Washing your car
#16
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Little side topic here for the guys that answered in the thread - A lot of people seem to really like Meg's stuff, my question: Why? Some of their stuff is ok but for the price their is a lot of better stuff available in just about every category. To me they are a bit above the Mothers and Turtle Wax category but certainly nothing spectacular. In that price range almost anything Chemical Guys is better then the competing Meg's product.
Not being rude here just wondering why the stuff is so prevalent on this forum in particular. I've gotten a chance to try some really amazing stuff due to having a good friend that has a detailing shop with a 6-8 month waiting list. He carries thousands of products and I've been able to sample and pick and chose in conjunction with his advice some of the best stuff around. Most of it is not much more expensive but boy does it work well.
Edit - typo.
Not being rude here just wondering why the stuff is so prevalent on this forum in particular. I've gotten a chance to try some really amazing stuff due to having a good friend that has a detailing shop with a 6-8 month waiting list. He carries thousands of products and I've been able to sample and pick and chose in conjunction with his advice some of the best stuff around. Most of it is not much more expensive but boy does it work well.
Edit - typo.
#17
Instructor
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Oak brook , IL.
Posts: 225
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Little side topic here for the guys that answered in the thread - A lot of people seem to really like Meg's stuff, my question: Why? Some of their stuff is ok but for the price their is a lot of better stuff available in just about every category. To me they are a bit above the Mothers and Turtle Wax category but certainly nothing spectacular. In that price range almost anything Chemical Guys is better then the competing Meg's product.
Not being rude here just wondering why the stuff is so prevalent on this forum in particular. I've gotten a chance to try some really amazing stuff due to having a good friend that has a detailing shop with a 6-8 month waiting list. He carries thousands of products and I've been able to sample and pick and chose in conjunction with his advice some of the best stuff around. Most of it is not much more expensive but buy does it work well.
Not being rude here just wondering why the stuff is so prevalent on this forum in particular. I've gotten a chance to try some really amazing stuff due to having a good friend that has a detailing shop with a 6-8 month waiting list. He carries thousands of products and I've been able to sample and pick and chose in conjunction with his advice some of the best stuff around. Most of it is not much more expensive but buy does it work well.
#18
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Lasts longer but difficult to remove and replace(repair) when it takes damage. More durable then off the shelf waxes for sure. The finish on it is not very deep and glossy like a quality wax. Many will use opticoat and then finish with a wax to get the gloss they want but in my mind that defeats the purpose.
Harder to apply and repair and not as good a finish versus general durability.
#19
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
This is my goto shampoo for instance for general purpose cleaning and for the foam cannon. Smells great. Very slippery and produces great suds in the cannon and bucket.
#20
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
alright this is what I ended up going with after taking 81911's advice on checking out the autogeek forum:
1 Optimum (CW2006Q) Car Wash - 32 oz.
1 Optimum (SW2008P) Car Wax - 17 oz.
2 Meguiar's X3002 Microfiber Wash Mitt
2 grit guards x buckets
3 Glacier Car Care micro fiber cloths
2 Mothers Microfiber Performance Drying Towel
1 Wolfgang Tire & Wheel Cleaner 16 oz.
1 Griot's Garage 15736 Long Reach Wheel Brush - Set of 3
Hopefully this stuff will get the job done, hopefully I didn't go over board, hopefully I didn't cheap out, who wants a wash?
1 Optimum (CW2006Q) Car Wash - 32 oz.
1 Optimum (SW2008P) Car Wax - 17 oz.
2 Meguiar's X3002 Microfiber Wash Mitt
2 grit guards x buckets
3 Glacier Car Care micro fiber cloths
2 Mothers Microfiber Performance Drying Towel
1 Wolfgang Tire & Wheel Cleaner 16 oz.
1 Griot's Garage 15736 Long Reach Wheel Brush - Set of 3
Hopefully this stuff will get the job done, hopefully I didn't go over board, hopefully I didn't cheap out, who wants a wash?
#21
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Sorry, many posts here but I'm a little infatuated with car detailing. It's the side hobby for my car hobby ![Smilie](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
Often overlooked but one of the more important products, get a quality trim sealer with UVB and UVA protection. The trim tends to start to look like crap on any car and it's hard to replace. It can be restored unless it really degrades but I prefer to avoid that situation.
