Hello, well I have been doing some research and its time that my S deserves to get a good detail. I have been looking around and have been reading product reviews on numerous products.

This is so far what I am planning on ordering. Your critisism is welcom.
[** ( ) means its left open to change or any opinions.]

For convert top:

303 Vinyl Cleaner
303 Aerospace Protectant

Interior:

Lexol Quick-wipes Leather Cleaner & Conditioner
Using Aerospace Protectant on non leather parts
Windex or any kind of glass cleaner.


Exterior:

Currently using Turtle Wax Gold Classic, but planning on changing to... ( )

Chamois for drying

Zaino Z-1, Z-2, Z-5, Z-6, [Still thinking about purchasing the claybar or not]

Wheels:

Currently using car wash soap to clean wheels.. ( )
Mothers Polish
Tire shine ( )

Other Accessories:

Cobra Microfiber detailing cloth
Sheepskin Washcloth
Vinyl and leather scrub brush


I have a few questions though. When washing the car, do I rinse the vinyl top with water before I apply the cleaner? And once I apply the cleaner, do I scrub, rinse, let dry, then apply the aerospace protectant?

Any input would be nice in helping me build my detailing list.

Thanks in advance

Jason

Supplies used:



Post Washing/ Pre Polishing











Zaino Time!!!!































And thats all she wrote. All comments welcome.

 

Yes, good luck with your project, take some before/after pics.

 

thanks, I sure will

 

For glass cleaner I would recommend Stoner's glass cleaner. Works very well.

I would also suggest that you clay the car before you get started. After you wash the car, go put a sandwich bag over your hand and feel the surface of the paint. That should help sway your decision on whether or not to clay.

 

Thanks for the advice, once I get all my products in order, I will run through a list of my actions to take in my detailing process and see what advice I can get on my method.

Thanks again.

Jason

 

Ditto on the stoner glass... that stuff makes windex look like vhs.

I'd also get a waffle weave drying towel instead of chammy... Also, I just use meguiars microfiber applicator pads for cleaning/conditioning the interior (dash/panels/seats).

Skip the vinyl cleaner... car wash soap works great.

 

is the waffle weave much better than the chamois? I already bought a "absorber" a little while ago, and it really doesnt dry the car really well. So I've been wanting to restore back to a "towel" style. As for the applicator pads, I'll be receiving some from my z-kit from Zaino.

 

+1 for Stoners! That stuff is awesome. Make sure you claybar the glass first, then use the Stoners Invisible Glass. It will look like your car is missing windows.

Zaino claybar is just overpriced. I like the Mother's Claybar kit. You get about 5 full jobs out of one kit, and the cleaner wax that they give you is nice for "in between" full details. I use it maybe every 3 months or so in between full details every 6 months. The detailing/lubricant spray smells great too... like cinnamon. I find myself smelling my microfiber rag often while I claybar

Keep in mind that the Mother's metal polish should only be used on the exhaust tips. You can use it on the wheels once or twice but be careful as the stock wheels are actually painted and the polish isn't good for painted surfaces.

 

you wont believe what a great product big blue is...
i used a chamois for years, then tried the absorber and went back to the chamois.
didnt want to try big blue, but someone gave me one.
i now have several!
one of the best recent detailing inventions imo!

 

So your saying that the "absorber" is the great product your talking about? This big blue..?