Free Auto Detailing Tips
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- Techniques used first-hand by myself.
- Actual products I use professionally.
- Time saving tips
Car Detailing Made Simple
The list below is a starting point for anyone and everyone; whether you have a car, truck, or SUV. Regardless of the color, and regardless of its age, you will need the following products for required basic car paint care. The following products will not only provide the essentials of proper paint care, but deliver superior results with less effort!
Clay Bar-surface prep barThe clay bar is the starting point for silky smooth paint. Just as the name implies, this palmed sized chunk of pliable clay is used by rubbing across the surface of your paint to remove airborne contaminates that bond to your paint. These bonded contaminates create the unwanted texture of paint that will remain unless removed specifically with some form of surface prep bar such as Meguiar's Professional Clay Bar.
Meguiar's Professional Clay
Polymer Sealant
When it comes to protection, you have two basic choices; natural carnauba based products, or synthetic sealants. If durability and protection is priority one, nothing outlasts a true synthetic polymer such as the one from Meguiar's. Especially helpful on difficult or large surface projects like RV's, boats, and toy-haulers. Also useful for the minimalist amongst us who are looking to wax less often, rather than more often. A synthetic polymer will last anywhere from 6-12 months depending on your specific situation with regards to weather conditions, and the frequency of attention from you.
Meguiar's Polymer Sealant #20
As another useful free auto detailing tips, keeping a good spray wax like Meguiar's ULtimate Spray Wax as part of my arsenal is mandatory. To extend the life of my base coat, whether this be a carnauba wax or synthetic sealant, a spray wax offers a quick alternative to traditional waxing with much less effort. With advances in modern chemical engineering, you get the best of everything in spray waxes. Meguiar's Ultimate spray wax provides ease of use, decent protection, and excellent visual results.
Meguiar's Ultimate Spray Wax
Synthetic Chamois
I am a big fan of using a chamois for your car drying chores. Synthetic chamois' offer the results of genuine chamois', without any of the drawbacks. The Water Sprite chamois is the brand I have been using professionally for over twenty years. As the years have gone on, I continue to find more and more uses of these synthetic wonders!
Water Sprite Chamois
Micro Fiber Towels
Micro fiber has now officially replaced the age old, tried and tested diaper for wax removal. If you have never experienced a micro fiber, you are in for a real treat. Another tool of car detailing that is so versatile, I continue to find more and more uses of this wonder of textile engineering.
Micro Fiber Detail Cloths
Free Auto Detailing Tips
We are buried in choices when it comes to proper paint care. Many people express their frustration by being overwhelmed by so many choices. It is my attempt with these free auto detailing tips, to offer a simplified approach of proper paint care that not only covers the required basics, but if followed, will provide a level of visual enhancement most people lack the ability to get. If you did nothing else but the above recommendations, you would be ahead in knowledge and results of 98% of people out there with regards to proper car paint care.Pay it Forward by
Adding Your Comment
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What Other Visitors Have Said
Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...
Best Wax for Decal Stripes on 2010 Camaro SS
Darren,
I bought a 2010 Camaro SS last fall and the dealer told me to never wax over the flat black stripes (decals) so I haven’t. With your expertise ...
High Gloss Shine on White Paint
I would like your opinion as to how is the best way to get a high gloss wet shine on a white vehicle?
Plastic Rear WIndow Over-spray
I have a 1972 mg midget. I had it painted last year and I noticed that my window has been oversprayed. It is the rear window on the convertible top. The ...
Car Leather Care
Hello Darren,
What cleaner to use on man made leather, like the one used on F350 2011 Ford trucks
what kind of vacuum to use?
I was thinking of starting a mobile detailing business. What kind of vacuum should I use? since I am mobile should I be using a cordless vacuum? (for people ...
NuFinish car polish
I have been using NuFinish for some time. However with a new car that I just purchased, I'm concerned with the abrasiveness with NuFinish. Am I overly ...
waterless car washing products
I wanted to ask how you feel about waterless wash and wax products. I've been doing research on this product by Croftgate USA. The product is called Aquanil-...
