Basics of Washing / Detailing

[CrackerJack]

I got my techniques down while washing and waxing my friends Caprice the other day, I want to get mine done within the next couple of days. We used a gold colored Meguires car wash, and a Meguires wax in a tan bottle. They worked great, but I don't think they make the wax anymore, it's sort of old Anyways, I'm not a hugely obsessive on my waxing, something to get the job done and look fairly nice. Any suggestion on a car wash / wax I can pick up at an auto store like Pep Boys or anything?

And Pete, none of that $300 bull$hit you had... Haha, not all of us are made of cash

 

[colel83]

I use Meguiars NXT Tech Wax 2.0 it seems to be pretty good stuff. I have read lots of good things about it from others as well. Lasts quite a while too.

 

[Andrizzle]

Maybe possibly someone can make up a basic list of products that total under like $100 for everything for the entry-level people wanting a decent detail. I know alot of times in detail threads, someone will come in and start talking about how its bad to use anything unless its like a ridiculous amount of money for the best of the best products.

Also, with the list of products under a 100 bucks, maybe give an idea about how many details those will last you.

 

[CrackerJack]

Any basic detailing kit will do. Here is the one that I have.

http://www.carparts.com/VIKING-MICROFIBER-8-PIECE-DETAILING-KIT/GP_2020511_N__10618.car

It has all the basics you need, just make sure you rinse them pretty good before you use them a second time so you get all the dirt off. DO NOT MACHINE WASHHHHHH!!!

Other than that, Im just looking for some decent products to use them with that are not a complete fortune

Also, a few buckets for rinsing etc is necessary. And a hose...

 

[PetesSweets86]

you can get TurtleWax Ice

 

[97stscaddy]

You mean snake oil?

I found Meguiars Gold class to be the best wax I've ever used. I've tried the Tech wax, NXT, Eagle 1 Nanowax, Turtle wax platinum, plenty of others I can't remember the names of. All of them I think are either too difficult to use, or don't last long enough. One of my other favorites, for a quick wax job and you don't have a lot of shade, is Presta Fast Wax. You can put the stuff on a black car in 110° weather, in direct sunlight, in the middle of the afternoon, it will wipe right back off and leave a perfect shine every time. It doesn't last more than about two weeks though.