(Part 3) Best car cleaners according to redditors

This review is on [Nanoskin Grease Free Power Cleaner and Degreaser ] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JM62970/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) I am beginning to become a big fan of the Nanoskin Line. After my last review of the [Nanoskin Non Acid-Wheel and Tire cleaner] (https://www.reddit.com/r/AutoDetailing/comments/4qo7e8/nanoskin_nonacid_wheel_and_tire_cleaner_review/) I decided to place another order of some products from them. I ordered directly through their website and I got it in one day. The only problem I didn't like is the labels seemed shotty (spelling errors/half ass placings) and the bottle of the wheel cleaner appeared as if was dry rotted or had been baking in the sun for some time. The top handle was discolored and rough feeling.


The Nanoskin Degreaser compares to [Meguiars D108] (http://www.meguiars.com/en/professional/products/d10801-super-degreaser/#lVVlDd2KFhs2pf0t.97) but you don't have to use as much product with the Nanoskin. I did this review with it diluted 10:1 and it worked very very well. I used a [Parts Cleaning Brush] (https://www.amazon.com/Lisle-14000-Parts-Cleaning-Brush/dp/B0009OMYDS/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1468014900&sr=1-1&keywords=parts+cleaning+brush) / [sheepskin wheel cleaning tool] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0009VF1AY/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) , a detailing toothbrush and a harder bristle brush from home depot with a long handle. I also used a [flag tipped wheel brush] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00X123Y7A/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1). See the imgur link for the details of the review.


The other products I ordered in the one pic were [ Nanoskin Shake n Clean Spot Free Surface and Glass Cleaner ] (http://www.nanoskinusa.com/collections/cleaners-soaps-degreasers-maintenance/products/shake-n-clean-spot-free-glass-surface-cleaner) and [ Nanoskin Non Acid Wheel and Tire Cleaner ] (http://www.nanoskinusa.com/collections/cleaners-soaps-degreasers-maintenance/products/nano-suds-wash-shine-shampoo-plus ) and the [Iron Free ] (http://www.nanoskinusa.com/collections/cleaners-soaps-degreasers-maintenance/products/iron-free-paint-wheel-glass-decontamination-fallout-remover) .

Thanks for looking.

Cargo Bull Rings for the Bed

Ratchet Straps

Mult-gift set of a grit guard, large waffle-weave micofiber towel, and 1) some 2) good 3) soap

Stubby antenna because the stock one makes the truck look like an RC car

An actual RC Colorado ZR2

It's this one!

Let's start by saying car covers are a pain in the ass for daily use, the car has to be perfectly clean to prevent it from scratching and it just doesn't work that way unless the car is washed every couple of days.

Instead I'd just wash 1 or 2 times a week, and get a gallon-size of Meguiar's spray wax and Last Touch, because you know you'll be in a constant battle against certain elements, might as well stock up (and you save like 50% just buying in bulk this way). In fact I recommend checking out their entire detailer line because you're going to go through a lot of soaps, waxes, etc. Their gallon of shampoo plus for $20 is a great start. And you can find deals like 3-packs of their supreme shine towels for $6 as an amazon add-on item if you're a prime customer.

https://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-D11101-Shampoo-Plus-Gallon/dp/B000EZICII

https://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-X3002-Microfiber-Wash-Mitt/dp/B000RXKR6M/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1485457672&sr=1-1&keywords=meguiar%27s+microfiber+mitt

https://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-D15601-Synthetic-X-Press-Spray/dp/B005JPJMI2

https://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-D15501-Touch-Spray-Detailer/dp/B0006SH4NC/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1485453717&sr=1-1&keywords=last+touch

https://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-D12001-Glass-Cleaner-Concentrate/dp/B0006SH4KU/ref=sr_1_4?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1485457691&sr=1-4&keywords=meguiar%27s+glass+cleaner

https://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-Supreme-Shine-Microfiber-Cloths/dp/B0009IQZH0/ref=sr_1_2?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1485455013&sr=1-2&keywords=supreme+shine

I just buy all their gallon sized stuff and then reuse my old bottles of spray wax, detailers spray, glass cleaner, wheel bottles, etc. Saves me lots of money, like the difference between $100 now or a couple hundred by next year. For instance their gallon size of glass cleaner is probably enough to set you straight on that for a few years, dilutes 10-1 with distilled water. That's 10 gallons of glass cleaner, put that in an old windex bottle and never run out!

