Washing:
Turtle wax ice shampoo
I love this stuff; it smells great, cleans well and is cheap. Also available at your local walmart
Ultimitts
I use the red one for all over, and the yellow one when something is heavy contaminated. These are the best wash mitts I’ve ever use
Poor boys bug squash/ pre wash
Its some good stuff, really does a good job with getting tire shine off the paint, available in semi large quantities and is great diluted 50/50
Poor boys Bio apc
It’s a good all purpose cleaner/ degreaser available in semi large quantities and is great diluted 50/50
Grit guard
Goes in the bottom of a 5 gallon bucket and really helps with reducing swirl marks, it goes in your rinse bucket.
Soft brush
You can get these any where; I use it for wheels, and wheel wells.
Drying
California jelly blade
Gets the majority of the water off, you have to be careful and thoroughly wash the car so you do not have any contaminants that can be dragged across the surface and scratch it.
Big waffle weaves drying towels
These are awesome, dry well and are reused many times before I wash them

Polishing
Flex
Great random orbital buffer, higher speeds than a pc, and larger pads. This buffer has never let me down
Menzerna polishes
P106 ceramic clear coat polish
I use this as my final polish, with a white pad
Super intensive polish or SIP
This is my heavy duty polish; I use it on heavily swirled vehicles, and follow this up with the P106 so I have no swirls/ scratches. Applied with an orange pad
I use lake country pads exclusively orange and white. And bunches of them.

Wax/ sealant
Menzerna FMJ
I’ve never used it, but the results it shows are worthy of mention
Turtle wax ice polish
It’s not a polish more of a synthetic wax. It offers no real protection that I’ve seen, but it does bring out metallic flake/ pearls very well, I top it with a good carnauba
Pinnacle souveran
My favorite wax of all time, I use this on every color vehicle and it has never let me down. Kind of pricey at 80 a jar though. Pure Brazilian carnauba
S100
Available at Harley stores. It’s a very good carnauba and has also never let me down.
Clay bars
Mothers Kit
The detailing spray that comes with it is great for claying and the clay bars that come with it are large enough too be split in two.
Clay magic
The industry standard, it needs no real explanation. Its good stuff

Miscellaneous
Tire shine applicators
I use the curved ones available at AutoZone and similar places
For normal applicator pads I use foam, or good quality microfiber ones.
Tire shine
Meguiars hot shine (gel)
It does sling a little bit, but it looks damn good and lasts for quite some time
Aerospace 303 protectant
A very good interior/ trim spray. Not greasy, and has more of a matte/ clean shine to it.
Poor boys wheel sealant
Adds good protection to the wheels, and makes cleaning very easy
Towels
Microfiber/ terry exclusively, I will only buy towels that touch my paint from a reputable detailing company, such as our vendor detailer’s domain.

I highly recommend most products be purchased from detailers domain, or detailed image for their vast knowledge and great service.
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Washing:

Poor boys bug squash/ pre wash
Its some good stuff, really does a good job with getting tire shine off the paint, available in semi large quantities and is great diluted 50/50
Poor boys Bio apc
It’s a good all purpose cleaner/ degreaser available in semi large quantities and is great diluted 50/50
My favorite wax of all time, I use this on every color vehicle and it has never let me down. Kind of pricey at 80 a jar though. Pure Brazilian carnauba
S100
Available at Harley stores. It’s a very good carnauba and has also never let me down.
Poor boys wheel sealant
Adds good protection to the wheels, and makes cleaning very easy
.

BUg Squash is GREAt I've joined the 5 Gallon club with it....

Poorboy APC.. Semi large.. you can get it in 5 gallons....

Wheel sealant... Hands down best for your wheels..

S-100 well I realy don't care for it..
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Menzerna is where its at, ill never use anything else. I have almost the whole line up.
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I guess I can add to this

1Z Metallic Polish & 1Z Paint Polish
Just have had good success with these two

Sonus Ultra Fine Detailing Clay
I like this stuff over normal clay since it's easier on the paint so you can do it once a month if you wanted to

P21S
Best wax I've used. There may and probably is better, but I don't think I'm going to need it.

Klasse Gloss Sealant
Do some research, put on before you wax. Amazing stuff.

Plexus
This stuff is by far my most favorite product in my entire shelf. Cleans up any clear/colored plastic. Amazing on tint and tail lights. Works on center cluster, BBS center caps, and on dimming mirror.

Black WOW
Puts Back to Black to shame.

Invisible Glass
Just my favorite glass cleaner
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BUg Squash is GREAt I've joined the 5 Gallon club with it....

Poorboy APC.. Semi large.. you can get it in 5 gallons....

Wheel sealant... Hands down best for your wheels..

S-100 well I realy don't care for it..

