Favorite Detailing Products
#1
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My Ride: '05 545i, silver gray, black leather with anthracite maple wood, sport package, premium sound, navigation, cold weather package, electric rear sunshade, folding rear seat, satellite radio prep, PIAA 4150K fogs, red rear reflectors, hardwired Valentine One
There have been a bunch of posts lately asking what's you favorite wax, window cleaner, leather treatment, etc., so I though I'd list what I've found to be my favorite detailing products, after many, many years of obsessing over my cars...
This is a subject where you'll get many opinions--like what's your favorite color, but here's my preferred detailing products.
I used Zymol on my Porsches for 15 years. It has a beautiful depth of color and shine, and smells like a day at the beach , but I got tired of the difficult application/removal process and lack of durability (didn't seem to last more than a month or 2). And has anybody ever looked at you funny when they see wax in your refrigerator??!! A few years ago, I heard good things about One Grand Blitz wax, so I tried it and love it. Very easy application/removal and lasts a very long time (I generally wax every 3 or 4 months):
http://www.carcareonline.com/detail....oduct_id=10201
To prep the car before waxing, I wash it with a sheepskin mit. Start from the top and work your way down and toward the rear, rinsing the mit frequently:
http://www.griotsgarage.com/catalog.jsp?&SKU=10222
I use Zymol Clear auto wash--not cheap, but a bottle lasts forever:
http://www.zymol.com/clear2.htm
I dry with a high quality chamois. Many now prefer microfiber towels, but I continue to use a chamois...isn't this a great country?
http://www.autosportcatalog.com/index.cfm?fa=p&pid=164
I wash the wheels with a wheel brush I got from Pep Boys. I don't use any special wheel cleaners, only the same bucket of sudsy water--as the last step--after I've washed the rest of the car.
Twice a year, I clay the surface with Clay Magic after washing (be sure to wax after, since it removes the wax), which removes the surface gunk that washing won't remove--it leaves the surface silky smooth:
http://www.autopia-carcare.com/awc-88256.html
I apply the wax with a foam pad--apply to entire car, then buff off with a microfiber towel.
To minimize brake dust sticking to the wheels, I apply RejeX a few times a year. It also works great at minimizing windshield bug splats and exhaust tip discoloration:
http://www.corrosionx.com/rejex.html
The Griot's window cleaner wipes clean the windows better than anything I've used, and you don't get any overspray on your dash and door panels:
http://www.griotsgarage.com/catalog.jsp?&SKU=H11192
Their lint free towels are great as well:
http://www.griotsgarage.com/catalog.jsp?SKUupsell=14910
Between washings, I use a California mini duster to remove brake dust from the wheels:
http://www.calcarcover.com/product.aspx?id=1021&cid=101
I use the California car duster on the painted surfaces between washing--works great. Also use a dash duster on the interior--gets all the dust off the black interior.
http://www.calcarcover.com/product.aspx?id=1014&cid=101
I've use Lexol on the leather interior parts for years with great results.
303 Protectant is great for the tires--keeps them black with a matte finish (I don't like shiny tires!) and lasts several washings:
http://www.performanceproducts.com/Product...tectant&type=10
This is a subject where you'll get many opinions--like what's your favorite color, but here's my preferred detailing products.
I used Zymol on my Porsches for 15 years. It has a beautiful depth of color and shine, and smells like a day at the beach , but I got tired of the difficult application/removal process and lack of durability (didn't seem to last more than a month or 2). And has anybody ever looked at you funny when they see wax in your refrigerator??!! A few years ago, I heard good things about One Grand Blitz wax, so I tried it and love it. Very easy application/removal and lasts a very long time (I generally wax every 3 or 4 months):
http://www.carcareonline.com/detail....oduct_id=10201
To prep the car before waxing, I wash it with a sheepskin mit. Start from the top and work your way down and toward the rear, rinsing the mit frequently:
http://www.griotsgarage.com/catalog.jsp?&SKU=10222
I use Zymol Clear auto wash--not cheap, but a bottle lasts forever:
http://www.zymol.com/clear2.htm
I dry with a high quality chamois. Many now prefer microfiber towels, but I continue to use a chamois...isn't this a great country?
http://www.autosportcatalog.com/index.cfm?fa=p&pid=164
I wash the wheels with a wheel brush I got from Pep Boys. I don't use any special wheel cleaners, only the same bucket of sudsy water--as the last step--after I've washed the rest of the car.
Twice a year, I clay the surface with Clay Magic after washing (be sure to wax after, since it removes the wax), which removes the surface gunk that washing won't remove--it leaves the surface silky smooth:
http://www.autopia-carcare.com/awc-88256.html
I apply the wax with a foam pad--apply to entire car, then buff off with a microfiber towel.
