ryan.stephens

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Hi to everyone at SLKWorld!

I was just wondering what products and routines you use to detail your vehicles?

I'm a Meguiars fan because I love the results their products give me, also the products are really rich and so you only need to use a small amount.

As a general routine:

* Pre-wash vehicle to loosen dust.
* Wash vehicle using Gold Class Shampoo/Conditioner and Plush Wash Mit (one panel per time and top to bottom).
* Rinse vehicle (and re-wash if nescessary).
* Dry vehicle with Water Magnet MicroFibre Towel.
* Clay vehicle with SmoothClay and Quick Detailer (once a year).
* Rinse vehicle.
* Dry vehicle with Water Magnet MicroFibre Towel.
* Apply a thin coat of NXT Generation Tech Wax (leave for 30 minutes).
* Remove wax haze with Super Shine MicroFibre.
* Apply a second thin coat of NXT Generation Tech Wax (leave for 30 minutes).
* Remove wax haze with Super Shine MicroFibre.
* Clean windows with NXT Generation Glass Cleaner and Super Shine MicroFibre.
* Thoroughly vaccum interior and car mats.
* Apply Gold Class Rich Leather Cleaner and Conditioner to seats.
* Wipe plastic interior with a damp Super Shine MicroFibre.
* Clean alloys with Hot Rims Wheel Cleaner and rinse well (apply small amount of NXT Generation Tech Wax and buff when dry).
* Apply Endurance High-Gloss Tyre Shine to dry tyre walls.

I'm sure I've missed a few steps but that's my routine for a monthly clean, it just takes a bit of water, a Water Magnet MicroFibre Towel, NXT Generation Spray Wax and a Super Shine MicroFibre to maintain each week.

alroumi

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I only use the Meguiars Gold class rich leather cleaner and the Quick detailer/mist & wipe.

I first clean the car and spray water all over it till all the sand particles, dust and dirt slide of the cars bodywork eliminating my chances of scratching the car.

Second step is to use the car shampoo and put two "table spoon" portions of it in the bucket and spray a good amount of water in there so I can rinse and use the sponge to absorb a good amount to use on the car. After that is done I now use the suede microfiber towel to dry the car up and then after that I apply the meguiars quick detailer to make the cars paint shine and have that new wet look.

The result:

Before, I know my laziness is dreadful.



Later, So fresh and so clean:





Last but not least:

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06 Kleemann Designo Mocha Black SLK55 AMG
06 Porsche Cayenne S
07 Jaguar XKR Coupe'

I use the Torque and keep the HP for my Steak Sauce!

PaKKo

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- Sonax shampoo (or 1Z, Duragloss)
- Dry with WW
- Mothers clay bar or Zaino Z-18 (when needed)
- Mothers Showtime QD or Poorboys S&W
- Pinnacle Paintwork Cleansing Lotion (pre-wax)
- Pinnacle Liquid Souveran Wax (like a sealant)
- Pinnacle Souveran Paste Wax (wet look roolz!)
- 1Z Tire Foam for tires dressing
- Autosol Wheel cleaner or some less agressive like 1Z Wheel Cleaner USA
- DP Wheel Glaze

and some other that I dont remember now

alroumi

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Pakko I too use Sonax its pretty good and I think it might be German if memory serves me right.

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06 Kleemann Designo Mocha Black SLK55 AMG
06 Porsche Cayenne S
07 Jaguar XKR Coupe'

I use the Torque and keep the HP for my Steak Sauce!

PaKKo

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Yes alroumi, german. I think this shampoo has the best price/quality ratio.

alroumi

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The box and packaging wasnt tempting me to get it at first because I thought it was a rip off and will spoil the paint, but when I tried it it wasnt bad and is actually good. The problem you see is that I never heard of the brand before, but after trying it I was hooked and will consider it again.

Thank you for the clarification.

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06 Kleemann Designo Mocha Black SLK55 AMG
06 Porsche Cayenne S
07 Jaguar XKR Coupe'

I use the Torque and keep the HP for my Steak Sauce!

smoothbnzf4n4tc

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There's all these threads on cleaning the exterior but what products do you guys use for cleaning the interior. Also what are the different surfaces in the car? (Dash is plastic or vinyl etc?)

PaKKo

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- APC when needed
- Poorboys Natural Look
- Duragloss Leather shampoo
- Duragloss Leather Conditioner

alroumi

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Meguairs gold class leather cleaner for the following:

leather Seats, not suede/alacantra area

arm rests

door leather not vinyl area

The other parts get cleaned properly when I take it to Di-Tec every 6 months or annually depending on the state of the cars interior.

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06 Kleemann Designo Mocha Black SLK55 AMG
06 Porsche Cayenne S
07 Jaguar XKR Coupe'

I use the Torque and keep the HP for my Steak Sauce!

Dolebludger

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I actually use 303 Aerospace Protectant for both a cleaning, conditioning, and UV ray protectant on both leather and vinyl. If an area gets really dirty, I use a leather cleaner on it, whether it is leather or vinyl.