Damn I didnt know you could get it in 5 gallons. Show me where.
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I guess I can add to this

1Z Metallic Polish & 1Z Paint Polish
Just have had good success with these two

Sonus Ultra Fine Detailing Clay
I like this stuff over normal clay since it's easier on the paint so you can do it once a month if you wanted to

P21S
Best wax I've used. There may and probably is better, but I don't think I'm going to need it.

Klasse Gloss Sealant
Do some research, put on before you wax. Amazing stuff.

Plexus
This stuff is by far my most favorite product in my entire shelf. Cleans up any clear/colored plastic. Amazing on tint and tail lights. Works on center cluster, BBS center caps, and on dimming mirror.

Black WOW
Puts Back to Black to shame.

Invisible Glass
Just my favorite glass cleaner
That klasse stuff is good, but Im rather fond of the results Ive seen with fmj. The p21s is the same stuff as the s100. The s100 has a flex agent in it, thats the only difference.
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I've only seen Poorboy's APC in 1 gallon. Do you mean case of 5 or like an actual 5 gallon bucket?
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I've only seen Poorboy's APC in 1 gallon. Do you mean case of 5 or like an actual 5 gallon bucket?

who makes the metal polishs your talking about. I need some good ones.
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Aerospace 303 is still my favorite. I positively HATE shiny dashboards and I love the way 303 leaves the interior.
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Like this...

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y136/holland_patrick/3cdc9dcd.jpg


Poorboysworld.com
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Like this...

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y136/holland_patrick/3cdc9dcd.jpg


Poorboysworld.com

I just wet my self :banana:
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who makes the metal polishs your talking about. I need some good ones.

lol, 1Z does. http://www.1z-usa.com/

Metallic polish is just the name. It's their lightest cutting polish for paint that I have. A very good hand polish, but works well with a PC.
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Plexus
This stuff is by far my most favorite product in my entire shelf. Cleans up any clear/colored plastic. Amazing on tint and tail lights. Works on center cluster, BBS center caps, and on dimming mirror.


i second this.
=============
i second this.
Plexus

I have some type of fog/haze on my gauge cluster's plastic cover. I believe it was something in a towel I used one day, or might have been on there when I bought the car. Tried cleaning it and using a few plastic products...no luck.
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Plexus

I have some type of fog/haze on my gauge cluster's plastic cover. I believe it was something in a towel I used one day, or might have been on there when I bought the car. Tried cleaning it and using a few plastic products...no luck.

try using that plexus megiosrs plastx works well for me
=============
Probably the coolest product I've used is Mother's Back to Black.

My Miata has a rear lip that is just black trim plastic. My friend has an M3 with the black trim on the bumpers. They USED to look gray. Now they're nice and black..

It really helps the car look cleaner.

My Subaru has the black plastic crap sideskirts which I'm going to use the Back to Black on as soon as it's nice out and she deserves a good handwashing..
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Plexus

I have some type of fog/haze on my gauge cluster's plastic cover. I believe it was something in a towel I used one day, or might have been on there when I bought the car. Tried cleaning it and using a few plastic products...no luck.

Depending on how bad the haze is, I'd try Meguires PlastiX. I use Plexus to keep it looking good. DO NOT EVER use windex on the cluster. That's how I caused mine to haze when I first got the car. You live, you learn.
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damn i really need to step up my cleaning supplies inventory BIG time
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damn i really need to step up my cleaning supplies inventory BIG time

I've exceeded over the $400 mark... :(
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I've exceeded over the $400 mark... :(

Im over the 2k mark.
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I use SprayWay window cleaner it is so nice.
=============
Also ProSol will dissolve sticker residue almost instantly!
=============
Products I really really really like

Duragloss Aquawax
Duragloss carsoap

Optimum Polish
Optimum Compound
Optimum No Rinse
Optimum Opti-Seal

Zaino AIO
Zaino Clearseal

Jeff Werkstatt Acrylic Jett Trigger

I too like Poorboys Bugsquash, I use it as a prerinse on really dirty cars.... They make decent WW drying towels too, though I prefer Cobra. 303 rules too, use it for my interior, exterior plastics, and on my tires.

more later
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Aerospace 303 is still my favorite. I positively HATE shiny dashboards and I love the way 303 leaves the interior.

We think it is a great product as well. :)


The California Jelly blade is a great tool...

That is why we stock both. :)

We use what we sell. :D

Bryan
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.. top it with a good carnauba
Pinnacle souveran
My favorite wax of all time, I use this on every color vehicle and it has never let me down. Kind of pricey at 80 a jar though. Pure Brazilian carnauba

that stuff is indeed phenomonal. I used a variant that had chemistry to work with paint (and the carnauba was in it) and a recommendation of 24hours. Came in a gold/black bottle (I may go seek the bottle just to give the product name)It was last used on a rig racking up approx 2000 miles a week in maine/new england..and a simple spray big truck wash brings out the mystery again and again , even shadows shine at themself.:huh:

after road salt and below zero and on and on..going on must be 6 months now, wow. I was enthused enough to slap it on the shiny hiny of a 20 year old sube (not many spots left worth shining yet) and it does the same thing as the truck after getting annhilated by public crap roads salted and ice and mud..and the paint is original.

