What is everyone using to clean their rides?

[Paul Huryk]

Originally Posted by The_Bishop

I probably have the same one. Gilmour foam gun, hose pressure.

I actually bought the lower quality one Griot's Garage sells.

[Paul Huryk]

Originally Posted by Blackbirdws6

I like their APC and the metal polish is comparable to other products I've used (Wenol, etc).

Any recommendations on a wheel sealant for polished aluminum wheels that will not yellow or cause unusual defects? If all goes well with the car, I will pulling the trigger on a new set of wheels and would like to address this before they are on the car.

Brian,

You have two choices for the wheel sealant (that we carry).

1) Metal Wax that is safe on polished wheels (and other metal surfaces too). We carry this in stock. Check out the CG website for details:

http://www.chemicalguys.com/Vintage_...spi_404_16.htm


2) Wheel Sealant. We also carry this in stock:

http://www.chemicalguys.com/Chemical..._p/wac_303.htm


In terms of decision, the Metal Wax is good for wheels, sheet metal, diamond plate, just about anything metal that can be polished.

The wheel sealant works on all finish wheels - chrome, polishes, clear coated, painted - not sure about anodized, but you could use this on just about every vehicle you own.

On my LaCrosse with the OEM chrome wheels, I am using the CG Jetseal, which is their best paint sealant - also use on the car's paint. I use the CG wheel sealant on the wife's 5 series and also the GTA (with CTW Wheels). I would not use it on polished wheels as it could possibly turn yellow.

Here is a suggestion to everyone with new wheels - clean them and seal them before they go on the car - the entire wheel and inside barrel. That way brake dust is less and they are easier to clean. Tar would still stick, but everything else would be easy to remove.

[Paul Huryk]

Originally Posted by MyFirstZ

NXt 2.0 soap or Eagle one, i like the really gelly soap with one wash and rinse bucket both with grit guards and same soap for wheels just a different bucket. Griots polish 3 and best of show wax and really fine clay bar that is supplied from a vendor who comes to our detail department

Once i run out of the Best of show I want to try some of the poorboys wax/sealants

Also use all griots buffer pads and microfibers.

How are your prices on griots products compared to amazon where i normally get it

Excellent!

How doe your wheels come out with just wash soap? Never had much luck myself - always use a dedicated wheel cleaner.

BOS wax is really good wax - not a huge fan of liquids, but that one (and the CG) are awesome - I would think the PBW liquid wax would be also.

We do carry the one Poorboy's wax - Natty's blue, we buy it by the case. while we don't carry their other waxes and sealants (possibly later on), it is the best $20 paste wax (actually $22) you can buy - better than anything you can buy in regular stores and even some specialty waxes. Can probably do 50 to 70 coats on a tub, maybe more.

In terms of pricing, we typically ask the retail price, but that includes the 7% NJ sales tax (effectively a 7% discount). So we match Amazon's pricing, but shipping is not included. At shows, we do price a few items lower than retail.

[Blackbirdws6]

If the wheels have minimum dirt, car wash soap works just fine. Even when using a dedicated cleaner, I fill my wheel wash bucket and add the Meguiars GC.

[BonzoHansen]

Originally Posted by Paul Huryk

In terms of pricing, we typically ask the retail price, but that includes the 7% NJ sales tax (effectively a 7% discount). So we match Amazon's pricing, but shipping is not included. At shows, we do price a few items lower than retail.

plus you support the club!!!! Amazon does nothing for us!

Carry on.....

[Paul Huryk]

Originally Posted by BonzoHansen

plus you support the club!!!! Amazon does nothing for us!

Carry on.....

Man speaks the truth!

[xlar86x]

i use meguires cleaner wax polish and i also use turtle wax ice paste. stuff is great. i also have that armaroll butter smooth wax. that stuff sucks!!!!

[Paul Huryk]

What I use (for customers or my own cars:

Wash - Meguiar's Hyperwash (super concentrated)
CG Concentrated Citrus Wash (strips all wax and sealants)
2 bucket method with grit guards, sometimes a foam gun

APC - Megs AP+ (now discontinued, still have a gallon)

Clay - Griot's Clay

Clay Lube - Griot's Speed Shine

Wheels - Sonax FE, Griot's Chrome, or diluted APC+; depends on the car

Detailer - CG Synthetic - best detailer I have tried, does not stain glass, chrome, or plastic

Tires - Megs APC+ diluted

Windows - Griot's Window Clean

Interior - Griot's Interior Cleaner, CG Fabric Guard (for fabric only)

Leather - CG Leather clean, CG Leather serum

Glaze (to add shine only) - CG Blacklight or CG Mirror Finish (depends on the color car)

Paint Sealant - CG Jetseal 109

Wax - Poorboys Blue, P21S, or DoDo Juice Hard Candy

Tire Shine - CG VRP or CG Natural Shine

Wheel Sealant - CG Wheel Sealant or CG Jetseal (chrome wheels)

Engine and chassis - Megs APC+ or CG Grime Reaper



Best Bang for the buck products:

Megs Hyperwash - only use 1oz per 5 gal bucket (gallon is 128 car washes)

Griot's Clay - large portion for a great price, works awesome too

Griot's Interior Clean - low cost, works wonders on plastic, leather, carpet, rubber. This can do your entire interior except for fabric seats.

