Ive never cleaned a car

[wobblewoo]

Well not until i got my B7 S4 (black convertible with grey leather) that is and now i feel the urge to give it a good clean, and keep it clean.

The trouble is, i have no idea where to start so was wondering if anyone could help please?

I will have a look through the forum but heres what i was planning using. Meguiars stuff seems good (and comes recommended) and theres plenty of videos on their site so i kinda chose their products - although I'm yet to buy.

NXT generation car wash
Bucket with grit guard and micro fibre wash mitt
Water magnet synthetic chamois

Then a 3 step
Deep crystal Paint cleaner
Deep crystal Polish
Deep Crystal Carnuba wax
Soft foam applicators
Supreme shine microfire cloths

Ive not though too much about the leather and the interior yet.

I was going to use store brought glass cleaner and i have wonder wheels for the alloys.

Am i on the right track?

Thanks for your time

W

[AVier]

You should also check out Adam's products http://www.adamspolishes.com/t-videos.aspx

These videos tell you everything you need to know. The In & Out Spray they have is great. Also check out Detailer's Domain. Phil has some great detailing write ups that will help you learn how to clean and help with product selection.

A lot of people (myself included) like Sonax wheel cleaner. And if you are looking at glass cleaners Stoner's Invisible Glass is great. I would suggest cleaning your windows with a microfiber towel too.

Meguiar's makes great products and I've used them in the past but recently I tried Einszett Paint Polish and Glanz Wax and they are amazing. I have a black A4 and it has been about a week since I waxed and it has been raining almost everyday and my car still looks clean.

In short, I would suggest Adam's In & Out Spray, Sonax wheel cleaner, Invisible Glass, Einszett Polish and Wax, and if you are really motivated I'd look into a clay bar. And for your leather I think Phil @ DD uses Leatherique tho I could be wrong. I haven't used it myself but it is on my list to try.

Hope this helps. If there is anything else I could help with let me know.

[wobblewoo]

Thanks for the reply.

Im noticing that this really is an in depth subject and ive kinda got information overload, but ill look at those sites/videos.

Ill look up the products too but have a slight worry using too many different brands.

Read alot about clay. Ill def look that up. Sounds kinda fun too.

Just wanted to make sure im heading in the right direction, so thanks for thr time and advice.

W

[JJPquattro]

AVier hit everything right on the head with his advice/help, [up]. I have always loved detailing cars (both for myself and for my friends) but up until roughly 3-4 months ago, I was the Armor All, Turtle Wax, Windex kind of guy. I was always happy with my results because in the end, the vehicle/s always came out cleaner than they were before... Well, then I joined AZ and started doing some research on the Detailing threads and WOW is all I can say. Sonax, 1Z, Prima Nero, Adams, etc... These products just take detailing to an entirely new level in my opinion. People are not kidding/exagerating when they say their vehicles look better than they did new after they have used said products. I tried one thing here, one thing there and before I knew it, I started dropping loads of money on the products. It is completely worth it to baby your vehicle and give it the care and attention that it deserves.

Through your "adventure" into car detailing, you'll see that it's a trial and error system and you'll grow to find your niche with what product to use and when/where/how/why... You can play it safe and start off with a bundle or something just to get a feel for what you're doing and go from there... Just my $.02... However you do it, just take your time, watch videos, DIYs, etc, and have patience!

[AVier]

Thanks for the reply.

Im noticing that this really is an in depth subject and ive kinda got information overload, but ill look at those sites/videos.

Ill look up the products too but have a slight worry using too many different brands.

Read alot about clay. Ill def look that up. Sounds kinda fun too.

Just wanted to make sure im heading in the right direction, so thanks for thr time and advice.

W

I was a little apprehensive about using different brands at first but the more I researched I found that most professional detailers use a wide range of products. You have to use what works best. For instance, I've found Meguiar's is pretty good with paint care products but I have not been as pleased with their tire/wheel care products. As jjpitaly said it is a game of trial and error. Just remember to have fun.

Good Luck!

[mssurrey]

I'm in the same boat. I'm waiting on delivery of my S5 and want to add a clear Bra. But should the car be detailed first before applying the BRA ???

[FITZ TITS]

I'm in the same boat. I'm waiting on delivery of my S5 and want to add a clear Bra. But should the car be detailed first before applying the BRA ???

How is that even a question?

[helix139]

I'm in the same boat. I'm waiting on delivery of my S5 and want to add a clear Bra. But should the car be detailed first before applying the BRA ???

Absolutely yes, and don't let the dealer touch your paint. Before you put the bra on, you'll want your paint washed, decontaminated/clayed, corrected (if needed), and polished. The only thing you won't want to do is wax or seal your paint on the panels the bra will be covering.

