Truth is, I don't know how to wash a nice car.

[tanalasta]

I will happily admit to being a repeat customer of carcareproducts! And a happy one with that. My microfibre towel purchased some 6 years ago (waffle weave) is still good... and I only recently tossed out the poorboys concentrate because there was still some left!!! (in preference for nanolex carwash which i find really does help with drying if one rinses off using good watersheeting technique).

I use an enjo microfibre car mitt to wash my car. I suppose any microfibre mitt will do but I'll quite happily put in a good word that the enjo mitt is well made and seems like it'll last until I drop it in sand. (Disclaimer: I do not sell enjo and only own the bbq mitt and floor mop).

All you really need in addition is carwash, two buckets, perhaps a dust guard, a good hose/hosehead preferably with a flow control to easily switch on/off and a microfibre waffle weave towel! For the interior, I also recommend aerospace 303 - I use the easy wipes out of laziness, not really cost effectiveness and one or two clothes does the exterior rubber trim. Then you really only need a few for the interior as one cloth goes a long way.

Enjoy looking after your new car! If you have time ... buy a good wheel brush, some tire gloss, glass cleaner/sealant and the list goes on! But the above basics should be enough.

[Sawed Off]

Thanks, tanalasta. I can see how people can get obsessive about keeping their car sparkling. I'm already wishing I bought the Deluxe detailing pack for the glass and wheel care extras. I ended up grabbing some bits from Supercheap, but I already have more things in the basket on the CCP website. Just figuring out what else I need to help spread the shipping cost around. I'm trying to convince myself I need the random orbit polisher so I can get my older cars sparkling, too.

What I really need is recommendations for vacuums. I'm thinking something in the dustbuster size if any are worth having.

[Buller_Scott]

hey sawed off, glad to see you're getting into it!

me: for a long time, only bought off the shelf. 3+ years of doing an OKAY job, the bare minimum, but not really taking proper care of the car. now im onto the boutique stuff like on CCP, and it shows just how cheap it is to buy from someone like them, when you compare it with the prices you'll pay off the shelf at autobarn, and how much of that crap you actually have to use to get any results.

so you've got the wash mitt, shampoo, interior stuff, drying microfibre/waffle weave - do you have paint sealant etc too?

on the CCP website, if you need to fill up on products to justify shipping costs, there is plenty of stuff:
- tyre applicators - spread product well, no mess, easy to use
- light cut pad - i have one of these, and they are AWESOME for if you've got a light cutting agent to get out finer swirls, and dont mind putting in a bit of elbow grease.
- interior textile sealer
- spray wax/sealant - a mate of mine uses this and loves it, spray on wipe in, no buffing, brings out the color and protects the car. easier than waxing, but will keep your car protected.
- 303 aerospace protectant for the interior trim, exterior trim, and tyres as well - doesnt give the tyres a wet look, but rather an OEM black, slight satin finish

just keep on keeping on - some people cant be bothered to detail their car and instead get others to do it for them - not me. it's become one of my hobbies, even if i dont have a random orbital. you just need to play around with different things, and over time (it will take time) you'll have your regular products that you like to use, that suit your needs.

i got a "craftright" branded hard bottom tool bag from bunnings for like $20, and it fits the 5 microfibres that i use in a major detail, as well as little compartments to hold the 250ml bottles of product i use - i've been able to refine my process so that i only have isopropanol, 303 aerospace protectant, tyre dressing, paint sealant, and quick detail to go over the paint sealant.

play around, and enjoy it!

[carcareproducts]

I dont even have to reply, wow LOL

Nice work guys!