A superb Car cleaning, polishing & detailing guide

ImmortalZ · 16th February 2010, 00:19

The best microfiber towels all have korean fiber. Still waiting for my care package BTW.

mkh · 16th February 2010, 00:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by ImmortalZ

The best microfiber towels all have korean fiber. Still waiting for my care package BTW.

is on the way- my friend who had to come back got a little delayed so 1ce he is back wld send urs immediately..
megs are made in china- out of all the sets only norton is made in korea...

Quote:

Originally Posted by vid6639

So which is the best of the lot?

How do the MORE ones compare to Viking and Meguiars?

Best are clearly 3M , cant get them thats the prob...meguiars are the next and then i feel norton and viking...the ones from MORE are good for wet wiping - not as good as the rest. Norton are tough- great for daily use..
SPAR has a set which is also as good as viking...had posted their pics earlier

MODS: Sorry but missed multi quoting, dunno how to do that now..

mkh · 16th February 2010, 11:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by mkh

Best are clearly 3M , cant get them thats the prob...meguiars are the next and then i feel norton and viking...the ones from MORE are good for wet wiping - not as good as the rest. Norton are tough- great for daily use..
SPAR has a set which is also as good as viking...had posted their pics earlier

MODS: Sorry but missed multi quoting, dunno how to do that now..

It was some task to clean glass everyday as most of the cloths left some streaks/lints incl the microfibers.
Today i used the NORTON microfiber and see spray(amway) - the effect was fantastic. The cloth was gliding over soooo smoothly, i wiped it over and over again just to enjoy the feel of it.
The microfibers in that cloth are ideal for such usage- its the best in the lot i have used so far to clean glass and to wipe dry...

Vid6639 · 16th February 2010, 13:06

My next item on the list for car washing is Grit Guard. This is supposed to work like a charm and will ensure no swirl marks from reviews I read. Now need people to get them from US.

You just have to put it in the bottom of the bucket. All the mud particles settle on the bottom and the design ensures that it does not come back up and stick back in the wash mitten or cloth.

The Grit Guard Insert

A superb Car cleaning, polishing & detailing guide-blackgginscutaway_2.jpg

janitha · 16th February 2010, 13:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by mkh

It was some task to clean glass everyday as most of the cloths left some streaks/lints incl the microfibers.
Today i used the NORTON microfiber and see spray(amway) - the effect was fantastic. The cloth was gliding over soooo smoothly, i wiped it over and over again just to enjoy the feel of it.
The microfibers in that cloth are ideal for such usage- its the best in the lot i have used so far to clean glass and to wipe dry...

The 3M professional is really wonderful both for paint surface (after wash) as also windscreen. (I have been using 3M products for years especially the one meant for electronics LCD etc.) which I always carry with me for my spectacles.

Latheesh · 16th February 2010, 13:41

Picked Mr.Leather from Metro last weekend. Did some trial run on front seats (PU+leather comb). Result is very good, seats looks very good now. Applied the same on my shoes but did not see the expected result :-)))).

mkh · 16th February 2010, 14:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by janitha

The 3M professional is really wonderful both for paint surface (after wash) as also windscreen. (I have been using 3M products for years especially the one meant for electronics LCD etc.) which I always carry with me for my spectacles.

Yeah the 3M are THE BEST( blue ones), however gotta use them sparingly cause cant get more apparently...they are not sold to outside people strictly..was lucky to get a few..
I am planning to use the Norton for regular use, for wax & detailing to use Meguiars and 3M. For removing dust- the yellow 3M. For wiping dry- Norton and the ones from Spar are good.
With the california duster, the use of micro fibers are greatly reduced..thanks to its great dust lifting capacity

yogi1771 · 16th February 2010, 14:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by vid6639

My next item on the list for car washing is Grit Guard. This is supposed to work like a charm and will ensure no swirl marks from reviews I read. Now need people to get them from US.

You just have to put it in the bottom of the bucket. All the mud particles settle on the bottom and the design ensures that it does not come back up and stick back in the wash mitten or cloth.

The Grit Guard Insert

Attachment 288899

Think can be done by ourselves get a plastic fruit basket cut and put it in a adequately sized bucket

.

skdking · 16th February 2010, 15:44

If I run out of car shampoo, and resupply is not available anytime soon, and my car needs a wash very much, can I use a good bathing soap like Lux International or Dove to clean the particularly dirty regions.

Latheesh · 16th February 2010, 16:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by skdking

If I run out of car shampoo, and resupply is not available anytime soon, and my car needs a wash very much, can I use a good bathing soap like Lux International or Dove to clean the particularly dirty regions.

Your car body may become soft and fair!!

and AB may chase your car.

