Auto Detailing

4429 mcc · 03-10-2008, 01:57 PM

Since it looks like winter is near its end. I'm planning to get my vehicels detailed. Any suggestions from those who have their cars done. I usually wax mine in the spring and fall but, I think they both could use a professional job due to the long winter. I think both have about 5 pounds of sand/salt on the floor.

Thanks

Cyclonesrule91 · 03-10-2008, 02:13 PM

Where are you located?

The reason why I ask is if you take the Hickman(Hwy 6) exit off of I80/I35 and head west towards Waukee and go to the area right east of the Ford Dealership. There is a Earle May store there and right north of that store there is a car wash with a bunch of neon signs and it is a single stall glass enclosed car wash. The wife took the van there the other day and the owner of the joint came up to her and told her that they were offering a complete auto detail including shampooing the entire inside that regularily goes for $200 and something for half price. I am not sure how good of a job they do but they were looking for business.

4429 mcc · 03-10-2008, 02:17 PM

Originally Posted by Cyclonesrule91

Where are you located?

The reason why I ask is if you take the Hickman(Hwy 6) exit off of I80/I35 and head west towards Waukee and go to the area right east of the Ford Dealership. There is a Earle May store there and right north of that store there is a car wash with a bunch of neon signs and it is a single stall glass enclosed car wash. The wife took the van there the other day and the owner of the joint came up to her and told her that they were offering a complete auto detail including shampooing the entire inside that regularily goes for $200 and something for half price. I am not sure how good of a job they do but they were looking for business.

Thanks I may check it out. I work in Urbandale so that is pretty close. We have a dog and the mutt makes the car looks like its apolstered (sp?) in fur.

dmclone · 03-10-2008, 02:19 PM

Depends on how much you love your car.

When I've had nice cars in the past I had a redgimine that I followed. Here are a couple of tips that I've picked up along the way.

If you want to remove the old wax on your car use Dawn (The blue stuff). Don't ever use it again unless you want to remove the wax.

Don't ever use Armor All on interior or tires. Use something like 303 Aerospace or Lexol.

Once you've waxed/polished your car, never take it to an automatic car wash. The pressure of the sprayers will take your polish/wax off a lot faster than washing it by hand.

The best polish/wax I've ever used is Zaino. You can buy it here.
Zaino Store There are instructions on the web site. The first time you put go through the whole process it will take a large portion of your day but after that it's mostly up-keep.

If you're not as obsessed you can get by with stuff like Mequiers, which is pretty good for being off-the-shelf product.

Cyclonesrule91 · 03-10-2008, 02:51 PM

Originally Posted by dmclone

Don't ever use Armor All on interior or tires. Use something like 303 Aerospace or Lexol.

I know you are not supposed to use Armor All on your interior because it actually seals your interior and/or tires and when it gets hot in your car, the interior can't breathe so you end up having pressure cracks and so forth. I have never heard of 303 Aerospace or Lexol. How are they different from the armor all?

cmoore_23 · 03-10-2008, 02:59 PM

well if u want to make a lil trip i know details in ames does a good job

keepngoal · 03-10-2008, 03:20 PM

Originally Posted by cmoore_23

well if u want to make a lil trip i know details in ames does a good job

More please.

-keep

dmclone · 03-10-2008, 04:59 PM

Originally Posted by Cyclonesrule91

I know you are not supposed to use Armor All on your interior because it actually seals your interior and/or tires and when it gets hot in your car, the interior can't breathe so you end up having pressure cracks and so forth. I have never heard of 303 Aerospace or Lexol. How are they different from the armor all?

303 leaves more of a matte finish.

303 also contains protective UV sunscreens

Armor All has silicone and is harder to remove.

cmoore_23 · 03-10-2008, 05:08 PM

Originally Posted by keepngoal

More please.

-keep

well i know they do ALL of george white's cars and i used to know some ppl that worked there.. i just know they clean EVERYTHING and make the cars look like new..
i will talk to my friend and ask what all they did and prices

Ames · 03-10-2008, 05:12 PM

Originally Posted by dmclone

Depends on how much you love your car.

When I've had nice cars in the past I had a redgimine that I followed. Here are a couple of tips that I've picked up along the way.

If you want to remove the old wax on your car use Dawn (The blue stuff). Don't ever use it again unless you want to remove the wax.

Don't ever use Armor All on interior or tires. Use something like 303 Aerospace or Lexol.

Once you've waxed/polished your car, never take it to an automatic car wash. The pressure of the sprayers will take your polish/wax off a lot faster than washing it by hand.

The best polish/wax I've ever used is Zaino. You can buy it here.
Zaino Store There are instructions on the web site. The first time you put go through the whole process it will take a large portion of your day but after that it's mostly up-keep.

If you're not as obsessed you can get by with stuff like Mequiers, which is pretty good for being off-the-shelf product.

I wouldn't have expected good car advice on a sports forum, but this is exactly right. Zaino rules. Now I have to ask. What kind of car got this treatment from you?

Cyclonepride · 03-10-2008, 05:15 PM

Originally Posted by 4429 mcc

Since it looks like winter is near its end. I'm planning to get my vehicels detailed. Any suggestions from those who have their cars done. I usually wax mine in the spring and fall but, I think they both could use a professional job due to the long winter. I think both have about 5 pounds of sand/salt on the floor.

Thanks

You've almost certainly doomed Iowa to another six weeks of winter with that post. Jinx! Jinx! Jinx!

coopaloop72 · 03-10-2008, 05:32 PM

Originally Posted by Cyclonepride

You've almost certainly doomed Iowa to another six weeks of winter with that post. Jinx! Jinx! Jinx!

I agree, I cannot wait for the snow to melt, I am so anxious to wax my car, it's black so it really needs it and and looks really good when done.

I did car detailing the past two summers for customers all around my hometown up in MN, we used a lot of meguiars NXT wax which was pretty good for a fairly inexpensive wax. I have never heard of Zaino but will definitely look into it!

also agree with earlier posts about avoiding all armor all brand everything. a great brand is stoner brand, they make everything from glass cleaner to tire shine...all great.

dmclone · 03-10-2008, 08:12 PM

brianhos · 03-10-2008, 08:20 PM

Great thread, I am in need of the same thing. I just dropped $800 on new tires and $300 on a new windshield for my car, so I want it detailed now, and maybe that will make me not want to go drive an Infiniti G35!

dmclone · 03-10-2008, 08:22 PM

They've all been sold now. Not doing much waxing on the 2004 4 door Accord.