[Doyvidlah]

Hello,

I currently have zero car wash products (this is my first car). What specific products do you recommend for someone just starting out? Do you think it's worth it to buy a kit from Meguiar's or Simoniz?

Thanks!

[DDD31]

I just switched to CarPro Reset Intensive Car Shampoo which works well with coatings. CarPro Reset doesn't contain any waxes, or gloss enhancers so it rinses clean. Product provides great foam and doesn't strip your coating.

If you're looking for products that provide a slight wax or some gloss, there are many good products out there. I've used products from Einszett, Chemical Guys, and Meguiars with very good success.

Just don't use ordinary dish soap!

[rolltidef32]

: maybe? This area of the forum is literally full of threads on the subject of products.

Very few products are bad, so just try til you find what produces the results you're looking for.

[RAK92]

I'm a die hard fan of Adam's Polishes products. They are a bit pricey, but I've never had any issues with them and they are even designed to be used in direct sunlight for those that don't have a garage, etc.

[Busa1]

Originally Posted by Doyvidlah

Hello,

I currently have zero car wash products (this is my first car). What specific products do you recommend for someone just starting out? Do you think it's worth it to buy a kit from Meguiar's or Simoniz?

Thanks!

Some of the car wash products I would recommend are:

3 wash buckets (1 for your soap, 1 rinse bucket, 1 bucket to use on your wheels). The first two buckets, use a grit guard in each.

Car wash soap- Optimum Car Wash

Wheel cleaner- Sonax Full Effect. I wash my wheels so much that I usually just use optimum car wash

Wash mitt- I use Microfiber Madness incredi mitt

Wheel tools- wheel woolies, lug nut brush and a microfiber wash mitt

Drying towel- i use Microfiber Madness Dry Me Crazy or you could use a waffle weave. Make sure you wash and dry it properly, otherwise you'll damage it and your paint

Drying aid(use when drying your car)- you can use ONR (diluted down), Meguiar's Detail Spray. I just stated using Wolfgang Uber rinseless wash diluted down for detail spray and love it

Don't skimp on your wash products or tools. You won't get the results you'll be looking for. Make sure you follow the right washing and drying techniques. Most damage to you car (swirls, scratches, etc.) is inflicted by poor washing and drying methods. Reading articles and watching videos on youtube are a big help if you're not well versed on the proper washing or drying techniques. Good luck

[Andrewthefirst]

Originally Posted by Busa1

Some of the car wash products I would recommend are:

3 wash buckets (1 for your soap, 1 rinse bucket, 1 bucket to use on your wheels). The first two buckets, use a grit guard in each.

Car wash soap- Optimum Car Wash

Wash mitt- I use Microfiber Madness incredi mitt

Wheel tools- wheel woolies, lug nut brush and a microfiber wash mitt

Drying towel- i use Microfiber Madness Dry Me Crazy. Or you could use a waffle weave. Make sure you wash and dry it properly, otherwise you'll damage it

Drying aid(use when drying your car)- you can use ONR (diluted down), Meguiar's Detail Spray

Don't skimp on your wash products or tools. You won't get the results you'll be looking for. Make sure you follow the right washing and drying techniques. Most damage to you car (swirls, scratches, etc.) is inflicted by poor washing and drying methods. Reading articles and watching videos in youtube are a big help if you're not well versed on the proper washing or drying techniques. Good luck

This is great advice

[fusion0389]

I've been using Mequiars Gold Class wash. However, I must admit that technique is FAR more important than what brand of car wash. Proper two bucket method with grit guards is much more important than a $100 bottle of magic shampoo.

[evdok]

1. Supagard pH Neutral Car Shampoo
2. Dodo juice wax/sealant

Every few month "The Beast" gets a clay bar wipe down in between the above steps.

[PanTheOrganizer]

1) Chemical Guys Glossworkz shampoo
2) Chemical Guys Honeydew Snowfoam shampoo
3) AMMO Foam Paint Cleanser shampoo
4) Chemical Guys Clean Slate (for stripping waxes and polishes)
5) Chemical Guys Citrus Wash & Gloss
6) Chemical Guys Mr Pink

[Exterminador]

Since this is new to you. The first thing I would tell you is that technique is more important than products.

