Dumb question - why 2 buckets?

 

One for wash and one for rinse. It's to separate the grit and dirt from the bucket that is used for washing (the soap bucket)

 

Never saw a bucket separator like that before. Learn something every day.

Good thread, thank you.

 

Great stuff -- I did not know about those buckets either.

 

No problem. I use to work at a detailing shop so I'm just posting what we use to do there.

The way I think of it. The more knowledge you have on how to take care of the care, the less ignorance exists. And in return you get to enjoy the car for longer without negative effects.

I always try to keep the paint on the car clean. It helps with second hand value. Plus noone likes to see a dirty and scratched up car.

The separator is called a GRIT GUARD. You can buy them at any detailing store online. If it's in your standard paint bucket you can get in the local hardware shop.

 

Appreciate the tips...thanks!

 

Import_Nation could you post a list of specific products you use. I've been using mother's everything on all my cars.

 

I use all sorts of products. I try out different kinds everytime. Mother's is a great over the counter brand. So is Meguiars. You can't go wrong with both.

 

Good info in this thread. I personally don't have the time to do this myself, but that's a great step by step. Probably should be a sticky for the detail obsessed folks.

 

If you look around there should be private detailers that can detail your car for you at an affordable price. You only really have to do this once a year to protect the paint. It all depends how much you care about your paint.. Those who care will take care of the paint to a high degree. Those who don't will just drive it as it is and keep it clean when possible.

 

I'd love to learn how to do it myself but with only 2 days a week off from work (Sat and Sun) and nice weather coming I would rather pay the detailer and catch a ride with some friends to enjoy the spring and summer. Then pick up my car later.

I'm glad you said once a year. That's really affordable and I'll do the washes myself.

 

NP man. Here is an example of what you can do with a polisher and polish. It's a small investment considering the lifetime of use you get. Plus you can help friends and family out and make some cash on the side

 

finished:

 

Was looking for those grit guard buckets on a site a guy at work recommended -- are these decent? or would you recommend another brand?

Car Wash Bucket - How to wash a car.

 

Those are fine. Nothing wrong with any of the grit guards I've seen really. They all serve the same purpose. More importantly, make sure you get a good quality microfiber or sheepskin wash mitt.

 

right on, thanks

 

Do you have any recommendations for a really good tire shine? I've tried so many products and have yet to find anything I like or last for a while.

 

I clean my own cars and I find that Meguiars Hot Shine Tire Gel with the supplied sponge works really well and lasts long, it's a bit messy to work with but well worth it.

Just make sure your tires are clean and dry before applying.

 

Depends on what look you want. There is the matte look and the super shiny look. And everything in between.

I personally like the shine of the AutoGlym Tire Dressing. Most tire dressings don't last that long, it's just one of those things you have to deal with.

 

i Agree most other tire shines are way to thick and do not dry quick enjoy and if you have a white car it ends up sparying all over your car, where as the auto glym one isnt bad

 

import_nation - those are some impressive before and after pics! I wanted to cry from the first few, were they using some 20 grit sandpaper to wax?? I've never used a buffer but thinking about making the investment for the BRZ. Do you recommend the 2-speed type or variable speed(speed increases gradually with trigger or dial)?
And I've heard that tire shines can be damaging to your paint, it mists off the wheel onto the car when driving, is this true?

 

That car was only a cut polish using Meguiars 105 and a yellow cutting foam pad. It's not hard to get your paint to complete shit by simply washing the car with those cloth or fabric drive through car washes.

Likely one of the safer options if you aren't experienced. Id start with a Porter Cable 7424XP. It's random orbital so it's much more forgiving to lack of experience. I haven't seen the tire shine Ive used misting off onto the paint. I don't use the aerosol type though.

 

How many sheep skin wash mitts do I need to buy? I'm finding the Meguiars sheepskin mitt for $8.86 on Amazon.

What polishes will I need for a brand new BRZ?

What pads will I need for the 7424XP?

 

Thanks for the great guide! What website would you recommend buying these supplies from?

