Show Me Your Detail Kit!

[flipstah]

Ah yes, the birds are chirping... The sun is shining... The vacuum cleaner is out- WTF.

Spring is here and it's time for me Golf to have her first detail run-down with yours truly. Coming from a plastic-clad Outlander though, I'm stepping my game up and switching products.

However, this is my first time dealing with soft-touch plastics (the Volvo is detailed somewhere else; parentals won't let me touch it lol) so it's time for the experts to show off what works for their 'Dub.

For me, I normally use Black Magic products and Meguiar's claybar to get things started, then hand-wax.

The Golf has a 3M front though (quarter panels/bumper/hood) so I don't know what what to use to clean/remove fine scratches on it. I read around and Rejex or Plexus are viable contenders but looking to buy locally (probably with AutoObsessed.com).

Might buy a new vacuum this time around too; more power for suction.

So share 'em; brag 'em. Let me hear 'em.

- Don

[Danaldson]

Re: Show Me Your Detail Kit!

i start of with a clay bar, and then for black cars, i know a few of us really like turtle wax black box. its a fun messy time but it actually works really well. for the interior i use the little green machine:

and then just use armor all products for the window's/ and interior bits.

proof of black box being pretty good:

it gets alot of swirlies out and stuff. (and yeah... my car looked like that lol)

[ryukin2000]

Re: Show Me Your Detail Kit!

I'm no expert but I've used a few products and can recommend some over others. for Clay bar, i like the Megs Clay bar kit although its never enough lubricant. can make your own with soap. Mother's clay bar was good too. i have black paint and it had some pretty good swirls in it. i used the porter-cable 7424XP with Megs Polish combo M105/205. it removes the swirls and finishes up real nice too. Detailing gurus in the forums suggest giving it another wash before sealing/waxing because polishes can leave oils behind so that's what i do before the last step. I've used Megs tech 2.0 liquid wax but it streaks a lot so i wouldn't use it if you have a black car although it hides swirls/scratches nice if you don't have the time to polish. right now i use Wolfgang Deep gloss paint sealant or Collinite 845. Both are pretty awesome. easy on and easy off. very slick and beading is amazing.
For wiping i use Costco microfibers because they are cheap and seem to work good. i read somewhere that its good to test microfibres(or any towel you use) on a cd and if it doesn't scratch then its good enough for your paint. not a real definitive test but its very important to use good quality towels. no point in spending countless hours polishing and cleaning only to scratch it all up when wiping. forgot to mention that i also use Megs gold class shampoo for the initial wash. stuff is very soapy. works great on the wheels too. i used to use armor all but it doesn't last that long.

[kujiwara]

Re: Show Me Your Detail Kit!

A steam vacuum cleaner for interior, autoglym leather cleaner, autoglym leather cream, autoglym interior shampoo, autoglym super resin polish, autoglym high definition wax kit, autoglym metal polish, autoglym perfect palm applicator, turtle wax liquid wax for wheels, turtle wax headlight polish kit, invisible glass, armor all tire foam, turtle wax bug and tar remover. If queen Elizabeth and the prince of wales use autoglym for their royal cars, then it's more than enough for our cars.

[Jim]

Re: Show Me Your Detail Kit!

i simply wash mine carefully, dry it immediately with a micro fibre, then do another run over with a fully dry one, i make sure all moisture is gone, sometimes takes 3 or 4 wipe downs. Then i use the turtle wax black detailer spray. I usually do a panel at a time, spray a few spots, small tight circles with one micro fibre then use a totally dry clean one to wipe away the swirls. It acts like a tint to solidify the black but if you put too much on or dont wipe away the access, it shows big time. Then with the damp micro fibre i used with the spray, i wipe down my windows (because they're tinted) and then wipe clean again. As far as interior, cleaning wipes, glass cleaner and a vacuum. Im picky enough to remove mats and seats to get it super clean. New freshener and im good to go!

[liquid]

Re: Show Me Your Detail Kit!

Good idea for a thread!

- Interior: I use Autoglym for all my interior cleaning (leather cleaner, conditioner, etc), as white leather is hard keep clean. To clean any of the grainy plastics below the seats (by the seat controls) I use a toothbush and toothpaste. In the past on my M-Coupe I used Leatherique cleaning products and they are by far the best products I've used. When I run out of Autoglym I will be moving back to that.

- Exterior: I use a Megs Claybar and Autoglym wax for the paint, as well as Autoglym tire shine.

While we're on this thread, any ideas as to how to clean a dirty seat belt? The seat belts in my car are light grey/white.... and have some grime in them. I thought about using a steamer and a brush with soap.... but I'm not sure. Suggestions?

[B4NE1]

Re: Show Me Your Detail Kit!

Interior: Rent a rug doctor with upholstery attachment, works wonders on carpet and cloth seats. Dash I just wipe with plastic cleaning wipes.

Exterior: I use a gentle car soap and Mitt, dry with a microfiber. I recently ordered up an Adams clay bar that i will use with Lucas detail spray that I have. I also have a porter-cable 7424xp coming in the mail in a few days with Menzerna light cutting polish, super finish and polymer sealant.

GONNA BE SHINY!

[flipstah]

Re: Show Me Your Detail Kit!

Everyone seems to be loving Autoglym so I might opt for that. Especially for leather conditioning.

SO EXCITED! For waxing, I usually use a chamois for application then a microfiber cloth to buff/remove hazing.

While we're on this thread, any ideas as to how to clean a dirty seat belt? The seat belts in my car are light grey/white.... and have some grime in them. I thought about using a steamer and a brush with soap.... but I'm not sure. Suggestions?

I'd use a steamer to get it softened up then dish soap/brush combo. On the topic of steamers, don't buy the Shark ones. Stupid POS.

[Kg810]

Re: Show Me Your Detail Kit!

CT has Autoglym stuff and it is usually 25% off, so best to wait for the sale(s).

[flipstah]

Re: Show Me Your Detail Kit!

CT has Autoglym stuff and it is usually 25% off, so best to wait for the sale(s).

Thanks for the tip! Time to watch and hoard.

[T-Dubbs]

Re: Show Me Your Detail Kit!

Good idea for a thread!

- Interior: I use Autoglym for all my interior cleaning (leather cleaner, conditioner, etc),
- Exterior: I use a Megs Claybar and Autoglym wax for the paint, as well as Megs tire shine.

+1

[GINCH]

Re: Show Me Your Detail Kit!

Does Autoglym leather care maintain the nice dull/mat look or does it turn it shiney? I love the way my leather looks like right now but I'd like to clean, condition it. I just don't want it to look shiney!

[flipstah]

Re: Show Me Your Detail Kit!

Does Autoglym leather care maintain the nice dull/mat look or does it turn it shiney? I love the way my leather looks like right now but I'd like to clean, condition it. I just don't want it to look shiney!

From what I've read, Autoglym does the matte look rather than Armor All shine. I am after the matte look as well; shiny residue gets on my clothes after.

[liquid]

Re: Show Me Your Detail Kit!

From what I've read, Autoglym does the matte look rather than Armor All shine. I am after the matte look as well; shiny residue gets on my clothes after.

Just did my seats on the weekend, and it's definitely not shiny. It has a slight gloss to it simply from the conditioner, but that seems to disapear relatively quickly. Although Autoglym was good, I still think the Leatherique cleaner/conditioner I used previously was better.

[kujiwara]

Re: Show Me Your Detail Kit!

Does Autoglym leather care maintain the nice dull/mat look or does it turn it shiney? I love the way my leather looks like right now but I'd like to clean, condition it. I just don't want it to look shiney!

It keeps the factory look, no matter whether the leather is shiney or matte.