What to Get to detail it right:

[Buildwonder]

After years of scrubbing the sh*t out of the tires on all my vehicles, only for them to turn brown as they dried, I've found the miracle tire elixir known as Bleche-White!

I used it yesterday for the first time and my tires have never been so black! Whitest ROWL's as well. You can get it everywhere for about $3.50 a bottle.

BE CAREFUL AND READ THE DIRECTIONS!!!!!!!

It is apparently some pretty nasty stuff, as it warns of getting it on painted surfaces and the like. I have the darker gray wheels and it didn't appear to harm them.

I just sprayed the wheels and tires with water, sprayed a liberal amount on each tire, let sit for a few minutes, and scrubbed with a tire brush. VIOLA! Black tires again! Awesome stuff.

[Buildwonder]

Here's another good tip: Clay bars and quick detailer will make hard water spots disappear from windows. They work great on the windshield to remove anything.

Clay bars may be the single best detailing tool in your caddy. They're invaluable as the first step in waxing your vehicle and have other uses as well. I was blown away the first time I used one. Give 'em a try!

[Skyboi]

Originally Posted by Buildwonder

After years of scrubbing the sh*t out of the tires on all my vehicles, only for them to turn brown as they dried, I've found the miracle tire elixir known as Bleche-White!

I used it yesterday for the first time and my tires have never been so black! Whitest ROWL's as well. You can get it everywhere for about $3.50 a bottle.

BE CAREFUL AND READ THE DIRECTIONS!!!!!!!

It is apparently some pretty nasty stuff, as it warns of getting it on painted surfaces and the like. I have the darker gray wheels and it didn't appear to harm them.

I just sprayed the wheels and tires with water, sprayed a liberal amount on each tire, let sit for a few minutes, and scrubbed with a tire brush. VIOLA! Black tires again! Awesome stuff.

It's pretty caustic so don't wait any more thatn 30 seconds before removing overspray from the wheels...What will happen it that the plastic coating on your mags will turn white(a melting process) and eventially start to break down and peel and flake off. Then the rust sets in. Also keep it off the glass(safety glass is plastic infused and will etch)

Also, Just like Westley's Bleche White, any good butyl based cleaner will cause rubber to "give up" the dirt..Just watch the mags...Good luck

[USN HM 350Z]

Nice write up. A few of my favorite detailing products are...

Wash:
-Poorboy's World Super Slick & Suds Concentrated Car Wash

Clay Bar:
-Pinnacle Ultra Poly Clay
-Mothers California Gold Clay Bar

Clay Bar Lube:
-DP Universal Clay Lubricant
-Four Star Clay Lubricant
-Mothers Quick Detailer

Swirl Remover:
-Pinnacle Advanced Swirl Remover
-Poorboy's World Swirl Removers

Pre-Wax Polish:
-Pinnacle Advanced Finishing Polish
-P21S Paintwork Cleansing Lotion

wax's:
-P21S 100% Carnauba Wax
-Menzerna Sealing Wax APO 60
-Poorboy's World Natty’s Paste Wax – BLUE
-Pinnacle Souverän Paste Wax
-Meguiars NXT

Sealants:
-Zaino
-Poorboy's World EX-P Pure Sealant
-Klasse High Gloss Sealant Glaze
-Wolfgang Deep Gloss Paint Sealant

Wheel Cleaners:
-Soap & Warm Water

Wheel protectant:
-Wheel Wax

Tire Dressing:
-Black Magic Tire Gel

Interior protectant:
-303 Aerospace

Convertable Top Care:
-303 Aerospace Covertable Top Care

I use the 2 bucket method to wash my cars and only use a lambs wool mitt to wash. I use a synthetic shammy to dry and microfiber towels for everything else.

[Skyboi]

Nice post..... I love 100% Carnuba wax.... Goes on and off without breaking your arms.

[Buildwonder]

I recently tried Collinite's Insulator Wax and let me tell you, it beads and feels like nothing I've ever tried. Check out autopia. o r g. I learned about it there; it seems to have a cult-like following and I can see why.