Also the Chemical Guy's bucket kit https://www.amazon.com/Chemical-Guys-ACC_101-Detailing-Bucket/dp/B001U522GO was a pretty amazing deal and necessary if you're going to use coin-wash bays. However the mitt included is a bit rough, so instead I use a meguiar's microfiber mitt as its the softest I've found so far. The paint on this car is very soft so it's important to use the softest products possible on the paint.

An Invisible Glass Reach and Clean tool has worked out great for cleaning the interior glass and keeping it from fogging up. Great item to have. https://www.amazon.com/Invisible-Glass-Reach-Clean-95161/dp/B0017K69MA

And a bird poop tip, keep a plastic container with microfibers, a bottle of water, and a bottle of last touch / spray wax mix in the trunk or behind passenger seat. If a bird hits the car, just soak microfiber with water, apply for 30 seconds, and then clean with the detailer spray / spray wax.

To prevent corrosion, you're going to want to clean deep into the wheel wells and stuff with dedicated brushes and mitts, and then use an anti corrosion product (I ordered some ACF-50 spray recently, getting it in the mail today probably) https://www.amazon.com/Lear-Chemical-ACF50-Anti-Corrosion-Lubricant/dp/B000P1C8UO . You're going to want to check crevices for salt buildup, it can happen on some of the window trim parts, so it might be necessary to remove them and clean them out if it starts to rust underneath. You might want to use dabs of silicone stuff to prevent water and salt from corroding these spots. There are a few posts about corrosion of FT86club forums so read up on them. Also your cabin air filter, leaves and bugs like to get in your cabin air filter and make things nasty. You can easily check / service this yourself, its behind the glove box.


For maintenance, I would NOT go past 5000 miles on an oil change, and be choosy where you take your oil changes. The car likes running on fresh oil period. Buy a 5 pack of oem oil filters and oem crush washers to keep yourself straight for awhile, saves money and time. Or also a fumoto oil valve can save even more effort, as a DIY'er it made my oil changes the easiest thing to do. Check your tire pressure constantly, because a decrease in pressure will make the car drive like crap and will wear your tires out quickly.

Your 60k mile maintenance or therabouts is an important interval. Needs stuff done like spark plug changes, and probably checking the clutch throwout bearing to see if it has become worn. These are expensive and labor intensive, expect a $1000 bill.

I have used this with great success. http://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-A3714-Compound-Water-Remover/dp/B009OBVS2K/ref=pd_sbs_auto_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=0N6KN19M42BRWDMWMFJ4

A good quality soap such as an armor all car wash, or some kind of meguiars or turtle wax was would be best.

as a general rule of thumb anything with meguiars on the label will be a reasonably priced, good mid range product to use on your car, for an average person. not the best in the world but also you cant really go wrong with it.

• i use this for leather
  
  
  
  
  if you are interested
  
  
• This is a good shampoo (Gold Class)
  
  
• this for keeping in the boot for cleaning off the bird shit (do that as soon as you see it no matter how crazy you look in the parking lot (Quick Detailer)
  
  
• this about once a month to keep the paint protected (21 Synthetic Sealant )
  
  
• This for the wash's where i cant be bothered to used the 21. (Spray wax)
  
  (tbh the spray wax and quick detailer can be interchanged, on a technical level they preform slightly different functions, but for the average person who just wants a clean reasonably shiny car it will be fine.)
  
  just make sure any microfiber cloths you use are kept clean and free from grit or you will scratch the paint.
  
  if you are really sad like me give the ammo nyc youtube channel a watch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLUuiMnlhc0 i find them very relaxing to watch not sure why, but also shows lot of "best practice" for keeping your car in good condition.

