I have an 07 Chevy Tahoe it is a dark metallic grey or graphite with aluminum wheels. It has some light swirl marks but they are not obvious unless you look hard. I'm guessing this is due to the color. Since they are not very visible I am not too concerned about them right now. I need some advice on what I should be doing to keep my car looking its best. As of right now I have been washing with 2 buckets using Mcguires gold class car wash and a microfiber mitt. Eagleone a to z wheel cleaner and armor all tire dressing. I know these are not the best products and I ran out of everything so I am looking to buy new products. Should I clay bar my car? Wax or polish? If someone can please help me with the basics and advice on some quality products I would greatly appreciate it. I recently ordered some 1z cockpit that I am going to try out as well.
1z cockpit is a great start. i would make sure you use two buckets and get a second mit. recommend carpro version. you are absolutely correct the light color helps hide defects. i have mostly left the clay world behind and use sponge clay type pads as i am polishing anyway , much faster than clay. i would get the big beast cleaned and maybe polished and then seal it with any of the excellent sealers out there.
Thanks! Any recommendation for car shampoo? I was thinking about trying sonex full effect for my wheels. I'm not sure what tire dressing to get. I want something long lasting that shines alot.
i got swissvax for the tire dressing i quite like it, a little on the expensive side, but works well. It lasts long, but not quite on the shiny side
I'm also looking for a good leather cleaner. I want a versatile product that I can also use for other applications beside leather. Would something like 1z deep plastic cleaner or an apc work for this?
Nice rig ! Have Detailed a few Tahoe's and they take a long time.. If you are wanting to just clean the paint and then apply a good wax or sealant, etc., then it would always be best to either claybar the paint carefully, or use something like the SM Arnold Speedy Surface Prep rubberized towel.. I use this product after washing with a dodo juice born slippy lube and I get vehicles really clean and smooth with no marring, etc... Then its either go to correction stage with rotary and compounds or polishes, etc., or apply a good wax or acrylic polymer sealant, etc.. The result is always way better than just washing and applying a product, because you have removed much embedded gunk out of the paint and it will reflect light much better than not doing this step.. Good luck with this ! Dan F
Thanks for your input! I have considered buying a DA polisher to try and get out the swirl marks but I am not sure how to pick the right pads and compounds. It is not bad but it is enough to annoy me.
There are a couple of more inexpensive options and then a couple of more expensive options for DA machines. Where do you want to start ? Any of the optional machines will do the work, the more expensive will do it faster and possibly better. If you are wanting to just keep this at a "casual/occasional user", when we can go from there. Do you have a budget you want to keep ? Dan F
Mike - on this Site this man in NY has a machine for sale --- http://www.detailingbliss.com/forum...5-backing-uber-interior-brush-kit-extras.html Price is really reasonable. This is a machine made by the people (Porter Cable), that several years ago, everyone was buying for this purpose. Fast forward to now and there are similar, better machines, but they all cost more. The only difference is that the newer machines have more rotation available but that is probably it. This machine will never break, while one of the other more expensive machines, breaks regularly and you have to replace it on warranty.. Based on what you have said earlier, this could be all you would ever want for your particular needs. Kick it around, talk to other people, see what you think.. Dan F
Mike - Congratulations !! This is a great machine, and it comes with a 3" and 5" backing plates and the interior brush kit... Wow, a win - win !!! Now, you need to look for 3" and/or for sure some 5" pads and compound/polish, etc., some microfibers possibly for removing the product, some soap to wash the pads out in so you can re use them, and you are so good to go. Lastly you will need to study about waxes, acrylic polymer waxes, sealants, clear coatings, etc... Something to protect all that beautiful work you are going to do to your ride.. Great job, thanks to that nice guy WASH ME for selling this to you ! Ok Mike, you are on the road. Phil here at Detailing Bliss/Detailers Domain has the best selection of pads and all the other products I mentioned, you could ever wish to look at. Check out his offerings, read up and see what you want to talk about next, ok ? Dan F
Thanks Dan. It actually comes with 4 3" pads already. Do you know any good links for reliable info on waxes, sealants, ect.?
