Recommended Product Brands

[Clar2478]

What brand(s) of products do you use to maintain the look of your car, both interior and exterior? I have used meguiars for the past three years for just about everything. Just thought I would see what everyone else recommends.

[Street Wolf]

Mothers, and only Mothers.

[SyntheticShield]

Zaino and only Zaino.

[98SilvermistGTP]

The last time I waxed my car I used 3M Extreme Performance wax and performance finish. I have to say that is the best my car has ever looked. I have used Zaino, Liquid Glass, several different Meguiars brands, Mothers, Zymol, and Turtle Wax. None of them even compare.

[WackyWRZ]

I used to on the Meguiars bandwagon, but after talking with a couple guys at my local body shop, they told me they use and recommend Wizards. First reaction was Wizards, , so they hooked me up with some, and its the best I have ever used. Its only available online, and through body shops as far as I know. Its really easy to use, and the price isn't bad either. They have a really good website with good information as well: WizardsProducts.com - Home .

[Mvfootball1]

Wizards, but make sure your car is cooled down before using.

[GPSims39]

Simonize, Turtle Wax Liquid Ice, Gliptone and Ultra Turtle Wax (Deepest Gloss ever)

[grandprixboy]

meguiars gold class paste wax, meguiars mist and wipe spray for inbetween washes, eagle one glass cleaners, meguiars high gloss tire shine(smells like grape), mothers chrome polish for wheels, and turtle wax liquid polish

[salannelson]

i use mothers. my dad uses meguiars. doesn't really matter

[TorqueAutoMotiv]

zaino

[Warhellride]

I'm a firm believer that technique is more important than product, but I'll list some products with which I've had good results.

Zaino. While many products I've tried look great, especially on well-prepared paint, Zaino wins out for ease of use and longevity. It seems a little daunting at first, but you really only need a couple of their products to start off:

• Z-2 for lighter colors (glossier than Z-5)
  or
• Z-5 for darker colors or swirled paint
• Z-FX (Curing agent. Necessary for the first coat, and helps subsequent coats last longer)
• Z-8. Amazing product.

Carnuba:
I recently tried a sampler of Dodo Juice waxes. I was impressed. Zaino wins out for reflectivity, but the Blue Velvet and Purple Haze (formulated for dark colors) brought out a deeper, wetter shine in the black paint. I like both looks for different reasons.

I've also had great results with Meguiar's Gold Class paste wax.

Polish:
Menzerna polishes. Once again, I think technique matters more than brand. If you've never polished your paint, you'll be amazed at the difference.

Tires:
Just like wax, different products will give different looks.
Zaino Z-16. Natural looking, satin gloss. Doesn't attract dirt.
Meguiar's Endurance High Gloss: Very glossy, and very long lasting. Easy to apply (thick gel), and doesn't sling off once applied.

Interior:
Dash: 303 Aerospace Protectant. Gives a nice, matte finish.

Leather: Leatherique. It's not the easiest product to use, but it's definitely worth the effort. Softens leather, and gives a natural finish with no greasy residue.

Glass: Stoner Invisible Glass.

[JoelW98GTP]

To clean carpets, seats, dash, door panels, etc. - Malco Outrageous Orange Cleaner.
To shine interiors - Malco EZ Shine
Wheel and tire cleaner - Malco Brake-Off
Engine and tire shine - Malco PB2
Windows - Isopropyl Alcohol. Yep, just alcohol! Window cleaner is a waste of money. Pointless.
Wax - 3M performance Finish
Rubbing Compound - 3M Perfect-It. Be careful of cutting strength!

Rags - Any good Microfiber towel. You can use them for all interior cleaning. They don't leave any lint behind and absorb dust like a mofo.

Best cleaning tip ever. Seat stain miracle! Now for those with a VERY low IQ, this is NOT TO BE USED ON LEATHER SEATS! CLOTH ONLY (hey, you never know. hahaha)!!!!!! Buy a couple wire brushes. Yes the wire brushes with metal bristles. One square, maybe 2"x2" or 3"x3". And one that is in the shape of a toothbrush that is about 1/2" wide x 2" long to reach in crevises of seats. IMPORTANT - DO NOT try this on wet seats after you gave up scrubbing to no avail. Wait until the seats are fully dry. Dry as a bone. Let them dry for a week if you have to or this will not work! Take the wire brushes and scrub your seats. Obviously if you have a tear on your seat, don't run the brush over it, or you will make the hole larger. But seriously, don't be afraid! I recondition repo vehicles when I'm laid off from my main job. I do stereo work, detailing, buffing, waxing, engines, wheels tires, etc. You can imagine how nasty repos can be. I usually have to end up dying carpets 2 or sometimes 3 shades darker to hide carpet stains that orange clean, brake-off, and even LAQUER THINNER won't remove. And the best trick ever, hands down on seat stains is a wire brush. What appears to be a stain is usually just dirt and filth and will come right out. When you wet the seat and try to scrub, the dirt will bind to the material, when you wire brush it DRY, dust will fly! Stain gone.

[TheOtherNick]

Just water is the best for window cleaning. Then dry with a micro fiber towel.

[JoelW98GTP]

Just water is the best for window cleaning. Then dry with a micro fiber towel.

Water works well too. The only downside to it is that it won't cut oils and silicones from chemicals like dash shining products. Oh and the dreaded build up of cigarette smoke tar which water, and alcohol won't remover. Hell, I've used laquer thinner on that too! Doesn't work if the tar is thick enough lol. The only thing that will efficiently remove that crap is a razer blade, elbow grease and a sore arm. But if you regularly keep your car clean, water is fine!

[TheOtherNick]

I just dont let people smoke in my car takes car of that issue. Gravel dust likes the shining stuff too much so I dont really use it.

[JoelW98GTP]

Ditto! Oh and window tint removal........ Razor blade and alcohol! Works wonders. Peel it off and remove the adhesive with the alcohol and razor blade. Alcohol, laquer thinner and razor blades are obviously my favorite all purpose chemicals and tool. People are terrified of laquer thinner but you can use it on a LOT of stuff and it won't hurt a thing. You just can't use it on SOFT plastics and painted plastics. It's perfect for removing road tar and bugs from your exterior paint. Also It's good for removing deep filth from HARD, rough interior plastics.

[TheOtherNick]

Yup thats how I peeled my tint.