[Tridius]

I like to use Chemical guys because skulls. They are also having a site-wide sale going on right now. Its all the same to me but the most important part in a detail is your application technique. Be thorough, use microfiber and have fun.

[fsusmithc2]

Originally Posted by Mighunter

That Adams' stuff is pricey!!

It's not cheap, no, but you do get what you pay for I feel.

Also, forum members get a 10% discount all the time. I know the code was "camaro5" when I used to hang out over there so try that or "camaro6" might work too. I re-stocked my supplies on Tuesday and got in on their 15% 4th of July discount and they do stuff like that occasionally so look out for it.

[fsusmithc2]

Originally Posted by Lukemo

1. Gather supplies
- (2) Microfiber wash mitts, several microfiber towels, several terry cloth towels, (2-3) drying towels, soap, glass cleaner, trim shine, quick detailer, Grade # 0000 steel wool, (2) buckets.
2. Drive to a coin operated spray wash and pressure wash the outside of the car first. This gets rid of a lot of loose surface dust/dirt. DO NOT DRY THE CAR. Drive it home.
3. Fill one bucket with soapy water. Fill one with plain water.
4. Start on Wheels. Soak with water. Wash with micofiber wash mitt. Rinse in clean water bucket. Between each wheel, dump dirty plain water bucket and fill it back up again. Repeat until done with wheels.
5. Dump both buckets, rinse them out, and refill them. Discard dirty microfiber mitt.
6. Soak car with water. Start on roof of car. Wash roof, hood, windshield, rear window, and truck lid, periodically rinsing the soap off the car and rinsing your wash mitt. Try to do 1 - 2 panels at a time.
7. Move to front (headlights/bumper/grill), then rear (taillights/bumper), periodically rinsing as before.
8. Move to passenger side, then driver side. Same process: wash a little, rinse a little. Keep your wash mitt as clean as possible.
9. Dry car. Use super absorbent towel to soak up most of the water. Start w/ windows. Then roof, hood, trunk lid... same sequence as washing. Then, go back over with soft drying towel, wiping up remaining water. Open doors, dry sills and A/B pillars. Open trunk/hood dry painted areas underneath. Keep an eye on drying towel. If it gets dirty, use a clean spot on towel or replace it.
10. Use terry towel or similar soft towel to dry wheels. Get in all the cracks/crevices.
11. Spray tires w/ tire shine. Spray black plastic grill pieces with trim shine. Use microfiber towel to remove overspray from paint.
12. Use quick detailer to shine car. Spray it on paint and wipe off with micofiber. Go over entire car.
14. Clean windows. EXTERIOR ONLY: Spray w/ glass cleaner and scrub with Grade # 0000 superfine steel wool. Wipe off with clean window towel. DO NOT USE STEEL WOOL INSIDE WINDOW. Spray inside with glass cleaner. Wipe off with clean window towel. Be careful not to touch your paint with the steel wool either.

* Don't wash your car in direct sunlight.
* If using the steel wool, keep towels separate from other towels at all times

Just one counter-point to this but if you're using a pH-neutral, high-quality car shampoo, rinsing off periodically can actually be worse than leaving the soap on your car, even if it dries. Water spots are the enemy here (big reason why to avoid washing in direct sunlight) and unless your water source is filtered/de-ionized to begin with, some would consider it best to rinse off once at the end and dry it quickly with a little help from a quick detailer product, microfiber drying towel(s), and possibly also an air blower.

Everybody develops their own methods and we could discuss them for days here but I just wanted to share that one counter-point. Those steps otherwise seem like a good process. I've never tried steel wool on the glass before so that might be something to look at.

[Kaizer_911]

All very good tips. I use most.


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[Coralyn]

Awesome stuff guys! I knew you would all have opinions - and I want them. Ok steel wool scares me...

I noticed on Adam's Polishes website it says they are the "OFFICIALLY LICENSED CAR CARE PRODUCT OF CORVETTE & CAMARO". Not sure that matters, just thought that was interesting.

I do like the idea of sticking with one brand and I was leaning toward Blackfire but Adam's Polishes does seem more straightforward.

Ok next question - microfiber towels? Most people say go higher on the thread count - makes sense - and that costco bulk towels aren't good enough. Higher the thread count - more expensive and worth it I'm sure - but how high is enough? I've seen them go up to 1,200 thread count? Seems excessive. Thoughts? Favorite brands? Does it matter?

I literally own nothing to clean my car so I may as well start off right. Probably should have started this process BEFORE the car came.... good game to play while waiting, but too late for that now.

~ Coralyn

[fsusmithc2]

Originally Posted by Coralyn

Awesome stuff guys! I knew you would all have opinions - and I want them. Ok steel wool scares me...

I noticed on Adam's Polishes website it says they are the "OFFICIALLY LICENSED CAR CARE PRODUCT OF CORVETTE & CAMARO". Not sure that matters, just thought that was interesting.