This stuff is great:
Some people use:
My wife's car is an outdoor parked Z4 in the California sun all day. I've seen Z4's newer then hers with the trim literally falling off. BMW trim is probably the worst quality of any trim I've ever seen. Hers looks factory fresh after 6 years. It's a good preventative maintenance item. A bottle like the above will last you 10 years.
![Smilie](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
Often overlooked but one of the more important products, get a quality trim sealer with UVB and UVA protection. The trim tends to start to look like crap on any car and it's hard to replace. It can be restored unless it really degrades but I prefer to avoid that situation.
This stuff is great:
Some people use:
My wife's car is an outdoor parked Z4 in the California sun all day. I've seen Z4's newer then hers with the trim literally falling off. BMW trim is probably the worst quality of any trim I've ever seen. Hers looks factory fresh after 6 years. It's a good preventative maintenance item. A bottle like the above will last you 10 years.
#22
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
sweet, thanks EzKill..as far as the soap I bought, should I stick with that or go with the recommendation you had? I plan on doing the two bucket method and not sure if i'm going to use one of those foam cannons
#23
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Ok last post before heading back to work haha...
It's a good start Jroz. If you're doing your own washing consider a foam cannon or foam lance depending on wether you use a pressure washer or not. Laying down a quick layer of foam on the car will lift and encapsulate the dirt preventing more scratches and making sure you are already working on well lubed paint.
Takes about 10 seconds to foam a car. Helps a lot.
Amazon.com : Gilmour 95QGFMR Foamaster II Cleaning Sprayer : Lawn And Garden Sprayers : Patio, Lawn & Garden
Also do yourself a favor and designate one wash mitt for the top of the car and one for the lower part of the car(halfway down the door and lower). The lower part is the dirtiest. The gloved used there will trap a lot more grit and road grime. You do not want to go and wipe that glove over your roof even after rinsing it.
Yes these things add a bit of time. They prevent A LOT of scratching. Polishing is time consuming and expensive so best to avoid it. The clearcoat is a somewhat limited resource![Smilie](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
Edit: This is actually the one I'm using right now, have to head off and not sure if the other one I posted is as good but it looks about the same.
It's a good start Jroz. If you're doing your own washing consider a foam cannon or foam lance depending on wether you use a pressure washer or not. Laying down a quick layer of foam on the car will lift and encapsulate the dirt preventing more scratches and making sure you are already working on well lubed paint.
Takes about 10 seconds to foam a car. Helps a lot.
![Amazon.com : Gilmour 95QGFMR Foamaster II Cleaning Sprayer : Lawn And Garden Sprayers : Patio, Lawn & Garden](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/misc/amazon_icon.gif)
Also do yourself a favor and designate one wash mitt for the top of the car and one for the lower part of the car(halfway down the door and lower). The lower part is the dirtiest. The gloved used there will trap a lot more grit and road grime. You do not want to go and wipe that glove over your roof even after rinsing it.
Yes these things add a bit of time. They prevent A LOT of scratching. Polishing is time consuming and expensive so best to avoid it. The clearcoat is a somewhat limited resource
![Smilie](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
Edit: This is actually the one I'm using right now, have to head off and not sure if the other one I posted is as good but it looks about the same.
#24
Three Wheelin'
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Touchless car wash only.
I blot dry with a microfiber cloth any remaining spots.
Only really wash the wheels in a traditional sense. Wheel cleaner, soap, soap, sponges... repeat, repeat. Wax them often to repel brake dust 'n' dirt.
Wax whole car with NuFinish every 'now and then'. I wax the top sides 5x as often as the sides.
She's a garaged car used for special trips only.
I blot dry with a microfiber cloth any remaining spots.
Only really wash the wheels in a traditional sense. Wheel cleaner, soap, soap, sponges... repeat, repeat. Wax them often to repel brake dust 'n' dirt.
Wax whole car with NuFinish every 'now and then'. I wax the top sides 5x as often as the sides.
She's a garaged car used for special trips only.
#25
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Sorry, many posts here but I'm a little infatuated with car detailing. It's the side hobby for my car hobby ![Smilie](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
Often overlooked but one of the more important products, get a quality trim sealer with UVB and UVA protection. The trim tends to start to look like crap on any car and it's hard to replace. It can be restored unless it really degrades but I prefer to avoid that situation.
