Detailing products

Today was such a nice day I washed and waxed my car. I got to thinking. What products do you guys use? Does anybody use an orbital machine? Which one do you guys like? I have the Griots catalog and I understand that they have great sruff, I was wondefing why their machine is soo expensive? Is it that superior? thanks in advance Jeff

 

Adamspolishes.com

 

My car has never been washed...just wiped with Captain Richards Best. The stuff is AWESOME.

 

Live by their products, the polisher is expensive but works very well no swirl marks ever. The Best of Show wax is great!

 

+1. I've had great luck with their products. These days that time to detail the car is hard to find, I use their spray on wax. Very easy to use, leaves a great shine after each wash.

 

what if the car is dusty, doesn't that scratch the paint? I'd love to have a safe water-less solution....

 

Send a PM to Todd Helme (Tropicaldetail). He can give you some good recommendations. I like Zainobrothers products, but have recently been using MEguires #26 Hi Tech Glaze with good results.
It is worthwhile to get a good detailer to at least go over the car one time to get rid of the existing swirl marks and then you should be able to keep it looking good.
Obligatory pic of the car just after a Zaino treatment...

BT
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Hi Bill, is the stuff you are talking about:

http://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-M2616-Hi-Tech-Yellow-ounces/dp/B0002SQZR2

 

Forgot to mention the california duster...But no, no scratching at all. In fact it seems to have removed some of the swirling from previous owners.

 

Yes, this is the stuff I am currently using.

BT

 

Truley awsome stuff at Adams. I like Rejex as well.

--Mike

 

Compared to what?
It's on par with the Meguiars's and Poter Cable D/A polisher.

 

My exterior process:

1. Meguiar's Shampoo and Conditioner
2. Turtle Wax ICE Clay Bar
3. Meguiar's Step 1 Cleaner
4. Meguiar's Step 2 Polish
5. Meguair's NTX Wax 2.0
6. Eagle One Wheel Cleaner
7. Armor All Extreme Tire Gel
8. Stoner's Invisible Glass

* I never use the same microfiber or wax pad twice. After something touches the paint, it will never be used on the paint again. A used microfiber from polishing/waxing will be demoted to wheel/tire rag after 1 use

 

There seems to be a big difference in price from the machines in Sears and Home Depot(between $40-$50).Upon further investigation it does seem that the other machines from Meguires and Griots seem to spin faster and have variable speeds. I guess you get what you pay for. I wonder if anyone has expierence with some of the cheaper ones Thanks Jeff

 

Let me comment on the above product list. I don't really think it is necesasry for you to clay bar your car unless you keep it outside a lot. Rub your hand along the upper surface of your car. Do you feel specks in the clean surface. Clay bar is intended to remove those impurities, but on a Ferrari I would not expect this to be necessary even once a year. If you keep it indoors under cover and detail often, you probably never get those impurities.

The Step 1 is a good product, probably enough to be used as your first step.

The Step 2, is that a haze remover and filler? I wouldn't think that would be necessary if your car spends most of its life indoors.

Everything else seems great. I am just concerned that you are spending a lot of your time over preparing the surface for its wax. You could spend more time applying multiple coats of wax for that deep finish.

Whatever; it's your time.

 

I have it and love it. I have been using Griot's for over 10 years now. Griot's has a lifetime guarantee against defect and a 180 days to return (for any reason) for a full refund/credit. I have most of their products, but my favorites are their Spray-on Wax and Speed Shine. As for price, I think it is a deal compared to the costs of owning a Ferrari

I also use the California Duster for any dust on the car and a separate one for any brake dust on the wheels

 

I agree with nearly everyone on the Griot's products although I have to admit the Meguiars have caught with them and I would say even passed them in the wax department. All of my cars are black so getting that perfect shine is tough. I used to use Griot's Best of Show wax and Speed Shine but have since switched to Meguiars. The reason is the shine is comparable between both but the MeGuiars NXT 2.0 is SOOOO much easier to use and leaves much less residue. It's a toss up between Speed Shine and Meguiars Detailing Spray.

 

I agree with you, just part of the deal of owning I guess. I did a little more research on these machines. It seems the ones that have higher rpms are more money. It makes sense. I'll probably buy their detailing package. It looks pretty good. Thanks again I'll let you guys know. Jeff

 

I used the claybar because this was my first time detailing the car. Only owned it since February and was unsure of it's detailing history. Sure doesn't hurt!

The step 2 is a polish. The polish is what makes the paint really deep and wet-looking. Also removes swirls.

Too much prep time? The prep is KEY. The wax is only to seal in all the hard prep work that you did. A wax alone will not make the paint look much different or deep. It's ALL about the prep steps.

Here is a pic taken with a crappy cell phone camera....
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I definitely agree about the key being prep time, but it sounded to me like you overdid the prep. If it was the first time you got jiggy with the car, then it is to be understood. Now put away the clay bar and start laying down the wax coats!

When my M3 finish was damaged, I did the exact same routine as you to restore it. Of course, that car spent lots of time outside and my SS is a pampered flanel covered garage pig!

 

Shhhh...She's gonna hear you.

If you start seeing oil drips on the floor, you'll know why.