1. Search "proper wash technique" or bucket wash
Be very careful how and what you use to wash you vehicle or else you will forever be polishing swirls and scratches.
2. Microfiber - Get yourself some JTinter, Paksak towel (10 is good starting number. When washing, don't use fabric softener.
3. Only use dishsoap occasionally (if at all) and only when you when you are getting ready to do a full detail and want a squeaky clean surface to start with (no oils, grime etc).
Use a good quality car soap (Meguiar Gold Class, Zaino, Eagle One Wet, Pinnacle etc.)
4. Use the least abrasive polish first and then work up the abrasive ladder.
Generally, the following products are considered top notch:
Meguiars Hand Polish (very very light)
Meguiars No. 9 v2.0 SMR (light) / Meguiars Swirl Free Polish
3M Finesse It II
3M Fine Cut Rubbing Compound
DACP by Meguiars - medium polish
Meguiars No. 3 medium cut compound
There's a few paint cleaners also available that fall in the middle of all those.
5. Clay - as a lubricant use car soap and water in squirt bottle. Stay away from the Meguiars version as it isn't very good.
6. Wax - S100/P21S is the flavour of the day. Meguiars No. 26 is standard. Blitz was popular but S100 has taken over that crown. Remember, waxes only last typically 4 weeks. Can't really be layered.
7. Poly. Sealants - Zaino and Klasse are standards here. Blackfire is starting to have a strong following these days.
Zaino / Klasse last upto 4 months or more. Generally, layer the product to about 3-4 layers has added effects, after that, the returns are diminished.
8. Carpet cleaner - Meguiars Detailer line with the APC+ diluted 4to1 seems to be very effective.
9. Vinyl - 303 is highly recommended.
10. Tires - 303 for matte, Eagle One Tire Gel is pretty good as well. Search the formula with "Tire product" should get plenty of hits
11. Leather - Clearcoated or not?? Check the forum by the "leather" search. There Renevo that's seems to be good. Zaino and Eagle and Meguiars all make a decent leather cleaner.
12. Quick Detailer - Final Inspection is not bad, Clearkote seem to have a good one, Clear Pearl isn't bad. Try a search for Quick Detailer and you'll find plenty.
13. Glass cleaning - search for it. Invisible glass seems to be a top performer. Use newspaper in the search and you'll see that use the cleaner and newpaper has added benefits.
14. Plastic - Plexus to maintain. To clean, Meguiars 2 step is good. Wetsanding can also be done relatively easy. A new tip has just emerged on leveling off the raised lettering seems interesting.
15. HAVE FUN :bounce
There's plenty more to learn and try out, but that's a start to the madness that is autopia!
Paco
PS - Download Dave's ebook (and buy the full version)
PSS - Get yourself a Porter Cable Dual Action Polisher - Amazing little machine
PSSS - Get ready to spend like the wind
