Merlin

Washing:
Nanoskin Bubble Bath Wash

The are many good quality auto wash soaps
that one is good. I have a few other suggestions on products I have used

You will need grit guards a wash mitt and a quality drying towel
I recommend the Microfiber Madness Dry Me Crazy (25" x 17")

Decon:
Nanoskin AutoScrub Fine Wash Mitt (That will work good)
NOTE: Claying/Decon may cause fine scratches that will need to be polished.
Polishing paint is a totally different (in depth subject)

You will need a clay lube and spray bottle.
Spray Bottle w/ Trigger (32 oz.)

Clay Lube concentrate - CarPro ImmoLube 500ml

Drying:
Cobra Supreme Guzzler Waffle
I'm not a fan of the Cobra towels...but hey that's me.

I do like the Microfiber Madness Dry Me Crazy (25" x 17")

Polish:
Klasse All-In-One & Klasse High Gloss Sealant

Detailing terminology is very inconsistent.

Paint correction - Compound (aggressive) - Polish (fine abrasive for clarity and gloss)
Last Step Product (LSP) This is your final topper - Wax, Sealant or coating.

After paint is cleaned (and/or polished) a LSP is applied for paint protection.
The klasse sealant & Coli 845 are redundant products. You probably only need one.

Quick Detail:
Blackfire Midnight Sun Carnauba Spray Wax
Although it is good, and I like most BF products. This would not be my first choice.

Buffing:
Cobra Gold Plush XL Microfiber
Color Coded Microfibers for other tasks

Again, I'm not a fan of the Cobra towels...but hey that's me.

Again, Detailing terminology is very inconsistent.

The word buffing is normally used when describing polishing paint by hand or with a machine.

If you would like to PM me I will be glad to compile a short list of products that I believe you would be VERY happy with.

I have wasted $1,000's of dollars on misinformation and marketed hype "product of the week".
I have come to the realization that they are all chemical peddlers. Some products work...some do not.

I will be happy to share my experiences and what has worked for me over the years...

mtro2603

Merlin has covered every thing very well. I would only add that tire dressing (mentioned in your first post) is sometimes scary in my opinion. I have seen people brown tires out pretty badly on more than one occasion with cheap products. I have used hyper dressing with some success, but I always have a fear of blemishing my tires. They do look good when they are nice and shiny though.

Merlin

My favorite tire "cleaner" (at this time) is Adam's Tire and Rubber Cleaner
They are black and dull when cleaned...but the brown just pours off.
NOTE: It does take a scrub brush with the product for it to work.

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Merlin

stringer

I wouldn't mind seeing what you recommend as I don't have a ton of money to throw away on products that don't work or if there is a product that works just as good for less. I picked up some Megs Ultimate Spray Wax yesterday and applied it on my truck after I washed it just so I could have some type protection and shine. I will say it didn't do too bad of a job - it really brought the Bronze Fire out in my truck.

Merlin

Are you asking about a Last Step Product (LSP) was, sealant, coating?
If you're looking for something to make it bring the "Bronze Fire " out.

For "sparkle" I might suggest Zaino Z-2 and Zaino ZFX truly outstanding.
When mixing the Z-2 and ZFX you should have enough for at least two coats.

You can do up to three coats of the Z-2/ZFX mixture in a 24 hour period.
(I know some folks that have put 30 coats on their vehicle)

Collinite 845 would be my second choice but for $20 vs. $35. I'd pick Zaino.
Collinite 845 is a good (shiny) winter wax. It'll get you through the winter.
Z-2 is $15 and ZFX is $20 but the Z-2 shine (for the money) is 2nd to none!

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Merlin

pilotpip

Up front, it might cost more for the better products, but their durability, and concentration will make up for it quickly. I have a bottle of Griot's Garage Paint sealant. The stuff was like $30 a couple years ago. I've used it on my truck twice, and 3 other cars. The bottle is still more than half full.

The others have a lot of good suggestions and since they directed you to autogeek, I'll suggest the McKee's 37 line. It's a nice balance between price and performance. Way better than you'll find at autozone. I really like their wheel coating kit. It does a really good job cleaning the wheels, and you can make them as glossy as you want with extra coats. Again, it's not exactly cheap but it took a few drops from the bottle per tire.

hobolabo

For my tires I've used Comet Cleanser (green foil can) for years, cheap and does a great job of cleaning. Just sprinkle on a scrub brush, a dash of water per tire, rinse & let dry, apply your tire shine of your choice.... till next time. Simple, cheap and very effective.
Thats my 2 cents worth on tires.