Car Leather Care
Great site! Lots of useful tips.
Here's my problem. Our 1999 NISSAN Pathfinder manual specifies saddle soap should be used on the leather seats whereas ...
Quickest way to wash car
what is the quickest way to wash a car on the outside and save time?
cleaning polishing compound off black trim
Darren, how do I clean the polishing compound off of the black trim on my vehicle? I am trying the self satisfaction route of detailing my camper and ...
Alcantara interior detailing
Dear Darren, my husband is looking to purchase a pre-owned Mercedes ML. It has Alcantara on the seats. (The car has been sitting on the lot a long time-...
Removing Painted Lettering on Boat
Darren-I was looking at your section on boats, and removing emblems and decals, don't know if you have ever tried, but I used Easy-off oven cleaner to ...
Just bought black...HELP!
Hi Darren, I just bought a black 2010 Toyota Tundra and I wish I had researched the subject better before I bought. I have many questions but will start ...
Getting Gum Out Of Carpet!!!!
Not rated yet
You can use the Simple Green All Purpose Cleaner, Dilute it to a 10:1 ratio and put it in the microwave for approximately 30-35 seconds. take the cleaner ...
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Darren's Picks for Amazing Paint
Use any of the links below to shop for my personal recommendations. I have personally tested each of these products in the real world of my auto detailing business and these products promise you professional results. While there are many products available, I have simplified this process for you with my list below.
Meguiar's Professional Clay
Detailing clay is a critical and mandatory step in proper paint care. Use the Meguiar's Professional detailing clay to remove airborne pollutants that embed themselves into your cars paint. The professional way to prep your paint for a glass smooth finish to be used prior to waxing.
Meguiars Professional Detailing Clay
Meguiar's Ultimate Paste Wax
By combining synthetic polymers and formulating into a paste wax, you get the ultimate in beauty and protection. Perfect for dark colored cars for depth and glossing. Polymer technology creates a durable layer of protection guaranteed to outlast traditional carnauba paste waxes.
Meguiar's Polymer Sealant
For the ultimate in durability and protection, nothing lasts longer or holds up to the elements better than polymer technology. Perfect for use on boats, RV's, or light colored cars when protection is your first goal. With the ease of use in liquid form, wax less often with this advance polymer sealant.
Meguiars Mirror Glaze #20 Polymer Sealant
Meguiar's Ultimate Quik Wax
Meguiar's Ultimate Quick Wax is a spray detailer and wax all in one. Use as a stand alone wax after using the clay bar, or to enhance and refresh any wax already on your paints finish. This product is so easy to use, and very light in consistency, I actually use this as a Quik Detailer; this way I am also getting added wax protection and enhancement each time. Recommended for any dark colored cars after washing for added depth and glossing. Ideal for hot climates, as can be used in direct sunlight on hot paint.
Griot's Garage Micro Fiber Cloths
If you are new to micro fiber, you are in for a big treat! These amazing wonders have completely replaced the ageless staple of baby diapers as the universally accepted tool for wax removal. So versatile, you will find many other uses for them also. I simply reserve a number of these cloths for wax removal only.
Griot's Garage Micro Fiber Wax Removal Cloths, 3 Pack
Water Sprite Chamois
The exact chamois I have used professionally for over twenty years; still the best! I like this over-sized version that I cut in half; one half is reserved for freshly washed cars, the other half for dirtier jobs like wiping door jambs. Simply hose out with pressure when they get dirty. All the benefits of natural chamois, with none of the drawbacks! An absolute must for every "Driveway Detailer".
Water Sprite Plus® Chamois 4 sq. Feet
California Car Duster
One of my personal favorites and an absolute must! Whether you are a die hard enthusiast, or someone looking to just keep their car looking great with minimal effort. Enhance the love affair with your car and extend the time between washings by using the proven California Car Duster.
