Need lots of help here

[k3e3n0]

i know this isnt the new member forum but new member here. my names ken im from Boston MA. joined this forum because ive alwayssss had a thing for keepin my car clean wash the car once a week in the winter twice a week in the summer its a 2001 330i alpine white. I need lots of help and knew this was the place to get it..the cars paint has some rediculous swirls i bought the car used and use microfiber towels when drying. however i use one of those washbrushes from autozone. i usually hit the car with a cleaner wax or paste wax here and there but now im looking to take it to the next leveland id appreciate any feedback.So
washing- is the brush okay? whats your process for the perfect wash
the wheels- need a really good rim cleaner and somethin to clean the gunk off the tire too
waxing- i kno theres a lot to this so gimme what you got, by hand is it better than a buffer what should i use to get rid of the swirls ive heard about sealants, compounds, polish stuff like that. what are the different process and what do they do
the trim- i use back to black for that
interior- time to give the tan leather interior a good clean. what do you recommend? feel free to recommend all the best products also
i kno u guys got all the answers so lets get started....plzz!!

[CieraSL]

Re: Need lots of help here

i know this isnt the new member forum but new member here. my names ken im from Boston MA. joined this forum because ive alwayssss had a thing for keepin my car clean wash the car once a week in the winter twice a week in the summer its a 2001 330i alpine white. I need lots of help and knew this was the place to get it..the cars paint has some rediculous swirls i bought the car used and use microfiber towels when drying. however i use one of those washbrushes from autozone. i usually hit the car with a cleaner wax or paste wax here and there but now im looking to take it to the next leveland id appreciate any feedback.So
washing- is the brush okay? whats your process for the perfect wash
the wheels- need a really good rim cleaner and somethin to clean the gunk off the tire too
waxing- i kno theres a lot to this so gimme what you got, by hand is it better than a buffer what should i use to get rid of the swirls ive heard about sealants, compounds, polish stuff like that. what are the different process and what do they do
the trim- i use back to black for that
interior- time to give the tan leather interior a good clean. what do you recommend? feel free to recommend all the best products also
i kno u guys got all the answers so lets get started....plzz!!

Washing - OK, for washing, get rid of the brush. Those aren't quality at all, and that is most likely what is causing the swirl marks. Get yourself a microfiber chenille mitt or a lambswool wash mitt, and use a good quality car wash like Gold Class Shampoo.

Lambs wool wash mitt

Microfiber chenille mitt



You can usually pick either one of these types of wash mitts at some place like Pep Boys, Advance Auto Parts, Auto Zone, O'Reilly, etc. Gold Class shampoo can be found at most any place that sells car care supplies.

Watch this video: How to wash your car show car style

Also, if you've never clayed your car, you'll want to do that using the Smooth Surface Clay kit, which can be found at Wal-Mart and most auto parts stores.

Watch this video: How to clay bar

Be sure to read through these threads:

Meguiar's 5-Step Paint Care Cycle

List O' Links 2.0

Internet Resources for Detailing Newbs

And check out: Meguiar's USA YouTube Channel for some great vids.

The meguiarsasia channel on YouTube has a ton of videos as well.

For waxing, NXT Tech Wax 2.0 is hard to beat, and would be my personal recommendation, as well as M26 Hi-Tech Yellow Wax. Read this thread: Is it a wax? Or a paint sealant?

For tires and wheel wells, get yourself a good degreaser. Purple Power is good. You can get it at Wal-Mart for around $5 a gallon, and you can dilute it if you need to.


For wheels, what kind of wheels do you have? That will make a difference on the type of product you should use for wheels.

For trim, I'd get the new Ultimate Protectant when it becomes available, as it's supposed to be really good and durable. Hope this helps!

[Tuck91]

Re: Need lots of help here

How old is the car?

What is the condition of the paint?