Newbie Looking for Advice

[MagnumX1]

I am a Newbie to the detailing world and need some advice. I just bout a new 2017 Audi A3 Cabriolet in Tango Red. I really want to keep it pristine. I have been reading forums on all of the products and have found myself in overload. I am going to use the two bucket system but would really like product advice. I'm looking for a recommendation on Wash/Shampoo, Wax, Tire Dressing, Towels, and Interior products as well. Thanks for any advice you guys can give the New Guy!

[AZ Mike]

Welcome to Autogeek.

To keep it simple, the McKee's 37 line is very good and reasonably priced. If you have any questions, Nick@McKees37 is the man who can take care of you.

[MagnumX1]

Thanks! I've been researching the McKee's 37 line pretty hard. It looks to be a good step to get started and then work from there.

[lane5515]

I am a Newbie to the detailing world and need some advice. I just bout a new 2017 Audi A3 Cabriolet in Tango Red. I really want to keep it pristine. I have been reading forums on all of the products and have found myself in overload. I am going to use the two bucket system but would really like product advice. I'm looking for a recommendation on Wash/Shampoo, Wax, Tire Dressing, Towels, and Interior products as well. Thanks for any advice you guys can give the New Guy!

Welcome to the forum! You will get a lot of differing opinions on products but I'll share what I've found works best for me.

Wash/Shampoo
- for 2bm washes I really like CarPro Reset or Optimum Car Wash. Both fantastic products.

Tire Dressing
- Optimum Opti-Bond mixed 1:1
- CarPro Perl mixed 1:1
- Griots Garage Black Shine Tire Gel.

Make sure you scrub the tires well with a product like McKee's 37 Tire and Rubber Rejuvenator before applying the dressings.

Towels
- do yourself a favor and get the Griots Garage PFM towels. Excellent for drying the car and for quick detailers, spray waxes or rinseless washes.

Interior Products
- CarPro Inside for cleaning and Wolfgang Vinyl & Rubber protectant.
- Eagle Edgless MF towels are great all around towels also.

There are a lot of great products available on Autogeek - these are just a few of my favorites.

[jdubs]

Welcome!

Being newer myself I do recommend the system approach to start. It makes it simple when you find a great line of product that works for you. McKee's 37 seems to fit the bill.

I've wandered into a few different product lines but sometimes find my self spending too much on duplicate product. Take your time, read a lot, and watch the wonderful videos that are available. Never be afraid to ask questions!

[RatZ1LLa]

These would be my recommendations for keeping it simple and bring great value.

Shampoo
Poorboy's Super Slick & Suds Concentrated Car Wash: A Car wash that competes with the best, at a price that can't be beat!
or
Optimum Car Wash is a concentrated auto shampoo that washes away grime on your car & protects wax.

Wax/Sealant
Jescar Power Lock Polymer Paint Sealant, Menzerna auto sealant, car sealant, paint sealant protectant
or
Collinite Liquid Insulator Wax #845, liquid wax, heat-resistant wax, car wax
or
Finish Kare 1000P Hi-Temp Paste Wax, high melt polymer car wax, Finish care auto wax

Tire Dressing
GYEON Q2M Tire - 400 ml

Drying Towel
Big Blue Microfiber Drying Towel, 26 x 18 inches

for other towels I haven't used many of the offerings in the PBMG families so I can't recommend others.

Interior products
McKee’s 37 FAST Interior Detailer

[pilotpip]

Relatively new to this stuff too, I've found McKee's 37 brand to be a great mix of performance, ease of use, and price. Outside of that line, you can't go wrong with Meg's All Purpose Cleaner (APC) concentrate that's sold by the gallon here. A couple spray bottles with different dilutions (4:1 and 10:1) live in the cabinets in my mud room because I've found a ton of different uses for it. I also like Meg's Ultimate wash and wax, as well as the ultimate spray wax.

Towel wise, I have really come to like the cobra guzzler waffle weaves for drying, the miracle towels for removing wax/sealant and I just bought a few of the shine and buff's for waterless washes this winter. For wheels, door jambs, and other items that get grimy I use the costco bulk pack because I won't cry when I throw them away like the better quality ones sold here.

I just started a topic asking when a mystery box special would happen again. You have no idea what you'll get, but you get a lot for the price and I ended up with several products I would have never tried otherwise, and several other items That I couldn't decide which way to go.