Vehicle Cleaning Product Recommendations (& Ones to Avoid)

[cral12]

Didn't find a specific thread for this; mods feel free to integrate with another if deemed necessary.

Just looking for CPers best recommended vehicle cleaning products. I'm looking more for interior products - also specifically for leather as well. Exterior product recommendations welcomed as well though.

[burn_this_city]

Meguiars products are good, I like their leather wipes. I don't buy anything Armor All, I think their detailing spray is rubbish.

[Ducay]

Tons of great brands out there, none of which are TurtleWax, ArmorAll, or any giant brand.

For stuff available locally, I go with AutoGlym (British, at CanTire) and maybe the odd Meguiars or Mothers product.
Mostly buy online though, Chemical Guys, Griots, etc, make some good stuff.

www.eshine.ca

It can be overwhelming understanding all the detailing products out there, but once you read a few tutorials and overviews online, it all starts to make more sense.

[Canehdianman]

I love my optimum no rinse.

[zamler]

Leatherique is hands down the best leather cleaner/conditioner you can buy. For vinyl, 303 Aerospace Protectant is my go to product. For exterior, the prep work is far, far more important the the finishing wax/sealant. You will get 100's of recommendations to what is the "best" wax, I've tried many different ones and have settled on the nano type sealants such as CQuartz.

You will not find many of the better products at Canadian Tire and Walmart unfortunately.

[Jude]

Invest in some decent microfiber towels!

Learning proper cleaning techniques is probably a lot more important than the brand of stuff you use.

[Northendzone]

I do not like the ICE turtle wax stuff......it is a good idea to pack a wax/ polish in the same bottle as something that also gives a shine to plastic stuff, but it does not seem to work that well.......to me it leaves the same type of look as when you overspray armour all on your paint......

[PIMking]

Originally Posted by Jude

Invest in some decent microfiber towels!

Learning proper cleaning techniques is probably a lot more important than the brand of stuff you use.

autogeek.net and check out their forums....

Do not and I repeat DO NOT use a rotary buffer!!! the easiest way to put swirls in your paint.

[cral12]

Originally Posted by zamler

Leatherique is hands down the best leather cleaner/conditioner you can buy. For vinyl, 303 Aerospace Protectant is my go to product. For exterior, the prep work is far, far more important the the finishing wax/sealant. You will get 100's of recommendations to what is the "best" wax, I've tried many different ones and have settled on the nano type sealants such as CQuartz.

You will not find many of the better products at Canadian Tire and Walmart unfortunately.

Thanks all!

Can you buy any of these products locally? (ones quoted here)

[J Diddy]

Is there a do it yourself carpet shampooing car wash in Calgary...like the coin operated vacuums?

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by PIMking

autogeek.net and check out their forums....

I love autogeek. Their How-To's are a great resource on how to detail your car (although of course they are trying to sell you on some of their product, but I find the ones they pitch to be really good quality). Ive ordered a lot of their stuff and generally find them to be much higher quality than what you get at Canadian Tire etc.

What I use:
• Pinnacle Shampoo - for cleaning dirt off the car. Don't ever just use regular hair shampoo or hand soap.
• Sheepskin Mitt for washing the car
• Microfibre for drying and various applications (just get a ton of these)
• Wolfgang Clay and Clay lubricant. I find claying is one of those steps that a lot of the general public doesn't do, but it can be the biggest difference in your car having a smooth finish. It's pretty easy too.
• Klasse All in One Polish
• Klasse Sealer
• Pinnacle Souveran Paste Wax
• Wolfgang leather kit. Definitely don't forget the inside of your car, especially if you have leather. Considering how dry Calgary is, cleaning AND conditioning the leather is important if you don't want it to crack.
• I don't have a polisher, but that's next on the list. Get a dual-action orbital version unless you are a pro...otherwise you can burn in your paint and that's not good for anyone.

