Help me clean up the Camry

[RedPhoenix]

Okay, I have too much time off before Christmas so I need to do something, aka clean up the camry very well. everything needs to be store bought because it takes forever for shipping during holidays.

Right now, the white paint is good and clean on it, has minor swirl marks in it. It could stand a nice polish or something. I used polish to remove some scratches and it shows that the paint is dirty even after claybar.

Its been recently Claybar'd and 1 step Black Magic Synthetic Waxed.

However, I was looking into doing the 3 stage Meg's kit. Yeah? No?

What should I look into doing for my Carpet? Leather? Interior Plastic? Window, Doors and Rubber pieces all around?

What should I use for a good 1 stage after this massive cleaning spree?

Recomend Stoners for windows?

Thanks

[darksparkz]

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

That's a good starting kit for more of hand polishing.

Some use this for interior: http://www.autogeek.net/mg13616.html I personally use a microfiber towel and just 303 Aerospace and it works fine for both protection and no shiny sticky look.

Interior plastic and door jambs and almost all rubber can have 303 Aerospace on it.

Windows, I do the Stoners cans, works fine with two microfiber towel. One for wiping and one for final buffing.

Carpet, you may need a strong vacuum. I use Bissel's Little Green Machine. Just apply some APC or carpet cleaner and scrub/agitate. Then use Bissel's LGM and suck up the wet water.

I'd recommend this for final wax on a white car: http://www.autogeek.net/pinliqsouvwa.html

[nodrogkam]

stoners for windows all the way.
well what i'd do is stoners then rainx

uhm leather i use armorall but some dont like how slippery it is. the interior plastics i would use armorall original protectant. its good stuff, just dont over use it...

the rest is up to you.
i mean your car is pretty clean in general.

[RedPhoenix]

only problem is im not willing to order stuff, i want to get it tommorow basically.


thanks for the replies so far,

[nodrogkam]

you can't easily pick up this stuff at a store? i get everything i own from stores.

[ToyotaJimD.]

I use mostly everything Mothers, but Meguiar's has a good 3-step system from what I hear. Pep Boys I think carries both.

If you got a clay bar kit, I know the Mothers includes a pretty good Carnauba Cleaner Wax that certainly cleans better than any synthetic wax I've tried... it's also available in larger bottles or a quite nice paste. Other clay kits include a wax, but I haven't tried them. The Mothers Carnauba Cleaner Wax removes pretty big scuffs off my '93 cashmere beige Camry XLS by hand. On a neighbor's white F-150 I removed permanent marker that some kids drew on her fender. So I really like that as a one-step if you need some cleaning.

Whether you need a 3 Step or a good 1-Step on a white car is up to you and your eye (and the amount of time you have).

My Camry's got some neglect on the trim, and I use a lot of Back-to-Black when Protectant won't do the job... and I do detail all of the trim before waxing to prevent staining.

I do like Rain-X Original for the exterior glass, but I don't think you need to use a glass cleaner beforehand (except, of course, on the insides).

For dirty leather, I recommend a good vacuuming of the seams and then a two-step Cleaner and Conditioner -- spray the cleaner on an applicator to avoid staining.

I like the Mothers Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner for both the carpet and the vinyl on the dash (I'll spray it on a water-moistened cloth). Protectant works good to give it some richness.

Protectant works good on the tires as a dressing... if they're really dirty, I like my old standby, Bleche-White.

Use an All Wheel cleaner for wheels if you have serious brake dust build-up.

I do find the Detail Guide useful, and you may, too... just visit www.detailguide.com.

Everything I mentioned above can be had at Pep Boys and the major auto stores.

[RedPhoenix]

nodrogkam - i didnt recognize that brand, so it may be at the store

Jim, thanks for the long reply, I never got to use my carnauba wax with my meguires claybar kit, my dad used it for the boat (hahah) but he said it was the best he has ever used LOL

I think im going to go for the 3step kit seeing how i always use a 1 step and its not getting all i need out of it yet.

i dont normally clean the outside windows, usually a good wash and a nice drying job does all i need.

any 2 step leather cleaner you recommend? ill probably go for meguires.

Im contemplating on replacing my floor mats/carpet. I had a battery spill in the back and it ruined part of the carpet/floor mat. but thanks for that suggestion

tires/rims are ALWAYS clean haha

i usually just use soap to clean my rims to prevent the clearcoat peeling


thanks

[ToyotaJimD.]

Regarding the leather cleaner and conditioner products, I do like the Mothers... two products are pricier than the one-step, but the one step products just don't work on neglected leather.

One problem with this generation of Camry is the leather ain't all that hot... once you actually have some damage to the finish, all the cleaning in the world doesn't do much for it... so don't expect miracles.

Like most things, especially in automotive finishes, prevention is best.

[RedPhoenix]

im just trying to prevent more, im not hoping for a miracle hehe

thanks

[RedPhoenix]

well my time dimmed down and i think im getting the 3 stage megs as a stocking stuffer lol, so i picked up the mothers carnauba cleaner wax for my 1 stage, hopefully it will work well

[RedPhoenix]

worked well, i bought some microfiber towels and did it. it just rained here, beads up nicely. the car is whiter than it used to be!

[acitydweller]

if you already clay bar and waxed your car. you can consider applying stage 2 and stage 3 of the mothers 3 stage program to fill in the swirls and seal it in wax...

The other products forementioned may be good but they arent necessary.

I just washed and used nu finish on my old 1993 xle v6. its clean and prepared for the elements. synthetic is definitely the way to go it your car spends most of the time outdoors in the elements. my other two garaged cars get a Klasse treatment and a coating of p21 carnuba wax to bring out the shine and color.

[RedPhoenix]

its always outside unfortuantly


mothers has a 3 stage? i can only find the 2 stage one.

[ToyotaJimD.]

The Mothers 3-step system consists of the Pre-Wax Cleaner (#07100), Sealer & Glaze (#08100), and Pure Carnauba Wax (wax available as liquid #05750 or paste #05550)... each is available separately.

Pep Boys usually stocks them and they're pretty good about ordering things if they don't have it in stock.

I really like the paste wax, but it's a personal preference and depends on how you're going to apply it.