Detailing Tips & Tricks

[TGP Nick]

I thought it would be cool to have a thread like this.  What do you guys use for your waxing, polishing, techniques, etc?  Any procedures or layering of products to get your car looking really good and shiny?  Please share! 

[TGP Nick]

ttt

[grinders_18]

I use a mixture of things...Maguires, Eagle Wax-as-you-dry...(kinda gotta use that up since it was a present)...but mainly I use something my buddy uses at his Tractor Implement...really brings out the shine.

[Prospeeder]

I wax with Meguires Gold class, tire shine usually with some tire foam, and i use Turtle wax F-21 on the dash parts, Meguires leather care inside, invisible glass to clean the glass and tint, and Mothers on my aluminum lip.

[TGP Nick]

Here are a few things I found that work great:

Mr. Clean Magic erasers: When I got my TGP, it had tar spots ALL over it.  I just used 1 magic eraser on the tar spots and the car is MINT now.

Motorcraft 1 step Wash & Wax (made by Ford): This is great- you just wash your car like normal and it leaves a thin layer of well- it's kinda like a wax/rainX for your car- water just beads up and runs off the car- it's great!

Mothers California Gold Wax: Works awesome, smells great!

Swiffer dusters: Lol yes it sounds funny but these work awesome on dashes, door panels/jambs, vents, and glass.  It takes the dust off EVERYTHING without leaving residue and it literally takes less than 1 minute to get the car totally dust free.

Vinegar: Very simple, removes water spots quickly and easily.

That's about all I can think of at the moment.

[LukeZ34]

Just a word of caution.. Use those Magic erasers carefully. Pushing too hard, or getting too aggressive with one can marr the hell out of a vehicle's paint. It's not so much of a big deal if you've got a decent buffer to erase any damage it may have caused, but if you don't have access to one, use them very lightly.

[Larry M]

Just a word of caution.. Use those Magic erasers carefully. Pushing too hard, or getting too aggressive with one can marr the hell out of a vehicle's paint. It's not so much of a big deal if you've got a decent buffer to erase any damage it may have caused, but if you don't have access to one, use them very lightly.

I have to echo LukeZ34's comments about Magic Eraser.  While Magic Eraser is a miracle product, it is gently abrasive, no question.  I've used them on many different types of materials and  the longer you use them or the harder you press, the more of the original material can be removed.  On tar spots, I use Bug and Tar remover, or gasoline, etc.  Wait, gas is more expensive than Bug and Tar Remover.  LOL

[TGP Nick]

I found that the magic eraser removed EVERYTHING the bug & tar remover didn't take off, and it did nothing to my paint, so I'm happy.  I made sure to wax the car afterward as well.

Anybody have more Detailing Tips & Tricks, procedures, products that work well, etc?

[TGP Nick]

Any other tips/tricks/procedures?

[TGP Nick]

I found using straight simple green works great at getting those x-laces nice and clean.

[sleeperred90tgp]

I've never washed or waxed mine so therefor I can't add to this thread.  The only car I've washed in the last 20 years is my TA and then generally all I have to wash is the rear quarters behind the slicks. Well I did have to wash it once, had f**king love bugs plastered all over it. That will teach them to f**k in front of me.  Afraid to let it go through a car wash.

Good thread though.

Jud

[TGP Nick]

Don't feel bad, Jud- in all honesty I haven't ever really waxed mine either... I've done the roof, hood, and trunklid once, but I've never actually done the whole car
I will give it a full onceover in the coming weeks though

[mfewtrail]

I've never washed or waxed mine so therefor I can't add to this thread.  The only car I've washed in the last 20 years is my TA and then generally all I have to wash is the rear quarters behind the slicks. Well I did have to wash it once, had f**king love bugs plastered all over it. That will teach them to f**k in front of me.  Afraid to let it go through a car wash.

Good thread though.

Jud

I've probably washed my TGP about 60 times since August 2003. I've waxed a couple of times a year since then also(last time I waxed it was at the beginning of May).