[aford]

Originally Posted by dbnm

Hardware
Active VE52 pressure washer
Uberflex 50 foot hose
MTM SGS35 spray gun
MTM PF22.2 foam cannon
MTM stainless steel quick disconnects
Griots Garage Boss foam cannon
Three buckets (wash, rinse, wheels) (walmart for buckets and dollys)

and the products

PREWASH: Adam’s Polishes Mega Foam or Gyeon Foam

WASH: Carpro Reset and Gyeon Restart for monthly maintenance and Gyeon Bathe for regular washes

TIRES: Carpro PERL 1:1 for tire shine or Adam’s Polishes Graphene Tire Dressing and Adam’s Polishes Wheel and Tire Cleaner

INTERIOR: Carpro PERL 1:5 (uv protection) and Carpro Inside 1:10 or Gyeon Interior Detailer

SEALANT: Gyeon Ceramic Detailer or Carpro Reload or Carpro Hydr02

QD: Carpro Elixir or Gyeon Quick Detailer

GLASS: Carpro Clarify and Carpro Eraser

MICROFIBER: The Rag Co eagle edgeless 500 for detailing (6+), The Rag Co premium FTW for the windows (3+), The Rag Co Ultra wash pad (top of car), The Rag Co Ultra wash mitt (for bottom of car), The Rag Co Gauntlet drying towel (2)

Respect. That wall is inspiring.

[GixY2K]

How do you wash the body/paint? Brush, mittens, sponge, towel?

I'm personally using the blue brush with the micro-bristles at the tips; I rinse the brush before dipping it in the soap bucket for more soap.
To dry, I use the soft jelly-blade squeegee to get rid of excess water and then I use micro-fiber towels straight from the dryer.

However, I seem to be developing these long micro scratches. And I can't determine where they are coming from. This paint can't be that delicate, right?

[translux]

Originally Posted by GixY2K

How do you wash the body/paint? Brush, mittens, sponge, towel?

I'm personally using the blue brush with the micro-bristles at the tips; I rinse the brush before dipping it in the soap bucket for more soap.
To dry, I use the soft jelly-blade squeegee to get rid of excess water and then I use micro-fiber towels straight from the dryer.

However, I seem to be developing these long micro scratches. And I can't determine where they are coming from. This paint can't be that delicate, right?

You're using the brush on the paint?
If so stop and get a high quality microfiber wash mit.
Also I would not recommend using a squeegee.
Either or both could be your source of scratches.

[GixY2K]

Originally Posted by translux

You're using the brush on the paint?
If so stop and get a high quality microfiber wash mit.
Also I would not recommend using a squeegee.
Either or both could be your source of scratches.

I have the microfiber wash mitten, so I'll give that a try tonight.

I've always washed my cars as mentioned above and never really noticed any problems. Then again, I've never paid as much close attention to the paint as I do now.

So, no brush is good for the paint, I take it. I figured, since it had those micro bristles (just like the one M3-SAN shows on his picture on page 1), it wouldn't hurt the paint.

[amzbimmer]

Originally Posted by translux

Finally truly a no lint soft microfiber towel!

From my review at auto geek. https://www.autogeek.net/edgeless-po...loth-12pk.html

Despite what all the usual suspects promised to be lint free towels for me they all shed and left highly visible debris on black cars. I had nearly given up that this was possible.
Well I'm happy to report the Cobra Woobie microfiber towel finally delivered a lint free experience! These are perfect and highly recommended.
The only other lint free microfiber towel I've used is the 3M Perfect-It III 12.5" X 14" Blue Super-Soft Micro-Texture Auto Detailing Cloth. It's not nearly as soft as the Woobie but great for cleaning paint, removing compound and polish etc. The Woobie is my choice for final finish.
As always wash before use following manufacturers directions, store them in a contamination free environment and don't try and use one towel for the whole car and they don't last forever
I did wash them with P&S Double Black Rags to Riches Detergent before use. Did this help? IDK I washed all my other towels with it separately and they still had lint.
https://www.autogeek.net/ps-double-b...detergent.html

Thanks, I'm always looking for good microfiber towels.

We've had great luck with the Rag company- who advertises high GSM towels. Apparently the higher the GSM the better, and their towels have been really good in keeping our acrylic cabinets scratch free. I may try them on my car. They also make a 900 GSM "Gauntlet" drying towel I have hear good things about.

Here is a link:

https://www.amazon.com/RAG-COMPANY-P...0S1U5TWA&psc=1

Edit: Anyone use the ceramic foam applicators? If so, which brand?

[aford]

Originally Posted by GixY2K

I have the microfiber wash mitten, so I'll give that a try tonight.

I've always washed my cars as mentioned above and never really noticed any problems. Then again, I've never paid as much close attention to the paint as I do now.

So, no brush is good for the paint, I take it. I figured, since it had those micro bristles (just like the one M3-SAN shows on his picture on page 1), it wouldn't hurt the paint.

Yeah I'd recommend the wash mit or a wash pad but not a brush. You want to do as little scrubbing with as little pressure as possible.

If you wash before the car is crazy dirty you'll find that you don't need as much abrasion or do as much work in the process. Your cleaning mit or pad also won't be as dirty and it's the dirt in this case that can cause paint damage which is why the two bucket method is a good idea.

I'd also recommend cleaning from the top down working around the car in a circle so you end up finishing with the rockers and lower bumpers which are the most dirty. Minimizes the chances of brining the heavy dirt up to the top surfaces.