I used the nanoskin sponge to clay the entire car since the car is pretty new. I let the wax sit for an hour. I've never had much success with 845 even on different cars. I get about maybe 2 weeks MAX. That's on all waxes I have used. I always just wrote it off as my car not being able to be garaged and maybe dirty/mineraly hard water that my city has to use. Also, the way that I'm checking if the wax is still there is by observing how/if the water beads after rinsing and how the paint feels. Most of the time, it's no longer silky smooth and the water doesn't bead in nice circles anymore. The water beads in messy blobs.

 

My process goes:

1. Foam (let sit 3-5 minutes or until foam falls off)
   
2. Rinse
   
3. 2 bucket hand wash with gritgaurds panel by panel
   
4. Dry and/or nanoskin or clay
   
5. Apply wax panel by panel (let sit 1 hour after all panels have wax applied)
   
6. Clean windows and interior as I wait for wax
   
7. Wipe off wax
   
   This takes me about 4 hours...
   
    
   
   The products I use:
   
   

• Adams Car Shampoo
  
• The Rag Company Microfiber Mitt
  
• The Rag Company Window Towels
  
• The Rag Company Drying Towels
  
• The Rag Company Eagle Edgeless (to remove wax)
  
• Collinite 845 Insulator Wax
  
• SunJoe Electric Pressure Washer w/ MTM Foam Cannon
  Optum
  
• Optimum No Rinse & Shine as quick detailer/drying aid/clay lube
  
• Meguiar's Glass Cleaner

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pro-Kleen-Cherry-Snow-Foam-Wax/dp/B00T7YYP7O

That's what I use. Pro Kleen snow foam

Thank you! So first off, I LOVE Chemical Guys. I use a lot of their products to keep Val nice and clean. But when it comes down to to the day-to-day wipe down (for bird poop and such) I was getting weird streaks when not wiping the detailer off aggressively. So I was pointed towards Wizards 01220 Wipe Down Matte Finish Detailer - 22 oz. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BI29SAM/ref=cm_sw_r_em_awd_6zbOwb654M7M9 this product works pretty dang well considering the price

Need something like this


little bit goes a long long way. Spray it on a towel while drying and bam every place you wipe will dry clean

Agree totally....unless it goes belly up and I wish I had just left it alone. It take time and effort but the knowledge you are never lost, makes me want to experiment. I really should go back in on my Full Chubb but it is so close to being right I am trying to swerve my OCD: https://i.imgur.com/nkQNiVL.jpg
The only other 'polish' I would recommend is a cleaning paste by Renaissance: https://www.amazon.com/PRE-LIM-Surface-Cleaner-Ceramics-Enamels/dp/B00J7UJREO
Then, regardless of what I use I always employ: Renaissance Micro Crystalline wax polish to finish the job off: https://www.amazon.com/Renaissance-Micro-Crystalline-Wax-Polish-65/dp/B001DSZWEM
This stuff is my go to!
Idle.

Are you talking about getting a DA polisher or just washing, cleaning, and sealing? If you're not getting a DA machine and polishing, you can get everything you need to detail your car for about $100 imo.

Get two $5 five gallons n buckets at Home Depot.

Here's a good car wash kit for $60:

TriNova Car Care Kit

If you want to decontaminate the paint ($15):

Mother's Clay Bar Kit

Here's a super-easy to apply sealant that should last 4-6 months, depending on weather and driving habits ($18 with coupon):

Meguiar's Ultimate Fast Finish

And get a bunch of good quality MF towels ($18 for 12):

12 Pack Microfiber Towels

That's plenty to get started and should be enough product to get you through 10 washes/details.

