products you can't live without?

[s500]

which products are your favorite that you would recommend for a newbie.

[Lost Highway]

Much of this comes down to personal preference but here are mine:

Shampoos: Dodo Juice Born to Be Mild or Optimum Car Wash
Depending on where you live you might want a Rinse-less or Waterless car wash too. In that case, Optimum No Rinse

You'll need a couple buckets and Grit Guards for them.

I prefer microfiber mitts for washing. The Meguiar's mitt is good as are the various noodle/rasta/chenille (different names for the same idea) mitts. Sheepskin is also good but requires more care and costs more. Many people like sponges but I'm not one of them.

A collection of good microfiber towels. For polish or wax removal I prefer short nap or closed nap towels to the really thick ones now in fashion. The thicker, heavier towels can be good for use with quick detailers. All the towels come out of factories in China and Korea. There are differences in quality but I don't want to open that can of worms.

There are a bunch of good sealants. Optimum Opti-Seal is extremely quick and easy. There is a brand new version out that is supposed to offer improved durability. It takes very little product per car, the 8 oz bottle will last a long time. Blackfire, Four Star, Menzerna, Werkstat, Duragloss and Prima are good as well.

Some hybrid waxes rival or exceed sealants for durability and offer a slightly different look. Application and removal, however, is a bit more work. I would recommend starting with sealants.

For interiors, assuming the interior isn't filthy to start with, I recommend 1Z einszett Cockpit Premium.

That list covers the basics. There are specialized tools and materials for claying, tires, exterior trim, wheels, metal exhaust tips, leather care (I recommend the Leather Master line), door and window weather seals, etc. you can think about those down the road.

[BobbyG]

Strictly Products

There are so many quality products out there but if I was forced to pick 1 product for each discipline these would be my choices of products sold through Autogeek.

Wash - Duragloss #901

Clay - Mothers

Compound - PG 1000 – PowerGloss Compound (POS34A)

Polish - PF 2500 – Power Finish Polish (PO203)

Finishing Polish - SF 4000 – Super Finish Polish (PO106FA)

Sealant - Ultima Paint Guard Plus

Wax - Collinite 845

Spray Wax -Optimum Spray Car Wax

Tire Cleaner - Meguiar's Super Degreaser

Tire Treatment - CarPro PERL

Trim - Ultima Tire and Trim Guard

Wheel Cleaner - Meguiar's Wheel Brightener

Wheel Protectant -Optimum Opti-Coat 2.0

Glass Cleaner - Meguiar's Glass Cleaner

Glass Treatment - Aquapel

All Purpose Cleaner - Optimum Power Clean

Interior Protectant - Meguiar’s M40

Chrome & Stainless Steel - BLACKFIRE Wet Diamond Metal Acrylic Sealant

[SON1C]

How do you properly care for sheepskin?

[TObleRONE]

Without a doubt, Optimum No-Rinse . I seldom use a traditional car soap anymore, even during the summer.

[FUNX650]

How do you properly care for sheepskin?

Good question!!

Are you asking about sheepskins from/for:

-U.S.A.
-England
-Ireland
-Australia
-Mongolia
-Apparel
-Male Contraceptives



Bob

[Kinalyx]

As always BobbyG's thoroughness in his posts is only surpassed by Mike.

Great post, great links as always Bobby

[wysiwyg]

Optimum No Rinse
Ultima Waterless Wash Plus
Optimum Car War

[truckbutt]

Flex XC3401vrg
Meguiars Gold Class Car Wash
Absorber XL towels
Lake Country 6.5 inch and 4 inch pads
Meguiars M105, M205
Menzerna P085rd
Blackfire Wet Diamond Sealant
Meguiars Gold Class Carnauba Plus Wax
Colinite 845
UWW+
ONR
Finish Care #425
Meguiars Endurance Tire Gel
Ultima Trim and Tire Guard Plus

[cleanmycorolla]

Spray Wax -Optimum Spray Car Wax

You didn't like the XMT 360 spray wax when you tried it?