Keep in mind using all this takes me about 3 hours to do on one car. Its a long time, but I love doing it and seeing the car transform. If you can give your car the full-on treatment at least once a year (some things like claying/polishing you dont have to do as frequently), your better off than 90% of the cars on the road that just go through the car wash.

[Sliver]

I use 303 aerospace protectant for interiors, too. If you have a vinyl-top convertible, it is the cat's ass on that as well.

I'm not sure where the general public can buy it. I get it through an industrial supplier at my work. There is also a 303 cleaner I have, but I find the protectant cleans and shines so I don't use it very often.

[Jude]

Pinnacle Souveran wax is great stuff (smells delicious too...)!

Just a heads up cral12, but some cars have sealed leather so you might be wasting money on leather conditioners.

Rinsing your car and washing it by hand with a mitt is nice and doesn't take that long, I always cringe when I see people take those soapy mops at a self serve car wash and really rub it into their brand new cars, probably the fastest way to scratch up the clear coat.

[wooohooo]

Don't mean to hijack but just a quick question... What's a good product for rust that made a hole?

[zamler]

Originally Posted by wooohooo

Don't mean to hijack but just a quick question... What's a good product for rust that made a hole?

POR-15 starter kit, you can get it at an auto body supply such as Calgary Body Shop Supplies edit - you may need POR-15 patch along with a mesh to help fill the hole.

They sell 303 Protectant at Auto Value

[worth]

Not a product but at tip. Please, please, please do not use the brush at the self car wash. That brush is full of dirt, rocks and road grime. Using it will just destroy the finish of your paint. In a similar vein, avoid touch car washes.

The brush one really bothers me though. I see people using it on brand new cars and just drives me crazy.

[zamler]

Good advice those brushes are brutal on paint. But it's not always practical to avoid the self wash places, I sometimes take a bucket and my wash mitt even though they don't allow such a thing. I just go there late at night when there is hardly anyone (or often no one) else there.

[4X4]

Originally Posted by zamler

Good advice those brushes are brutal on paint. But it's not always practical to avoid the self wash places, I sometimes take a bucket and my wash mitt even though they don't allow such a thing. I just go there late at night when there is hardly anyone (or often no one) else there.

I'm not overly anal about my paint, but I never use those scrub mops. I get the best results at the self wash by circling the vehicle twice with the high pressure soap, then switching straight to high pressure wax, and that's it. Rinse with the wax and drive away. Usually costs me about $7 to wash my truck. It's so nice to use a CC at the carwash, too. You're not rushing to finish the job before the time runs out. Just gotta remember to hit that stop button.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by zamler

Good advice those brushes are brutal on paint. But it's not always practical to avoid the self wash places, I sometimes take a bucket and my wash mitt even though they don't allow such a thing. I just go there late at night when there is hardly anyone (or often no one) else there.

I only use the self wash places even when the tepms are below zero. I just make sure I wipe the whole vehicle down when i'm finished.

As for products....

I use Invisible Glass when cleaning my windows.

http://www.invisibleglass.com/

During the winter months I use a California Water Blade to get the water off my windows and vehicle.

http://www.autogeek.net/calwatblad.html

Like other have said, micro fiber cloths to wipe down the vehicle and windows

I've been using Nu Finish to protect the vehicles paint.

http://www.nufinish.com/

[FLAME ENVY]

Originally Posted by worth

Not a product but at tip. Please, please, please do not use the brush at the self car wash. That brush is full of dirt, rocks and road grime. Using it will just destroy the finish of your paint. In a similar vein, avoid touch car washes.

The brush one really bothers me though. I see people using it on brand new cars and just drives me crazy.

Very few self washes will let you use your own mitt and high pressure water does not remove all residue from the finish. One thing you can do to alleviate damaging the finish if using the car wash brush is to lay it on the ground and pressure wash it on the soap setting (warm water) thoroughly prior to using.

This will remove any laden dirt and debris from the brush that the previous user may have left behind.