Meg's magnets, terrys, MFs, etc... Question, which & when?

[Gonzoli]

I'd like to hear your thoughts and opinions on the subject of accessories. I'm sure this is a highly subjective topic, but all points of view are welcome.

I have the cleaning, polishing, and waxing products selected for my routine... and theres lots of discussion on this subject... but Meguiar's line includes many cloth towels, applicator products, etc... it's the methods of applying them by hand, that I'd like more info on. I've listed some questions to give you an example of what I'm wondering....

Which do you prefer for washing, the Ultra Plush mitt, or the Deep Pile Chenille mit?

For what tasks do you use your Supreme Shine MF towels, and for which do you choose your Ultra Plush Super Terry?

When is a foam applicator more desireable than the even coat applicator pads?

Does anyone use the Microfiber Super Suede Drying Cloth? Do you stick with the Water Magnet instead? (I've been using an old school natural Chamois thus far, but I'll be experimenting with the Meguiar products there too.)

What do you wash your wheel wells with? How do you apply Endurance? With what do you apply Tech Protect? Anything I've left out?

I've read all about your preferred and recommended routines for detailling... but it would be great to hear which accessory you reach for, and when. Perhaps you would'nt mind listing your typical routine and including the accessories you use for each step?

[Murr1525]

1. I am a chenile fan, though I use the chenile sponges. I do have an Ultra Plush mit to try, but havent yet.

2. Supreme Shine Mf's for removing cleaners, polishes waxes. Terrys for drying door jambs, other places where stuff can get stuck/rippedstaines/greased, etc.

3. Tough call. Personal preferance really, though the Even Coats seem to do a great job waxing. Foam is best for paint cleaners probably.

4. Water Magnet all the way.

5. I have been using APC on tires. For Endurance you would want to get an Eagle1 tire swipe.

For Tech protectant, other trim dressings, glass cleaners, etc, I have some cheap MF towels from Target . Vroom brand I believe.

Remember to order your stuff from autodetailingsolutions.com soon... they have a good sale at the moment on towels.

[Gonzoli]

Thanks Murr125, good reply

As to wheel wells, I did'nt mean which chemicals/cleaners but rather, how you clean it. I would'nt think sticking a wash mitt in the wheel wells would be a good idea, since stuck-on road grit is quite prevalent there. Brushes can be awkwards there... I'm thinking an old MF soaked in the (left over) NXT wash water.

I'm also curious how you maintain the inside of your doors. The jambs, underneath the panels, sills, door hinge areas, etc...
How do we wash these inner-areas, and should we wax them also? I've always just wiped them clean, but now I'm more concerned about preservation (rust inhibiting) and overall appearance than I ever was previously.

[Murr1525]

Oh, I thought you said wheels.. I would say an old MF or Terry towel would be aceptable for wheelwells, either soaked in some wash water or APC/Degreaser. You could also look for the bent handled kitchen/bathroom type of brush. Obviously, the more you keep after them the less strong stuff you will need. And All-Season Dressing works great in there to dress them.

As far as sills, I just open them when washing and wipe a soapy sponge along. And I will just tend to have a wet terry cloth, maybe soapy, and wipe under doors, in the frames, etc.

A cleaner/wax like ColorX works great on the larger painted areas like over the rea fenders, sills, etc to help make cleaning easier.

For hinges, I tend not to do a whole lot. If it looks like dust, I'll wipe... If it looks like grease meant to do something, I stay away.

[Gonzoli]

I think thats a great idea...
I want to clean painted interior areas all around the car, and a APC soaked MF or sponge probably would work best since I don't want to rinse carwash soap out of these areas - thus soaking my interior in the process.

The suggestion of ColorX is ideal, as a follow up to an APC cleaning... and an easy step to take. This was a product I felt I did not really have a use for... until now. Thanks!

[Murr1525]

Just one thing to note.. I am not sure if APC is recomended for paint. Maybe I made it sound that way.

Soapy water would be best probably. Maybe someone can verify if APC is paint safe? Only at the 10:1 dilution if anything I'm sure?

[123anthonyG]

I use a non-Meguiars brand genuine lambswool for washing. (Viking Car Car I believe)-Reason: Just because I saw Mike Phillips use one on his video of car washing,and I like the way it feels.
Megs Supreme Shine Microfibers I use for removing dried wax, and Speed/Quick Detailers. -Reason: There plush, soft, absorbant, and provide scratch free results.
I dry with Megs Water Magnet and touch up any drips with the Megs Super Plush Terry-Reason: The water magnet is pretty effective and I like the waffle design. I touch up with the terrys because by that time the magnet is pretty damp even though you ring it out and the terrys don't leave any trace of water. (MFs would do the same job though)
I use the Megs Even Coat applicators to apply Tech Protect and NXT Spray Wax. -Reason: They apply everything so evenly and feel better in the hand than the foam applicators.
I have not done this yet, but when I apply a cleaner wax I will use the round foam applicators.-Reason: It just feels like a little scrubber whereas the even coat applicator is more plush. It just seems more appropriate for a "cleaner" wax.

My two cents.......

[gollums_friend]

I use one Meg's SS MF for bulk of water when drying, then one WM to finish the job.

I use the yellow round foam (by hand) applicators to apply nearly everything--all waxes, ScratchX, PlastX. I've tried the Even-Coat applicators....and, they're just harder for me to navigate my way around the car than the yellow foam applicators.

I use Meg's SS MF to remove all waxes. I use other MF's to remove polish. I use non Meg's MF also to remove ScratchX and PlastX. I pretty much keep the Meg's SS MF just for go around when drying car, and for removing any waxes used.

I oersonally don't car for wash mits. I use Meg's chenille sponge.

I don't own any Terry towels. I just prefer MF's.

[farmboy]

I use different types of accessories for different jobs. I wash with the ultra plush mit (also have the body brushes I use sometimes). The chenille mit I use for the wheels. I use a soapy grunt towel for the door jambs. I found that the mist feature on my water sprayer works great for rinsing them without a mess.

I use SS microfibers for wax removal and super terrys for the interior. Sam's club MFs for the grunt work. Glass MFs for the windows.

I use even coats for wax and foam for dressings. I use a PC with paint cleaners.

I use Water magnets. You will need more than one.

I use a wheel face brush on my wheel wells. I have a full size truck that gives plenty of room for it.

It cost a bunch of money for me to get everything, but I know I won't be using a dressing applicator for appling wax or a wax removal towel for cleaning windows, etc.