BMW At Home Car Wash: What Products do you use?

[Keatonraman330dMSport]

Hi Ladies and Gents,

Interested to know what products you all use on your cars for at home washes. Personally, I was horrified the last time I went to a car wash and saw the products, cloths and non-mircrofiber cloths being used on my vehicle, adding some beautiful swirl marks on my car after it being polished and ceramic coated.

I then decided ... no more. Home washes it is, using quality products.

I use the two bucket method, with grit guards and only Meguiars and Turtle wax products and on the odd occasion Shield (not preferred).
Karcher K3 with Snow Foam cannon, using Turtle wax snow foam (1:9 ratio) as a pre-wash, then two-bucket method with Meguiars wash.

In terms of wash cloths/mits, Meguiars, or Lamb-wool mits, separate clothes for wheels, Meguiars water magnet for drying, Meguiar's applicators for applying trim protectors to plastics and Meguiars microfiber cloths for window cleaning.

I would recommend all Fanatics to start taking care of their cars themselves, so sad when I see M cars being washed with a rag you wouldn't wash your outdoor walls with.

 

[gavsadler]

I may be biased here, but will answer anyway 😁

• The Rag Company, for all things microfiber (and some brushes)
• Detail Factory, for all other brushes
• EZ Detail Brushes, for wheel brushes
• The Detail Guardz, for bucket filtration systems and other nerdy detailing products
• P&S Detail Products, they have some cool stuff
• Meguiar's, I have a handful of products here that I use regularly.
• Menzerna for polishing compounds and sealants

These are the main ones, although there is other stuff in use as well depending on requirements.

Our cars never see a car wash, everything is done at home. In recent years, I've geeked out on detailing stuff in a big way. I use 3 buckets (wash, rinse, wheels), an assortment of brushes for the wheels and tyres, and a microfiber wash mitt and drying towel for the body.

Detailing is a rabbit hole, and at the end is a pit with no end in sight. There are so many brands available, with more coming all the time. With this in mind, there are also some really good products on the market, and inevitably inferior stuff as well.

A big thing I've also noticed is consumer education and perception play a big role in product selection. Sadly some are ill-informed, or not exposed to other options, so they have blinkers on in terms of what products must be used. Another factor comes down to techniques and methods, whether it be premium or cheap products, if you're doing it wrong, nothing is going to save you from your actions.

There was a similar thread on this forum a few years ago (I think I may have actually created it), about which forum members wash their cars at home.

 

[Keatonraman330dMSport]

I may be biased here, but will answer anyway 😁

• The Rag Company, for all things microfiber (and some brushes)
• Detail Factory, for all other brushes
• EZ Detail Brushes, for wheel brushes
• The Detail Guardz, for bucket filtration systems and other nerdy detailing products
• P&S Detail Products, they have some cool stuff
• Meguiar's, I have a handful of products here that I use regularly.
• Menzerna for polishing compounds and sealants

These are the main ones, although there is other stuff in use as well depending on requirements.

Our cars never see a car wash, everything is done at home. In recent years, I've geeked out on detailing stuff in a big way. I use 3 buckets (wash, rinse, wheels), an assortment of brushes for the wheels and tyres, and a microfiber wash mitt and drying towel for the body.

Detailing is a rabbit hole, and at the end is a pit with no end in sight. There are so many brands available, with more coming all the time. With this in mind, there are also some really good products on the market, and inevitably inferior stuff as well.

A big thing I've also noticed is consumer education and perception play a big role in product selection. Sadly some are ill-informed, or not exposed to other options, so they have blinkers on in terms of what products must be used. Another factor comes down to techniques and methods, whether it be premium or cheap products, if you're doing it wrong, nothing is going to save you from your actions.

There was a similar thread on this forum a few years ago (I think I may have actually created it), about which forum members wash their cars at home.

Thanks for the feedback @gavsadler.

Great insights here, I am guilty of perhaps having those blinkers on in terms of which products to use and may be spending more than I should be on products.

Will look into the products you use at the moment

 

[sash]

I may be biased here, but will answer anyway 😁

• The Rag Company, for all things microfiber (and some brushes)
• Detail Factory, for all other brushes
• EZ Detail Brushes, for wheel brushes
• The Detail Guardz, for bucket filtration systems and other nerdy detailing products
• P&S Detail Products, they have some cool stuff
• Meguiar's, I have a handful of products here that I use regularly.
• Menzerna for polishing compounds and sealants

These are the main ones, although there is other stuff in use as well depending on requirements.

Our cars never see a car wash, everything is done at home. In recent years, I've geeked out on detailing stuff in a big way. I use 3 buckets (wash, rinse, wheels), an assortment of brushes for the wheels and tyres, and a microfiber wash mitt and drying towel for the body.