I do like the idea of sticking with one brand and I was leaning toward Blackfire but Adam's Polishes does seem more straightforward.

Ok next question - microfiber towels? Most people say go higher on the thread count - makes sense - and that costco bulk towels aren't good enough. Higher the thread count - more expensive and worth it I'm sure - but how high is enough? I've seen them go up to 1,200 thread count? Seems excessive. Thoughts? Favorite brands? Does it matter?

I literally own nothing to clean my car so I may as well start off right. Probably should have started this process BEFORE the car came.... good game to play while waiting, but too late for that now.

~ Coralyn

Just to give you a reference but ANY of the towels Adams sells are safe for your paint and the roughest of them all is the edgeless gray utility towels and they are a 270 thread count and goes up to their new triple soft towels at 1100 but they each have their best uses (utility for interior and triple soft for final buffing of waxes and such, for example).

Of their combo kits, I'd take a strong look at these three:

• Basic wash and wax kit
  • This is the one I started with back in the day. I already had a standard bucket so the extra one here gave me the two I needed.
• Daily driver detail kit
  • I would add at least one single soft towel (800 thread) and this doesn't include any wax, though it does include the new Guard and Gloss product which is a spray sealant and two gray edgeless 480 thread towels (not the utility ones). If I were to start fresh, this is the one I'd do as it also includes clay and All Purpose Cleaner. The All Purpose Cleaner is second to Detail Spray in my must have arsenal. Works great on tires. VRT is a great dressing but would also be an extra purchase.
• Complete two-bucket car wash kit
  • You get an extra bucket, which is nice, but you lose the other awesome products and tools.

I promise I'm not a shill for Adams. I just love their stuff.

[Sar1372]

Originally Posted by fsusmithc2

Is there an echo in here? Lol.

Also, to add to my write-up above, Adams Detail Spray is worth its weight in gold.

Lol. Everything you said is on point too. I love that i can make my stuff look nice and not have to spend time testing different products.

But there stuff sure is addicting. I started with a small kit and now i have a full rack with 4 shelves filled with products.

Also, i recommend The Rag Company for microfibers. Adams sells nice stuff, but The Rag Company is cheaper and they have great products too.

[Coralyn]

Ok great! Wow looks like everyone likes Adams! Their towels are so expensive but I imagine it's worth it. Do you dry with the regular microfiber or get a waffle weave one? Microfiber wash mitt or towels for washing? And if you clay how often do you do it - is it something I shoukd do regularly? There are "clay" towels & sponges now too - is that a better option?

[Sar1372]

Originally Posted by Mighunter

That Adams' stuff is pricey!!

It's not. But to me the price is worth the simplicity of it. Since i'm not making a living detailing, most of their products last me a long time so it makes it easier to swallow the price. But there are somethings that i buy by the gallon now (Detail Spray, All Purpose Cleaner, Waterless Wash) since i use them a lot. Start with a spray bottle of a product, and if you like it buy the gallon to refill it.

[Coralyn]

Originally Posted by Sar1372

Also, i recommend The Rag Company for microfibers. Adams sells nice stuff, but The Rag Company is cheaper and they have great products too.

Some reviewers on Amazon said Rag Company towels leave behind lint. Have you found that to be the case? Prices are much better!

[Sar1372]

Originally Posted by Coralyn

Some reviewers on Amazon said Rag Company towels leave behind lint. Have you found that to be the case? Prices are much better!

I haven't had an issue with lint. I mainly just use their Eagle Edgless Blue Towel. The towel seems thicker than Adams Single Soft, but not as thick as Adams Double Soft.

I throw all my towels in the washer. I usually try to keep towels used on the paint separate from towels uses elsewhere (Wheels, glass, etc...). I used to use the All detergent that has no color or fragrance added. But then i started using Adams Microfiber Revitalizer. Just make sure you don't use any fabric softener or dryer sheets!

[Kaizer_911]

Originally Posted by Coralyn

Ok great! Wow looks like everyone likes Adams! Their towels are so expensive but I imagine it's worth it. Do you dry with the regular microfiber or get a waffle weave one? Microfiber wash mitt or towels for washing? And if you clay how often do you do it - is it something I shoukd do regularly? There are "clay" towels & sponges now too - is that a better option?

I clay twice a year. It's a workout because you have to wax after it.

Unless the car got absolutely filthy and road grim and debris.


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[Coralyn]

Ok great! This is fabulous and I thank all of you!

Anyone use a California Duster on a daily basis to "dust" the daily pollen & dirt? Is is worth it, does it work, does it just cause more of a mess?

[Kaizer_911]

Originally Posted by Coralyn

Ok great! This is fabulous and I thank all of you!

Anyone use a California Duster on a daily basis to "dust" the daily pollen & dirt? Is is worth it, does it work, does it just cause more of a mess?

I've heard both sides of the coin with California Duster. I personally don't use one.


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