DIY Auto Detailing Thread

[mkadl]

If no cleaning products work, you could try a buffer and some glass compound. Like you’re correcting a paint defect, but glass in this case.

razor blade scraper.

 

[mkadl]

Just purchased my first "nice" vehicle and decided to dive into learning how to wash and detail it myself. It's been a more fun and interesting rabbit hole than I expected. Curious if anybody else has embarked on the same hobby? Would be great to have a thread to share experience and feedback on different processes, products, maintenance routines, etc.

I've done a couple 2-bucket washes with Meguiar's Wash and Wax + wheel and rim cleaner and dressing, but just decided to jump all in and plan on doing a full foam cannon wash, clay bar decontamination, and ceramic spray seal this upcoming weekend or whenever weather cooperates.

I detail our two vehicles 3-4 times a year. Love it. Therapudic is a correct word for me. In fact I have people wanting me to do their cars. Nope. 2017 F150 and a a 2018 Jeep. They look as good as they can. I had a 2008 black dodge ram, boy was that sharp cleaned up. My all time favorite truck. But buying a vehicle costs money, point a to point b cars in my house, drive it till I dont trust it.

 

[NWICY]

Auto detailing imo is horrible, even worse than weed eating. lo

I wonder why a dirt track racer would have a adverse reaction to auto detailing?

I drive a lot of gravel,clean yes detailed nope.

 

[dmclone]

From 18-50, I was obsessed with car detailing. Went through so many waxes, polishes, protectants, etc.

Pinnacle Souveran
Zymol (before it changed)
Klasse
Liquid Glass
S100
I'm forgetting a bunch I tried

Two things changed:
Ceramic spray came out and seemed to change everything. A protectant that's easy to apply and lasts for a long time. If you wash by hand, it lasts so long. I use Turtle wax ceramic spray.

I now drive an SUV that i have no interest in making look perfect, I still keep in clean, but not like when I had sports cars and bikes. I do usually have a clear bra installed on new cars.

 

[cowboycurtis]

I like black vehicles. I have 3. They look awesome when clean but it’s hard to keep them that way.

If you hate detailing, don’t get into trucks. The last time I detailed my Pete it took 2 days. The chrome polishing will give you Popeye forearms. The guys that do the truck show circuit must have brain damage.

 

[Malty Flannel]

I nearly forgot to mention this.....not sure if anyone here has tried Lithium brand auto detailing products? So far, I have been very impressed with their stuff. The Trim Serum is awesome stuff, specifically.

Lithium products on Amazon

Thanks for the recommendation. So many newer and niche premium brands out there that its hard to know if any are worth exploring and paying the premium for compared to older established brands like Adams or Meguiar's or TW.

 

[Malty Flannel]

What works to just take one spot of bird droppings off? I kinda hate paying $15 just to do that.

Any good detail or waterless wash spray and a microfiber cloth. You may need to do two or three rounds of it but its quick and easy. spray directly onto the droppings, let it dwell for 10-20 seconds, wipe with one side of the cloth and then buff with the other side. Repeat until done

 

[Malty Flannel]

Thought about trying some Turtle Wax spray graphine wax. Graphine seems to be the new thing that tops ceramic coatings. I like the idea of spraying on and wiping off as opposed to liquid wax. I do have a car wash membership so I can wash my truck every two days. I don't feel I really have the time to devote to washing my cars by hand but I do try to wax my vehicles when I get a chance. Spray wax I don't think is as durable but I like the convenience.

I'll be curious about your experience with graphine. I'm sticking to plain old ceramic/SIO2 sprays for now, but have been keeping my eyes out for firsthand graphine reviews

 

[madguy30]

Any good detail or waterless wash spray and a microfiber cloth. You may need to do two or three rounds of it but its quick and easy. spray directly onto the droppings, let it dwell for 10-20 seconds, wipe with one side of the cloth and then buff with the other side. Repeat until done

Thanks! Well as of now my car is getting a good rain on it so hopefully it gets taken care of.

 

[BoxsterCy]

When I put the snow tires on last winter (on their own rims) I scrapped the 10 year old summers so had the wheels with no tires this spring. Perfect time to give them a good cleaning and get rid of 10 years of brake dusk grim on the inside of the rims that's so hard to get at with the disc brake assembly in the way. Some tough stuff, ended up using mineral spirits on inside of the interior rim part.

 

[KennyPratt42]

One thing I have found is what I notice the most is really clean, streak free glass. The thing other people, that may or may not be car people, will notice are really clean wheels and tire dressing. They usually won't mention it specifically, but are much more likely to comment on how clear my car is after I've done it.

I predominately use Chemical Guys products and have been happy with the price/quality of them. I have generally liked them more than the big brands' products.

Ceramic coating and PPF are a topic all of their own, but I really like getting protection film put on at least the front half of my vehicles. I found a local shop I like that did a nice job and cost less than some other options like a dealership.