By Sayjal
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Okay, I realize everyone has their preference with regard
to car detailing, etc. but since I have a cosmos black 530i and I like cleaning
and caring for it myself, I spent a relatively long time researching what I
was interested in. I finally found supplies, sources and prices that I am happy
with. I hope this write-up helps others who are just as obsessive/compulsive
as I am.
Vacuum interior and use your favorite carpet cleaner (I like Chem-dry but Resolve
works well also).
During all exterior cleaning steps, consider using a back and forth washing/glazing/polishing/drying
motion (as opposed to circular which may leave swirl marks in your paint).
WASHING:
Supplies used
-P21S Bodywork Conditioning Shampoo (only need a small amount) or P21S Total
Auto Wash if you are going to glaze/polish/wax
-Wash mitt
-Wheels: Old golf towel cut in half
-Tire: brush from Target
Clean the car when it is cool and out of the sun. Clean the wheels/tires first,
rinse out the bucket and start cleaning the car from the top down. Try to keep
the car wet until you are ready to dry it by rinsing the entire car as you wash
each section.
DRYING:
Supplies used
-Griot's Synthetic Chamois
-JT International 16X36 waffleweave microfiber towel
Dry the roof, hood and trunk first. Then dry the windows and sides. Then finish
drying the small crevices (some people use a leaf blower, air compressor). I
read this drying method on the Autopia site and it works really well: Use your
favorite drying towel/synthetic chamois/absorber, etc. to make a quick pass
over the car, then use a waffle weave microfiber towel to complete the drying.
I used to love using a real chamois for drying (although it can remove wax)
because I could not find towels that were absorbent enough and didn't leave
lint and spots but this method really works awesome.
Prior to polishing/glazing/waxing use BLUE painter's
tape to cover any areas you don't want the product to get on (eg. windshield
washer jets, molding, lights, etc.)
POLISH:
Supplies used
-P21S Gloss Enhancing Paintwork Cleanser
-Applicator pad
-JT International 16X16 microfiber terry cloth
Follow the directions on the bottle and do a small section at a time. When
buffing, do not use excessive pressure, instead use a smooth quick buffing
motion (like buffing shoes).
GLAZE:
Supplies used
-3M Imperial Hand Glaze
-Applicator pad
-JT International 16X16 microfiber terry cloth
Follow the directions on the bottle and do a small section at a time. When
buffing, do not use excessive pressure, instead use a smooth quick buffing
motion (like buffing shoes).
WAX:
Supplies used
-P21S Concours-look Carnauba Wax
-Applicator foam pad (included with product)
-JT International 16X16 microfiber terry cloth
Follow the directions on the bottle and do a small section at a time. When
buffing, do not use excessive pressure, instead use a smooth quick buffing
motion (like buffing shoes).
TIRE DRESSING:
Supplies used
-303 Aerospace Protectant
-Applicator pad
I like this product because it has UV protection, contains no silicone and does
not leave my tires with too much shine, just clean and black.
WHEEL CARE:
I apply a coat of Mother's California Gold Carnauba Cleaner wax every 2-3 months
which makes cleaning brake dust very easy. Wheels just wipe clean with a towel
and soapy water.
GLASS:
Supplies used
-Sprayaway Glass Cleaner
-JT International 16X16 microfiber terry cloth
I was using Stoner Invisible Glass but Melissa from autodetail.com convinced me
to try this product. It works great! Easy to apply and remove and keeps the
glass clean.
LEATHER:
Supplies used
Griot's Leather Care (also like Lexol leather cleaner)
Griot's Blue detail sponges
Lexol leather conditioner
-JT International 16X16 microfiber terry cloth
Apply either Griot's or lexol to a Griot's detail sponge and gently massage
leather and watch dirt come off. Follow up with Lexol leather conditioner and
wipe excess with microfiber towel.
MAINTENANCE:
Keep a bottle of Quick Detail, Meguiar's is my
favorite - [Thanks Cutter Motors :-)] and a microfiber towel in your trunk to
get any bird droppings, tree sap, etc. off when you are away from home.
CLEANING MICROFIBER TOWELS:
These need to be washed separately from everything else with a LIQUID detergent
(Wisk, Era, Tide) that has NO BLEACH, and NO FABRIC SOFTENER. Then hang dry
otherwise the towel will pick up lint in the dryer (or sand particles).
CLEANING APPLICATOR/FOAM PADS:
Soak after use in a bucket with Dawn dishwashing detergent then rinse a few
times. If you use the same pad for waxing every time, consider keeping it in a
zip lock bag so it won't dry out instead of washing it.
SOURCES:
You can get pretty much everything I used at autodetail.com which also seemed to
have the best prices (even compared to carcareonline). I've listed the Griot's
site and also the site where I ordered my microfiber towels (which are AWESOME
BTW - and inexpensive).
autodetail.com: (email Melissa for more info)
PRODUCT
PRICE
P21S Total Auto Wash
13.46
P21S Bodywork Conditioning Shampoo
7.61
3M Imperial Hand Glaze
8.96
P21S Gloss Enhancing Paintwork Cleanser
9.86
P21S Concours-look Carnauba Wax
22.46
303 Aerospace Protectant
7.16 (8oz)
Sprayaway Glass Cleaner
4.05
Lexol leather cleaner
7.61
Lexol leather conditioner
7.61
griotsgarage.com:
Griot's Leather Care
14.95 (16oz)
Blue Detail Sponges
4.95
Synthetic Chamois
14.95
JT International
email: jtintern@hotmail.com
phone: 888-989-4584
owned by Tom Wong (really nice guy, awesome service)
-Microtouch microfiber towels (70/30), has them in mint, dark green and blue and
in different sizes.
eg. 16X16 microtouch 70/30 = $2.00
-Waffleweave microfiber towels, has them in blue, gold, and green and in
different sizes.
eg. 16X36 waffleweave = $7.00
Again I realize there are many methods to this madness. Any further
contributions would be appreciated.
DISCLAIMER: I am not affiliated with or sponsored by Autodetail.com,
Griot's Garage, JT International or any other products mentioned.
Sayjal
Supplies
JT International on left Meguiar's ultimate wipe on right
JT International Microtouch microfiber towels: blue and green
JT International Waffleweave microfiber towel
Griot's synthetic chamois, Applicator pads, Griot's Blue Detail sponge on right