New Guy. What Do I Need?

[lancerplayer]

Hey everyone. I recently came across this forum and am amazed at how much information there is about car care.

I recently turned 16 and got my drivers license and car. The car I got is a gold 2003 Chevy Malibu LS. It is now my goal to keep it cleaned and looking good.

My question is what products do I need to get and keep my car looking the nicest it can? I would like to keep costs down as I will be paying for all it (do not have a job right now), keep it easy (I have no experience waxing or detailing), and keep it quick (school and sports are time consuming). I would like to get a good car wash, clay bar? (is it really necessary), wheel/tire polisher, glass cleaner, leather cleaner, scratch remover, towels, and dash cleaner. Again, I need products that will get the job done and will be cheap, easy, and quick. Also, from reading these forums so far, I am sticking to Meguiar's only.

I will contine to read and learn new stuff. I really appreciate your help!

[sneek]

to MOL
i am 17
wash:NXT wash/Gold Class wash
Clay bar: Quik Clay System
wheel/ tire: Hot Rims All Wheel Cleanerand NXT Generation Tire Cleaner, Gold Class Endurance or Gold Class Endurance High Gloss

glass cleaner: NEW NXT Generation Glass Cleaner
Leather Cleaner: Gold Class Rich Leather Wipes
scratch remover: ScratchX
Towels: Supreme Shine Microfiber
Dash Cleaner: Quik Interior Detailer

[lancerplayer]

Where is a good place to buy these products online for a good price?

[SVT Lightning]

At the Megs e-store of course!

http://meguiars.com/estore/

[Crazy1]

Try Walmart,Pepboys,Autozone,Target that way you pay no shipping. Online you could try autodetailingsolutions.com/

[lancerplayer]

What kind and how many specific towels will I need?

[sneek]

Supreme Shine Microfibers and about 10 to start is good but i guess you could start with 5 if your really short on cash and then buy cheap microfibers for the interior but i wouldn't use them on paint

just click on the links in my first post

[lancerplayer]

This may be a stupid question, but I will ask. Can I use a NXT Generation product with just a regular Meguiar's product? So can I mix and match any of Meguiar's products?


Edit - Also, for interior (dash) cleaning would I be okay with using the Meguiar's Heavy Duty Carpet & Interior Cleaner or do I have to get the Meguiar's Quick Detailer Interior too. I will like to clean my carpet and dash. So do I need both of them?

[Murr1525]

Yes, all of Meguiars products work together. Yo ucan use any of the Consumer Line products, Professional Products, etc together, or mix and match what you like.

The Carpet and Interior Cleaner I think is best for fabric stuff, not cleaning the dash as much... It also isnt going to have any protectants in it.

Also, the Quick Interior Detailer can do light dusting/cleaning, but also has very little protection.

After cleaning, you will want to use something like Nxt Tech Protectant, or any of the other protectants.

Check out Autodetailingsolutions for your microfibers. THey have some good sales I think at the moment on the Supreme Shine 3-packs, and the Water Magnet 3-packs.

The SS Towels, you will definately want a bunch of. The Water Magnets, a 3-pack should be good for one car a day. Just make sure you get some cheaper terry cloth towels for cleaning door jambs, oother dirty places, or places where you could snag/tear a towel.

[lancerplayer]

Wow! It is going to cost around $150 to get everything. By everything I mean car wash, scratch remover, wax, tire cleaner/polish, wheel cleaner/polish, carpet cleaner, bug/tar remover, detail, glass cleaner, leather cleaner/polisher, and dash cleaner/protectant. That was more than I had intended to spend. What are the BASICS that I need to get my car looking good?

[Murr1525]

Yeah.. I bought a few things at a time, it really ***** to do it all at once.

Actualy, the Interior Cleaner does say it works on vinyl.. my mistake.

The easiest minimum for paint would be Wash/Clay/ColorX/#21.

Did you like the ADS prices? If so, here's what I'd do..

ADS charges like $8 shipping for orders up to $60 dollars I think. So put together an order of like $58 dollars. I did a little spreadsheet to see what I saved, and ordering from them made good sense. I think I saved like $30 off of retail prices, even with the shipping.

Definately get a 3-pack of of each of the SS and Water Magnet Towels, and a wash mit. Also, order the #21 Synthetic Sealant Sampler size, and at least one Grit Guard for your rinse water bucket.

Then put together whatever else makes up the order. Perhaps the Carpet Cleaner, The Smooth Surface Clay kit, ColorX, ScratchX, tire shine, interior protectant, glass cleaner, etc. Whatever adds up.

Then buy the soap, and whatever cheap towels, etc near you.

THen your detail would look like this:

1. Wash
2. Clay when needed.
3. ColorX
4. #21
5. Tires, glass, trim, etc.

[lancerplayer]

Should I get the Meguiar's Versa-Angle Tire Brush and the Meguiar's Safety Tip Wheel Spoke Brush right away or is the not a necessity right now?

[Murr1525]

A spoke brush is handy, espeacialy if your have tight spaced spokes.

But you can always use an old towel or mit in the mean time, one for tires, and one for wheels. You dont want to mix them up, or use them on your paint after.

[joaks]

How much are you looking to spend? Although I prefer to use mostly premium products (microfibers etc), you can do without. Your paint should be new enough, I am not sure that you really need to clay. Although microfiber is great, you can use a standard cotton towel for your needs, cloth diapers are popular for application (if they are not readily available, ie left over from a baby, you might have to pay as much for new diapers as you would for professional detailling cloth).

Depending on your budget, you could start with something like this:
#7
#21 (or 20, or 26)
Car wash (ie 00)
Then supply your own applicators/towels from around the house or buy less expensive new.

Just my thoughts on keeping the cost down.

EDIT: you have mail lancer

[lancerplayer]

I am looking to spend around $85.

Joaks, you have a PM.