Who uses what and why?

[Crash]

I know Mike (Qship5) has some great products that did a hell of a job on my ///M3, but I'd like to hear what else everyone uses and why they use it. Maybe even add what not to use.

[Jetmech]

I use 4 products on my vehicles.
Meguiar's Gold Class Car Shampoo
Meguiar's Final Inspection 34
Jetstream Flier's speed wax
Jetstream APS 365 Paint protection.

http://www.jetstreamproducts.com/?sys=Paint%20Polish%20amp;%20Seal%20System

[snowball]

I've used Spray n' Wash on my wheels for many years to remove brake dust. Go to a coin car wash. Wet the wheels down, then spray wheels with Spray n' Wash soak for 2-3 minutes, then high pressure rinse and wa' la' beautiful - works like a charm! :thumbsup2:

[Titanium 325]

I will have to try that spray and wash idea. My wheels get dirty so fast. Dang BMW OEM pads....

I typically use Zaino, but have used Tropi-care as well and they both work great. Have used a great deal of Zaino over the years.

As to why I got so hooked on Zaino. I went to an informal show/gathering at a local performance shop and had a Navy Blue Metalic Firebird at the time. I parked next to a guy that became a good friend of mine and he was using Zaino on his car. I had spent a lot of time getting my car ready and using various over the counter stuff and show car glazes from mothers or mequires and thought it looked pretty good. Well, his car blew me away with half a much work.

I switched to Zaino that day and have tried a few other things here and there. The biggest complaint I have heard about Zaino is the number of steps it seems to be to the uninitiated. It may be a few steps the first time, but maintaining is really easy. No more difficult then anything else ever used. As the old adage goes, it is all in the preparation. Once I have my garage I can do a better job and work on some paint correction for a few small issues on the car and some bigger ones on the truck.

Anyway, I would recommend either Zaino or Tropi-care currently as they have been the best I have used in years. But I do want to try a few other products soon though for a good comparrison. I would like to try the P21S, Menzerna products, and Do Do Juice to see how well they work.

I even put polish (Zaino or Tropi-care) on my wheels as it helps them not get ditry quite as fast. And I use a lot of quick detail spray to wipe the car down every day or so. I can't wait until I have my garage to put her in.

[Qship5]

My current products of choice are:


Washing

DP Extreme Car Wash (used with foam gun)
2 buckets with grit guards
ULTI-MIT wash mitt and/or microfiber wash mitt
Paint correction

Regular clear coats

Menzerna Intensive Polish
Menzerna Final Polish

Ceramic clear coats

Menzerna Super Intensive Polish
Menzerna Super Final Polish

Wax/Sealant

Zaino Z-2 (If I'm looking for long lasting mirror like shine)
Pinnacle Souverain Carnuba Wax (If I'm looking for the best depth of paint)
Wheels/Tires

P21S Wheel cleaner
Griots Garage Rubber Cleaner
Pinnacle Black Onyx Tire Gel
Wheel Wax
Interior

Leatherique Pristine Clean
Leatherique Rejuvinator
Einszett Cockpit Premium
Glass

Stoner Invisible Glass
Waffle weave glass towel
Metal (Exhaust tips, etc)

Eagle One Nevr-Dull wadding polish
Tools

Portercable 7424 random orbital with various pads
Hand applicators
Various detailing brushes, swabs, etc
Various Cobra microfiber towels
I've got a lot of other things, but this constitutes my basic arsenal for detailing.

[Titanium 325]

^ Is using a PC7424 hard to learn? This is on my list of things to get when I get the garage set up.

Mind if I steal some of your ideas there man? Great list!

[Qship5]

The PC 7424 is pretty easy to learn and is probably the best random orbital to start out with.

[Crash]

I did alright with it and I'm a complete newb when it comes to it.

[imaj]

My list:

Washing

Adams car wash
2 buckets with grit guards
Natural Sheepskin Wash Mitt
CR Spotless Water Deionization System
Leaf blower

Paint correction

GlossIt Detail spray
Zymöl Lehm Klay III
System One X3 Cutting Polish
Makita 9227CX3
Dual Action Buffing Pad
20 Uber Microfiber Towels Blue 16x24
System One Wax


Wheels/Tires

P21S Wheel cleaner
Uber Boar's Hair Wheel Brush
Zymöl Wheel Brush
EZ Detail Brush
Zymöl Tyre Preserve

Wheel Wells

Adam's Invisible Undercarriage Spray

Interior

Autoglym Interior Cleaner/Shampoo
einszett Plastic Deep Cleaner Plastik-Reiniger
Einszett Cockpit Premium
Stoner Invisible Glass
Waffle weave glass towel

Exterior Trim/Dressing/Exhaust

Black Wow Plastic Trim Dressing
Eagle One Nevr-Dull wadding polish
Zymöl Tyre Preserve

[Qship5]

Black Wow is the bomb for any exterior black trim!

[shaker]

Black Wow is the bomb for any exterior black trim!

I just received some Black Wow and was wondering what y'all use to apply it, applicator sponge, cotton cloth, etc? It says to apply very little etc, but i find using sponges is not the greatest, any suggestions?

[Qship5]

I just received some Black Wow and was wondering what y'all use to apply it, applicator sponge, cotton cloth, etc? It says to apply very little etc, but i find using sponges is not the greatest, any suggestions?

I use a yellow foam applicator for Black Wow. It is thin and made from a dense foam so it doesn't absorb too much. I can vouch for the fact that a little goes a long way with the Black Wow.

[shaker]

I use a yellow foam applicator for Black Wow. It is thin and made from a dense foam so it doesn't absorb too much. I can vouch for the fact that a little goes a long way with the Black Wow.

Thanks. I just received the Black Wow from a purchase on Amazon.com, and wouldn't you know it, it came with a foam applicator....albeit blue!! LOL...I am all set...Thanks again.

[RaceMX-M3]

I use the Sham Wow.. I don't know, it sells itself. :D

Made in Germany. ;)

QwRISkyV_B8

[shaker]

+1...:top::beer:

[Fubar]

Regular clear coats

Menzerma Intensive Polish
Menzerma Final Polish


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Menzerna-Intensive-Polish-PO-91E-16oz_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp3286Q2em20Q2el1116 QQitemZ250274157852QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPar tsQ5fAccessories

This stuff, the spelling is a little different?

[QDOG]

I just use Zaino products.

[Qship5]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Menzerna-Intensive-Polish-PO-91E-16oz_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp3286Q2em20Q2el1116 QQitemZ250274157852QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPar tsQ5fAccessories

This stuff, the spelling is a little different?

That looks a little different than the stuff I use, but the name is the same. (I spelled it incorrectly in my original post) I get mine from here. http://www.autogeek.net/menzerna-intensive-polish.html It might just be that the bottle design is different for the 16oz vs 32oz sizes.