I just put another coat on yesterday as PennDOT's ridiculous use of road salt rendered the first coat ineffective. It goes on and comes off very easily. I always clay bar first with Meguiar's Quik Detailer as a lubricant.

My brother is now a dealer for Formula 113 products, which he swears by. I'm going to give their products a try next, just to compare.

[Skyboi]

I used to use Collinite...But getting it off was like trying to remove concrete. I swore I'd never put it on again.

Did they change their formula?

[Buildwonder]

I know the Collinite you're referring to, and I remember the same thing. This particular one is slightly difficult to get off only because it doesn't completely glaze over. You definitely need multiple microfiber towels as they begin to smear quickly. Other than that, it's awesome.

Now that spring is coming and hopefully no more salt on the roads, I'll monitor how long its protection, or beading, lasts. I bought it at Advance Auto Parts for about $13.00. It's in a clear bottle with simple red lettering.

It apparently wasn't even designed as a vehicle wax, rather it was used by the electric industry according to the bottle. I'm guessing it was used as a type of dielectric grease or something similar. Either way, it made my truck's finish bead like a damn candle and shine much better than previous products I've used.

I also use Turtle Wax Zip Wax Car Wash. I used to buy the more expensive "boutique" types of car wash, but this stuff works really well. I don't use it for the "wax" that it claims to apply as you wash, but it does seem to help maintain a certain amount of beading between waxes and polishes.

[cbenzon]

apply tire shine before you wax otherwise the tire shine will blow all over your freshly waxed paint and clean windows.

[Skyboi]

Originally Posted by cbenzon

apply tire shine before you wax otherwise the tire shine will blow all over your freshly waxed paint and clean windows.

This can be avoided by pouring the tireshine directly into a sponge and then applying it to the tire. Never spray tire shine on the tire.

Apply to the tire with a sponge...roll the vehicle a half tire and hit the upside...clean and done

[BULLTITAN]

I also found that a mixure of vinegar and water gets rid of those nasty water spots on glass and mirrors. I tried the Armor-all xtreme tire gel w/ aplicator works great and you get no spin-off.

[HemiETR]

Excellent write up Skyboi,

Couple hints I have.

Always use car wash soap. Never use dish detergent to wash, unless your waxing right after. The dish detergent will remove all your old wax. I always use the hottest water I can when washing. Seems to remove all the grime better.

Westley's bleach white is the bomb for tires. Never spray it on the rims. I clean the rims with Stoners invisible glass or window cleaner.

I can't stand using tire spray or wipe on anymore. No matter how awesome it looks, it always spins off the tires onto the side of my Titan. Hate that. Plus after it rains your vehicle looks horrible on the sides. All from the tire spray/gel your using.

[Skyboi]

Thanks HemiETR...

After seeing how my Titan Brothers love their rides I thought I'd share years worth of experience to help make it easier for them to have a detailed ride without needing a chiropractor afterwards. Products that work without casing damage along with proper application and ease of use.

I see so many of my friends that love their rides wash them from the bottom up...I'm ready to ask them why they're wetsanding and hacking the crap out of the paint...

People need to be careful with clearcoat...It's like a lens to the paint...When you fog it up with scratches you have to get extreme with a buffer. Paint is only so thick you know. Resort to light buffing maybe once every 2 years and right before you sell.

Skyboi's rules for paint:

1. Only wash it when it's dirty...fight the urge
2. Do NOT touch the paint between washes...No wiping it down or the dust off it. Give it a shot of copmressed air if you need to but no physical touching.
3. When washing, make sure your mit is extremely clean, wash from the top down, rinse your mit thoroughly between panels and sections.
4. Use a wax that goes on and off very easy and wax often to maintain moisture in the paint. Most people think that a hard wax is good cause it won't come off...Not true...They all break down in about the same amount of time from air, ultraviolet and friction and acid rain. ALso, it's a PIA to get off so you dread the "wax job" and subsequently you put it off.

Hope this helps... Work smart not hard

[Mychael101]

When the time comes I'll just put in a call to the local mobile zaino detailer.

[Buildwonder]

Well La - Di - Da, big spender...........