[helix139]

Well not until i got my B7 S4 (black convertible with grey leather) that is and now i feel the urge to give it a good clean, and keep it clean.

The trouble is, i have no idea where to start so was wondering if anyone could help please?

I will have a look through the forum but heres what i was planning using. Meguiars stuff seems good (and comes recommended) and theres plenty of videos on their site so i kinda chose their products - although I'm yet to buy.

NXT generation car wash
Bucket with grit guard and micro fibre wash mitt
Water magnet synthetic chamois

Then a 3 step
Deep crystal Paint cleaner
Deep crystal Polish
Deep Crystal Carnuba wax
Soft foam applicators
Supreme shine microfire cloths

Ive not though too much about the leather and the interior yet.

I was going to use store brought glass cleaner and i have wonder wheels for the alloys.

Am i on the right track?

Thanks for your time

W

You are on the right track, but here are a few suggestions and follow up questions:

1) What is your budget? How much time do you want to spend on this stuff?

2) Meguiar's does make good stuff, but a lot of the products you mention are their consumer level products. These won't be as effective as their professional level products that are meant to be applied with a dual action polisher.

3) If you can afford it, pick up a Griot's polisher from detailer's domain. Also pick up some Iron Cut and a claybar or the Nanoskin Autoscrub in order to decontaminate your paint. You'll also need some compound (such as Meguiar's M105 or M205) and a finishing polish (Such as Menzerna Super Finish). Depending on your preferences and how durable you want your protection to be, you'll also want to pick up a wax or sealant. 1Z Einszett Glanz is a very good one.

4) For your wash, I'd recommend Adam's car wash. Very easy to use and pH neutral so it won't strip your protection. You'll want at least one bucket with a grit guard, but 2 is prefereable. If you only get one, be sure to rinse your mitt outside of the bucket using the high pressure setting on your nozzle. For the mitt, I would recommend picking up the Uber Lamb's wool mitt from detailer's domain.

5) Get some Sonax and an EZ Detail Brush for your wheels.

6) Get plenty of microfiber towels. I like the big gray Uber drying towels for the flat surfaces, and Uber classic or superplush microfibers for the sides.

7) For the interior, 1Z Einszett cockpit, deep plastic cleaner, and either Leatherique or Leathermasters. I've used both and right now I prefer Leatherique rejuvenate and pristine clean followed by Wolf's leather sealant. If you'd like something quicker and easier, Zaino leather cleaner and leather in a bottle are also great products.

8) Pick up some APC for stubborn grime, tar, etc. Adam's is good.

9) Get some detail spray. Lots of it. Adam's is good.

Other than that, enjoy it, and welcome to the addiction of detailing :)

[wobblewoo]

Theres so much out there on detailing and with the help from Gary at Cleanmitts I'm about to make this order for my first go at cleaning - wish me luck.

If your in the UK i can't recommend him more, he's been so helpful

Meguiars Soft Wash Shampoo
CleanMitts wash mitt
CleanMitts drying towel
Meguairs clay bar
Meguiars ultimate quick detailer
Autoglym super resin polish 500ml
Autoglym Interior Shampoo
Autoglym Leather Cleaner
Dodo Juice panel pot wax Purple Haze
Wax applicator x2
Microfiber cloth x4

Buckets x 2

[hoppy6698]

I was a little apprehensive about using different brands at first but the more I researched I found that most professional detailers use a wide range of products. You have to use what works best. For instance, I've found Meguiar's is pretty good with paint care products but I have not been as pleased with their tire/wheel care products. As jjpitaly said it is a game of trial and error. Just remember to have fun.

Good Luck!

Ditto on this one. The fact is, a lot of different product attain a broad range of results. Some do it with more elbow grease, others with less. Some last longer (endurance) but are hard to remove (buff off), while others are easy application and suffer only minor durability.

My current favorites are across a few manufacturers:
- Chemical Guys - Synthetic Quick Detailer (great for touch ups and clay lube), Glossworkz wash, Citrus Wash and Gloss Wash, Pete's 53 carnuba wax, Diablo shampoo for tires, 3n Nano polish (good after using M105 or alone to touch up)
- 1Z - All things interior
- Meguiars - M105 (polish for random orbital)
- Collinite 845 - Incredible sealant and very easy
- Swissvax - Onyx carnuba (smells better than Pete's, little less durable imo, but looks great)
- Sonax - Wheel cleaner
- Stoners - Glass cleaner
- Rain-X - Glass wax, sorta :P

The list goes on, but you get the idea. Careful of the detailing bug. If you are OCD, anal, detail-oriented - you are in for a world of pain when you see what you can do. Then you just want it to look that good all the time. Dirty cars drive me nuts :P