Wash: Meguiars Deep Crystal Car Wash using hand mitt
Dry: Waffle weave microfiber towel
Clay bar: Mother's California Gold Clay bar kit---wipe excess with microfiber towel
Wax: Meguiar's Mirror Glaze Hi-Tech yellow wax---applied with microfiber applicator pad----wipe dry glaze with clean/dry microfiber towel

 

i use meguiar's ultimate quik wax. it's fast and easy and no residue. make sure to use the proper microfiber towel so not to leave swirl marks.

 

Should I buy this? [ame]http://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-Complete-Car-Care-Kit/dp/B0012ZEZ8A/ref=sr_1_19?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1365530806&sr=1-19[/ame]#

 

Should I buy this? http://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-Comp...-Care-Kit/dp/B0012ZEZ8A/ref=sr_1_19?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1365530806&sr=1-19#

it's up to you. personally, i only use 3 products. the quik wax, quik interior detailer and the meguiars tire foam.

 

Wash your car with a good product made for car finishes. Don't use Dawn or like products as they may ruin the rubber on the exterior of your car over time.

Try Meguiar's Ultimate Wax. Easy to apply, easy to remove, it's durable and leaves a great shine. If you have really bad scratches already on the car, Ultimate Compound followed by Ultimate Polish, both from Meguiar's will probably remove them unless they're down to the metal.

 

Wash your car with a good product made for car finishes. Don't use Dawn or like products as they may ruin the rubber on the exterior of your car over time.

Try Meguiar's Ultimate Wax. Easy to apply, easy to remove, it's durable and leaves a great shine. If you have really bad scratches already on the car, Ultimate Compound followed by Ultimate Polish, both from Meguiar's will probably remove them unless they're down to the metal.

IIRC, dish soap strips away the clear coat once it eats away the wax. Big no no.

Wash: Meguiars Ultimate Wash + Wax. Dries with one of those synthetic chamois thingies.
Wax: Meguiars Ultimate Paste.
Tire shine: Meguiars Endurance Aerosol
Basically all Meguiars stuff. I need some new MF towels though and all that jazz.

 

i think the main thing for swirl marks is using the 2 bucket method when washing. Ive done it to a brand new RAV and my camry and they dont have swirl marks yet, only waxed them once in December. Washed several times since then. So far no swirls...KNOCK ON WOOD!

 

What is this 2 bucket method you speak of?? I hate swirl marks!!!!!!!

Please enlighten me?

 

A. Once a week wash
1. pressure wash with automotive soap using sponge.
2. dry with "no water spot towel"
3. foaming tire cleaner

B. Once every other month after wash
4. clay (magic clay)
5. wax (ice liquid auto wax)
6. windows (invisible glass)

 

One with the car soap in it, one with plain water (for rinsing). http://www.detailingspot.com/?page_id=15

 

yup. fill one bucket with just water, another w/ the soapy water. everytime you go to put your sponge back to get more soapy water, always hit the bucket with regular water first and i wiggle the sponge in the plain water bucket even. Then go back to the soapy water and wipe your car. Back to plain water bucket. Back to soapy bucket. Etc. etc. etc.

Also, i have been trying to go back to the bucket of water and soap more often that way if my sponge picked up dirt it doesnt get pushed around on the car alot. Idk, but im just being extremely anal about it because i hate swirl marks too and this is my first new car so i dont have to deal with swirl marks put on by somebody else and i dont want to put any on lol

 

^^ sounds like you have ocd

 

:rofl2:

hahahahha yea it does sound like that, but i promise that is a technique to wash your car while reducing swirl marks lol

 

youtube a username "Junkman." The guy is well experienced professional detailer. He has DIY videos on everything. He even shows you a cool trick on drying your windows...Never knew that was possible until I saw it.
----------

I use Meguiar's Ultimate Polish & Wax. Use a 10 inch Orbital polisher using Turtle Wax microfiber bonnets. Having new cars for the past 7 years; I don't seem a reason to really "go all out" with professional level polisher. You wax it with pride by doing best whenever your car needs it; you'll naturally keep that showroom shine so you'll won't have to get a professional level polisher (my $0.02s)

I don't clay bar. I seem to cause swirl marks when I do it. So I use another trick and it seems to work. Wash car with Dawn dish soap. BE VERY CAREFUL USING IT-YOU WILL REMOVE YOUR WAX!!! Once you're done washing: drive into the garage and make sure no sunrays are hitting it like shut your garage door if its sunny bright day. Then apply your wax.

Use these for towels on both polish & wax. These are AWESOME! I use these when I had Carbon Fiber hood to avoid swirl marks. They are like baby blanket soft.
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/ac...iber-ultra-soft-spa-polish-towel/_/N-25zq?itemIdentifier=87784&_requestid=56177

 

^ swirl created by rubbing. You are basically slowly sanding your paint with very fine dust.

