DIY - Car Care & Detailing thread

Guys, here some exciting offers which I came across http://www.greenzcarcare.com/collections/sale-items

 

Anyone tried wipeless sealant, one of the innovative product in the market now.

 

Hmmm, Alright, here is my list of DIY car detailing products and how I do it!

THE FIRST AND MOST IMPORTANT PRODUCT IS Distilled WATER!. This is only for all glasses, mirrors, tough slat water stains on car and bugs etc. But for regular wash its hose water.

The distilled water cans in the pic are not all for car, its home inverter battery refill cans, but I use one for car. Usually takes 1-2 litres of water to clean all glasses on car depending on how dirty they are.

Amway car wash.
Amway silicone Glaze.
Amway Leather & Vinyl cleaner.
Chemical guys wheel and tire cleaner.(smartwax/chemical guys brand imported and sold here by pete's).
Chemical guys Glass works.
Chemical guys window streak free.
Jopasu tyre shiner.(this product surprised me it is silicone based and shines up tyre walls really well).

Now those are the products and the cleaning help is from mixed brands too.

Sonax wax applicator pads
ArmourAll, SmartWax/ChemicalGuys and china made cheap ones Microfibre cloths!

Armourall is all extra soft towel for glass/windshield.
smartwax is one side hard other side soft towel for glass/windshield.
Chemical Guys micro fibre Mitten, to scrub car.
The chinese made cheap ones are to clean the wheel arches/tyres, thick muddy areas and really gunky engine compartment!.

I usually wax/polish my car every 2 months, but off-late been doing only half-yearly.

P.S. The moto max products in the pic, is for my bike and the mr.muscle and 3m glass clean are only used as spraying bottles.

 

Arranged a few bottles on my shelf. Looks good innit

 

http://www.greenzcarcare.com/products/lake-country-hybrid-power-finish-blue-wool-pad

Any one tried this pad? is that better than Lake Country CCS yellow pad?

 

The thread is really informative and can be addictive. I reside in a high rise, and washing car(s) is prohibited (To the extent, regular car washer guy(s) are instructed not to spill water or wash wheel. just wet wipes).

For me, detailing has been limited to
- Dust off using Jopasu (Daily)
- Use Proklear Rinseless (using a spray) and clean the car (Weekly)
- Wax after cleaning (ABRO Gold Wax) (Monthly)
(Fired the regular car wash guy last month, and has been doing it myself. Didn't invest in expensive products, as wasn't sure, if passion & practical-ness can go hand in hand)

My residence is surrounded by multiple construction sites and so is the office and i have open parking at both places. In other words, even after 1hr, car is covered in dust.

Jopasu Duster had been doing job great until recently, when DEW has started.(Similarly, if it rains). As the car get covered in dust in no time, and moisture (DEW/RAIN) over it, makes the car really dirty. And because, car isn't dry, i can not use jopasu

I have hectic schedule, 12-14 hrs (as most of us), so I generally get ready (for ofc) and just wipe off (using Jopasu), just before leaving. (Its convenient and doesn't spoil cloth, as u stay distant from car surface)


Now (especially in winters), DEW setlles over dust and makes car hell dirty. Jopasu is useless (on wet car) and wiping the car using MF isn't really practical.
I can't avoid dust or dew (open parking) and wipe cleaning car (daily) isn't practical. (remember, I clean car, suited booted )

Query:
- Is there a remedy for cleaning this dust & water mixture from car (similar like Jopasu).
- If there isn't quick solution to above, I plan to hire the regular washer guy (again ) and keep following my routine weekly. (Rinseless/QD). Not sure, if weekly QD would be helpful, as washer guy's rag would strip off the wax in no time.
- (Impossible though). Become heartless, and let the washer guy handle the car cleaning & get professional detailing done every 6 month


Any suggestion, apart from I leave my laziness and getup 1/2 hr early and go down and clean the car (under foggy condition, and looking nerd )

 

Me too in the same dilemma although I am not plagued by the dew issue but water droplets on the car thanks to the locar washer who generously sprinkles some on my car when he is washing the car besides mine. After some strict warnings, he is careful not to wet my car too. Hence I do use my Jopasu duster to clean the dust (and few droplets of water here and there).
Coming to your query:
Don't even think of re hiring the local car washer. If water is available at ready disposal, sprays a few mugs so thats dust is pushed off. You can then wipe the car with a good MF. Alternatively you can use the QD too. If the dew is of substantial qty, then I would advise to let it dry on its own and wipe the dust off sometime in the afternoon when its bright and sunny. There is no rule that cars have to washed in the morning only.

 

Water usage for washing car(s) is not allowed in complex. Moreover there aren't any water outlet (except in middle of parks). This isn't a feasible option. I just wash the glass and drive off (in worst case)

Using it daily, is again a pain and time consuming. (Hectic schedule + the chill weather doesn't allow) Last option for me personally, North sees some really chilly & foggy morning. I do love the car, but my health more.

I wish i could, but by the time i'm off from office, fresh dew has already started to descended. It would get worse in Jan.

 

Maybe then detailing experts like @SunnyBoi @rider16 can throw some light on this issue.

Sunny - Can you pls list those detailing products you have in an excel format if possible??