I have no idea on how to clean and preserve alcantra, as none of my current cars have this material. However, I do like it very much and will certainly consider ordering it on some future purchase. But First, I'd like to know from some of you who have it how it wears and how easy it is to keep clean.

jfsully

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Here goes the routine:

Weekly Wash

Spray entire car

Fill one bucket with clean water and another bucket with Water an soap mixture (Duragloss 901)

Spray wheel area, tires and wheel wells with Amazing Roll Off
Wash area with wheel brush and dedicated sponge.
Spray rinse wheel area

Put Duragloss 901 and water in Foamer and coat the entire car with foam.
Lightly wash using Grout Sponge , rinsing in clear water bucket and then getting shampoo form other bucket.
Spray suds form entire car
Flood car using a gentle stream

Dry using a leaf blower and remove remaining water by drying with a waffle weave towel (sometimes a quick detailer also)

Treat Tires with Mothers Tire Shine

Chemical Guys Wheel Wax Guard

Quick Wax with Liquid Souveran OR Chemical Guys Butter Wax

Interior - Leatherique Pristine Clean and Rejuvinator Oil (once per year in heat)
Connolly Leather Care weekly.

Dash etc - Chemical Guys VRP

Plastics 303 Aerospace Protectant

Between washes- Lucas Gloss Enhancer, Meguiars Ultimate Quick Detailer or Pinnacle Spray Wax

Periodically
Clay

Take out micro-marring with Flex machine and LC Blue/white/orange Pads
Using Menzerna SIP or 106buffing

Sealant - Chemical Guys Jeatseal

LSP- either DoDo Dbl Wax, Chemical Guys 50/50, Chemical Guys Petes 53, Lusso Ora, Pinnacle Souveran or Pinnacle Paste Glaz.

If we are under watering restrictions-----Chemical Guys ONE


Favorite Links
http://www.autogeek.net/index.html
http://www.autogeekonline.net/
http://autopia.org/forum/
http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/
http://www.detailingbliss.com/index.php
http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/index.php
http://www.chemicalguys.com/

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2006 Obsidian SLK55 w/030 package
2000 BMW E-39
1985 BitterSC

alroumi

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Dolebludger, I keep the alacantra as it is since I rarely get in contact with the material its very clean.

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06 Kleemann Designo Mocha Black SLK55 AMG
06 Porsche Cayenne S
07 Jaguar XKR Coupe'

I use the Torque and keep the HP for my Steak Sauce!

JOC

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once every 6 months i do the following...

rinse the car with a strong spraying hose
clean the wheels with hot rims and rinse, follow up with a wheel brush cleaner
wash the entire car with dawn dish soap to strip all wax and polish
claybar the entire car with mcguiars clay kit and quick detailer
wash the car with mcguiars gold class car wash
once dry, i use zaino z5 and let sit for about 1 hour
polish z5 off and apply another coat let sit for another hour.
polish off and follow up with one coat of zaino z2 polish.
let sit for an hour and polish off with micro fiber towel.

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etyu

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I mainly use Zaino products.

Usually a weekly wash:

Wash wheels and tires first using Meguair's non-acid wheel cleaner, dedicated sponge and medium soft bristle brush (the one used for cleaning the refrigerator cooling coils, as they're about 9 inches long after removing the tapered tip). I use a separate small bucket for wheels.

Wash vehicle body with Z-7, using microfiber mitt, 2-bucket method, rinse with water at low pressure to effect laminar flow and sheeting, dry with waffle pattern microfiber cloth, use compressed air at 45 psi from air compressor that I use for airbrushing to blow off moisture and water from crevices and wheels, final wipe with Z-6 and microfiber cloth.

Every 3-4 months, add Z-5, Z-6, Z-2 and Z-6 again after the above procedure.

Some photos (dark coloured vehicles have the advantage of showing off the shine and reflection):

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Eddy

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Pewter/Beige, PIII package, Airscarf, Hands-Free Communication System, Lighting package
Designo Black Leather Cover on e-brake handle, (
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Bill T), SmartTop v1.0, Kleyman 3BFM (NoRegret Custom), Green Air Filters, Mod. R170 ant.
EuroClear sidemarkers w/PIAA PlasmaIon lamps, chromed front & rear turn indicator lamps, PIAA SuperPlasmaGTX front parking lamps, HyperWhite license plate lamps (
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Scott), bilateral rear fog lamps enabled.

mtiede

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Don't most compressed air systems have a small amount of oil in them?

When I wash mine, I use the Mr. Clean system.

Gabus

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2 years ago I spent 1000$ on a "paint sealing program" where a guy cleaned and buffed the car for 6 hrs. They guaranteed that the car would shine for 5 years even if I used degrease or any other chemicals for cleaning...
So when it's dusty I just hose it down with a high pressure cleaner and dry off with a leather cloth.
If it's dirty, I hose it down and wash with Turtle Zip, and dry off.
I often get compliments that it looks like new/new painted even though it 12 years old

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ryan.stephens

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I see a lot of people from the states are using something called the Mr. Clean System, of which I haven't heard of so I googled it to find out more.

It turns out that I have seen the product in the UK, but it's branded as Flash Home Car Wash System (see http://www.freshliving.com/flashcarwash/home.htm) and I also recognise that character on the Mr. Clean System as being Don Limpio on the Spanish range.

Isn't it funny how things are re-branded for different markets?

-1-

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I'm old fashion. I use a tried and proven system... soap and water. Specifically the Mr Clean system, which works well. Almost spotless, effortless, ambient air drying.

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