Car Care Products/Tools

Car Care Products I have purchased and used that may be helpful. I waited a month or so to try various car care products and list the ones that I have found to be very good with dilutions and recommended application techniques. I understand that car care products are a religion with car enthusiasts but prior to the 718 I had no experience with car care products and even less interest so here is my novice take. Those of you that have more experience can chime in with your favorites or simply disregard this post but I have tested most of these products after reading about each of them in depth, and will provide an honest opinion on their usefulness. I am posting this to help people like me that up until 2 months ago didn’t even wash my car and maybe waxed it once or twice over the cars lifespan. This is not meant to insult any ones intelligence but presented to help those super novices, like myself, with some initial car cleaning products and tools. I will add to this list as I experiment some more or find some new cool things to buy.

1. Recommend a power washer the one I purchased was a Sun Joe SPX3001 2030 PSI 1.76 GPM 14.5 AMP Electric Pressure Washer with Hose Reel, Green. I also purchased the Sun Joe SPX-25HD 25’ Universal Heavy-Duty Pressure Washer Extension Hose for SPX Series. The value of the extension hose is you can keep the power washer in one location and not have to move it. I purchased the following soap cannon: Sun Joe SPX-FC34 34-Ounce Snow Foam Cannon for SPX Series Electric Pressure Washers and it works great. I fill the soap cannon with an inch or two of soap and then add distilled water to the top. Another great idea to avoid trapping the hoses and cords under the car tires is: Hose Slide - Ultimate Car Washing Accessory (4 Pack, Blue).
2. Hard water in Texas to avoid water spots I purchased: WORX WG629 Cordless Hydroshot Portable Power Cleaner, 20V Li-ion (2.0Ah), 320psi, 20V Power Share Platform. I use a 4.5 gallon chemical guy bucket with two gallons of distilled water and perform a final rinse.
3. I am still using the 3-bucket technique with one for the wheels and a wash and rinse bucket for the car. Actually with the addition of the Power Sprayer from WORX I use a dedicated wash bucket to hold the distilled water and use a lid to save any distilled water that is left over from the last car wash. I use two grit guards in each bucket and although that may be overkill it is what makes sense to me to minimize grit being transferred back to the car paint. I use two soap mitts one for the top part of the car and a second for the lower portions of the car.
4. Soap I am using is the Meguiar's Gold Class Wash Shampoo & Cond, 1 Gallon. I also purchased Meguiars 16 Oz. Self Cleaning Dispenser Bottle 3 Pack to dispense the soap and also for several other car care products that come in the gallon jugs…..basically a convenience issue.
5. I use Chemical guys VRP for the tires it’s water based and no sling if applied properly with a foam applicator
and gives the tire a great shine. This can be used on any Vinyl/Rubber or Plastic (VRP). It dries nicely and is not greasy to the touch. No dilution used full strength.
6. I use Meguiars wheel brightener in a 4:1 dilution. To be sprayed on the wheel rims and allowed to sit for about 45 seconds and agitated with a brush and rinsed off. The Wheel Brightener is acid based and I had to purchase the Meguiar’s spray bottle otherwise the acid destroys the spray nozzle mechanism on generic spray bottles, and will not work. Prior to starting with he wheel brightener I found wetting the wheels and tire wells with water gives the best result and negates overspray issue onto surrounding paint. I do one wheel at a time and of course do the wheels first…dirtiest part of the car. To clean the tire I use a wheel brush and you can clean the tire with soap but I have also purchased the Meguiar’s Super Degreaser and use it diluted 10:1 on the tire. After the car is cleaned and dried completely I then use the chemical guys VRP to add shine to the rubber tires. Chemical guys sell an applicator pad that is a little large so I cut it in half for ease of application [Chemical Guys ACC_3002 Durafoam Contoured Large Tire Dressing Applicator Pad (Pack of 2)].
7. To clean the glass I use Meguair’s glass cleaning concentrate diluted 10:1 smells like grape juice but cleans glass nicely without streaking and is non-ammonia based. In the interior glass to avoid overspray on surrounding surfaces I use a microfiber towel and wet it with the glass cleaner and apply it to the glass, and remove the glass cleaner with another clean microfiber towel.
8. Waxes I have chosen to use: I use Meguiar’s Ultimate Paste wax/ Meguiar’s Ultimate Liquid wax and Meguiar’s Xpress Spray Wax. They are all safe on the PPF but I prefer the Liquid and Xpress spray wax for the PPF covered areas, and Liquid and Paste for the areas not covered with the PPF. I avoid using the Paste wax on areas with the PPF to have less of an issue of getting the wax along the PPF edges. The Xpress Spray Wax can be used on plastic and interior surfaces without any issues. Some car detailers also use the Xpress wax on glass as well, though I prefer Meguiar’s dedicated glass cleaner. The Xpress Wax is both safe on all surfaces and easy to apply and remove.
9. I purchased a Ridgid WD4070 4 Gallon Portable Vacuum but the hose it comes with is somewhat inflexible so I purchased the user friendly Mr. Nozzle M-100-DB Wet/Dry Vac Tool Kit. I also purchased a Mr Nozzle Crevice Tool Slim 10 7/8" X 1.5”. For the small areas interior and exterior I purchased Vacuum Cleaner Micro Mini Attachment Kit Great For Computers.
10. I also purchased Meguiar’s All Purpose cleaner and diluted it 4:1 for exterior cleaning and 10:1 for light interior cleaning.
11. I have purchased the following for tar removal based on reviews by car detailers but haven’t used it yet Rapid Remover Vinyl Letter Remover 32 oz. Bottle with Sprayer Adhesive Remover for Vinyl Wraps Graphics Decals Stripes. Had some road tar on the rim and needed to add this product to my armamentarium. I will report back on results with this product.
12. For paint chips I purchased Dr. Color Chip for my Miami Blue CS but have not used it yet but many people swear by these kits. When I use it will post results/satisfaction.
13. I purchased all manner of wheel brushes, interior brushes (to include upholstery), microfiber towels, applicator pads but I will not post since I am sure everyone has their own favorites.
14. I also purchased a dual action polisher*/polish** from Chemical guys and Clay bar kit (Meguiar's G1016 Smooth Surface Clay Kit) but have not had a need to use them yet….cars to new. Will post as I when I have used each of these tools/chemicals.

*Chemical Guys - TORQ TORQX Complete Detailing Kit (13 Items)

**Chemical Guys - V Line Polish & Compound Kit (16 oz) V32, V34, V36, V38