If you truly want to avoid swirl, there should be NO rubbing/sanding. Only way I know to avoid rubbing is not to wash. :lol: You could try blasting with water, but it doesn't clean as well as physical rubbing. Blasting is also too hash which can damage the paint if there is a chip in the paint surface. So, as a regular daily driving car the best best is still regular wash and towel dry with loads of swirling.

Mike, you should really check out the detail section of TN. http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/101-detailing-car-care/

 

Yes swirls will be there no matter what, but this new information(for me) can at the least somewhat slow it down hopefully lol. Thanks for the info btw GreatAvalon!

But not like it even matter for me right now because the pollen count is thru the roof here =(. But after this pollen storm is over, Im going to be at it for a good half a day for sure!

 

No problem! I have a Magnetic Gray SE and its never been to a place to get a car wash and using the 2 bucket system after a salty winter w/ 5 washes, no swirl marks yet so i think it slows it down a good bit. It 100% makes a difference

 

I already post this on another thread...LOL i am using the same stuff as junkman
I am planing to detail my car as soon is worming up
Here is my list with what i am using (just bought all this stuff last week from autogeek and amazon):
-Porter-Cable 7424XP 6-Inch Variable-Speed Polisher-its idiot proof like a pro said watch junkman :rockon:

-Mothers clay bar system
-Clay Disc
-Meguiar's Mirror Glaze #105 Ultra-Cut (compound)
-Meguiar's Mirror Glaze #205 Ultra Fin (polisher)
-Meguiar's Ultimate Liquid Wax
-Meguiar's Soft Buff Pads 6.5 inch
[SIZE=-1][SIZE=-1][SIZE=-1]-Microfiber 6.5 Inch Bonnets[/SIZE] [/SIZE][/SIZE]-to remove the wax
These is the color code for Meguiar's polisher pads:
Burgundy Foam Cutting Pad - The cutting pad is made of a dense but flexible foam capable of removing moderate swirls, scratches, and oxidation. It should be used with a swirl remover for the best results.
Yellow Foam Polishing Pad - The polishing pad has a less dense consistency capable of removing light swirls and oxidation when used with a light swirl remover or fine polish.
Beige Foam Finishing Pad - The finishing foam pad is very soft and has no leveling ability. Use this pad to apply waxes, sealants, and glazes and produce a high gloss shine.
The order of this all detailing process is:
1.Wash the car
2.Clay
3.Compound if u have to fix scratches and swirls
4.Polish
5.Wax
That's it...voila u have a shiny new car now:clap:
Good luck..

 

When I picked up my car last Sept. I prepped for winter with following:

-Wash with Optimum No Rinse Wash (ONR)
-Meg's Clay bar
-Washed again with ORN
-Menzerna Final Polish II with LC White polishing pad using PC7336
-IPA wipedown
-Klasse All-In_One with LC Grey Finishing pad using PC7336
-2 layers of Klasse High Gloss Acrylic Sealant by hand (12 hours apart each layer)
-Topped with Collinite 845

Then maintenance with ONR with Optimum CarWax (OCW)

Occasionally would wash with Pinnacle Bodywork shampoo and Duragloss wash.

Car still has awesome gloss and water beads like just waxed

 

Remove any bugs, sap, etc with Poorboys Bird Sh!t remover
Wash with Adams Car Wash Shampoo & a Dodo Juice Supernatural wash mitt or "wookies fist"
Dry with Adams Great White Microfiber Drying towel
Wax with Dodo Juice Blue Velvet hard wax

For a quick wax I use Dodo Juice Basics of Bling detailers spray..

Windows get Adams Glass cleaner than a treatment of Adams Glass sealant..

I'm a touch anal retentive about my car being ridiculously clean lol.. even my wheels and tires get a 3 step system

 

Zip wax car wash
wash mitt
Bleach white(for cleaning tires)
Tire brush
Wheel wash mitt
california water blade
Shammy
Microfiber towels
Mequiars quik detailer
Mequiars scratch X 2.0
Meguiars NXT Gen wax or Gold class
Mequiars Cleaner wax when needed
Tire foam(which i rarely use since it leaves my tires brown when they do get dirty)
California car duster(when I am lucky enough to have a clean car long enough to need dusted) I follow this up with quik detailer
Murphy's oil soap and water mix for cleaning interior panels
Armor All leather spray for leather
Windex auto for the windows
craftsman shop vac/blower for vaccing and blowing water outta cracks and crevices..

I think thats it..

I plan to use clay bar for the first time here soon mainly on my other vehicle which is white and has specks all over it from winter....

 

Has anyone used a protector/repellant spray on the ultrasuede seats?

Sent from AutoGuide.com Free App

 

Yes, I am regularly using Leather Master's Suede/Nubuck Cleaner and Protector combo. They are a little expensive at around $60 but works great.