This stuff is great: Amazon.com: Poorboy's World Trim Restorer - 16 oz: Automotive
Some people use: Amazon.com: 303 Aerospace Protectant 32oz: Automotive
My wife's car is an outdoor parked Z4 in the California sun all day. I've seen Z4's newer then hers with the trim literally falling off. BMW trim is probably the worst quality of any trim I've ever seen. Hers looks factory fresh after 6 years. It's a good preventative maintenance item. A bottle like the above will last you 10 years.
![Smilie](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
Often overlooked but one of the more important products, get a quality trim sealer with UVB and UVA protection. The trim tends to start to look like crap on any car and it's hard to replace. It can be restored unless it really degrades but I prefer to avoid that situation.
This stuff is great: Amazon.com: Poorboy's World Trim Restorer - 16 oz: Automotive
Some people use: Amazon.com: 303 Aerospace Protectant 32oz: Automotive
My wife's car is an outdoor parked Z4 in the California sun all day. I've seen Z4's newer then hers with the trim literally falling off. BMW trim is probably the worst quality of any trim I've ever seen. Hers looks factory fresh after 6 years. It's a good preventative maintenance item. A bottle like the above will last you 10 years.
Ok last post before heading back to work haha...
It's a good start Jroz. If you're doing your own washing consider a foam cannon or foam lance depending on wether you use a pressure washer or not. Laying down a quick layer of foam on the car will lift and encapsulate the dirt preventing more scratches and making sure you are already working on well lubed paint.
Takes about 10 seconds to foam a car. Helps a lot. Amazon.com : Gilmour 95QGFMR Foamaster II Cleaning Sprayer : Lawn And Garden Sprayers : Patio, Lawn & Garden
Also do yourself a favor and designate one wash mitt for the top of the car and one for the lower part of the car(halfway down the door and lower). The lower part is the dirtiest. The gloved used there will trap a lot more grit and road grime. You do not want to go and wipe that glove over your roof even after rinsing it.
Yes these things add a bit of time. They prevent A LOT of scratching. Polishing is time consuming and expensive so best to avoid it. The clearcoat is a somewhat limited resource![Smilie](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
Edit: This is actually the one I'm using right now, have to head off and not sure if the other one I posted is as good but it looks about the same.
Amazon.com : Gilmour 75QGFMR Foamaster Adjustable Multi Ratio Cleaning Gun : Watering Nozzles : Patio, Lawn & Garden
It's a good start Jroz. If you're doing your own washing consider a foam cannon or foam lance depending on wether you use a pressure washer or not. Laying down a quick layer of foam on the car will lift and encapsulate the dirt preventing more scratches and making sure you are already working on well lubed paint.
Takes about 10 seconds to foam a car. Helps a lot. Amazon.com : Gilmour 95QGFMR Foamaster II Cleaning Sprayer : Lawn And Garden Sprayers : Patio, Lawn & Garden
Also do yourself a favor and designate one wash mitt for the top of the car and one for the lower part of the car(halfway down the door and lower). The lower part is the dirtiest. The gloved used there will trap a lot more grit and road grime. You do not want to go and wipe that glove over your roof even after rinsing it.
Yes these things add a bit of time. They prevent A LOT of scratching. Polishing is time consuming and expensive so best to avoid it. The clearcoat is a somewhat limited resource
![Smilie](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
Edit: This is actually the one I'm using right now, have to head off and not sure if the other one I posted is as good but it looks about the same.
Amazon.com : Gilmour 75QGFMR Foamaster Adjustable Multi Ratio Cleaning Gun : Watering Nozzles : Patio, Lawn & Garden
#27
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I use ONR, two buckets and no hose (I can wash it in the garage). Wash once a week, Opti-Seal once a month
http://www.optimumcarcare.com/onrwns.php?li=2
http://www.optimumcarcare.com/oseal.php?li=4
http://www.optimumcarcare.com/onrwns.php?li=2
http://www.optimumcarcare.com/oseal.php?li=4
What has been your experience?
Last edited by mwolfe; 08-05-2014 at 04:53 PM. Reason: pore spalling
#28
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I can't remember the last time I had to polish one of my personal cars.
#29
Drifting