What car wash products do you use?

[bimmercarn]

I have an Alpine White G20 on order and looking to get some new supplies for when it is delivered in April.

I've been a fan of Chemical Guys products for a few years now. Used them on my previous Benz and generally thought they were good quality. However I'm not sure how they actually stack up against Meguiar's, Mothers, Adam's, etc.

Does anyone have any product advice or cleaning tips? I try to follow these steps generally:

1. Rinse Car
2. Foam Cannon/Blaster with Chemical Guys Mr. Pink soap
3. Two Bucket Wash Method with Wash Mitts
4. Meguiar's Hot Rims Wheel Cleaner
5. Clay Bar
6. Chemical Guys Jet Seal or White Light
7. Chemical Guys Butter Wet Wax
8. Chemical Guys V7 Spray Sealant and Detailer

Thanks!

[Kenny C]

Those are great products. Check out AMMO NYC. Larry is crazy meticulous. His hydrate is a unique product that dries and leaves a layer of protection. Check out his very detailed videos. Expensive but the absolute best

[WXdrivefun]

2 buckets with multiple wash mitts(1 bucket with mitts and soapy water and other is empty bucket)

After soaping the car take 1 mitt and focus on an area of the car, use both sides, discard. Repeat with the remaining wash mitts.

Final rinse, and dry done!

I use Sonax cleaner for rims known for german rims..

[Delta5]

Mainly Adam's, but I'm not monogamous. My process has settled down to...

Adam's for detail spray, glass cleaner, vrt, buttery wax, interior cleaner, waterless wash, paint sealant*, drying & buffing towels.
Chemical Guys for wash & apc.
Sonax for wheels.
Menzerna for polishes
Uber, Adam's, or Chemical Guys foam pads + 7424XP
Optimum No Rinse for clay lube+detail spray+winter maintenance.
P21S for chrome polish.
Zaino Glass polish for windshields
BMW Bug & Tar, works surprisingly well for stubborn tar.

*evaluating... So far I like the process & initial look, TBD on longevity.

Regarding tips and advice... Always use a grit guard and a 2-bucket wash process. Do not skimp on good towels. Don't stress too much about which product is "best"; use what works for you and your process. And have fun - detailing a fine automobile as a weekend warrior should be enjoyable.

[3ismagic#]

Sonax full effect wheel cleaner
Carpro reset wash soap
Whatever clay I can find that's cheap
Chem bros clay lube
Nextzett bug remover
Adams APC
Megs DA microfiber pads and compound/polish
Porter cable DA polisher
Carpro eraser
Nextzett leather cleaner
Adams vinyl and rubber
2 buckets w grit guards
Custom Hacked Ryobi power washer
MTM PF22 foam cannon

I've used lots of different waxes and sealants over the years.
Like Zymol, nextzett Glanz hybrid, and the Dodo juice pro hybrid waxes.

I'm now trying out Gtechniq's Crystal Serum Light and EXO v4 ceramic coatings. Hope to post pics in the next few days.

[moriluvatar]

Originally Posted by bimmercarn

I have an Alpine White G20 on order and looking to get some new supplies for when it is delivered in April.

I've been a fan of Chemical Guys products for a few years now. Used them on my previous Benz and generally thought they were good quality. However I'm not sure how they actually stack up against Meguiar's, Mothers, Adam's, etc.

Does anyone have any product advice or cleaning tips? I try to follow these steps generally:

1. Rinse Car
2. Foam Cannon/Blaster with Chemical Guys Mr. Pink soap
3. Two Bucket Wash Method with Wash Mitts
4. Meguiar's Hot Rims Wheel Cleaner
5. Clay Bar
6. Chemical Guys Jet Seal or White Light
7. Chemical Guys Butter Wet Wax
8. Chemical Guys V7 Spray Sealant and Detailer

Thanks!

Resurrecting this older thread on the long term use of the chemical guys products for cleaning. I've just made the switch over to their hydrosuds ceramic car soap and really like it short term. I'm using very close to this procedure with the two bucket method and the foam gun (and seriously having a foam gun with the quick release nozzle is the best thing ever, love that)... just wanted to find out how these are doing on the long haul.

Thanks for any input.

[jwmFcreek]

Try Jimbo’s car detailing products
More natural water based less harmful and work very well for me

[Unsweetftea]

I was introduced to a brand called Automaniacs.us by a friend. Before that, I used Chemical Guys products. I always feel all car shampoos were decent but nothing extraordinary. Automaniacs did the same job, but the smooth finish it leaves on the car’s surface after washing. I believe most brand can do that also, If its pH-balanced. The reason I bring this out, because you buy the shampoo or whatever kiit, in box will includes their microfiber wash mitt or towels, and they are much better than spend money bought wash mitt and towels, the mitt can carry bunch foam and towels are supper absorb water.

