldn't identify them) were too busy chatting on the phone and reading magazines to help me. When I get bad service from somewhere, I boycott them. That's why I'm never going back to Hardly Normal, Super Cheap, or Muirs. Oops, I mean, a certain Holden dealer.

[Purple_Power]

Gee, I didn't realise how small the clay bar is. Or how expensive. Do they last long? Now I've gotta find some shade, and a 300 metre long hose to wash the beast. :)

[BlackOne]

Gee, I didn't realise how small the clay bar is. Or how expensive. Do they last long? Now I've gotta find some shade, and a 300 metre long hose to wash the beast. :)

You can only do you car about 4-5 times with the clay bar then you have to replace it. So they recommend anyway.

[Tigerv8]

When you are used to liquid polishes, it is a bit strange to use. Mine was a bit dirty when I finished so I will have to knead it to get a fresh surface. I guess it takes some getting used to especially as you have to wear rubber gloves.
I hope it lasts more than 4 or 5 times, though.

[BlackOne]

Rubber gloves ?? :eek: Something you want to share with us Tiger ?? :lmao:

Seriously though, you probably can get a little more life out of the clay bar depending on how dirty your car is and how dirty the clay bar becomes.

As for kneading the clay bar, you should do this dozens of times whilst clay barring your car Tiger. I usually do an area of say 50cm x 50cm then knead the clay bar, and repeat this over and over until the car is done.

There are other brand clay bars out there but I think the Meguiars one is the only clay bar that comes in white, and for me this make it much easier to see what's coming off your paint when you use it.

Great product though !!

[Squid's VY]

You guys and meguiars products, they are so expensive. I found scratch x to be a waiste of time because all it did was show up my scratches not get rid of them like it's suppose to. Not happy since then. I use CT-18 super wash to wash my car, dry it off then give it a good coat of carnauba wax using an orbital polisher( none of this hand polishing). It takes about an hour and it's done. Mothers chrome polish on the wheels and inside is cleaned with good old amour all. Cheap but works well if used correctly.

[Vixen]

Each to their own though, Shaun. :)
I personally swear by Meguiars, but my Daddy never used anything but water and Turtle Wax to wash and polish his Datsun 200B wagon, which he owned for 15 yrs or more.
When he traded it, it was in showroom condition and the dealer could not believe how well it had been looked after.

[Squid's VY]

True but it's not what you use, its how you use it that counts!

[Vixen]

Hmmmm!! :lmao:

[BlackOne]

Yeh I agree that Meguiars products aren't cheap but I've always found them to be excellent. Can honestly say that I haven't had any problems with them not doing what they are supposed to.

The Scratch X I think is great, well for me anyway. I had really bad swirl marks on the front bonnet when I first bought my car (thanks to the dealer !!). I did complain about them and they said to bring the car in and they would fix it. Instead I applied some Scratch X and voila!, all fix and not one swirl mark in sight.

I guess it really comes down to personal choice with the myriad of products out there.

[Tigerv8]

Yes, Squids, each to his own.
Use what you feel gives the best results. I like Meguiars because it has given better results than other things I have used and it lasts for years, which makes it more economical I suppose.
I use good old T-Cut on scratches.

Thanks for the tips on the clay bar, BlackOne. I wear rubber gloves because the directions say Avoid Contact With Skin. Having seen a cousin develop bladder cancer from absorption of cleaning chemicals (methyl ethyl ketone) , I really don't want to take the risk. I think I have absorbed enough strange substances in my life and probably am doing so at this very moment.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH! !!!!!:eek:

[Purple_Power]

Well, I used the Meguiar's waterless wash today. My car didn't look a whole lot different when I'd finished, but the cloth was black! The brushy thingy which you're meant to use first didn't seem to pick up a lot of the dust on it, and it had rained in the morning, so my car had been sort of washed. It doesn't get tar, bird poop, etc off, but does a purty good job.
Next, I'm taking it to the car wash bays near work, and I'm going to give it a good wash, and use the clay bar. Crikey they're SMALL ! I got a big box, and thought that's how big the bar is. Sheesh. How much do you all pay for the clay bars? And do they sell them by themselves, or only with the spray on stuff?

[Tigerv8]

The clay bar should last for a while, hopefully. It seems to be designed to float on the lubricant on a micro thin film and catch all the bits of muck sticking up above the paint surface and pull them off. I know you can buy the spray packs sparately if you run out before the clay wears out.

[Pusser]

I always use Meguiars products, and have had no problems. That Scratch X stuff is awesome.I used it on the paint on my '53 Packard when I had her and it came up a treat.I top-up my supplies a Summernats as it's usually on special there, or now Big W stock it and I get staff discount!