If you get addicted, be sure to check out The Rag Company for some great drying towels, and look into Optimum No Rinse wash to make maintenance washes a lot easier.

Hello fellow Canadian. I'm going to be doing a review on 4 lesser known online stores for us Canadians in the next week.

In the meantime I would suggest looking at eshine.ca. They offer a flat shipping rate with Canada and from what I have seen they offer the cheapest price.

https://www.eshine.ca/collections/carpro/products/carpro-ironx-w-sprayer-500ml
http://autoobsessed.com/shop/carpro-m-88.html?osCsid=ig9vaa1f1lr1qin66qcq1cdns3

and lastly amazon.ca
https://www.amazon.ca/CarPro-15-Iron-X-Spray-500ml/dp/B00NIEA6SQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1457798382&sr=8-1&keywords=iron+x

Good luck.

Has anyone had any experience with these Armor All cleaning wipes? I don't have the time or money to clean my car "the proper way", my paint also isn't great so I don't want to put much investment into it.

Are these crap? Do they actually work? Are they going to scratch my paint more?

The nice lady that makes it told me she is now selling on Amazon. Can’t find it though.

NVM try below.

Charlie Bee’s Organic Car Wash and Wax https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MKS7YP1

Her detail business still use the petrol-based tire shine though. No good alternative for that yet.

awesome thanks alot!

i just saw that there is a kit by them https://www.amazon.com/Optimum-NR2010Q-Rinse-Wash-Shine/dp/B07L27J7HX?th=1

would that be fine to just buy as a full bundle? looks like it comes with everything im looking for already. (microfiber towel, and a washing solution)

I had great success with this on my car.

I have it in the foaming soap version. Much easier than the spray bottle. Just foam and wash with it, then rinse and you're done. Works great

https://www.amazon.com/CarPro-Hydro2-Foam-500mL/dp/B019HMO4FI/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1539699433&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=carpro+hydrofoam

You will love the ceramic. I did mine when I bought the FiST. Did the wheels and glass too.

Just remember, don't wax it. Waxing reduces the hydrophobic qualities of the ceramic and attracts dust.

Also use a soap without polymers/additives.

CarPro Reset is what I use. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MLG4CX2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_M3S9BbAX426W7

Also, try not to rub too much when washing. For drying (if you don't have a leaf blower), go with a waffle weave and pat dry. I picked up an aquios hair towel. No lie, it's the best waffle weave I've ever used!
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000AMA43Q/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_c7S9BbSY3VA0F

Brand new to auto detailing. I'm a little overwhelmed, but I think I'm ready to start.

My plan is to wash, decon, wash, clay, and finally seal.

• Wash - Meguiar's G7101FFP Gold Class Car Wash - 1 gallon
  
  
• Decon - CarPro Iron X Lemon Scent - 500ml
  
  
• Wash again
  
  
• Clay - Meguiar's G10240 Smooth Surface XL Clay Kit, 240 grams
  
  
• Seal - Jescar Power Lock Polymer Paint Sealant 16 oz
  
  I've decided to not get into polishing right now. I do have some scratches and blemishes that I'm trying to ignore for now. Can I address these down the road or will I be making a mistake by sealing before polishing? I know of a good polisher, there are just so many choices for cutting/polishing solutions and pads that I want to avoid polishing for now.
  
  Please tell me where I'm wrong/what I can do to improve.
  
  Thanks!

my dealer used, and recommended, this:

[Wizards Quick Detail (22 oz, Wipe Down Matte Detailer)]
https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B00BI29SAM/

I bought a bottle from them, and have used it a fair amount, it works very well.

short term water marks - distilled vinegar will work. If that doesn't do the trick try clay bar or a water spot remover like: Meguiar's A3714 Compound Water Spot Remover

longer term - try clay and water spot remover first like above (vinegar will probably not work on these). If this fails you may need to try a cutting compound with a cutting disc

​

I had some spots in the used car i just bought recently and the clay removed most of them. I got the rest out with meguiars ultimate compound with a cutting disc. for the ones on the glass i used the meguiars water spot remover. They are 95% gone and hardly noticeable unless you get very close.

