Basic detailing routing / materials needed...

[jjchambers]

Not looking to enter my car in a car show, but want to take care of it right when I get the chance. My 09 R/T is my daily driver (drop kids off at daycare, go to work, pick them up, wife use it (when I let her) to run errands in the evening) so it will get plenty of use. I'll be able to wash it about every other week. Looking for basic supplies that you all recommend that can be had easily (Wal Mart, Advanced Auto Part) and fairly inexpensively. Not looking to spend all day flossing the grit out of the tire treads, but want it to look good.

I'm looking for a good soap/shampoo/wash, I'll try my hand at clay bar and spray, a good wipe on wipe off wax and a product that can be used on all the plastic / vinyl interior, door seals and surrounds and engine plastic stuff as well as a good wheel shinner-upper.

Thanks!

Jeremiah

[rudebwoy]

For OTC car products, I'm a big fan of Meguiar's and would recommend most of the products in their lineup. I'm also a fan of Duragloss products and have found them at my local Car Quest store for pretty reasonable prices.

If you are set on using a wipe-on-walk-away type of car wax / sealant, then I would defer to someone else's suggestions because my only experience with that type of product is Optima Opti-Seal, which I like a lot, but it is not OTC. I do use spray wax products, but I only use them as a wax booster in between applications of paint sealants / waxes, which I do about every two or three weeks.

One thing I would suggest if you are planning to wash every other week is to look into getting a California Duster, some Quick Detail spray, and good microfiber towels. The duster can be used to remove light dust that usually accumulates each day (but never try with significant dirt, or dust that has gotten wet and dried on the paint). The Quick Detailer can be used with the microfiber towels to take out minor water spots, or remove other contaminants like bird droppings or bugs. That stuff will help you keep things looking good between washes.

Also, make sure to get good microfiber towels, wash mits, etc. Quality products that won't scratch or mar your paint will go a long way towards keeping everything shining too.

Last thing is to be sure that whatever you use, make sure your technique is solid (i.e. - two bucket wash method, "working clean", etc.) that is usually more important than the products you use to detail.

[Mopar10RickVA]

I'm also a big fan of Meguiar's when it comes to OTC products. Car wash, interior detail spray, Ultimate wax etc. Invisible glass for the windows, sheepskin wash mitts, lots of good quality microfibers.