 

We Are Car Care -- Car Wax, Car Polish, Auto Detailing Supplies, Car Buffers & Car Accessories Store

 

+1
I love autogeek.net and have used them for over 6 years. They're in FL, so really quick shipping up the east coast. Highly recommended.



Sent from my Autoguide iPad app

 

Someone applied Opti Guard on a Subaru BRZ

 

I've never used HD Polish.. I usually use menzerna..
Also the dealer "prep" that they normally do seems to be not worth my while.. When the car comes in should I really ask them not to do it?

 

I would ask them to leave it alone. Just do it yourself. What are they going to do? Wash it improperly, than spray some wax on? Menzerna makes some fine polishes. A huge fan of the SF4500.

 

Any product recommendations for cleaning/conditioning the leather on the seat bolsters?
Also, do you just recommend using a mild soap & water solution for cleaning the hard plastics and soft dash?

Thanks again for the post, I got the grit guard buckets after the first time I read your post and they've been awesome

 

import_nation, did you really use a yellow pad? In the pad kits I've used, the yellow pad is a cutting pad for serious defects. You usually wouldn't use a yellow pad on a vehicle with basically good paint. The orange pads are typically light cutting pads and are more appropriate for common defects like swirls, hairline scratches and stains. You only get one clearcoat, so go as minimally aggressive as you have to.
I just had this picture in my head of new BRZ owners using a new DA polisher with a yellow pad on their cars and wanted to try to make it clear that that should not be necessary and is not a good idea.


Sent from my Autoguide iPad app

 

On a brand new car I wouldn't use the yellow. I'd use the white pad. For moderate swirls I'd use orange. For moderate to swirled up cars on old paint I use yellow. For alot of cars that I've detailed I actually find myself reaching for the yellow because the swirls just take too long to remove with orange or white. Of course this is with a DA. With my rotary I usually use orange or white.

 

yup, bought all my stuff at autogeek. They gave me a refund on a wash product I wasn't happy with, no hassle. Great selection

 

What is "DA"?

Also, for claying, how often should you clay? Every time you wash your car, or every couple of washes?

Should you wax after every wash?

Also, what is sealing?

I'm new to the auto detailing hobby, so I'm going to start with one of the dual bucket setups from Autogeek. I plan to get:

Hardware
- Dual Bucket Washing System
- 2 wool wash mitts
- 3 or 4 of the microfiber drying towels
- 1 wheel/rim cleaning brush

Software
- What is a recommended wash/detergent soap?
- What type of wax should I use? Spray on?
- What brand/type of Claying bar should I get?
- Should I get the same brand of Claying bar lubricant?

I'm trying to start with just washing, claying, and waxing, but not go too overboard. I don't mind spending some money up front if it will pay off in the long run (hardware). I'll save polishing for when I get more advanced at car care.

Cheers,
kp

 

DA is dual action. It's a type of polisher. Google dual action vs rotary. If you are just starting off I'd recommend the Porter Dual Action Polisher (7424xp). I only clay my car before I polish it. You don't need to wax everytime you are done washing. You only wax again when you've felt like the wax on your car has stopped working. Sealant is just a chemical solution that bonds and protects your paint. Google Sealant vs Wax. You likely don't need to polish a brand new BRZ. It's still clean.

- What is a recommended wash/detergent soap? My favorite brands are Optimum Car Wash and Duragloss Car Wash Concentrate
- What type of wax should I use? Spray on? The easiest wax to use is the Optimum Car Wax - its a spray type. It's a long lasting spray wax. Doesn't last as long as paste wax but it's 100x easier to apply. Just make sure the car is VERY clean before you apply wax. You don't want dirt on the surface that you will drag across when applying wax and scratch your paint! Apply with light pressure.
- What brand/type of Claying bar should I get? Get what you can afford. My favorite clay bar is Ricardo. Meguiars sells a claybar kit.
- Should I get the same brand of Claying bar lubricant? doesn't matter. you can even use quick detailer as lubricant

 

Awesome, just full of awesome. Thank you.