Recommendations for the Lazy Man's detail

[hypermoto]

Let me preface by saying I understand the concept of cutting corners may be contrary to true detailer’s beliefs, but that is not the point here. Simply looking for some honest feedback.

I recently ‘downgraded’ my daily driver to a B5 A4. Although the vehicle is in very nice condition [which I would like to maintain], I just don’t have the time, nor desire to truly detail like in my younger years. My goal when detailing is to knock the entire process out quickly and efficiently, with minimal supplies.

I have some leftover gift products in the garage, but want to retool my detailing products & procedures, as I know they are flawed. I wanted people’s take on the best bang-for-your-buck products. Something like “here are the 3 x must have products you SHOULD have and can use to get the job done". I would love to be able to utilize as little [but decent] products as I could. Here is what I currently whittled my routine down to w/what I sitting around in the cabinet. Most of them are almost gone, so going to need to buy 'new' stuff soon:

1)WHEELS: soak & clean w/Simple Green, hose off, hand wax w/Meguiar Gold Glass liquid wax
2)ENGINE BAY: clean w/Simple Green, hose off, wipe down plastic with Armor All
3)INTERIOR: wipe down all plastic w/Armor All, Windex windows, Meguiar leather cleaner/Aloe condition the seats
4)EXTERIOR: wash car w/Meguiar car wash, air dry, then hand polish w/Meguiar Gold Glass liquid wax

[Krieger]

^thats pretty much what I do.

i only wax every 6 months... I know i should do more, but i work and go to school, so i dont have time. i wash ever few weeks and so far the paint is looking nice and sexy still.

oh, and id like to throw something else on ur list: Mother's back to black. I used it on my rubber, cuz the FL sun kills EVERYTHING. my trim is now black as night and looks wet and new. sexy.

[Gingerkid]

I am in the same boat as you, but would recommend the clay bar prior to waxing - particularly on a vehicle a few years old.

[hypermoto]

ok so give me some product recommendations folks

i like simple green for cleaning wheels and engine, and the Meguiar leather prodicts for the leather, so I am good on those areas.


Is there one 'kick butt product' that can take care of all the interior, engine and rubber ext trim?

how about waxing the exterior and wheels - should i try a beefier carnuba based wax instead? I dont want to have to wax AND polish.

[Fade2Black]

If you want easy one step type product for the paint try Maguires NXT tech wax.

Simple green isn't the best to use on the wheel or engine, I think it acts funny with the plastic.

I don't use alot of Maguires products but they make good stuff and you can't go wrong. You can usually find it any where also.

[B6JoeS4]

[QUOTE=hypermoto;4056133]
1)WHEELS: soak & clean w/Simple Green, hose off, hand wax w/Meguiar Gold Glass liquid wax
*dont use the simple greeen full strength. usit it 50% water and 50% simple green. the simple green may damgae the paint if used full streangth. every time you clean the wheel siwth any amount of simple green, you are stripping the wax copmpletely off. if you want the wax to stay on, use a wheel cleaner suck as MEguiars Hot Rims.
2)ENGINE BAY: clean w/Simple Green, hose off, wipe down plastic with Armor All
*be very careful when hosing an engine off that uses coilpacks for its source of spark. coilpacks are very sensitive to moisture and you WILL ruin them if the water gets in them.

3)INTERIOR: wipe down all plastic w/Armor All, Windex windows, Meguiar leather cleaner/Aloe condition the seats
*throw away all that stuff you use in the interior. switch to: Meguiars Quick interior detailer for all the plastics and such. Automotive glass cleaner for the windows OR ammonia free windex. as for the leather, the best one for you to use is the Lexol leather cleaner and the Lexol leather conditioner. they come in orange and brown bottles and work 10x better than the meguiars stuff.
4)EXTERIOR: wash car w/Meguiar car wash, air dry, then hand polish w/Meguiar Gold Glass liquid wax
*Meguiars gold class shampoo for the wash. TOWEL DRY! get yourself a claybar kit such the Mothers california gold one. the meguiars one comes with a smaller claybar so stick to mothers for this. the claybar will clean the paint so well that you can eat off it. if the car has never been clayed before, you will notice an amazing difference after it has been clayed. then wash it agian. for wax, a few of my favorite are 1. Zymol - they have been in the wax making business forever and they make an outstanding product. (it is in a light blue bottle) 2. Mothers California Gold Carnuba wax. (not carnuba cleaner wax)

clay once a year and wax at least 3 times a year and your whip will stay clean

[Turkish]

Great info Joe.

What do you use to get stains out of carpet?

[B6JoeS4]

I use Spot Shot. its mainly for home use but it works great on cars and it smells all citrusy. is citrusy a word?

[gregoriousd]

I'm claying for the first time today- is it necessary to wash again after the clay before you wax? I live in a city area so have no other way to wash but the handwash joint in town and heading there twice in a day would be ridiculous.

[Fade2Black]

It's usually a good idea to get the lube off the car.
Are you going to that place on Observer ?

[gregoriousd]

It's usually a good idea to get the lube off the car.
Are you going to that place on Observer ?

I decided against the clay treatment for now- maybe before winter I'll take it down to my parents so I can fully detail. I did wax it though, I'll post some pics in the B6 forum tomorrow.
I go to the Triangle Wash, I forget what street its on- they handwash and will do little detail stuff for cheap. I had some nasty scratches into the clear coat on my hood once and he compounded and polished the whole thing for $5.


I like your TJ quote btw