Anyway, hope this helps reduce marring in the future.

[M4CompConv/X7]

Does anyone use Zaino products?

[Limegrntaln]

Originally Posted by M4Comp/x7

Does anyone use Zaino products?

No. Thats your fathers old Turtle Wax compared to the products that are out, today. Alot of the high end hobby detailing products we have mentioned, on this thread, are used by your local detailing shop. CarPro, Cquartz, Tac Systems, Gyeon, P&S, Koch Chemie, Rupes, Meguiars (Only their professional line and its also a last resort) etc. Chemical guys, no, Adams, last choice.

Check Autogeek, Detailed Image, Carsupplies warehouse, CarZilla (CarZilla, is based in Canada, but they ship to the us fairly cheap) and absolutely no Shine Armor Fortify or The Last Coat.

[luckylingy]

Let me suggest a step back from the products themselves to the outfits that carry these and other products.

I virtually sole-sourced from Griot's Garage for years, and I still respect their business model and many of their products. But .. I've moved on. Now I utilize Detailed Image as my primary source. They carry many of the brands recommended above, of which I've settled on CarPro for 85% of my needs (exceptions are Sonax for cleaning glass and Colourlock for cleaning leather). One thing I particularly like about Detailed Image is professional detailers' videos, product evaluations, and ratings. Most recently I've discovered Obsessed Garage, which goes a step further by curating the universe of products and settling on "the best of the best" and more focus on equipping the garage.

So it all depends on how far down the rabbit hole you wish to venture, how much you want to invest (in time and money), etc. Detailing cars is therapeutic for me; I'm pretty good at it; and I have the time and money to invest in this outlet. YMMV, so go with whatever suits you best!

[F3XX]

Bump

[Rono63]

I like the product line from Jay Leno's Garage. Have used various products on my last 3 vehicles and been very happy with the outcome.

[GregM4]

Originally Posted by dbnm

Hardware
Active VE52 pressure washer
Uberflex 50 foot hose
MTM SGS35 spray gun
MTM PF22.2 foam cannon
MTM stainless steel quick disconnects
Griots Garage Boss foam cannon
Three buckets (wash, rinse, wheels) (walmart for buckets and dollys)

and the products

PREWASH: Adam’s Polishes Mega Foam or Gyeon Foam

WASH: Carpro Reset and Gyeon Restart for monthly maintenance and Gyeon Bathe for regular washes

TIRES: Carpro PERL 1:1 for tire shine or Adam’s Polishes Graphene Tire Dressing and Adam’s Polishes Wheel and Tire Cleaner

INTERIOR: Carpro PERL 1:5 (uv protection) and Carpro Inside 1:10 or Gyeon Interior Detailer

SEALANT: Gyeon Ceramic Detailer or Carpro Reload or Carpro Hydr02

QD: Carpro Elixir or Gyeon Quick Detailer

GLASS: Carpro Clarify and Carpro Eraser

MICROFIBER: The Rag Co eagle edgeless 500 for detailing (6+), The Rag Co premium FTW for the windows (3+), The Rag Co Ultra wash pad (top of car), The Rag Co Ultra wash mitt (for bottom of car), The Rag Co Gauntlet drying towel (2)

Puts a lot of us to shame!

Great setup!

[LimeRock]

Check out obsessed garage - generally sells the best products for each part of the wash process. And Matt M is the man.

[Aeromotive]

Optimum No Rinse with a dozen microfibers and a high GSM drying towel.

I've been using that on my cars for years now and absolutely no swirling.

When the car is very dirty I pre-soak with ONR at QD dilution.

[LuvMyE92]

I'm not going to waste your reading time by listing products I use. I am forced to admit though, that I thought I was a bit anal-retentive and OCD until I saw some of these posts, procedures and pictures.

I tip my hat to you guys.

[emmak8o]

Any recommendations on a brand for graphene ceramic coating? I'm currently considering GlassParency and Adam's. I'll be doing it myself. Thanks in advance for your recs 🤙

[Murse85]

Anyone here ever used Jet seal from chemical guys? I’m planning on using it tomorrow. Only have the front ppfd, and need of a good sealant until I get the rest of the car ppfd.

How good of a product is it?

[F3XX]

Originally Posted by emmak8o

Any recommendations on a brand for graphene ceramic coating? I'm currently considering GlassParency and Adam's. I'll be doing it myself. Thanks in advance for your recs 🤙

You should check out Gyeon for ceramic coating they just dropped a new line called evo and have consumer grade ceramic

[Soylent]

Originally Posted by Limegrntaln

No. Thats your fathers old Turtle Wax compared to the products that are out, today.

LOL. That was THE product when I got my E46 M3. I don't feel like a grandpa.

[Limegrntaln]

Originally Posted by Soylent

LOL. That was THE product when I got my E46 M3. I don't feel like a grandpa.

Yeah, Turtle Wax green paste was your fathers wax, back in the day. It's so much better than that, now. They really listen to their customers.

[Soylent]

Originally Posted by Limegrntaln

Yeah, Turtle Wax green paste was your fathers wax, back in the day. It's so much better than that, now. They really listen to their customers.

No. I meant Zaino Bros. This is from 2004. Think it's still good?!

[Limegrntaln]

Originally Posted by Soylent

No. I meant Zaino Bros. This is from 2004. Think it's still good?!

I haven't seen any updates with their product. I'd expect something to be a good product, if you see professionals constantly reviewing it. I haven't seen one person review anything from them.