Detailing Supplies: First Time

[DiZzyBonne]

Okay, first off, I'm merely gonna wash my car, I'll wax it once the new paint cures. Now, I'm going to Pep Boys to buy a wash mitt and a drying towel - my old stuff is too dirty to even clean - anything in specific I should look for? I'm gonna buy a microfiber wash mitt and a microfiber waffle weave drying towel. Does the brand matter, or as I said before, anything I should look for in the product itself? Thanks!

[EDIT]

Micro Gear® Coming Soon!

I'm currently using the "Extreme-Clean Wash Mitt" in the middle, but it's really dirty.

[EDIT 2]

I just found a brand new Meguiar's Wash Sponge in a Meguiar's kit I had sitting right behind me.

Should I just use that to wash the car? Is that considered a grout sponge? How long does it last and how do I care for and clean it? Also, I plan on using that same sponge to remove the few bugs I have splattered on my freshly painted front bumper. Good or bad idea?

[Murr1525]

Re: Detailing Supplies: First Time

Watch this first:

How to Wash Your Car Show Car Style

As far as products... The Meguiars ones would be best for the paint, as far as towels ,mitts, etc... The other ones I have are the Target Vroom ones.. they seem ok.

Some people have had success laying a wet towel or paper towel over the dried bugs for 5 minutes or so before washing, as a gentle way to remove them.

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: Detailing Supplies: First Time

I would try the wet towel method to remove the bugs. Just saturate the towel and it should work the bugs loose after a while. I think this would be best since you mentioned this is fresh paint.

As for the sponge just give it a good rinse and wring it out well when done. It should be fine.

[DiZzyBonne]

Re: Detailing Supplies: First Time

So I used the sponge I had, and boy was it amazing! I only wish I would of started using a sponge instead of a mitt from the start! I guess that a mitt is better if the car is a lot filthier? At least, that's what I read somewhere. Other than that, I used a waffle weave by that Micro Gear brand, simply because that's the only waffle weave that Pep Boys carries - it also looks just like the Cobra waffle weave - oh man, it's SO much better than a chamois! My old mitt and chamois are DEFINITELY going to my wheels . As soon as my paint cures I'm going to buy some wax applicator pads and some wax remover/detailing micro fiber cloths and start waxing away! Also, seeing as how fast it was to wash my car this time, it looks like I'm going to start washing my car once a week (with my old supplies it took double the time to wash my car.)
Now, what's the best way to clean and dry the sponge and waffle weave?

I've seen that video, and I've been washing my car like that since then (minus the second bucket and grit guard, I need to get me one of those.)

Oh, and the bugs came out with ease, they mostly rinsed out with the initial watering down of the car.

[Sal329]

Re: Detailing Supplies: First Time

I would use the Yellow Viking drying towels from K Mart top dry the car. They also have a nice blus MF wash mit there as well.

[DiZzyBonne]

Re: Detailing Supplies: First Time

Someone else recommended Viking as well, I guess I'll have to get that next time around.

[Dj's Detailing]

Re: Detailing Supplies: First Time

I have a detailing business in Vegas, and i am in love with synthetic chamois. They are easy to maintain and help save time and laundry . I prefer the absorber brand. As for waxing, if you keep your car in good shape i recommend Meguiar's 1 step cleaner wax. Just did mine today and I swear the surface feels like butter.