Justinbrow56

Wife and I detailed both of our cars today. Since it is pollen season down here in Florida had to prove to myself that my truck looks great clean and take some pictures.

What is everyone favorite cleaning products? I have a hodgepodge of cleaning brands/stuff. Looking for a good tire conditioner that last more than two days.

chickenwire

About a year ago to date my wife offered to help me detail our Solstice for the upcoming driving season. About 15 minutes into the claybar treatment she looked at me and asked "You did THIS to the entire TRUCK?"

Yes dear. Once a year.

She was a good sport and stuck with me through the polishing and sealant. On the Solstice, that is.

idrive

iTrader: (3)

I've come to the conclusion the wash mitt, applicators, and drying towels are more important than the products used. Most products are decent when using the right one for your application. A good high quality microfiber is a must, especially for Black!

Are you looking for a tire conditioner or something that adds shine? High gloss, low gloss.... so many different ones out there. Griot's (and several others) have a good variety to pick from depending on the finish you're looking for.

Nice looking truck.

chrisingrassia

Nothing beats the Meguiar's clay bar kit.
My only regret is I didn't learn about them sooner.

Justinbrow56

I use a west marine brush and then a sponge to help take bug guts off the grill/hood and another sponge for the wheels and tires. Microfiber towels are just old towels I use to use on me on deployment.

Thanks, I upgraded from a 1986 Suburban to a 2004 Ford Explorer that I bought in 2006 and put about 140K miles on. To what you see now it only took me 14 years to get it but Im super happy with it. It was in a wreck of some sort but you cant tell at all. It was nice because I didn't have to pay for a brand new 2017 truck but I got a truck with less than 4K miles on it for a great price.

I have some Meguair's stuff now its just not my favorite, its a gel I rub on and I cant seem to get it evenly distributed.

chickenwire

I've used the "Endurance" tire gel with a foam rubber applicator. Most of the time I've used it on a "weekender" convertible so I think it's misleading how long it lasts. I liked it because it wasn't necessarily high gloss but left the rubber a deep black.

Clay bar is nice, but I've switched to the nanoskin mitt. Same results in a fraction of the time.

If you do clay and/or polish, always be sure to wax or use a sealant afterward!

schmenke

Collinite 845!


Must try that mitt sometime. I find clay bar-ing is what consumes the most time while detailing my truck (definitely a two-beer task).

rbraughn

Only 2 beers? You must be a slooow drinker. I drink 2 beers just doing the hood!!

mandrew13

Used the nanoskin mitt for the first time (after recommendations from the forum)- wow- super quick and easy, with great results.

2015rubyFX4

True. We own a detailing business and my wife myself and Son all detail together. Its fun