I placed a review of a small assortment of car care products online here (http://www.socna.com/articles/je0906-1.html).

I think keeping my car this clean has got to be a sign of some kind of mental illness....:huh:

How many of you suffer from this too? :confused:

LOL, you use all the same stuff I use.

The Zaino product line is one of the best. It all works well together,and keeps the water literally falling off of the car, for months. I just recently started using the dupont teflon tire shine, and I love it. It keeps the tires shiny for months at a time.

Nice one, will be picking this stuff up for sure (after the tint install).

I just noticed your name, have you done any night shots with the cars+ flash? I was thinking of using IR lights to protect the driver from getting blinded.

I just noticed your name, have you done any night shots with the cars+ flash?

No, I have not, but it's something I'd like to do!

I've been using Klasse micropolish in combination with Meguire's quick wax for some time now and I highly recommend it for its ease of application and removal. And not to mention it does not create any white stains on rubber or trims like other products i've used in the past. Bird poo on the car comes off in one piece like a flake after it has been dried. Overall I would recommend this product; although I hear good things about Zaino and Pinnacle as well. The key element is using microfiber applicator and cloths.

Have you heard claybar? heard it works.

I use the claybar. I wash the car, claybar the entire thing, and then wax using NXT wax. When I get done, the car feels like smooth as ice. The claybar picks up really small debris left on after washing. It works great for me.

Doesn't claybar remove the existing wax/polymer protection?

It seems to me claybar is something that is used like a cleaning compound - only when the surface has been negelected for a while and needs to be thoroughly cleaned, right down to the clear coat (and hopefully not through the clear coat). IMO, this defeats the purpose of keeping the surface treated with something like Zaino - when applied frequently during the warm months, the polymer protection builds in layers and becomes more durable/long-lasting. This is important for when the weather turns cold because there are fewer opportunities to clean the car and apply any surface treatment.

Correct me if I'm wrong about the intended use of claybar...

Edit - after reading a little about claybar, I will stick with my statement above. If you detail your car once a year, the careful use of claybar makes sense. However, if you maintain protection by applying a polymer treatment like Zaino once a month or more, very little is going to stick to the surface that any car wash soap and a sponge won't remove. IMO, claybar is something I would use only after the surface protection has become depleted and the paint left unprotected for a period of time.

A less aggrsesive clay bar like the Sonus Green ( http://www.bettercarcare.com/son-3200-2.html ) is good if you don't want to start your whole process over. I use it a lot and then just go straight to my LSP (last step product) and the durability remains just fine... doesn't mess with the previous polish/sealant

I can't belive how much time I am gonna spend cleaning this car... and I'm gonna love every second of it. Usually I am like "damn, gotta wash the car...", now I am like "Damn, I can't wait to wash the car."

Now what about under the hood and intereior? I have leather seats.

I can't belive how much time I am gonna spend cleaning this car... and I'm gonna love every second of it. Usually I am like "damn, gotta wash the car...", now I am like "Damn, I can't wait to wash the car."

Now what about under the hood and intereior? I have leather seats.

If you're like most people, the novelty of it will run out with due time. I used always look forward to making my baby looking all new and stuff, but almost five later, it does seem like a chore :lol:

For interior (dash), Aerospace 303 Protectant is a huge favorite amongst the owners on here.

I think I can keep it up. If I did it with my Focus for 3 years, I am sure I'll do it with this one too :).

Some things I am a freak about.

some people think that I'm OCD and that i'm gonna rub the paint off my car.

word to the wise. cut light on Subaru paint. if the defect is still there cut light again. if you have to use a heavy cut compound the only way it's coming out is taking your paint with it.

Doesn't claybar remove the existing wax/polymer protection?

It seems to me claybar is something that is used like a cleaning compound - only when the surface has been negelected for a while and needs to be thoroughly cleaned, right down to the clear coat (and hopefully not through the clear coat). IMO, this defeats the purpose of keeping the surface treated with something like Zaino - when applied frequently during the warm months, the polymer protection builds in layers and becomes more durable/long-lasting. This is important for when the weather turns cold because there are fewer opportunities to clean the car and apply any surface treatment.

Correct me if I'm wrong about the intended use of claybar...

Edit - after reading a little about claybar, I will stick with my statement above. If you detail your car once a year, the careful use of claybar makes sense. However, if you maintain protection by applying a polymer treatment like Zaino once a month or more, very little is going to stick to the surface that any car wash soap and a sponge won't remove. IMO, claybar is something I would use only after the surface protection has become depleted and the paint left unprotected for a period of time.



I don't think its nearly that abbrasive. You spray on some sort of detail liquid everywhere you claybar, so there is lubrication between the clay and the car. It floats along the surface of the car, and if you have very fine debris on the car, even after washing it, it will pick them up. Using a claybar dosen't take off the clear coat. If you have wax on your car all the time, and you add to it then maybe a claybar isn't right for you, i dunno.

Hey, the article is down.

No, it looks like it moved ;)

http://socna.com/articles/je0906-1.html

Hey, the article is down.

No, it looks like it moved ;)

http://socna.com/articles/je0906-1.html

Sorry about that! I have now updated the link in my OP.

I wanted to bump this in order to find out what kind of interior cleaners and protectants you guys like to use.

Aerospace 303....

what's good for cleaning the engine bay?

if after you wash your car, you can feel any grit or irregularity on your paint's surface, then you need a claybar to remove that. The paint surface will be smooth after, but if your car is parked outside a lot, or the paint looks cloudy, then a polishing compound is in order.

Not to bash on Zaino (I've never used it), but it seems to me it's a bit overpriced. I don't know of any detailers who use it, most of them use a porter cable or similar and one of the brands you see on AutoGeek.com, etc... i.e. Pinnacle, mazerna, klasse, etc...

Not to bash on Zaino (I've never used it), but it seems to me it's a bit overpriced. I don't know of any detailers who use it, most of them use a porter cable or similar and one of the brands you see on AutoGeek.com, etc... i.e. Pinnacle, mazerna, klasse, etc... Zaino is a popular and well regarded product that I think few will dismiss as overpriced “snake oil”. The downsides I typically hear about are the initial cost and the curing time (although recently improved). I guess it’s all relative. Consider this….. One ounce of Z-2 or Z-5 product is typically enough to coat my WRX twice. Also, the small vial of ZFX accelerator (needed to activate the polish) will mix up to 32 ounces of product. Other considerations are longevity, ease of application, ease of removal, etc. Whenever I use Zaino I will still use a buffer and polish prior to application to prepare the finish. …..as why or if “professional” detailers use it, I can’t really say. However, for the DIY’er, it would still be a recommendation in my book.