HOW TO: proper two bucket wash. (pic heavy)
#26
I have heard them all before. The most frequent one is, what kind of wax do you use to make your car look like that? Instead of trying to explain to people that thier POS is not going to look like my car from wax alone, I just simply reply with Turtle Wax (Even though nothing Turtle Wax makes touches my car). Its easier than trying to eplain what a dual action polisher, polishes, and cutting and finishing pads can do and then end up getting the deer staring into a bright light response
#27
Thanks for the detailed post. I pretty much do the same every week. Some things that I add are 1) use a 1" detail brush for lug nuts and around emblems and inside gas door compartment. 2) pat dry vehicle removing 75% of the water. I then spray detailer spray over entire car, usually a mist per panel, then dry the rest of the car.
Thanks again for taking the time and writing this. I'm sure it will help people out.
Thanks again for taking the time and writing this. I'm sure it will help people out.
#30
#33
A waffle weave has an advantage over the absorber as debris/dirt can migrate into the pockets, where as the absorber does not and can scratch/mar if any contamination is on it when dragging it across the paint. If you blot dry it shouldn't be a problem but I've ditched the absorber years ago and would rather use a waffle weave. There are plenty to choose from and if you use the flood method with the hose, it should cut out most of the water you have to dry.
#34
A waffle weave has an advantage over the absorber as debris/dirt can migrate into the pockets, where as the absorber does not and can scratch/mar if any contamination is on it when dragging it across the paint. If you blot dry it shouldn't be a problem but I've ditched the absorber years ago and would rather use a waffle weave. There are plenty to choose from and if you use the flood method with the hose, it should cut out most of the water you have to dry.
#35
#36
Awesome write up!
I can't stand when I get ppl who stop by my house and want their car to look as nice as mine. And all I think in my head is that will never happen.
I have done some detail jobs for friends in the past and they refuse I take care of the paint and go back to their old ways. (Drive through Car washes) and using that god aweful brush at car washes.
Ppl can be so dumb!
This makes me want to wash my Balt right meow lol
I can't stand when I get ppl who stop by my house and want their car to look as nice as mine. And all I think in my head is that will never happen.
I have done some detail jobs for friends in the past and they refuse I take care of the paint and go back to their old ways. (Drive through Car washes) and using that god aweful brush at car washes.
Ppl can be so dumb!
This makes me want to wash my Balt right meow lol
#37
Senior Member
iTrader: (4)
Joined: 01-12-10
Posts: 2,692
Likes: 171
From: Greater Denver Area, Colorado
The Absorber is just another shammy. Just the material will scratch your clear, even if there is no debris on the car.
And remember what I posted before, not all microfiber towels are created equal! DO THE DVD TEST!!!!
This is the drying towel I use:
Microfiber Drying Towel | White Microfiber Towels
When it comes to car detailing, you really get what you pay for!
#38
Thread Starter
Joined: 05-18-11
Posts: 39,848
Likes: 87
From: West Chicago, IL
Thanks for the detailed post. I pretty much do the same every week. Some things that I add are 1) use a 1" detail brush for lug nuts and around emblems and inside gas door compartment. 2) pat dry vehicle removing 75% of the water. I then spray detailer spray over entire car, usually a mist per panel, then dry the rest of the car.
Thanks again for taking the time and writing this. I'm sure it will help people out.
Thanks again for taking the time and writing this. I'm sure it will help people out.
#39
Thread Starter
Joined: 05-18-11
Posts: 39,848
Likes: 87
From: West Chicago, IL
this is the towel i currently use. for $13 it works really darn good. i'm gonna try the dvd test...
