Cleaning supplies

[DocUnissis]

This being my first car, I don't know what good cleaning products are. I don't have anything yet, I'd like to make sure I don't accidentally scratch my paint or bleach my interior with crappy product.

I'm wondering about exterior soap and wax (my corolla's Magnetic Grey), as well as glass cleaner, fabric sealant and cleaner, and dashboard cleaner. What do you guys use?

[TLeong13]

Originally Posted by DocUnissis

This being my first car, I don't know what good cleaning products are. I don't have anything yet, I'd like to make sure I don't accidentally scratch my paint or bleach my interior with crappy product.

I'm wondering about exterior soap and wax (my corolla's Magnetic Grey), as well as glass cleaner, fabric sealant and cleaner, and dashboard cleaner. What do you guys use?

I own a MGM corolla too and use any car wash soap, for wax and polish i use griots garage, fabric cleaner (as i dont allow eating or drinking in my car) light laundry detergent (tide) mix with a lot of water, dashboard cleaner (black magic deluded with a lot of water, and glass cleaner invisible glass or if its not that dirty just a dry board eraser. I only use microfiber cloth with everything and i do all the cleaning once a week and wax once a month

[superstallion]

Originally Posted by DocUnissis

I'd like to make sure I don't accidentally scratch my paint

not sure what brands are carried in Canada, but any name brand such as meguires,mothers ect. will work well for interior and exterior...kinda like asking your mates wheres the best place to eat...try a few diffewrant ones and decide for yourself which give you the best results

as for not scatching the paint, I always use " two bucket method"...that is ...clean soapy water in one bucket and rinse water in another...soap up a portion of the car starting top down....rinse wash mitt in clean water bucket then resoap....be most carefull around wheeelwell and lower body panels as this is usually where most dirt will acumulate...wash these areas last and be sure to rinse mitt often....

congratz on the new ride...

[msncorolla422]

I would suggest trying out Griots Garage. But I use all meguiars...
meguiars NATURAL SHINE VINYL & RUBBER PROTECTANT(cleans/protects all interior plastic/and exterior rubber/vinyl w/o greasy shine)
Meguiars GOLD CLASS™ CAR WASH SHAMPOO & CONDITIONER
Meguiars SMOOTH SURFACE™ CLAY KIT
Meguiars NXT GENERATION TECH WAX® 2.0 PASTE(make sure in the applicator pad you dont get any contaminants on it or in the wax because it makes swirls in the clear coat)
Meguiars gold class rich leather spray (for the steering wheel)
Micro Fiber towels(buffing wax and spray application)
micro fiber/natural hair wash mit
chamois (drying)
All can be purchased at walmart(cheapest) as well as fabric guard
steps should be done very carefully to not scratch the paint
Detailing your vehicle (Exterior)


EDIT: make sure you do what superstallion said. I always use the two bucket method and save the tires/rims for last and do one panel at a time then rinsing....keep the car in a shaded area not in direct sunlight and make sure you keep the car wet at all times because if the hard water dry's it will leave water spots

[flamedrgn]

i use rain-x soap w/ beads, turtle wax ice, turtle wax ice polish, turtle wax liquid claybar. yea my stuff is for the lazy people. i usually take 3 hours washing my car.

[DocUnissis]

Thanks a bunch guys, I'll be sure to look into all of these!

[harry78gourley]

I would go with what flamedrgn said in regards to the turtle wax and use a soft cloth for it. It might take time, but it will do a good job, you can be sure of it