Personally i use meguiars. I havent tried zaino yet. Meguiars gives my car a great shine for a great price. I got my kit on amazon for $26 USD included everything from wax to wash and a microfiber towel with a foam applicator. So if you don't wanna spend too much and still get great results i'd get the kit!
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This seems a very constructive discussion. I'm a noob here, but I will give my professional opinion. 20% of the results you achieve are technique and preparation. The other 20% comes from the product.
You can take two people, sames cars, same products and get totally different results. The owner who knows how or learns how to use the product will have good results, every time.
If you want to learn what the detailing fanatics like, have a look in my Autopia Reviews database. There are more than 1000 products listed and 2000+ reviews. The Meguiar's brand has more reviews than any other. People love it and hate it equally.
Cheers!
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Meguair's is probably the best brand that is commonly found in discount and auto parts stores, as well as by order. And Meguair's makes such a wide range of products in each "car care" category, that it is difficult to figure out what is best for your application. As I've said before, Meguair's is my "default brand" -- meaning that is what I get if I don't know of a product in that category I like better.
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John:
That is a good article on clay bar to which you were referred. Here are a couple of additional thoughts. Use LOTS of lubricant. If you do, it is a very easy job. If you don't, it is a very hard one. Also, I too use Autoglym -- especially Radiant Wax Polish (cleaner and glaze) and Hardwax1 (wax). I find that Radiant Wax Polish will also remove surface contaminants, if they are not too bad. If they are, clay bar is the answer.
You will find loads of useful guides and comments on clay bars, polishes, waxes, wash mitts etc etc on detailingworld.co.uk - those guys really know their stuff.
I was a total noob when it came to car cleaning (bucket and sponge) but now I am wiser and my car paintwork, wheels, interior are properly looked after - but I am a whole lot poorer for buying loads of good materials and equipment !!
Zymol, for me, is a great brand. I have used autoglym, meguiars, zaino, jaguar, bmw, porsche polishes, shampoos, waxes, clay bars, tire and wheel cleaners, etceteras, etceteras, and zymol is the one for me. I use "destiny wax", very expensive, but it is worth for its value. Nevertheles, all that products are great and whichever you use all of them are ok, they wiil conserve your car fine for long time. For leather, is use (and highly recomend) leathearique brand.
I use hand and mild elbow grease, as the Zaino product I use comes off easily.
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heh etyu. I guess its a tiny car and would be easier to detail. However my debate is if its worth buying one of those 10" motorized buffer machines for $30-$40 bucks vs using hands. If the job can be done in 2 hrs vs 4...thats great!
I'm a noobo at cleaning so i'm thinking of ordering my first kit (either zaino or meguiars). I just fear scratching my hood :-/
Noooooo, don't get any of those orbital/ any buffer, unless you know what you are doing. Do it by hand.. Look for 3M hand glaze as a polish/ swirl mark remover. The polish is the key. If you wax a still dirty car your waxing dirt into the surface. I don't like all the name brand stuff, I like going to a professional detail supplier. Tell em what you have and they will point you in the right direction with clay bar, color specific polish, color specific wax, spray wax (in between washings)and how to use everything. I've owned a black Cobra, black 330i and now my black 55....Not to gloat but you wont see 1 swirl mark in my paint and the paint is as smooth as glass.
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"professional detail supplier" <-- how do i find one? Plenty of auto shops like pepboys etc. So it doesn't matter if you use different brand for polishing/cleaning and different brand for waxing etc?
No, not at all, first off feel the paint if you can throw a rag on the hood and it keeps going, sliding off, then you know your paint is clean. Feel it with the back of your hand, you'll know if its smooth. Its doubtful your car needs a clay bar. Clay bars are great for tree sap, over spray etc., but a car of that year and condition probably doesn't need it. Look up detailers in your area, or detail suppliers in the yellow pages. If you can't find the suppliers, call some reputable detailers and ask them where they buy their products.
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Air44: thanks for your inputs. I'll definetly look around for more information. By the way, the Dr Color Chip you recommended: would you use the touch up paint before or after detailing?
If its the bumper scratches, just make sure its clean, an (auto) soap, Meguires, any of those soaps are fine, and water.. Do not, I repeat do not use a dishwater liquid soap, it strips anything that is on the paint, wax etc. Same with the minor paint chips, you dont want a build up of wax before you paint, just a clean surface. You shouldnt have to wash, (soap and water) your car much, unless it rained on it or got unusually dirty. I usually use a spray wax, detail spray every couple of days on my car, takes literally 7-10 minutes and keeps it as smooth as butta.
2008 Mercedes Benz SLK 55 AMG (R171.473)
