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I lost track of this thread and didn't see your follow up until now.
Here's a basic shopping list:
1. Wash bucket - 5 gallon plastic with a handle is great. About $5.00.
2. Shampoo - The name brand products work better IMO. Meguiars, Mothers, 3M, Eagle One are all great choices. A big jug is about $8.00.
3. Wash mitts - I like cotton chenille but lambswool is a good choice too. Get two of them, one for the upper portions of the car and one for the lower. About $5-10 each depending on what you get.
4. Drying Tools - I like microfiber towels a lot. Softer than human hair and 7X more absorbent than cotton. A large towel will run you about $7-10 each. Get two. The retail versions are OK but the more expensive towels sold online are usually softer and plusher. Worth the extra $$ but it's your call.
5. Other Cleaners - You'll need a good glass cleaner so look for Invisible Glass or Sprayway or Eagle One 20/20. Cost is $4-6.00.
Leave the Windex in the kitchen.
You might want a wheel cleaner and a soft brush to cut thru the brake dust. Eagle One A2Z All Wheel Cleaner is probably the best product on the market. Costs about $5.00. Whatever you do, do not use the same mitt to wash wheels as you used on the paint. Buy a separate brush or sponge to clean wheels and tires.
6. Dressings and Protectants - There are a zillion products to choose from. The safest protectants are water based; they look milky white and feel watery. Stay away from clear-looking dressings and various "tire shine" products. Mothers has some really nice protectants on the market. I also like Vinylex. But most of the stuff in stores is too shiny for me. whatever you buy, apply it with a tire swipe or some kind of applicator. It will ensure an even coat of protectant and minimize slinging. Cost for a good protectant is $5-8 plus applicators at about $3.00.
7. Waxes and Polishes - This topic can fill a book but if you want a couple of product choices available at your local store, check out Mothers FX Synwax, Meguiars NXT, or Liquid Glass (cost $13-18). All will be more durable and easier to use than most of the under $10 waxes. It's hard to pick a gem from what's on store shelves, so many waxes are similar at a certain price point. If you want to order online, Klasse is good choice because it's a known performer and is very versatile. The 500ml bottle will run you $20-25 + shipping depending on supplier.
So for starters you're looking at $75-80 for the basics, a little more if you want more expensive items. Places like Pep Boys will stock almost all this stuff so one-stop shopping is possible. You might have to hunt around smaller auto parts stores. AutoZone has shrunk its car care product selection for the winter but I'm sure it'll expand again next spring. Advance is OK as is NAPA. WalMart only has a couple decent products (IMO); it seems like so many of their car care products are redundant.
I hope all this helps you get started. Let us know if you have any questions on specific products. Good luck and have fun!!
posted by 24.98.68...
, Mon, 1 Aug 2005 10:19:35
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