[SmoknTA]

Professional detailer here, I have my own business. Don’t let the care instructions freak you out. It’s super easy to be overwhelmed and feeling like your additional trim is as fragile as a dandelion.

KISS, Keep It Simple Stupid are the words I live by. Don’t overthink it. You need to be able to clean and protect correct? Don’t worry yourself with all the other minute details that really don’t amount to much more than a lighter wallet. I’ll go through steps for you.

• Car soap: any that rinse cleanly will do. No built in waxes or anything. Adam’s Shampoo, Xtreme Solutions Suds, or OTC products like Meguiars Gold Class will be perfectly fine.
• Protection: Dr. Beasley's Matte series. Honestly, pretty solid recommendation but if you want something you can get at a store, Turtle Wax Hybrid Solution spray works well. Just be mindful to not use something with natural waxes, look for polymer sealants.
• Washer fluid: I use whatever blue washer fluid without bug remover/de-ice because that stuff leaves a horrible film.
• Interior: Mopar total clean is fine but if want something you can easily grab at a store, Turtle Wax ie Meguiar’s Interior detail is pretty nice.
• Glass: Stoner’s is my personal fave, always accessible and cheap. Windex works too, it’s totally safe as long as it’s not ammonia based, spray on the towel, wipe and use a second to buff, never spray directly into glass (that’s how you get staining on vinyl)
• Wheels: use the same soap you use on the car, if your detailing Davy you can dip into iron removers but for now just keep it simple.
• Tires, Griots Satin Tire spray is awesome stuff, use it on the front grill too for a quick dress up and in the wheel wells.
• Microfiber towels: this is where KISS really comes into play, you need a general towel for interior, wiping wheels/tires (whatever cheap brand you can find locally will work fine) For all other needs check out Rag Company, get yourself a drying towel, about 5 buffing towels (usually come in packs of five) for glass waffle weave for the win. For washing I like plush mitts. Two buckets with grit guards one for rinsing the mit in between sections the other bucket for suds. Two mitts would be good, one for the top half one for the dirtier bottom half. You will want a third bucket for just tires and wheels, no need for a grit guard, really it’s overkill.
How to wash basics:
1. Tires and wheels first, rinse thoroughly, use a general microfiber or a dedicated mitt to wash, if you get a tire brush, general detailing brushes and some wheel willies it’ll help the process. Wash and rinse.
2. Body, rinse thoroughly, then wash top to bottom. Rinse mitt in between panels, re-sud and keep at it. Use a different mitt for the bottom half and front. Rinse and dry.
3. Protect.

If detailing isn’t your thing then I would recommend going to a reputable detailer and they can explain the best option for you and your budget. Never go through a car wash of any kind.

If you do decide to do it yourself and concerned about using a product on a particular surface do a test spot. Hit me up if you have any questions.

That should get you started, good luck and congrats on the new Challenger!

Outstanding reply Steve!

Hi!

Okay -- here it is, my very first post/question! I am brand new to the world of Challengers... by some dumb luck I managed to get one when renting a car to get home one weekend, and... I absolutely fell head-over-heels in love with it. Totally smitten. I was producing a magazine for Saleen at the time, had driven a couple Mustangs, and honestly always thought I'd end up in one, but... from that day forward I never stopped dreaming about getting a Challenger, and a year later, I am now the proud owner of a new, 2021 gold rush R/T with the T/A stripes and the black satin hood, etc. I mean, literally, it just arrived via carrier this week!

So... I opened up the manual package today and the first thing that popped out was a pamphlet about 'Satin Finish Tips'... Curious, I started reading... TO MY HORROR I learned that this matte black stuff is apparently the most fragile, unstable substance known to man! I mean, it sounds like if you look at it wrong, it will melt off your car! LOL

They give you a long list of products that they recommend, such as:

• Swissvax opaque products
• Dr. Beasley's Matte series
• Mopar windshield washer solvent
• Mopar total clean
• Mopar glass cleaner
• Meguiar's M34 Mirror glass final inspection

Not to mention:

• Alcohol based window cleaner
• Satin paint cleanser
• 50% alcohol/50% deionized water (goin' old skool! But... can you imagine rubbing your fragile car paint with alcohol? Makes me pretty nervous...)
• tar remover or road debris solvent (again, sounds like kind of iffy stuff to be rubbing on paint that is apparently so fragile)
• Microfiber mitts and towels

My question to you guys is this: before I spend roughly $800 in detailing products, -just- for the black satin hood, has anyone personally used any of those cleaners from that list, and have anything to say about them (good or bad)? Because the last thing I want to do is guess wrong, apply one and create the dreaded and unfixable 'shiny spot'... >.<

Seriously, I'm sort of paranoid now... so any help you all can give me, I would very much appreciate!

Kristin

I’m waiting for my ‘22 T/A to come in. First stop is ceramic coating. Second is tint.