[NYG]

I used to use Honey Dew from Chemical Guys but I've switched to Adam's Garage Mega Foam - I like it a lot more.

[sean2648]

If you want any product recommendations or have any detailing questions feel free to ask or shoot me a PM. Run a detail shop and a detail supply store and carry all the top brands and some industry secrets too. And if we don't carry it can get it for you rather easily.

[asianF22]

Wash - Meguair's Hyper Wash
Interior - P&S Xpress interior cleaner
Wheels - P&S Brake Buster wheel cleaner or CG Diablo wheel cleaner (diluted)
Trim - Cerakote TRIM COAT(bottle NOT the wipes) or CG VRP
Metal polish - CG Light Metal Polish
Windows - Invisible glass (tint safe)
Tires - Cerakote TIRE COAT (satin sheen not the glossy look)

miscellaneous - CARPRO DLUX:
- 2 coats applied to wheels before mounting
- 2 coats applied to my CF lip, grill, mirror caps, antennae, spoiler prior to install

[TboneS54]

Soaps
-Carpro reset
-Meg's hyperwash
-Nanskin hypersuds

-MTM pf22.2 cannon

-Rag company premium 70/30 mf wash pads
-Autofiber mf applicator used as wheel washing sponge

Wheels
-Meg's ultimate wheel
-Griot's HD wheel

Iron/fallout
-Griot's fallout remover
-Nanoskin ironfree

Touchless sio2
-Nanoskin supercharger

Clay lube/detailer
-Wolfgang sio2 rinseless/ww

Tire/rubber/plastic dressing
-aerospace 303

Interior
-P&S xpress cleaner
-Leatherique periodically

[FrankMstein]

Adams 30% + Maguire's 68% + ONR 2% = magic.
I used to use both independently but together = different.

[FrankMstein]

Originally Posted by Kenny C

Those are great products. Check out AMMO NYC. Larry is crazy meticulous. His hydrate is a unique product that dries and leaves a layer of protection. Check out his very detailed videos. Expensive but the absolute best

I haven't seen anyone who tests products make AMMO products near the top. There is always something better.

[bosstones]

A bit of a mix as I've been playing w/ different products to see if it is worth updating my traditional line-up.

Not pictured are Sonax Beast, Griots Heavy Duty Wheel Cleaner, and Gyeon Tire. I like Beast but just got the Griots to try as a more economical option.

[jwmFcreek]

Bimmercarn your white car sounds very nice .


Me I have frozen black … the opinions on frozen black are endless had my head spinning truly . Have settled into less is better .

No rinse … do not want to dilute any product trying to make contact with the car .

Foam Jimbo’s super soaper if dirty I add pure magic a few once’s and foam it twice … and if dirty I may towel it but try hard to avoid contact with the car . I saw that most scratches on black cars come from the owners . I get it .
I use on my other cars when drying the Jimbo’s hard as shell when drying on the towel . Have not done the ceramic on the frozen paint … yet .

Jimbos Pure magic on the rims

His products seem to be less harmful chemicals ..

The cleaning supplies I thought I needed and purchased are ridiculous… spray bmw wax have some for sale cheap plus more much bmw products I won’t ever use . Didn’t know .

Less chemicals on my car and cars the better .
Good luck

[eddiec312]

Originally Posted by bimmercarn

I have an Alpine White G20 on order and looking to get some new supplies for when it is delivered in April.

I've been a fan of Chemical Guys products for a few years now. Used them on my previous Benz and generally thought they were good quality. However I'm not sure how they actually stack up against Meguiar's, Mothers, Adam's, etc.

Does anyone have any product advice or cleaning tips? I try to follow these steps generally:

1. Rinse Car
2. Foam Cannon/Blaster with Chemical Guys Mr. Pink soap
3. Two Bucket Wash Method with Wash Mitts
4. Meguiar's Hot Rims Wheel Cleaner
5. Clay Bar
6. Chemical Guys Jet Seal or White Light
7. Chemical Guys Butter Wet Wax
8. Chemical Guys V7 Spray Sealant and Detailer

Thanks!

I used to use alot of Chemical Guys stuff but after going down the rabbit hole of autodetailing subreddit I learned that their products are not bad, but not great.

I use to use both the butter wet wax and V7 spray and I would defintely recommend you start using something like Griots 3 in 1 or Turtle Wax Ceramic Spray Coating (green bottle) and you won't regret it. Both products are amazing and last way longer that the Butter Wax.

[FrankMstein]

Originally Posted by bosstones

A bit of a mix as I've been playing w/ different products to see if it is worth updating my traditional line-up.

Not pictured are Sonax Beast, Griots Heavy Duty Wheel Cleaner, and Gyeon Tire. I like Beast but just got the Griots to try as a more economical option.

I would agree with almost all of those but 303 is a joke from my experience and evaluations on YouTube.