The Official Detailing Thread

Shift518 Automotive
1

Well, I didn’t see a thread about this topic, nor did I see a section so I’m going to start one.

I spend a lot of time (typically every saturday of the warmer months) keeping my car in pristine shape. My paint, which is all original, is evidence. It is smooth as glass and very nice.

Here is my personal list of stuff that I use to detail my car:

  • 5 Gallon Professional Wash Bucket with Grit Guard - Link
  • 1 Gallon Meguiars Shampoo Plus - Link
  • Cobra Guzzler HD Waffle Weave Drying Towel - Link
  • Cobra Microfiber Towels - Link
  • Optimum Car Wax 128oz. - Link
  • Meguiars Smooth Surface Clay Kit (link) or Mothers California Gold Clay Bar Paint Saving System (link)
  • Spare Spray Bottles (for liquid wax and such) - Link
  • An assortment of wheel cleaners ranging from Mequiars stuff found at Walmart to Simple Green
  • Black Magic Tire Shine found at Walmart (heavy metal can) - Link
  • Invisible Glass Cleaner found at Walmart - Link

Here is my personal order of doing things:

  • Let car cool off if it was just driven
  • Spray wheels with cleaner and scrub with wheel brush after letting sit for a minute or two.
  • Rinse wheels.
  • Repeat spraying wheel cleaner and scrubbing.
  • Rinse
  • Rinse the car from top to bottom
  • Wash the car with Meguiars Car Wash
  • Dry the car with Waffle Weave towel
  • Clay bar the car (this step is only done 1-3 times the entire year, not every saturday - FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS
  • Rinse off residue from claybar
  • Wash the car again with Meguiars Car Wash
  • Dry the car again with the WW towel
  • Wax the car with the Optimum Car Wax (this wax, cuppled with the clay baring, makes the car’s paint feel like glass - the prize for all that work above)

As for the interior…I just vacuum the crap out of it. I’ve been using cheap cleaners but this year I am picking up this kit to use on my interior:

Wolfgang Leather Care Cockpit Kit

Here are some pictures:
http://www.anyyouth.com/ilya/Maxima/Best%20Of%20Pictures/Resized/50.jpg

http://www.anyyouth.com/ilya/Maxima/Best%20Of%20Pictures/Resized/51.jpghttp://www.ilyakol.com/Maxima/Best%20Of%20Pictures/Resized/3156.jpg

http://www.anyyouth.com/ilya/Maxima/Best%20Of%20Pictures/Resized/51.jpghttp://www.ilyakol.com/Maxima/Best%20Of%20Pictures/Resized/66.jpg

http://www.anyyouth.com/ilya/Maxima/Best%20Of%20Pictures/Resized/51.jpghttp://www.ilyakol.com/Maxima/Best%20Of%20Pictures/Resized/89.JPG

http://www.anyyouth.com/ilya/Maxima/Best%20Of%20Pictures/Resized/51.jpghttp://www.ilyakol.com/Maxima/Best%20Of%20Pictures/Resized/93.JPG

2

The Maxima looks good!

I’ll post up pics of the EPIC detail I’m going to do on the MR2 on Friday morning.

3

I’m going to add a couple more close up shots I took of my trunk when I get home. I don’t have them hosted yet.

Somehow, I knew you’d be the first guy to post in here. lol.

You should post your general routine/products as well. I’d love to see what you use.

4

Well done.

5

No, srsly, I’ll make a list, I have to make one for my website anyway :vlad:vlad

6

lol.

7

Please, don’t encourage Kramer. We don’t need to see his pictures any more.

8

If you would actually remember when you said you wanted the K20 detailed you wouldn’t be pissed :lol

AIM me or something when you want it done (some day next week at 3PM)

9

You need to get me a quote for a thorough interior/engine bay clean by the way Ryan.

10

OK FAG, you told me Tuesday the 21st at 3PM. I’m coming at 3PM on Tuesday the 21st.

11

Don’t mean to hijack but Ryan how much would you charge to buff/detail the Z? My car looks orange.

12

I’m going to be getting back to you and like 4+ other people on Friday. Sorry it’s taken me so long, I just got back from NYC an hour ago, I’m detailing a car tonight, I’m picking up the car and working tomorrow, and I’m going to be detailing the living crap out of the MR2 on Friday.

Alright then that’s settled :lol

My basic exterior detail is $60, my “shit your pants” exterior detail is $100. I’d recommend the SYP, you’ll see on Friday how I can “revive” red carz :excited

13

I ran my car through the touchless about a week ago. It’s detailed enough for me.

Now the bike on the other hand… :excited

14

Yeah the touchless in Glenmont, NY does a good job. I don’t mind it one bit in the winter. But in the summer, I do it by hand.

15

I wanna get it done relatively soon, sometime in the next couple of weeks when/if you’re free.

16

absolutely. i’m free weekdays after 3PM and anytime during the weekends, for the most part. just let me know 7-10 days in advance so i can ask to have that time off from work.

17

Just show up at his house next week and let him know, you mean business, and want a detail right then and there.

18

nice, will do. I still have your number, I’ll shoot you a text

19

oh, shit.

ned, don’t listen to him

20

lol well I’m not gonna have the money next week anyways, gotta get a new powersteering rack and an ac idler pulley.