Preferences for detailing

New member here and just wanted the TW family know what i use for detailing.I live in Huntington Beach CA so the weather is always nice but my 2012 Tacoma is black and sits outside.EXTERIOR-Meguiars gold class car wash(shampoo & conditioner).Meguiars or Mothers clay bar.Meguiars ultimate polish(pre-waxing glaze).Car Brite crystal shine polish.Meguiars ultimate liquid wax(pure sythetic polymer).Meguiars cleaner wax(cleans,polishes,protects).I only use this though when the truck doesnt need clay bar.TIRE DRESSING-Mothers FX tire shine.Dont usually like to dress my tires but when i do i use this.INTERIOR-Meguiars interior detailer cleaner(safely cleans,restores,protects).Meguiars quick detailer for cleaning door jams,between washes and for lubricating the surface of the truck body when using the clay bar.Soapy water will work as well.WINDOWS-Invisible glass(premium glass cleaner).Tint safe and i use the one in the spray can.Made by Stoner.ENGINE-S100 total cycle cleaner.I use it on my motorcycles and it works amazing on my truck engine.I always use microfiber towels,cloth baby diapers(old school)and sythetic shamys for drying exterior body(part rubber/cowl hide).Lets keep our Tacomas clean when we can because there an awesome truck!

 

where is the pic?????????????????????

 

Picks are on the way.Cant locate my camera yet which has all my pictures of my truck on it.Just recently joined the forum a few days ago and want to post pictures.They will be posted soon.

 

Just added some pics to the members gallery!There will be many more to follow eventually soon.

 

Almost the exact products that I use, good stuff!

 

I'm new on the whole detailing stuff.....what are the benefits of the glaze and polish?

 

Polish is for getting swirls and light scratches out of paint. Glaze can give paint a super wet look plus fill scratches. Glaze typically don't last long or offer any protection.

 

Thanks

 

With water restrictions in your neck of the woods I'd highly recommend looking into something like Optimum "No Rinse" car wash. It was one of the first rinseless wash products on the market. Safe on the paint and very versatile (can be diluted in a spray bottle for door jambs or as interior cleaner). Its actually all I now use to wash my personal taco

also for spray waxing, drying the car and quick detailing (all at once) shine supply "wet detailer" is a game changer. Also great for drying door jambs and wheels

http://shinesupply.com/collections/waxes-and-sealants/products/wet-detailer

and microfiber towels are VERY important. Most anything at the auto parts store is crap. You want high quality korean microfiber (wash mitts, waffle weave drying towels, edgeless quick detail towels). I source all my stuff from the 'rag company'

 

I use the "No Rinse" stuff. Works great!

 

You the man Bryan!I'm familiar with Optimum!Rinseless wash products are becoming the new thing!The microfibers,wash mits etc.i've always purchased have never been from auto parts store's and i totally understand where you're coming from!It may cost a small percent more but the obvious is worth it!I sincerely appreciate this because yes the water restrictions are getting pretty embarrassing especially with city penalties that could be enforced!Thank you!

 

@Mr. Sparkle - what's you thoughts on the Sonax stuff? Was going to try the Polymer Net Shield when I am ready for new stuff.

 

Never messed around with the Sonax sealant. At this point for conventional sealants (not coatings) I use mostly Blackfire Wet Diamond. Sometimes

$21 Collinite 845 Insulator Wax-Easy to Use Carnauba+Polymer Wax Sealant-High Gloss Shine+Durable Hydrophobic Beading & Long Lasting Paint Protection for Cars/Boats/Trucks/RVs & Motorcycles (16 fl oz)

Collinite 845. I think its less about what you use and more about prep and maintenance. If the surface is clayed before application and then routinely washed after (maybe occassionally spray waxed) thats when you'll see them last crazy long like some of them claim to.

 

+1 for the optimum no rinse, great for washes and quik details...its all i use. no need to pull out the hose unless heavy or caked on dirt

 

I've been doing all my own detail work with varying degrees of success for almost 15 years. At first I just bought the cheapest off the shelf stuff I could find. Then I graduated to the pinnacle/blackfire/Wolfgang lines and those were fantastic. Most recently I've been very impressed with the entire meguiars ultimate line. I find it gives me 95% results and ease of use as the former premium stuff that costs twice as much.

 

We meet again! Thanks for this post- I've been really curious about polishing, specifically Meg's Ultimate Polish. I've had my truck for about a year and for the first 8 months I washed my truck using really poor technique- Single bucket, old bath towels, dish soap, etc, just like I'd been doing for 20 years. And then I started researching and really got the detail itch. I got myself up to speed, learned a ton reading and doing, and the truck is looking great. But I do have a few scratches/swirls from my previous poor technique and i think I'd like to polish. Overall, it's really not bad at all. You have to look close to see the flaws.

Can you comment on doing Ultimate polish by hand? Is it even worth doing? I'm really afraid of introducing swirls if I don't do it correctly.

Does the polish have a MORE or LESS abrasive component to it than the cleaner wax?

I'd appreciate any knowledge you'd be willing to share.

 

At my last wash I finally used the Sonax spray polymer. Up to this point I have used Duragloss on it.
Washed first with Optimum No-Rinse and then finished with the Sonax. Was easy on/easy off. Hard to see if I missed spots unless I looked at an angle. Can't say how the beading affect is, no rain since I did it.

I do think that the Duragloss gave a deeper shine and the Sonax gives a better brilliant shine. If that makes sense.

I did like that the Sonax was a spray as opposed to a liquid like the Duragloss.
Less residue on the microfiber cloth too.

Looking forward to the rain. I am trying to keep it shined up for the show.

 

The Mequiar's "Ultimate Polish"is a great product but i only use it once a yr.if necessary due to oxidation or scratches.It is worth it for those general reasons.In my opinion it's important that the surface is as smooth as glass before using the polish.If not you should clay bar before using the polish because swirl marks can develop from the contaminents that are still on the paint even after washing.Applying to much preasure by hand or buffer can cause swirls as well.Applying by hand i like to half overlap each rotation so hopefully achieving complete coverage.There is no need in my opinion to apply the polish agressively and in all honesty am not sure if more or less abrasive than the cleaner wax.Most likely is more because it's polish and not the combination of both a polish and wax.The Meguiar's cleaner wax(polish and wax in one)that i listed above in the thread is terrific for results.The only problem is the protection doesn't last as long due to weather,and washing's.Last probably only for 2-4months protection.Remember as you probably already know depending on where we live and how the weather enviroment is has alot to do with how often we have to take care of our trucks(or vehicle's) to protect them.I'm pretty spoiled living in SoCal.

 

Thank you. I'm probably gonna try to tackle the polish one of these days.