I would recommend that you go on YouTube and watch the Junkmans videos on car washing, polishing and waxing. This will give you a much better understanding of what you are doing and why.

Car care is more technical than it may appear.

Good luck

[PanTheOrganizer]

I agree. Technique is key.

You can also watch my videos on how to properly wash your car on my YouTube channel. I have videos for beginners and for pros.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCE0...jfP2982jVH6WkQ

[mtbkid]

Anything Chemical Guys is amazing. Also Shine Supply makes some great products. If money is an object then the Meguiar's Ultimate line is a good way to go.

[mcleod52]

For my heavy cleaning 2 bucket method washes I use Griots Car Wash product. For my more routine, and frequent, washes I use Megs D114 followed up with Megs D156.

[Exterminador]

Originally Posted by mtbkid

Anything Chemical Guys is amazing. Also Shine Supply makes some great products. If money is an object then the Meguiar's Ultimate line is a good way to go.

I find some Chemical Guys products to be very good, others not.

I like to mix it up until I find what works best.

[goj]

If cost is no issue Griots garage is great

[chuckr]

I use some Chemical Guys stuff, some Griots stuff.
inside car... 303 on dash and seats InnerClean on everything else
outside car... Blackfire Wet Diamond on paint/glass
Tires... VRP dressing
I mix Griots leather conditioner with Lexol for leather, I use Leatherique on the rough stuff.

[CyclingBroStyle]

As far as cleaning products for my f32 and what I used on my f30 I always trusted Chemical Guys products. I was able to get them off Amazon for a reasonable price with prime shipping. I really like their clay bar product line.

I also like how Chemical Guys have a YouTube channel that provide step-by-step instructions on how to perform cleaning with their certain products. This really helped me when I got my F30 4 years ago as I was a newbie to cleaning (or in my case obsessively detailing) my car the "right way." I still use them today on my new F32.

[MattyJK]

I use Chemical Guys Products. They have such a wide variety of products and along with with that, as Cyclingbrethren mentioned, they have a youtube video for every product so you know exactly how to apply and use it. But for interior I use mothers leather cleaner and BMW leather care kit.

[advrider6510]

I am using these brands for a very long time and happy with the results..
Chemical Guys Snow Foam Car Wash.
Chemical Guys Microfiber Wash Mitt.
303 Touchless Sealant
SuperClean Degreaser
Brush Hero

And some times I use 3M products as well...

Hope this helps

[AspektUSA]

einszett/netzett
Sonax
Menzerna (the exact polished used by BMW in the factories, in fact)
Gtechniq
Griot's
Meguiar's

I'm convinced that other brands like chemical guys, adam's, etc are simply white label products with a catchy name on them. That is to say they aren't developed by the company themselves, but rather just rebranded/bottled under the name by a third party vendor.

[ECTO1]

If you are looking for a kit to start I highly recommend AMMO they are $$$ but it does what it says. Plus Larry has youtube channel if you want to watch techniques. mostly its find something you and just experimenting.

[Desertnate]

I don't stick to any one brand. Certain brands offer better products in some catagories, so I like to diversify my products. By not sticking to any one brand, I also experiment with different recommended products as new things come out.

For car wash soap I really like Optimum Car Wash, but I've got a new jug of Meguiars Hyperwash waiting for the Optimum to run out.

For cleaning products like all purpose cleaner and bug remover I really like Poorboys World and have been using them for many years.

For quick detailers I've found Carpro Ech2O is my favorite on coated cars, and Kenotec Show Room Shine is the clear winner for sealed/waxed cars

For tire dressing I still find Duragloss #253 is the best I've tried.

Griots mild wheel cleaner (the green stuff) is my reigning favorite.

For interior products I like McKee's 37 Interior Protectant and a leather cleaner/conditioner they unfortunately don't make any more.