you can tell from my multiple posts here that I don't have too much experience detailing my car. My last car, a 10 year old subaru wagon, did not inspire me even to hand wash.

Anyway, I just tried a couple of new (for me) products. Armor All stuff that you just spray on your tires. Don't even need to rinse or wipe! Seems to work great, looks nice and glossy. I don't know how long it'll last, but its so easy to use, it doesn't really matter.

The other product is Meguiars, forget the exact name, but it's pink; you spray on your wheels (chrome, alloy, painted, doesn't matter) and hose off withing 15 seconds. Fabulous! Cleaned all the breakdust and goo right off.

I am about to try a third: Mothers aluminum/mag polish. I'll let everyone know how it works.

I'd love to know what others are using, and what they think of the above. thanks.

 

for tires.. i'm using the Meguiars Hot Shine.... lasts long and the shine is nice.. not too shiney.. but good enough. If i want more shine.. i just add another coat the next day.

for the wheels... Wheel Wax! nothing beats it.. wheels come out bling'n and smooth as a baby's butt

 

cool, thanx!

 

Nothing beats good ole fashioned soap and warm water with a touch of elbow grease.

Also, on another note, change those OEM brake pads, you will notice a tremendous difference in the brake dust and the brakes will work better.

Since changing to Hawks, my brakes have been reduced by 90% of dusting.

 

STOP! The Mothers Mag and Alum polish is for UN COATED BARE METAL WHEELS. Your wheels are clear coated and painted just like 99% of factory wheels. The Mothers Mag polish is for custom wheels and/or uncoated bare metal wheels.

Also, I recommend to all my customers to apply Zaino to their wheels and just to wash off the brake dust with car wash and water to make sure you use a cloth or sponge that you DO NOT plan to ever use on the paint, you do not want to transfer brake dust to the paint.

Those spray on and hose off wheel cleaners are acid based and they may work good for a while but will cloud the wheel over time, we have seen this many, many times with cars that have come thru my shop and by talking to people on detailing sites since 1998.

 

Sounds good, where did you purchase the pads from?

TIA,
NissanCar

 

Oh, fabulous tip Kevin Overall, thanks much. I was wondering about the polish, actually. I will eventually change the pads to those Hawks, then, and throw away the Mothers. What do you suggest for tire shine? Is the aforementioned Maguires hotshine stuff good? Is the Armor All ok, long term? And how about wheel cleaner, anything without long term deleterious effects?

 

What polish?

I would only use car wash and water to clean wheels if it where me.

I use Zaino Z-16 Tire Gloss, low sheen, no silicone, and does not sling off....

 

I was referring to the mothers aluminum/mag polish. I used it only once, I assume no harm done. Thanks again for the advice, K. Overall.

 

Have any of you guys ever heard of a product called Zoop Seal? Wanted to hear feedback from ppl who have used this product.

 

For the best, longest lasting tire shine, I'm pleased with Meguir's Endurance Gel. Ad says lasts weeks not days-so far so good.

 

Black magic tire gel!