ok I know there was a recent thread about wax but I thought I'd start one that talked about everything from start to finish. I listed some stuff below that are products I use and how I feel about them. hopefully others will contribute and if we're lucky we can find a nice combination of products that work for all of us.

soap - Turtle wax ICE. this is the second time I've washed the truck but I like this stuff. It seems to keep the suds which should help flow the dirt away and help keep it out of the mit.

wash mit. - http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductDetail.aspx?MfrCode=MIA&MfrPartNumber=MG159&CategoryCode=3307
i'm not much of a sponge person and this one seems to pull the dirt and grime into the mit and keeps it away from the paint.

drying - absorber. http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductDetail.aspx?MfrCode=CEA&MfrPartNumber=12951&CategoryCode=3300
this I'm not impressed with. it seems to absorb quite a bit but still leaves streaks. I use the de-ionized water rinse so I still make out pretty good but I'd like to hear what others use.

tires - I use the armour all spray on foam stuff. to be perfectly honest, this stuff LOOKS good but I'm not sure if it's really doing anything to protect or even if other products are better.

windows - I just use regular household windex. This stuff works great but again, I'm not sure if there's any reason not to use it or if there's something better?

wheels - I just wash these along with the rest of the truck. do you all use anything special on them? the truck is only 3 weeks old so I have no reason to try a polish yet.

spray detail - I bought the ICE but I haven't used it yet. it was dark by the time I got home tonight and the truck stayed pretty clean this time.

Wax - again, the truck is too new and it's been too cold to really try anything but I did buy some ICE to try in a month or so.

I also have some generic microfiber towels and some degreaser but I haven't needed that yet either.

TURTLE WAX ICE RULES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11111111111111111111111

BETTER THAN ZAINO WHICH IS OVERPRICED!!!!111one


/me runs away :p:p:browsmiley::D

I still like the Zano products, but great post!

i use to use zano but turtle wax ice rocks

Zaino is the best.

I wash with Blue Coral, and a well worn cotton terrycloth towel, dry with air / absorber / terrycloth, in that order.

Final detail with Meguires Detail Spray & a microfiber towel

Call me old school, but for wax, I like Meguires Pure Carnuba, (not the crap with cleaner in it).

I use Armor All foam, or STP Son Of A Gun on the tires, I also spray it everything I can get to on the wheelwells / undercarriage. (makes the next washing a breeze)

For window cleaner, I use Wurth Sabesto

Interior, Dust with Pledge (very spairingly), I usually just wipe the seats / soft trim with a water dampened cloth.

Wheels, just wash with the carwash soap left in the bucket with a soft brush & once a month put the car on the lift & wash the backs of the rims with soap & water.

Agree with ABMResto, Meguires is one of the best waxes out there IMO. Twice a year I'll break out the electric buffer & do a full 3-step cleaner/polish/wax all with Meguires, lasts a long while & looks great!

Soap -- small squirt of Joy in bottom of bucket. Spray hard with hose or kitchen sink sprayer when filling to make lots of bubbles.

I also like the Armorall tire foam best for tires (and other unpainted exterior plastic if you have any).

I use Windex and NEWSPAPER (yes, NEWSPAPER - not the shiny pages tho) to wipe down the windows, it works way better than paper towels or rags & never leaves lint or streaks.

Interior -- wipe down with damp clean rag. I used to armor-all the dash & stuff but it seems to attract dust more quickly!

Wheels I just scrub with a soft-bristled brush & soap leftover in the bucket.

OK down the list:
power washer-power off the wheels, then brush with ice solution, power wash again
use Ice was on entire car with a OXO car wash brush, rinse with power flat spray
dry with a 225mph leaf blower, remove left over with micro towel
spray ice on any required area and micro towel off
Meguiars hot shine on wheels and Invisible glass on windows

I've used all the ICE products this past year and love them. I am going to order a few of the Adam's Polishes products and give them a try. Anyone here try Adam's yet?

Looks like I will have to give ICE a shot. I really cant stand paying such a high cost for Zainos products....even though they always work great

I figured this didn't need an entirely new thread but for those that never wander into the 300 forums I found out they have a very nice forum on detailing with a lot of great info.

http://www.300cforums.com/forums/detailing-discussion/

Agree with ABMResto, Meguires is one of the best waxes out there IMO. Twice a year I'll break out the electric buffer & do a full 3-step cleaner/polish/wax all with Meguires, lasts a long while & looks great!

Soap -- small squirt of Joy in bottom of bucket. Spray hard with hose or kitchen sink sprayer when filling to make lots of bubbles.

I also like the Armorall tire foam best for tires (and other unpainted exterior plastic if you have any).

I use Windex and NEWSPAPER (yes, NEWSPAPER - not the shiny pages tho) to wipe down the windows, it works way better than paper towels or rags & never leaves lint or streaks.

Interior -- wipe down with damp clean rag. I used to armor-all the dash & stuff but it seems to attract dust more quickly!

Wheels I just scrub with a soft-bristled brush & soap leftover in the bucket.


Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought that dish washing soaps actualy took off wax, being that it is designed to cut through tough grime and grease. Here's what I found on the Zaino web site in the "application" section....

"Dawn will dissolve wax and other sealants, and easily removes grease, tar and bug remains."

I would avoid useing dish soap to wash my vehicles.

yes, dish washing soap is bad for car paint. it also dries out the paint.

Great thread. I'll have to try the "ice", I also treat my leather surfaces with something one of my detail guys suggested once a month. I'll repost the product name when i get home. Well worth the time, been using it on the 99 suburban interior since new and i think mine is the only one where the front seats held up for this long. They still look relatively new. i'd like to know what others are using to protect their interiors.
mike