Chemical Guys MIC_721 - Miracle Dryer Absorber Premium Microfiber Towel, 25" x 36"
this is the next one i was planning on stepping up to; says its fatter than the other one. or maybe i'll just go to adam's products
Chemical Guys MIC_881 - Fatty Super Dryer Microfiber Towel, Orange 25" x 34"
i'm waiting for mr. pink car shampoo to come in the mail any day now, would have done the how to with that stuff instead but didnn't get it in time
Chemical Guys MIC_721 - Miracle Dryer Absorber Premium Microfiber Towel, 25" x 36"
this is the next one i was planning on stepping up to; says its fatter than the other one. or maybe i'll just go to adam's products
Chemical Guys MIC_881 - Fatty Super Dryer Microfiber Towel, Orange 25" x 34"
i'm waiting for mr. pink car shampoo to come in the mail any day now, would have done the how to with that stuff instead but didnn't get it in time
#40
Wait, what's so bad about Turtle Wax products? I personally use Turtle Wax Ice and I think my car has a better look to it after using Turtle Wax Ice Wash & Wax or whatever it is instead of the Meguiars equivalent.
#41
Thread Starter
Joined: 05-18-11
Posts: 39,848
Likes: 87
From: West Chicago, IL
i don't think theres anything bad about their products either. the issue with their wash and wax however is that their products are full of fillers, color fillers, and scents. they are mass produced products; thats what happens. the wax itself probably contains less waxing agents like carnauba compared to a premium wax you can get from a more professional company.
their soap is ok.. but could definately be more sudzy. which is why i'm switching out to Mr. Pink
their soap is ok.. but could definately be more sudzy. which is why i'm switching out to Mr. Pink
#43
#45
You won't regret it. I got 3 sample packets when it came out last year and loved it. I've been using it ever since. Try mequairs qwik detailer with carnuba plus. Some of the best quick washes and detailer stuff I've seen to date.
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S4 using CobaltSS
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S4 using CobaltSS
#46
I actually just looked at my current soap and it is a bottle of meguiars wash and wax. I picked it up instead of the turtle wax ice because it was out of stock haha. I have turtle wax ice detailer now. I used to buy all turtle wax ice products.
#47
I've tried about 30 different car soaps in the last year alone ranging from OTC soaps like Meg's, TW and Duragloss to boutique soaps like Adam's, Optimum, Pinnacle and Chemical Guys.
My favorite OTC soap without a doubt is Duragloss 901. You can pick this up at any Napa store for about $6. Great lubricity, cleaning power and leaves a nice noticeable gloss. As for boutique soap my go to is Optimum. Cleaning power is a little bit better than DG901 and smells like blueberries. I use 1/2 ounce per gallon of water so it really goes a long way.
Riceburner, I'm afraid to tell you but I was not pleased with how Mr. Pink performed. The lubricity is great but it lacked cleaning power. It suds like crazy and smells great but that's about it.
I am not by all means a pro detailer but just wanted to share my experience.
My favorite OTC soap without a doubt is Duragloss 901. You can pick this up at any Napa store for about $6. Great lubricity, cleaning power and leaves a nice noticeable gloss. As for boutique soap my go to is Optimum. Cleaning power is a little bit better than DG901 and smells like blueberries. I use 1/2 ounce per gallon of water so it really goes a long way.
Riceburner, I'm afraid to tell you but I was not pleased with how Mr. Pink performed. The lubricity is great but it lacked cleaning power. It suds like crazy and smells great but that's about it.
I am not by all means a pro detailer but just wanted to share my experience.
#49
^^ this.
The Absorber is just another shammy. Just the material will scratch your clear, even if there is no debris on the car.
And remember what I posted before, not all microfiber towels are created equal! DO THE DVD TEST!!!!
This is the drying towel I use:
Microfiber Drying Towel | White Microfiber Towels
When it comes to car detailing, you really get what you pay for!
The Absorber is just another shammy. Just the material will scratch your clear, even if there is no debris on the car.
And remember what I posted before, not all microfiber towels are created equal! DO THE DVD TEST!!!!
This is the drying towel I use:
Microfiber Drying Towel | White Microfiber Towels
When it comes to car detailing, you really get what you pay for!
#50
Something else I want say is the most recent soap I used was Chemical Guys Citrus Wash + Gloss. I love using this soap to strip any sealants or waxes from my paint so I can apply a new coat. You can also use it as a maintenance wash and only use 1oz for a 5 gal bucket.