Poorboys World Natty's Blue wax - easily the best $20 wax on the market right now. Could probably do 50 to 70 coats with one 8oz container. Adds a "glow" that makes cars shine extra bright.

[sweetbmxrider]

Great info, Paul. Hopefully I get to paint my car soon and use some of your suggested products on it!

[MyFirstZ]

From time to time the wheels come off and gets washed with an industrial cleaner they use in detail, so I'll wash em with that then wax the wheels after and just use soap and water in between doing that.

But that works next time I need I'll contact you. Gonna need new sponges and clothes and car soap soon for this year anyway.

[WildBillyT]

I have to stop by one day after the Passat gets back from the body shop. Going to need a good protectant for the black paint and something to keep the leather supple.

[Paul Huryk]

Originally Posted by WildBillyT

I have to stop by one day after the Passat gets back from the body shop. Going to need a good protectant for the black paint and something to keep the leather supple.

We got you covered!

Let me know when you want to stop by.

[IROCZman15]

great thread here. all my stuff has been away in a cabinet since october. i'l have to do an inventory of mine and probably purchase some stuff from you paul. maybe i'll make a trip down there too

what is this "foam gun" you all are talking about that ive never heard of ? i'd look it up online, but im at work and im sure if i put "foam gun" into a google search i might get something pretty bad in the results.

[Paul Huryk]

Originally Posted by IROCZman15

great thread here. all my stuff has been away in a cabinet since october. i'l have to do an inventory of mine and probably purchase some stuff from you paul. maybe i'll make a trip down there too

what is this "foam gun" you all are talking about that ive never heard of ? i'd look it up online, but im at work and im sure if i put "foam gun" into a google search i might get something pretty bad in the results.

This is the one I carry, from Griot's Garage:



This one (and other like it) use the pressure of your hose to turn car wash into a foam bath (not all washes work). Works with any hose with decent pressure. About $30 - plus the dispenser detaches to use as a regular hose attachment.

They also have an item called a foam cannon that attaches to a power washer and makes foam at an even higher level - problem is that it only fits a few power washers, mine won't work with it.

[JW]

Do you sell any wash mitts?

JW

[Paul Huryk]

Originally Posted by JW

Do you sell any wash mitts?

JW

Yes!

We also sell wash pads (I prefer the pads).

[V]

are there specific good soaps for cars for small electric pressure washes?

[band77one]

surf city everything ! except i use griots wheel cleaner. surf city stuff is simply amazing

[rockbox]

I've also never heard of the foam gun, is there a big advantage to using this over the traditional suds in a bucket? Does it use up a ton of soap?

[WildBillyT]

Originally Posted by rockbox

I've also never heard of the foam gun, is there a big advantage to using this over the traditional suds in a bucket? Does it use up a ton of soap?

Not having to apply the soap with a rag helps. And I'm just guessing but I think you may actually use less soap.

[Paul Huryk]

Originally Posted by band77one

surf city everything ! except i use griots wheel cleaner. surf city stuff is simply amazing

Surf City is good, but Chemical Guys has some stuff that you would never see in the stores that will knock your socks off (panties if you are female).

[Blackbirdws6]

Originally Posted by rockbox

I've also never heard of the foam gun, is there a big advantage to using this over the traditional suds in a bucket? Does it use up a ton of soap?

I use a foam gun and I would guess I use more soap. I put some in the bucket with the mitt and use the gun to give the car a nice coating of soap. I wouldn't say its a crazy amount more but I tend to go a bit overboard anyway.

[Paul Huryk]

Originally Posted by WildBillyT

Not having to apply the soap with a rag helps. And I'm just guessing but I think you may actually use less soap.

For the most part, no. But it allows the most even distribution of soap and allows it to lift dirt off the paint before you start the sponge or mf cleaning pad process. Safest way to not scratch the paint.

[The_Bishop]

I find I use less soap, overall. First step is blanketing the vehicle in foam, and letting it sit for a few minutes while I get my mitt-rinsing-bucket filled with water. Then I hose it off, then re-foam and wash panels as I go. Once I developed my 'system' it goes pretty fast. I use 2-3 oz. of soap, on average. Most times I have extra so I'll foam the whole vehicle once more before rinsing.

[LTb1ow]

What about drying said vehicle off?

Short of getting a leaf blower and making it multipurpose of course.