I've been reading quite a bit trying to learn how to properly care for the car... so here's the method I've come up with to use with my cars (and on my tC after I let it go for a couple more weeks since its still only two weeks old so I won't really be touching it to let everything "cure" and such)

1. Wash (with car wash soap, sheepskin mitt, two bucket method, etc) and dry
2. Some type of wheel cleaner (suggestions?)
3. Some type of tire dressing (suggestions?)
4. Clay w/ Meguiar's quick detailer spray
5. Use Klasse All in One (once every six months, though)
6. A carnuba wax of some kind? (every few months)
7. Stoner's Invisible Glass, then RainX (on glass)
8. Trim dressing? (suggestions?)

What do you think? I get sorta confused with all these polishes/rubbing compounds/glazes/etc I see everyone talking about on Autopia, so I figure this is good enough? I know I should probably be polishing, but I don't know how to properly do that and I don't want to screw the clearcoats for no reason.

thanks for all your help... danget I'm such a noob

 

1) Bump up to 3 (or more) bucket method.
2) I use car shampoo ONLY! No need for anything harsh if you clean wheels weekly.
3) I like the aerosol type. Easy to apply and quick.
4) Yes, but a mix of car shampoo and H2O will work in a pinch.
5) YES!! YES!! Klasse is an EXCELLNT product.
6) YES! You can layer it on top of the Klasse after it dries.
7) I use a squeegee..anything that requires you wipe with a newspaper/towel/ mf cloth is a no-go for me.
8 ) Vinylex.

 

i found that maguires multipiece wheel cleaner works awesome, its very gentle (its made for forged multipiece rims, orange bottle) the foam is thicker and sticks longer then the stander allwheel cleaner.

as for tire dressing, im a purist, i use armourall, spray it on a foam wax applicator and wipe it on, then wipe it off with a towel, im not really into super shiney tires. as for plastic detailing, again armour all works great. as for windows stoners works best and i like to use some towels my wife gets at work as a nurse, they are blue and super absorbant. I am sure you can get them at a medical supply store, but they are made to absorb blood so they are very good quality and do not leave any lint or streaks, the come sealed and are sterile when you get them.

 

everything looks great.

1. i like poorboy's super slick and suds soap. Possibly think about picking up a foam gun to aid in washing.
2. as said above, if you keep up on your wheels, a wheel cleaner isnt needed. just some soapy water and a tire brush will suffice.
3. I use meguiar's endurance. Looks good and lasts for like 2 weeks, even if it rains.
4. the clay magic kit comes with a clay lube, if not the quick detailer or some soapy water will work.
5. AIO is a good product. You may want to think of using a glaze instead. Glazes have cleaning properties like AIO, but they also lay down a thin layer of oils onto the paint that helps make the paint look deeper and wetter. My 2 favorites are Clearkote's red moose machine glaze and pinnacle xmt's carnauba finishing glaze.
6. natty's blue, souveran, max wax. best i've used.
7. DP's krystal vision glass cleaner works really well too!
8. poorboy's trim restorer, natural look, or bold n bright will all work well.

i'll up in orlando in a couple of weeks and i'm bringing alot of my detailing stuff with me, so we can get together and i'll show you whats up

 

Good stuff mentioned before me, but for

8: Griots Vinyl and Rubber Dressing from www.griotsgarage.com

I love it!

 

hahah thanks man we'll have to meet up at some point

I do have a question though... do glazes also have sealant properties like AIO, and I also assume you can still layer carnuba on top?

thanks for everyone's responses, I really appreciate it!

 

no, they don't have the sealant leftover like AIO does. They leave the oil behind like i said earlier. This isn't a big deal though. The carnauba is what is providing the protection, not whats underneith it. This is why i like to glaze instead of using AIO and similar products. I try to get as much of the looks as i can out of the bottom layers and then top with a protection product (be it a natural wax, synthetic wax, or a sealant).

Yes, carnaubas are actually the recommended topping for glazes.

 

ok cool thanks... how often would you recommend a glaze application? Glazes are not abrasive, correct?

 

I go on this scheudle-

start off by claying, abrasive polishing of swirls, glaze, carnauba.

after a month, apply another coat of carnauba.
same after the second month.
after the third, reapply the glaze, and then top with carnauba
4+5 are the same as 1 + 2
after month 6, we repeat everything. clay, polish, glaze, carnauba.


some glazes are abrasive. for example, clearkote's vanilla moose hand wax glaze is a light abrasive polish that leaves behind glazing oils. The two products i suggested above though are non-abrasive.