Hey all-

My name is Matt, and Im a wash-and-wax wacko myself, just like the rest of y'all. Currently I have a 99 Civic Si (which is for sale btw), anyways, Im a moderator over at clubsi.com for the Show and Shine forum, and I wrote this up for the guys over there to use. Just thought you might be interested in it as well!

Car Detailing 101

**Disclaimer**
----- Myself, or no one affiliated with this forum, is responsible for harm you may cause to the exterior and/or interior of your car while trying methods suggested in the following thread.-----

In this write-up, I plan on going into full-length detail of how I (important), detail a car. I can honestly say that every detailer I know has a very different procedure, and where some of you may find my routine to work very well, others will tweak it to fit their own liking(s).
Keep this cycle in mind when you're detailing and cleaning your car.
[image]http://www.meguiarsonline.com/gallery/data/500/2400_5step.jpg[/image]

First things first, what do I need? Again, this is going to change vastly with each person, and shop. For me, I prefer to mainly stick with Meguiar

 

Not bad - I think the 7424 is excessive though. The 7336 model is cheaper and doesn't come with the accessories that you'll just be replacing anyway

As for the Armor All - that stuff doesn't go near my or any of my customer's cars I use Meg's quick detail and 303 for interior stuff.

 

Well- the only Armor All I like to use is the Tire Gel. 303 is now the only interior cleaner Ill use.

-Matt

 

I use the el-cheapo bulk micro fiber from Costco/Sams Club on my dash, top, and any other interior bits of the car that need a lint free wipe down. I will never use them on my paint and I would recommend a higher quality MF towel for drying/wiping down the paint on the car. Any of the Sonus lineup at Autopia is a good start, Cobra also has some great products.

Check out MikeyC's product reviews, after reading them I'll almost guarantee that you'll be changing some of your detailing products (and opinions).

MikeyC's Product Reviews

 

should check out mikeyC's guide as well =)

https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=221878

 

Thanks for offering your insight on detailing Matt!

You guys gotta remember, he did title it "Detailing 101"; and to be honest, I've seen many S2k's who could use it. MikeyC's guide may be much more "selective," but it's far from 101. More like grad school! (but I follow it to the T).

 

FYI, I would also recommend a two-step process on your leather seats. Yes, you can skimp by with a 1-step for some time, but then the conditioner will just build up in the corners, etc. and you are not really getting off all the foreign material and body oil from the leather every time.

Check out the thread in my signature, I have a lil experience in the matter.

 

" Thanks for offering your insight on detailing Matt!

You guys gotta remember, he did title it "Detailing 101"; and to be honest, I've seen many S2k's who could use it. MikeyC's guide may be much more "selective," but it's far from 101. More like grad school! (but I follow it to the T)."

Thanks for all the insight! And yea, this is for people who are just trying to get into good cleaning habits with their car. If you follow what I wrote, your car will look better than 99% of the cars out their; with the exception of people in this forum of course! :-P Anyways, I know there are different, and better practices out there, and Im not saying this is the best. Its just a "taste" if you will. Feel free to add any comments or suggestions! This could be a good "newbie thread"





" FYI, I would also recommend a two-step process on your leather seats. Yes, you can skimp by with a 1-step for some time, but then the conditioner will just build up in the corners, etc. and you are not really getting off all the foreign material and body oil from the leather every time.

Check out the thread in my signature, I have a lil experience in the matter."


And thanks for this bit of information, Ive never really taken that into consideration to be honest, but I will be sure to look more into. And if I ever have any leather questions, theyre coming right to you. :-)

-Matt

 

Matt,

This is a great post. As someone who has also written a detailing guide I can appreciate the amount of time and effort it requires to put something like this together. So, I just want to thank you for sharing your work with everyone.

Also, thanks for buying my Mother's Powerball.

-Mike

 

Haha, not a problem! Thanks for the kind words and the easy business! Haha


--matt