CJobe

For boutique I would say:

Get a griots garage dual action buffer, 4 or 5 pads (2 yellow, 2 green,and one black) 3D's ATT finishing polish, menzerna power lock/hd poxy/collinite 845 (your choice).

That will be about as entry as you can get and still get great effects.

If your budget is limited and you dont want to order from boutique dealers here is some helpful links and such I put together for my forums.


Walmart

Car Wash
Meguiar's Gold Class Car Wash - Walmart.com

Interior Cleaner
Meguiar's Quik Interior Detailer Cleaner - Walmart.com

Meguiar's Natural Shine Vinyl and Rubber Protectant: Automotive : Walmart.com

Leather Cleaner and Conditioner
Meguiar's Gold Class Rich Leather Cleaner/Conditioner: Automotive : Walmart.com

Black Plastic Trim
Mothers Back-to-Black: Automotive : Walmart.com

Clean Rims and Tires
Mothers Foaming All Wheel and Tire Cleaner: Automotive : Walmart.com

Clay Bar
Meguiar's Smooth Surface Clay Kit - Walmart.com

Sealant
Meguiar's Nxt Generation Tech Wax 2.0: Automotive : Walmart.com

Wax
Meguiar's Gold Class Carnauba Plus Paste Car Wax - Walmart.com

Meguiar's Ultimate Liquid Wax: Automotive : Walmart.com

NXT is NOT a wax it is an advanced sealant with cleaning properties which means anything you put under it will be taken away during application.

So $118.30 from Walmart to have the best over the counter stuff you can get.

From Autozone

Wash
Meguiar's/64 oz. Gold Class shampoo and conditioner car wash (G7164) | Wash | AutoZone.com

Wheel Cleaner
Meguiar's/24 oz. Hot Rims all wheel spray cleaner (G9524) | Wheel Cleaner | AutoZone.com

Clay Bar
Meguiar's/16 oz. Quik Detailer, 100 g. clay bar, 4 oz. cleaner wax and microfiber towel with plastic container (G1016) | Pre Cleaner | AutoZone.com

Cleaner Wax
Meguiar's/11 oz. cleaner paste wax (A1214) | Wax | AutoZone.com

Sealant
Meguiar's/18 oz. 2.0 NTX generation tech liquid wax (G-12718) | Wax | AutoZone.com

Wax
Meguiar's/14 oz. Gold Class carnauba paste wax (G-7014J) | Wax | AutoZone.com

Meguiar's/16 oz. Gold Class liquid wax (G-7016) | Wax | AutoZone.com

Leather
Meguiar's/14 oz. Gold Class rich leather cleaner conditioner (G17914) | Leather Care | AutoZone.com

Interior Cleaner
Meguiar's/16 oz. Quik Interior Detailer (G-13616) | Protectant | AutoZone.com

Meguiar's/16 oz. rubber and vinyl natural shine spray protectant (G-4116) | Protectant | AutoZone.com

$119.50 from Autozone

If you can find "Mothers FX Synwax" grab it as its quickly becoming hard to find as its one of if not the best over the counter sealants made bar none. It is used in place of NXT. The above should honestly fit anyones budget. However when you get to compounding and polishing you can expect to spend $150 on a good dual action polisher, $50 on pads, and about $50 on compound and polish (3D's ATT Finishing Polish)

phenrichs

Well I guess perhaps I am a shade tree mechanic car washer compared to some of this stuff.

For wash: I use Palmolive added to the soap reservoir of my pressure washer to apply and a soft cloth with a rinse bucket.

Dry with leaf blower so I don't have to touch it again.

Final step is Turtle Wax liquid ICE. Goes on clear and you can apply it to all the black plastic parts without white showing up like paste wax.

Interior: 303 - nothing better to protect leather and vinyl. I even use it on the tonneau cover.

Tires: Well they get dirty 10 feet down the street so I just scrub those with a brush. No polish that will collect dust. After all it isn't going to a car show.

phenrichs

Oh, same process for my Harley as well. They look great and shine. I will admit that the Turtle wax does seem to collect dust when they are parked.

I too am open to suggestion on the final product that can be applied and not turn white on plastic parts.