All cleaner stuff is the simple part. The chemistry for final coat has to be correct for the paint (can tell by the year if you ask an expert- just about all cars/trucks are standard for certain generation and chemistries, even foriegn compared to domestic.)

hey it was the pinnacle stuff, just looked it up. Very nice, but expensive.. (find somebody's leftovers) :)
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Klasse All in one
Klasse high gloss sealant
Carnauba wax (P21S is nice, but I don't usually spend that much on Carnauba since its mostly for looks)
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i use Maguires on everything. polish, wax, car washer, tyre shine, wheel cleaner, window cleaner, trim cleaner and protector. it might cost that bit more but it comes up with absolutely amazing results. i dont use anything else but Maguires
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i use Maguires on everything. polish, wax, car washer, tyre shine, wheel cleaner, window cleaner, trim cleaner and protector. it might cost that bit more but it comes up with absolutely amazing results. i dont use anything else but Maguires

meguaries is cheap compared to pretty much everything on my list.
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+1 for Aerospace 303 protectant

that stuff is amazing!!!!!!!!
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Maguires compared to most of the stuff we get over here is more expensive
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+1 for Aerospace 303 protectant

that stuff is amazing!!!!!!!!

agreed. I cant want to try the einzette though.
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Maguires compared to most of the stuff we get over here is more expensive

Well I mean if you go to walmart, ya meguairs is going to be more expensive, you should get your products off the internet.
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Well I mean if you go to walmart, ya meguairs is going to be more expensive, you should get your products off the internet.

I am guessing that Bennn*e is from across the pond. That's probably why Meg's products are more expensive....
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Or bennn*e is talking about Meguiar's professional products: Mirror Glaze and Detailer.

Products worth mentioning:
Einszett: Everything I've tried is easy to use and yields nice results.
Optimum No Rinse: Great for people without a hose or who live in areas with water restrictions. It gives me another option with washing.
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Or bennn*e is talking about Meguiar's professional products: Mirror Glaze and Detailer.

Products worth mentioning:
Einszett: Everything I've tried is easy to use and yields nice results.
Optimum No Rinse: Great for people without a hose or who live in areas with water restrictions. It gives me another option with washing.

agree completely with everything you said. I have a large order pending and alot of einsz products is on ti.
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yeh over in australia. usually go to your autoparts type places like over here autobarn and supercheap auto. where my boss used to work can get maguires as parts so i got some through them heaps cheaper. i use the nxt gen stuff eg. wash and tyre shine and the run of the mill 3 step (only the wet look and wax though) for the price and results i am very happy with there products
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I use all Zep Products they are the best:banana:
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Menzerna polishes
Menzerna FMJ


mmmm
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a252/brenmelton417/WRX/IMG_1037.jpg
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a252/brenmelton417/WRX/IMG_1034.jpg
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mmmm
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a252/brenmelton417/WRX/IMG_1037.jpg
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a252/brenmelton417/WRX/IMG_1034.jpg

looks good get some pics of it in the sun. Is that a girl holding the bottle. If so hello der.:banana:
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looks good get some pics of it in the sun. Is that a girl holding the bottle. If so hello der.:banana:

Thanks! :) yeah that is my gf holding the bottle.

Here is one in the sun.
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a252/brenmelton417/WRX/Edited1.jpg
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Thanks! :) yeah that is my gf holding the bottle.

Here is one in the sun.
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a252/brenmelton417/WRX/Edited1.jpg

shes seems cute, the car, well the girl too, but the car looks great.
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it doesn't give the best shine, but i keep coming back to nu car finish for polish/wax. it lasts a long long time, easy on, easy off, so its good when you need a real quick application. it's also a great one to last through the winter.
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<--- Newbie.

Okay, I've read through this thread and done some searching . . . whats still unclear to me is what some of these products are used for. Obviously I know what wax, tire cleaner, etc. are for, but some of the others I'm not so sure.

Sooooo, what I would appreciate is if you could post the name of the product you like, and what you use it for.

Example:

Interior plastic & Trim: Armor All (I get that A.A. is pretty much crap, but this is an example remember!)
Exterior Wax: Candle Wax
Tires: blah blah blah

Etc. etc. etc. . . . . . can you dig?
=============
shes seems cute, the car, well the girl too, but the car looks great.
Yeah she is pretty cute ;)

<--- Newbie.

