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What do you use?

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Steve

Steve

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We all have our favourite car care products, so we must each be having success with them.

So, which products do you like using, are you brand loyal? or do you pick and choose which ones work the best for specific applications?

Let's have your likes and, of course, dislikes.......
 
Steve I changed to this last year as it's quick, easy and does a great job of protecting the shine. No cleaner in it, so the paint has to be clean with no fade. I also use Mothers products for metal care. PJ

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I use "Meguiars Ultimate Quick Detailer" mainly because at a lot of car shows the goodie bag contains a sample bottle of the stuff. This year alone I have acquired five sample bottles of it.
I keep one of the sample bottles in a zip lock back with a cloth rag behind the seat in my Bugeye and use it to clean off pollen that seems to constantly drop on the car when it is parked at a car show or left outside for awhile. It does a nice job and it is free. I have enough of it to last me a long time and I will probably acquire more of it as time goes on. I also have acquired quite a few tire pressure gauges at car shows. I use the Hagerty Insurance bags that the goodies usually come in as grocery bags so nothing goes to waste.
 
I use Griot's. They seem to keep my car looking nice. Also they seem to be pretty "gentle" in nature (good luck cleaning a dirty wheel with their regular green wheel cleaner!). I wash my car often, so I do not need aggressive cleaners. And I like that all Griot's products are in the same container sizes; it keeps my shelf nice and neat. Sounds silly, but that's just me!

Having said this, I believe car care products are like oil: some swear by Mobil1, others by Penzoil. In the end both engines last forever because of the care, not the oil. IMO, there is not much real difference, despite what the marketing folks have you believe.
 
I have tried many chrome polishes over the years, but still like the Turtle Wax in the green bottle best. I like Meguires polishes for paint. Westley's Bleche White for tires is great if you just want them to look clean and black and not all shiny and armor-ally.

For my modern cars I have used the products of Automotive Touch-Up a couple times, you order based on your paint code. I used their basecoat/clearcoat to fix a scratched and faded bumper on my IS300. Worked great, you can't tell where old paint ends and repair begins and the color match is very near perfect, much more $ than a can of duplicolor at the auto store, but much less than a trip to the body shop.
 
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I have a lot of Griot's products, as they seem to be consistently better than most.

I also have a British product, from Bilt-Hamber, a polish/wax that is non-abrasive, and beats everything else I have tried, Meguiars, Griot, everything. Can't get it here but I have thought about bringing it over.....
 
Go on Amazons site and type Griot's in the search engine. They have it. PJ
 
I used Mother's with a passion. Now I have changed to Griot's. Advance Auto Parts has small bottles in store for you to try. I order direct now and get refills.
 
A friend who worked for a well know car care product company would always answer that question with "find something you like and use it often."

Products are important but there are lots of good ones on the market and they're easy to come by. Process and technique are the most important factors in achieving great results.

Of course he could suggest specific products from his company for specific uses, but he always stressed that all the techniques he taught were usable with any companies' products.

He also stressed that the most important detailing tool is the one between your ears. Think about what you're trying to achieve. Understand the process and products. Use good technique.

Unless somebody actually wants to dive down the rabbit hole of specialty products and obscure manufacturers, I generally reccomend products from well known companies. The products work well, they're readily available, easy to use and reasonably priced. All of which makes it more likely you'll get in the habit of using them often.

Meguiar's and Mothers products are easily available at auto parts stores and discount stores. Now that Griot's products have made it into retail distribution they're pretty easy to get too.

If you find yourself using a lot of some product it may be worth finding a commercial detailing supplier and buying in bulk. I like to buy detailing sprays and wash concentrate in gallons.

And whatever you do, if you haven't done it yet/lately, clay your paint before polishing or waxing.



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