Most of the time I'm living in a flat so what I do it use a quick detailer (US link / UK link) and microfibre (US link / UK link) to keep things clean between proper washes. In fact I keep a bottle of quick detailer and a one of glass cleaner in the car at all times (I wrap a microfibre cloth around the spray head and put the combo in the driver/passenger door pocket).

Basically if you can catch any big, obvious dirt e.g. bird crap, early then it makes things easy.

If you manage to get some time, putting on a good coat of really hard wearing wax (US link / UK link) or sealant (US link / UK link) will be really helpful. It should last a year and make cleaning with quick detailer much easier.


As for the headlights, the yellow colour comes from the plastic oxidising. You need to scrub away that layer and then protect it. Toothpaste works quite well but there are dedicated products like (US link / UK link). Afterwards I'd apply some 303 Aerospace protectant (US link / UK link) which is also great for the interior plastic.

It was a long day, but I'll try to get all the steps:

1. Pressure wash rinse
   
2. Foam Cannon with this soap: Meguiar's D11101 Shampoo Plus, 1 Gallon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000EZICII/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_oxzpDb7HHDC15
   
3. Rinse soap with pressure washer
   
4. Foam Cannon a second time
   
5. Hand wash
   
6. Rinse with pressure washer
   
7. Clay bar entire car using this as lubricant for claybar: Meguiar's A3332 Quik Detailer Mist & Wipe https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0009IQXAE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_TzzpDbE2QMHHC
   
8. Pressure wash rinse.
   
9. Mist car if necessary to make whole thing wet again
   
10. Hand dry
    
11. Pull car into garage
    
12. Use this soap for all black components (grill, fog light area, side mirrors, rear near exhaust, louvers): MEGUIAR'S D16001 All Season Dressing - 1 Gallon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0006SH4NW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_xBzpDbQMV3FRF
    
13. Using dual action buffer, apply this to whole car (then wipe off) : Meguiar's G17220 Ultimate Compound, 20 oz https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06W5HCZ9M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_aEzpDbQP8ACGE
    
14. After compound do the same with this: Meguiar's G19220 Ultimate Polish, 20 oz https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06X413M7J/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_DEzpDbMMQPD91
    
15. After the polish do the same with this: Meguiar'S Liquid Wax 16 Oz. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FVFF8ZK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_iFzpDbTP1418C
    
16. Remove carpets and vaccuum
    
17. Shampoo and vaccum footwells and carpets. (I forget what product we used but it wasn't meguiars lol)
    
18. Apply the following to whole car by hand then wipe off: Meguiar's G18309 Ultimate Fast Finish, 8.5 oz https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06WP6PXT7/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_QHzpDbPFJ8HMD
    
19. Polished the exhaust with this: California Custom Purple Metal Polish 12 oz https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004MNKM9A/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_1IzpDbTHWF6B9
    
    
    I feel obligated to say that I'm not associated with Meguiar's at all. I was doing all this with my brother who's a detailing enthusiast and he's a bit of a fan boy.
    
    Also I don't have a ton of details on the rest of the interior because my brother started that before I arrived.
    
    All in all it was about 5 hours, with some time spent on the interior before I arrived we also spent some time fixing up some stuff like mounting the window louvres and making the exhaust hang even in the back.

They buy a lot of stuff from carrand for sure. Here's just one example

Carrand 93017 Grip Tech Sheepskin Wheel Cleaner https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0009VF1AY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awd_SCz5wbDPFYH7T

Chemical Guys ACCB01 Gerbil Wheel and Rim Brush https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BJCHX8K/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awd_uDz5wb3RQ2XFR

I bought the Chemical Guys one and it's clearly branded Carrand on the handle. That's just one example I can give.