 

I use Mothers California Gold Carnauba Wash & Wax, people ask me all the time what I put on my Camry to get it to SHINE like that!

http://www.mothers.com/02_products/05674.html

 

I have been using Turtle Wax's ICE products for washing and wax. It's easy and has a nice shine. That's all I know.

 

Want to thoroughly avoid swirl marks, dry your vehicle with a leaf blower like I do. Some one came over to me from down the block last year thinking he was the only crazy one, but I assured him that after seeing them blow dry a car using a compressor and air nozzle, in a detailing establishment, I was going to use a similar process. It's also the first step in drying when a car emerges from a commercial car wash.

Disclaimer: Experiment at your own risk. Dropping it on your silky smooth hood or grazing a gleaming door panel might ruin your day. It works for me.

 

Any recommendation for a touch-less car wash here in Raleigh NC? Thanks.

 

Forget the soap type...its like a baby blue color

I clay bar and then,..

I use Chemical Guys V36 Compound (Buffer application)
and Wolfgang 3.0 Paint sealer

Inbetween buffs - I use turtle was black detailer. Black is the toughest but I have a 2012 BLACK Camry and a 2012 BLACK Tundra so IM screwed lol

Just did it the other day - heres a few pics - Its a Mirror!

 

Forget the soap type...its like a baby blue color

I clay bar and then,..

I use Chemical Guys V36 Compound (Buffer application)
and Wolfgang 3.0 Paint sealer

Inbetween buffs - I use turtle was black detailer. Black is the toughest but I have a 2012 BLACK Camry and a 2012 BLACK Tundra so IM screwed lol

Just did it the other day - heres a few pics - Its a Mirror!





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Wow, it looks great. I love it. :thumbsup: I have a black camry too but that mirror look you have is awesome.

 

See my last post - if you have swirls or develop them, bite the bullet buy a DA buffer or orbital buffer and use a safe compound and then sealer. Removes all swirls - I do it once a year or as needed.

Theres tons of ways to be careful not to get swirls, special way to wash and dry, wash buckets with a strainer at the bottom - Im too lazy - I was and dry as normal and when I start seeing too many swirls bust out the buffer - 5 hours and its new again.

 

Yea I will! I need to run to the mall tonight, so i'll head over to walmart and look for the can! I'm all for prolonging my new car smell Thanks for the info!

EDIT: I dont eat in my car either - and i dont even like bringing any type of fried chicken home from restaurants...stinks too much lol

 

Yea I will! I need to run to the mall tonight, so i'll head over to walmart and look for the can!

So, did you end up trying it out?

 

Just my opinion

I am a clean freak and this includes my cars. On my 2013 Camry I use several products depending on the type of clean I'm going to do. My car gets washed 4 times a month during spring and summer and usually 2 a month during the winter. Rain or shine I was my cars and this includes the detailing of the interior as well. For the wash part I still use the Mr. Clean auto wash system. Years ago I purchased a couple of cases of the full soap and 10 use filters for it, I still have a large supply left of this product as it has been discontinued. I you this to wash the car and the filter water to rinse. Once rinsed I go over the car with my yard blower to get the water out of all the nooks and crannies. Once dry, I'll park in my garage on apply a coat of turtle wax ICE PREMIUM SPRAY WAX for a quick detail, but every 6 months I'll apply a hand wax to the car and once a year or so I'll apply a polish to remove any build up. You don't want to polish a car to much because you are actually removing a thin layer of clear every time you do, so only do it sparingly or as needed only. For the rims I use turtle wax chrome polish and a dremel with a buffer wheel, this is a very time consuming project so I polish the rims only twice a year. As far as the paint goes on all my cars, there is very minimal swirl marks if any. The exterior of my camry and my 07 accord look as good as new. On the interior the seats get cleaned with MEQUIARS GOLD CLASS LEATHER & VINYL CLEANER followed by MEQUIARS GOLD GLASS RICH LEATHER CONDITIONER. I know the seats in my car are not true leather but these products clean and protect my other cars with actual leather seats that I can't see not using it for the Camry. As far as the dash, doors, and trim go I use a natural finish cleaner/conditioner from MEQUIARS as well. I don't like high shine on my interior, exspecialy when its all black. In my pictures of the Camry I used a older product I had by mistake, so it has that high gloss shine to it. Interior gets cleaned just as oftened as the exterior. The engine and engine compartment get cleaner every three months so even the engine looks new all the time. i always get compliments from the garage i take it to for oil chages about now clean the engine and underside of the car is. I know its a lot of work to put into a car, but after trading in my 2004 Yukon XL with 87,000 miles on for a cool $15,700 when blue book had it at $12,000 for this Camry, I knew the time vested in my Yukon was worth with it as that vehicle looked brand new inside and out. It was so clean the sale manager at the dealership bought it from the dealership the next day. Funny he lives in my town so I see it like every other day. Hopefully this helped anybody willing to read it. Thanks