No idea about this and never tried before. It should not be a problem, if you can use it on your skin why not car skin.

16th February 2010, 16:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by skdking

If I run out of car shampoo, and resupply is not available anytime soon, and my car needs a wash very much, can I use a good bathing soap like Lux International or Dove to clean the particularly dirty regions.

Absolutely no worries, skdking. I have used my grand-daughter's left-over Johnsons baby shampoo for my Fiat Linea.

janitha · 16th February 2010, 18:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by skdking

If I run out of car shampoo, and resupply is not available anytime soon, and my car needs a wash very much, can I use a good bathing soap like Lux International or Dove to clean the particularly dirty regions.

Why not always keep a bottle as reserve? Presently I am having two as reserve. Anyway don't even think of using things like Harpic!

sohail99 · 16th February 2010, 21:40

I usually keep 'waterless car wash' as reserve!

btw awesome microfiber comparisons mkh!!
The Hyundai A.S.S. guys use the Norton MF cloth if you 'persuade' them to!(literally)

Anyways, I finally bought a polisher!!

It came with a huge polishing head(180mm), Free sandpaper and a wool buffing pad!

will have to buy a smaller head and sponge pad separately!
It has variable speeds, lowest being suitable for normal buffing or wax/scratchX application etc.

but its damn heavy for me(if using singlehandedly)

will try it out on my mom's car later(which really needs some serious detailing)

Rudra Sen · 16th February 2010, 21:47

You need to be extremely careful with this machine. It can really spoil painted surface if not applied with right pressure.

sohail99 · 16th February 2010, 21:56

Yea! I wanted to get a 'Dual Action Polisher' as its much safer for amateurs like me!

but looked everywhere and this is the only thing they had!

I will 'feather touch' it with the paint surface to be treated

btw, the shop guy also said to keep the rotating head moving all the time and not just keep it at one point!

Any other tips will be greatly appreciated!

16th February 2010, 00:19	#1666
ImmortalZ Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Trivandrum Posts: 2,195 Thanked: 601 Times View My Garage	The best microfiber towels all have korean fiber. Still waiting for my care package BTW.
	() Thanks

16th February 2010, 13:06	#1669
Vid6639 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 17,711 Thanked: 44,147 Times View My Garage	My next item on the list for car washing is Grit Guard. This is supposed to work like a charm and will ensure no swirl marks from reviews I read. Now need people to get them from US. You just have to put it in the bottom of the bucket. All the mud particles settle on the bottom and the design ensures that it does not come back up and stick back in the wash mitten or cloth. The Grit Guard Insert
	() Thanks

16th February 2010, 13:41	#1671
Latheesh Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: CNN/BLR Posts: 4,341 Thanked: 10,633 Times	Picked Mr.Leather from Metro last weekend. Did some trial run on front seats (PU+leather comb). Result is very good, seats looks very good now. Applied the same on my shoes but did not see the expected result :-)))).
	() Thanks

16th February 2010, 15:44	#1674
skdking BHPian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Delhi Cantt Posts: 557 Thanked: 206 Times	Elementary, My Dear Watson If I run out of car shampoo, and resupply is not available anytime soon, and my car needs a wash very much, can I use a good bathing soap like Lux International or Dove to clean the particularly dirty regions.
	() Thanks

16th February 2010, 21:40	#1678
sohail99 Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2009 Location: New Delhi Posts: 1,272 Thanked: 235 Times	I usually keep 'waterless car wash' as reserve! btw awesome microfiber comparisons mkh!! The Hyundai A.S.S. guys use the Norton MF cloth if you 'persuade' them to!(literally) Anyways, I finally bought a polisher!! It came with a huge polishing head(180mm), Free sandpaper and a wool buffing pad! will have to buy a smaller head and sponge pad separately! It has variable speeds, lowest being suitable for normal buffing or wax/scratchX application etc. but its damn heavy for me(if using singlehandedly) will try it out on my mom's car later(which really needs some serious detailing) Attached Thumbnails Last edited by sohail99 : 16th February 2010 at 21:44.
	() Thanks

16th February 2010, 21:47	#1679
Rudra Sen Team-BHP Support Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 11,752 Thanked: 6,871 Times View My Garage	You need to be extremely careful with this machine. It can really spoil painted surface if not applied with right pressure.
	() Thanks

16th February 2010, 21:56	#1680
sohail99 Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2009 Location: New Delhi Posts: 1,272 Thanked: 235 Times	Yea! I wanted to get a 'Dual Action Polisher' as its much safer for amateurs like me! but looked everywhere and this is the only thing they had! I will 'feather touch' it with the paint surface to be treated btw, the shop guy also said to keep the rotating head moving all the time and not just keep it at one point! Any other tips will be greatly appreciated!
	() Thanks