I have learned there are plenty knowledgeable car enthuisasts who know everything about their cars, except how to correctly clean their car while not damaging their cars.
I am no expert, but I consider myself a weekend warrior. I did not go to any detail school or obtained any training other than reading and YouTube videos. I figured if even one person learns a tip from this thread it was worth it.
The Products I Use:
Tools
2x Home Depot 5 Gallon Buckets (1x for Body, 1x for Wheels)
Wheel Woolies Wheel Brushes -
LINK
The Rag Company Microfiber Towels -
LINK
The Rag Company Glass Towels -
LINK
The Rag Company Microfiber Drying Towel -
LINK
The Rag Company Microfiber Sponge -
LINK
Foam Gun -
LINK
Liquids
Meguiar's Ultimate Wash and Wax -
LINK
AMMO Mud Tire Gel -
LINK
AMMO Plum Wheel Cleaner -
LINK
Meguiar's Ultimate Quik Wax -
LINK
Chemical Guys New Car Smell -
LINK
Rain-X 2-in-1 Glass Cleaner and Rain Repellant -
LINK
Meguiar's Ultimate Liquid Wax -
LINK
What I Do
You will find detailers who swear by doing the body first, you will find others who say do wheels first. I do wheels first. I am not right, I am not wrong.
I fill up my two buckets with water and the car wash soap.
I shoot water on all of my wheels then I hit each wheel with 4-5 sprays of AMMO Plum. I wait about 30 seconds then I begin agitating the AMMO Plum on my wheels with my larger Wheel Woolie which was sitting in the wheel bucket of soap. I agitate and rinse until my wheels are clean. Then I move on to the body...
I first walk around my car to determine any significantly dirty spots. Maybe a spot has extra road grime or a big bird stain, sometimes it is hard to see these things when your car is covered in soap, so I take note of any bad spots and give them extra love later.
I then shoot water all around the car to get any lose items like dust or leaves out of the way. Then comes the foam gun. I use the foam gun and cover the car completely in soap. Once the car is covered I use the microfiber sponge and clean the car.
Once I hit every spot with the microfiber sponge I rinse the car off. Then dry with the Rag Company Microfiber Drying towel.
*Twice a year I do a full wax job with Meguiar's Ultimate Liquid Wax*
Other than the two times a year at this point I hit my car with Meguiar's Ultimate Quik Wax using the Rag Company Microfiber Towels. Then I use the Rain X Glass Cleaner along with the Glass Towels. I use the AMMO Mud Tire Gel on crappy buy anywhere applicators. The finishing touch last thing I do is spray the Chemical Guys New Car Smell in my car in multiple spots, some people dread the smell but I like it.
You maybe asking you did not tell us your steps for the interior. I do not dirty my interior beyond the WeatherTech floor mats so I feel no need to clean biblically.
If you have any direct questions or want anything further explained shoot me a PM or respond to this thread.
Again, I am just a guy with an M3 who likes to keep it clean.