To minimize brake dust sticking to the wheels, I apply RejeX a few times a year. It also works great at minimizing windshield bug splats and exhaust tip discoloration:
http://www.corrosionx.com/rejex.html
The Griot's window cleaner wipes clean the windows better than anything I've used, and you don't get any overspray on your dash and door panels:
http://www.griotsgarage.com/catalog.jsp?&SKU=H11192
Their lint free towels are great as well:
http://www.griotsgarage.com/catalog.jsp?SKUupsell=14910
Between washings, I use a California mini duster to remove brake dust from the wheels:
http://www.calcarcover.com/product.aspx?id=1021&cid=101
I use the California car duster on the painted surfaces between washing--works great. Also use a dash duster on the interior--gets all the dust off the black interior.
http://www.calcarcover.com/product.aspx?id=1014&cid=101
I've use Lexol on the leather interior parts for years with great results.
303 Protectant is great for the tires--keeps them black with a matte finish (I don't like shiny tires!) and lasts several washings:
http://www.performanceproducts.com/Product...tectant&type=10
#2
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I am a new member on this site, although I've been enjoying the fourm for couple of weeks. I want to thank you, JDN and other members for their insight. Lots of good stuff on this fourm.
#3
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My Ride: '05 545i, silver gray, black leather with anthracite maple wood, sport package, premium sound, navigation, cold weather package, electric rear sunshade, folding rear seat, satellite radio prep, PIAA 4150K fogs, red rear reflectors, hardwired Valentine One
Originally Posted by jakethesnake' date='Jun 23 2005, 11:41 AM
I am a new member on this site, although I've been enjoying the fourm for couple of weeks.? I want to thank you, JDN and other members for their insight.? Lots of good stuff on this fourm.
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My Ride: 2006 525
stream; i see you use MF to remove wax...do you find this to be better than a good 'ole 100% cotton bath towels? if so, how?
all the MF ive seen seems like it wouldnt be as good as cotton to wipe off wax (not as thick and plush)...though it looks great for final buffing.
all the MF ive seen seems like it wouldnt be as good as cotton to wipe off wax (not as thick and plush)...though it looks great for final buffing.
#5
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My Ride: '05 545i, silver gray, black leather with anthracite maple wood, sport package, premium sound, navigation, cold weather package, electric rear sunshade, folding rear seat, satellite radio prep, PIAA 4150K fogs, red rear reflectors, hardwired Valentine One
Originally Posted by pipper' date='Jun 24 2005, 05:14 AM
stream;? i see you use MF to remove wax...do you find this to be better than a good 'ole 100% cotton bath towels? if so, how?
all the MF ive seen seems like it wouldnt be as good as cotton to wipe off wax (not as thick and plush)...though it looks great for final buffing.
all the MF ive seen seems like it wouldnt be as good as cotton to wipe off wax (not as thick and plush)...though it looks great for final buffing.
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MF is also much finer and there's less of a risk of scratching the paint. Be aware that most bath towels have polyester threads on the edges (which can scratch the paint) and are also treated with sizing (which is abrasive), so if you prefer cotton, use a towel such as the Zymol which is pure, untreated cotton.
I've also found that applying as thin a coat of carnauba as you can (while still fully coveribg the surface) goes a long way toward easy removal.
#6
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My Ride: 2006 525i Titanium Silver, All Weather, XM (Aftermarket)
stream
Great info on detailing. I see you use a duster for the dash. Are you aware of any treatment that would make the rubber less like a dust magnet?
Regards,
Mark
'06 525 Titanium Silver/Blk
Great info on detailing. I see you use a duster for the dash. Are you aware of any treatment that would make the rubber less like a dust magnet?
Regards,
Mark
'06 525 Titanium Silver/Blk
#8
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My Ride: '05 545i, silver gray, black leather with anthracite maple wood, sport package, premium sound, navigation, cold weather package, electric rear sunshade, folding rear seat, satellite radio prep, PIAA 4150K fogs, red rear reflectors, hardwired Valentine One
Originally Posted by mleuba' date='Jul 14 2005, 04:31 PM
stream
Great info on detailing.? I see you use a duster for the dash.? Are you aware of any treatment that would make the rubber less like a dust magnet??
Regards,
Mark
'06 525 Titanium Silver/Blk
Great info on detailing.? I see you use a duster for the dash.? Are you aware of any treatment that would make the rubber less like a dust magnet??
Regards,
Mark
'06 525 Titanium Silver/Blk
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#9
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My Ride: '05 545i, silver gray, black leather with anthracite maple wood, sport package, premium sound, navigation, cold weather package, electric rear sunshade, folding rear seat, satellite radio prep, PIAA 4150K fogs, red rear reflectors, hardwired Valentine One
Originally Posted by Stoley' date='Jul 14 2005, 05:21 PM
Stream-Doesn't your duster get filthy dirty from cleaning your wheels with it? Do you clean the duster somehow?
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