Best Products for Detailing...

Lots of good data on the forum for misc opinions on wax, etc.

I had my truck detailed a month ago and the idiots cleaned the inside front windshield with an oily or dirty rag. The next humid day you could see milky white streaks all over the windshield, finally getting to the point of being hard to see in certain circumstances and really cutting down visibility. I tried to clean it with a glass cleaner and it didn't work, just smeared it around. WTF.

So, from now on when it comes to the inside, I am just going to do it myself. But, I am sure people have had similar problems with inferior products being used for cleaning other parts of their trucks either by someone else or by trial and error.

What products do you like to use to clean what and why? (I am going to make a shopping list...)

 

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/detailing/

 

duh <smacks forehead>

 

haha, just keep trying to get the grease off the windshield; sounds like armour-all overspray, it will eventually give in. I use Stoner Invisible glass cleaner.

 

Thanks dude, I see that listed in the detail section. Will get some tomorrow!

 

I vouch that, that stuff is amazing!

My whole cupboard is Meguiars

 

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... Sub'd ...
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Haha hope that's a big bag of popcorn, this thread should be done....see the second post for more info.

 

1. The Absorber Chamois- Getting water off your car is a must after a wash
2. Plenty of Microfibers- I got mine from Griots Garage
3. Dual Action Orbital Buffer - plenty to choose from Griots, Porter Cable, Meguiars, all work the same way
4. Clay Bar - kits are available at walmart and any auto part store again they all work the same way. I am using Meguiars and Griots both work well
5. Amazing Roll Off- this stuff is awesome you can use it on all parts of the car. It wont remove wax. I use it on wheels, tires, wheel wells, engine bay, any place there is dirt or brake dust
6. Collinites Wax - YES all their products. I use the Metal Wax on the wheels and Insulator Wax on my paint.
7. Car Wash Soap - any choice is better than dawn. That stuff WILL remove wax. Im using some cheap turtle wax car soap I found in my garage. I usually stay away from Turtle Wax products though.
8. Stoners Invisible Glass- works great but get some glass cleaning towels from Griots Garage they wont leave lint behind like paper towels
9. 303 Areospace Protectant- use it on the dash and everything inside
10. Folex Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner - yep that's what it does
11. Long Handled Wheel Well Brush- this will save your back and wheel wells are very important to clean, clean wheel wells are the different between average and exceptional.
12. Quick Detailer - Meguiars makes a great one these are good for touch ups and in between washes


There is a ton more products I just cant think of them all right now.

I love cleaning my truck!

 

I just spent an hour reading other tips but this is a great summary and worth keeping!

 

I detail and i use chemical guys or adams, adams products are a bit pricey chemical guys have just about everything know to man kind.

 

I got a gift set of Meguiars for Christmas and I am now a big fan.

 

In terms of products, I'm currently a Meguires fanboy right now, as its pretty easy to get, relatively cheap and you don't have to pay shipping. My Walmart just starting stocking the complete Mirror Glaze line, which I'm very surprised to see. Meguires Ultimate products work very well, are easy to work, and are very safe to the paint. This is what I'd recommend using if you don't have any types of scratches or swirls to deal with yet. For the glass, I use Stoners. For the carpet and occassionally on the seats, I actually use Resolve with oxyclean, same stuff I use in the house for spot cleaning.

When you start really reading into car detailing products, there are tons and tons of good brands (type that you need to seek out) that have products that all do the same thing and equally as efficient. If you want to spend $50 + shipping on a carnuba car wax from Germany (or some USA-Germany co-developed) then thats fine, but there is probably one from here thats only $20 that is as easy to work with and provides the same result. Just something to keep in mind if my point is understood.

I think the car detailing product companies take the same approach as big beer companies, and try to come up with as many different products (and sizes) many of which are very simliar but slightly different, that way more shelf space can be taken for more brand presence. Thats just my speculation though.

 

instead of a towel try crumpled up newspaper. your hands will get dirty but your windshield will clean.

 

California Car Duster

 

I use Sprayway glass cleaner with one towel/wash cloth to apply on the windshield and another one to wipe it dry, works great!

 

Subd

 

Used the stoners glass on the inside windshield and after 3 full all over cleanings, I got the white film off. Someone suggested the film was from either a detailer using armor all (over-spray) and probably a dirty rag or maybe some chemical burn off blown up through the vent. Whatever it was windex didn't work at all and seemed to smear whatever it was. Thanks for the tip!