Detailing is a rabbit hole, and at the end is a pit with no end in sight. There are so many brands available, with more coming all the time. With this in mind, there are also some really good products on the market, and inevitably inferior stuff as well.

A big thing I've also noticed is consumer education and perception play a big role in product selection. Sadly some are ill-informed, or not exposed to other options, so they have blinkers on in terms of what products must be used. Another factor comes down to techniques and methods, whether it be premium or cheap products, if you're doing it wrong, nothing is going to save you from your actions.

There was a similar thread on this forum a few years ago (I think I may have actually created it), about which forum members wash their cars at home.

You geeked out in the biggest possible way lol

 

[sash]

My cars haven't seen a car wash in 15+ years. I preferred doing this myself from my first car.
My range of products vary and change, sometimes i like to try a new brand, or if a review catches my attention, i would give it a shot.

I have most of the necessities, from 2 buckets, grit guards, pressure cleaner, foam cannon, foam triggers, etc.

For the wash mitts, I prefer the wool mitt, but have recently noticed the microfiber mitt doing a great job. I have too many brushes, but i just separate between those that will be used on the interior, engine bay, wheels and door jambs.

Having a good drying towel and protected paint finish makes all the difference when drying. In terms of brands, i buy what i can afford and what I think (based on reviews or referrals) is worth the spend.

 

[Teezoh]

What would be wonderful is if you guys could link some starter kits or products for us noobies around here who want to start geeking out a little with detailing. I've been looking/reading around for some time now, wanting to get proper buckets with grits, wheel brushes etc but tend to get lost on what to go with.

 

[Morribiscuit]

I find DIY-detailing so satisfying!

Got into it years ago, and the collection has grown nicely.

I avoid using buckets as far as possible. I will use snow foam (copious amounts) to get as much grime off, and use a microfibre mitt if you need to touch the paint.

I minimise touching the car as far as possible. Especially being ceramic coated, it is not really needed, and it just reduces the lifespan of the coating itself.

Few car things are more satisfying than cleaning a car without touching it. Maybe gapping a Rari in a B58 is as satisfying. Close shout.

Also doing the simple things - don't use a cloth at the bottom of the car and then use the same cloth on a pristine bonnet and scratch it.

I'm also a proper snob that I judge anyone who uses a carwash haha!

 

[///M Individual]

What would be wonderful is if you guys could link some starter kits or products for us noobies around here who want to start geeking out a little with detailing. I've been looking/reading around for some time now, wanting to get proper buckets with grits, wheel brushes etc but tend to get lost on what to go with.

@gavsadler can assist with this!

 

[TurboLlew]

Hi Ladies and Gents,

Interested to know what products you all use on your cars for at home washes. Personally, I was horrified the last time I went to a car wash and saw the products, cloths and non-mircrofiber cloths being used on my vehicle, adding some beautiful swirl marks on my car after it being polished and ceramic coated.

I then decided ... no more. Home washes it is, using quality products.

I use the two bucket method, with grit guards and only Meguiars and Turtle wax products and on the odd occasion Shield (not preferred).
Karcher K3 with Snow Foam cannon, using Turtle wax snow foam (1:9 ratio) as a pre-wash, then two-bucket method with Meguiars wash.

In terms of wash cloths/mits, Meguiars, or Lamb-wool mits, separate clothes for wheels, Meguiars water magnet for drying, Meguiar's applicators for applying trim protectors to plastics and Meguiars microfiber cloths for window cleaning.

I would recommend all Fanatics to start taking care of their cars themselves, so sad when I see M cars being washed with a rag you wouldn't wash your outdoor walls with.

I would rather leave my car dirty than use the car wash. My kids are also well trained to help me. They even helped me prep and ceramic coat the F90 recently.

I have an additional bucket added to the above for wheels. Depending on your wheel design there are some good options in terms of tools to make it a bit easier. Ceramic coating everything is by far the best to make it easier to wash. Your technique will do the rest.

Few things to consider:
Ignore the apparent cost (you use very little of it) but get the "Rags to Riches" product from Gshift/Gav is excellent and has been keeping my cloths in good shape. It will last you ages.
Get the little wheels that fit under your tyres that allow you to move around the car without your hoses getting caught - its worth every penny as well.

Even though my garage could double as a Gyeon showroom, I still always have the Turtlewax Pro Snow Foam and Slick n Slide wash for the occasions where I have visitors that want to play with my toys or for when I've run out of Gyeon and it is out of stock.

Prepsol, a tar remover and various concentrations of IPA are also worth having around. I also have various concentrations of all-purpose cleaner though recently I dilute them as needed as opposed to keeping them on hand.