Okay, I've read through this thread and done some searching . . . whats still unclear to me is what some of these products are used for. Obviously I know what wax, tire cleaner, etc. are for, but some of the others I'm not so sure.

Sooooo, what I would appreciate is if you could post the name of the product you like, and what you use it for.

Example:

Interior plastic & Trim: Armor All (I get that A.A. is pretty much crap, but this is an example remember!)
Exterior Wax: Candle Wax
Tires: blah blah blah

Etc. etc. etc. . . . . . can you dig?


Could you post up some specific products that you want to learn more about?
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Zaino is the best stuff i have ever used...their claybar is awesome will never go back to any other stuff again...
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Yeah she is pretty cute ;)




Could you post up some specific products that you want to learn more about?

Sure, The main thing I'd like to learn about is a product intended for interior protection. Something to keep the dash and trim looking good.

I also would like to know what wax everyone prefers, but based on my research so far it seems like everyone has their own preference and I'm not really going to get a straight-forward answer . . . that and its 20F today so no waxing is going to be taking place.
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Sure, The main thing I'd like to learn about is a product intended for interior protection. Something to keep the dash and trim looking good.

I also would like to know what wax everyone prefers, but based on my research so far it seems like everyone has their own preference and I'm not really going to get a straight-forward answer . . . that and its 20F today so no waxing is going to be taking place.

I use aerospace 303 protectant for interiors. It was first made to be used on air plane dash's to protect from cracking and not glare at all. Then the boat community found out about it and started using it for their boats that were out all summer. It can be found at Joes, or most boating stores. Or you can purchase it online at many places. I spray it on a towel and wipe it on.

I started out using griots best of show wax. It gave a great shine but I felt that it was a little bit hard to remove. The beading and water repellent of this wax is crazy. I felt that my car is unstoppable to bird poop. Now thinking about it more i should have applied this before winter, maybe next year.

Then I've used poorboys carnuba/synthetic wax that is cheap compared to most online and it goes on and comes of realllllly easy. Creates a great shine and lasts quite long.

Then I started using Menzerna's FMJ. It is very expensive compared to the two above. But it creates an amazing shine and gloss. It makes the paint look extremely deep compared to the other two. It is easy to apply and remove. The deep shine will last a couple of months but protection will be there for awhile.

About every other wash I apply a spray on wax as I dry. I am using the spray on wax from Griots Garage. It gives it that extra shine and protection that I want it to have between waxing. Do not use it too often because it can build up quite a bit and lose some depth and clarity in the paint. Menzerna has their own spray on sealant that I used for awhile and it is really good, but again it is also expensive and you have to order it online. A Griots garage dealer is about 3 minutes from my work. http://classic-motoring.stores.yahoo.net/mehiglacsh.html

Not going into detail on this, but just FYI. For buffing/polishing I use the full menzerna line. It is very easy to work with and I am seeing great results. I am using a porter cable to apply them as well.

Be sure to also have a great washing technique, it will have a large effect on how your paint looks after a few months. I polished my car last summer and looked at it last week in the sun with very minimal swirl marks that I could remove in less than an hour with my Porter Cable.
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Klasse All in one
Klasse high gloss sealant
Carnauba wax (P21S is nice, but I don't usually spend that much on Carnauba since its mostly for looks)

AIO is probably the easiest product I've used. Perfect for a lazy bum like me.

I haven't try high gloss sealant, but heard that it slightly takes away the shine from AIO.

Also, NanoWax does an excellent job concealing swirl marks.
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I'll add this... (Guess where my loyality is ;))

In this order for the ultimate in shine and protection...

Wash entire car with Dawn dishwashing detergant- only do this the first time! It will remove any leftover wax...

Zaino Z7 show car wash
Zaino Z18 clay bar
Zaino All-In-One polish
Zaino Z2 show car polish ( can put on a couple seperate coats- wait sufficient time between coats)
Zaino Z8 Grand Finale Spray seal- The Best shine!

Try it, you will like it! ;)
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I don't really care about the look of my car nearly as bad as a few people in this thread ($400:sadbanana: or $2k :eek::eek:) but I still like it to look good.
Phil hooked me up with an Einzette 4 product wax package. I already had a clay bar, soap and plenty of MF towels. I spent probably $100.
I'm definitely not as knowledgeable on car care products as most here, but I am very happy with the results I got. I wash the car once a week now and it looks great, I'll probably do another full detail after 4-5 months. The 1Z products should last 2-3 details and then I'll try the Adams line. For the price, there definitely isn't anything that can beat this result.
Here are some pics for those interested. Thanks to Phil at detailersdomain for answering my questions and recommending great products.

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p263/checque/1Zproducts.jpg

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p263/checque/1Zproducts1.jpg

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p263/checque/1Zproducts2.jpg

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p263/checque/1Zproducts3.jpg

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p263/checque/1Zproducts4.jpg
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