Which car cleaning products?

[cantdrv55]

I've owned my targa over 10 years and I think I've only washed it twice. I've never waxed it yet the finish is really nice. I want to give it a treat now though.

What do you use for cleaning leather, vinyl and rubber? Different products for each material? Do you also use a leather conditioner after? Anyone use old school stuff like Armor All? I heard glass cleaner works well on plastic surfaces but I would think they can cause cracking in the heat. What about the paint? Let me know what you use and where to buy. TIA.

[targa44]

Car Care Specialties - Quality Car Care Products

[Ayles]

For a treat, give it a once over with a clay bar. I have used a few different brands over the years and they are all similar. Buy a couple, you want to throw it away if you drop it.

Wash with dish detergent to strip whatever wax is there then have it with the clay bar using a detailing spray to lubricate. Work small areas and you will feel it go rough to smooth. Kneed the clay as you go.

Then a normal polish and wax procedure to finish. Might want to mask off plastic once you start waxing.

I use a lot of meguiars products on my daily driver, but have experience with Griots. Good stuff, awesome selection but expensive.

[TargaHenry]

I just recently did a wash, clay bar and wax on my 911. It really needed it. I used Chemical Brothers wash, clay bar, used Maguires polish to try to reduce spider webbing, then Chemical Brothers wax. I then hit it with some Zaino for a final sheen. Looked like a different car.

I am fond of teh Einzett products for the interior, I used Cockpit for a general clean and the Lederpflege to go over the leather, which is basically 80% of he interior. I then drenched it in Lexol leather conditioner and let it sit, which made a huge difference in the leather.

Here's a good thread I found: Car Care Thread: What Do You Use?

[cantdrv55]

Thanks guys!

[Swiftmotoring]

Been using Mequiars for years with great results, a full line of very useful products, fairly priced and available at Wal Mart.

[Bob Kontak]

I have used those Mr Clean Erasers on the smiley and other rubber-ish parts to knock off light oxidation and get rid of dried wax and polish that wont wash off.

I would do what these guys recommend. Wash with dish soap and then clay. Griot's sells a clay kit at Advance Auto. That gives you a naked surface that is free from grit, then you can go to town.

You might want to lightly compound and then polish with a machine(s). To get the best pop, I use a traditional buffer to cut with foam or wool but only use a number 7-8 on the Meguires scale. Then follow with a polishing pad with a Meguires Level 4 polish/glaze. I have recently purchased and used the DA buffer from Harbor Freight with great success on the polishing chore.

Mind you, level 12 is called "Speedy Cut" which can probably take out 600 grit sanding marks. Way more than you need and it generates too much heat for edges.

[bob deluke]

I use Collinite insulator wax a couple times a season. Easy on and off with no white residue on rubber parts. Reasonably priced too. Made in Utica, NY. They also offer a concours carnauba wax as well. Have used their products for years with great results.

[cantdrv55]

Lots of choices. Thanks again!

[matt gineo]

Why have you washed your 911 only twice in 10 years?? I wash mine twice a week when I'm driving it.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by matt gineo

Why have you washed your 911 only twice in 10 years?? I wash mine twice a week when I'm driving it.

Because he may be Heisenberg. Tread lightly.

[cantdrv55]

I had two 911s for most of the 10 years. I washed the other more often but still not twice a week!

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by cantdrv55

I had two 911s for most of the 10 years. I washed the other more often but still not twice a week!

Some guys have the discipline to tend to their cars meticulously. My hat is off to them.

Nice thing about 911s is that if you at least take decent care of them, they bounce back real nice when you get your big clean on.

Please consider my light compounding suggestion. You can get a low cost traditional HF buffer for $35. Even sitting in the garage for ten years the paint will oxidize a bit.

[cantdrv55]

I actually have a buffer which I bought 10 years ago with the intent of taking good care of the cars. It's still in the original, unopened box!

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by cantdrv55

I actually have a buffer which I bought 10 years ago with the intent of taking good care of the cars. It's still in the original, unopened box!

I bought the Boxster front brake upgrade for my 81 and the parts sat for three years before install.

[cantdrv55]

Kindred spirits lol.

[Hydrocket]

I used to detail. My favorite products for ease of use, quality and cost were Poorboys.

Home - Poorboy's World™ Inc.

[Nick Triesch]

Lucas Slick Mist. Get it from Pep Boys or anywhere. For leather...Leather in a bottle from Zaino website. Contains real leather oil.

[Irish911]

I don't think you will find a better product for cleaning vinyl than Mr. Clean Magic Erasers. They are great for textured vinyl because it will remove the grit and dirt from the crevices. I used it on my sun visors, which get touched often, and they came out looking new (they are 40+ years old).

[chuckr]

Car Wash, Wax, Polishes, Microfiber Towels and Best Auto Detail Supplies - Chemical Guys Professional Car Care Products - Wholesale and Retail
For single stage paint....this stuff is mind blowing !
very easy to use and looks amazing on 20 year old paint.
Leatherique on your leather
303 Protectant on everything else