A DILUTED iron product is also a good idea for rims. You don't need to use the full strength product all the time IMHO

I really like the Autoglym vinyl and rubber care product. Even though I use Gyeon Preserve on interior plastics, the rubber gaskets/trims and engine bay are better dressed with the Autoglym IMHO.

As Gav says this is a bottomless pit... more so when you add machines and speciality tools into the mix LOL.

One more thing to think about is rotating your microfibres... if you keep track of them eg: the virgin cloths get used for paintwork (removing polishes/spray sealants etc) and their make their way through a cycle through the interior, to the wheels until end of life being tyre duty, wiping off excess product or for dirty jobs/engine cleaning etc. That said, Rags to Riches will keep even the cheap Shield microfibres going for longer than you think.

 

[DHimself]

I wonder whether the guys who build these machines we cherish so much care too much about using all these products to wash their cars. Obviously with discretion.

 

[Keatonraman330dMSport]

My cars haven't seen a car wash in 15+ years. I preferred doing this myself from my first car.
My range of products vary and change, sometimes i like to try a new brand, or if a review catches my attention, i would give it a shot.

I have most of the necessities, from 2 buckets, grit guards, pressure cleaner, foam cannon, foam triggers, etc.

For the wash mitts, I prefer the wool mitt, but have recently noticed the microfiber mitt doing a great job. I have too many brushes, but i just separate between those that will be used on the interior, engine bay, wheels and door jambs.

Having a good drying towel and protected paint finish makes all the difference when drying. In terms of brands, i buy what i can afford and what I think (based on reviews or referrals) is worth the spend.

Thanks for the feedback Sash, looking for a new drying towel at the moment, what are you using?

 

[Keatonraman330dMSport]

What would be wonderful is if you guys could link some starter kits or products for us noobies around here who want to start geeking out a little with detailing. I've been looking/reading around for some time now, wanting to get proper buckets with grits, wheel brushes etc but tend to get lost on what to go with.

I bought my starter items from Auto-DNA, i woud recommend buying individual products and making up your own kit:
Essentials:
1 X wash bucket with grit guard
1 x rinse bucket with grit guard
microfiber/lamb wool wash mitt
wheel mitt/microfiber brush
car shampoo
tyre and plastic gel and applicator pad

 

[user06]

any recommendations on leather conditioners/cleaners?

 

[TurboLlew]

any recommendations on leather conditioners/cleaners?

Gyeon Leather Cleaner
Gyeon Q2 Leather Shield

I go 6 months between applications (with kids). Usually it doesn't need much cleaning. In-between I just wipe down with water or interior detailer. A steam always helps when you're doing the initial application and you can usually steam out creases as well.

 

[FILV]

I normally use Meguires Gold class Leather Cleaner (works well, especially on (stitching)
I wouldn't mind giving something else a try.

I see Gyeon Leather Cleaner is sold out on almsot every online retailer. @TurboLlew Where do you normally get your stock from?

 

[sash]

Thanks for the feedback Sash, looking for a new drying towel at the moment, what are you using?

My go to at the moment is the twisted loop microfibre like below

GLOSSWORX DRYING TOWEL GREY TWIST LOOP 60X90 600GSM

www.poor-boys.co.za

I have some of my older waffle weave drying towels that might get used depending on how many cars are done over a weekend

Waffle Weave Drying Towel 60 x 80cm (Blue)

Need a top-notch, affordable waffle-weave drying towel that's perfect for glass and windows? Look no further! With its ultra-thirsty microfiber material and unique design, this towel easily runny liquid detailing products.

detailersemporium.co.za

 

[r0ckf1re]

Thanks for the feedback Sash, looking for a new drying towel at the moment, what are you using?

Howsit bro, take a look at this.

Twisted Loop Drying Towel

Our 1200gsm Ultra-thick Twisted Microfiber Drying Towels are the professional detailer’s go-to drying towel. The Twisted Loop Technology maximises absorbency ensuring a perfectly dry & streak-free finish. During our testing, the Jumbo Towel could dry MULTIPLE full-size trucks with a single...

detailease.co.za

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[HexBeemer]

Any wax product recommendations like Turtle Wax Graphene Flex Wax?

 

[Scotty88]

Any wax product recommendations like Turtle Wax Graphene Flex Wax?

Well not a wax but I love the tw seal and shine. It last about 3 months between applications.

Sent from my SM-S928B using Tapatalk

 

[FILV]

Any wax product recommendations like Turtle Wax Graphene Flex Wax?

Not a wax but i really enjoy this, the amount of Gloss and water beading after is amazing

Turtle Wax - Hybrid Ceramic Spray Coating (500ml) - CrazyDetailer

Easy to apply and delivers unmatched hydrophobicity & ceramic protection for our cars paintwork that will last a minimum of 6 months.

www.crazydetailer.co.za