- Thread starter Ryan
- Start date
OP
One critical point I missed in my original piece—interior upkeep. I’m damn near obsessive about keeping the upholstery pristine, a minor miracle with kids prone to unleashing chaos at random. For years, I’ve relied on Griot’s 3-in-1 interior wipes, stashed in the car to tackle whatever debris or sticky nightmare my offspring managed to smear across the seats.
But now, Griot’s has pulled the rug out from under me and axed the wipes. Sure, they still sell the stuff in a bottle, but the wipes? Gone. Discontinued. And I am, frankly, pissed off about that. Plan on making lots of noise so that maybe, just maybe... they bring them back.
But now, Griot’s has pulled the rug out from under me and axed the wipes. Sure, they still sell the stuff in a bottle, but the wipes? Gone. Discontinued. And I am, frankly, pissed off about that. Plan on making lots of noise so that maybe, just maybe... they bring them back.
manwithtools
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Great process Ryan, good advise on the products too. I have become a huge Griots fan as well. Thanks for the tip on the Turtle Wax Bug and Tar, I'll give it a try again. I remember using it years ago and it worked well then too.
OP
I assume he's a pro detailer? Awe ****. I'm prepared to duck!
moab11
Well-known member
DFB's Garage
Like most, my garage space is a long-term project that has kept me busy for many years now, be that on improvements or working on projects. It’s a space where I can be myself, a space where I can be at ease without having to please anyone but myself. I think we all know how life can wear you...
www.garagejournal.com
He's quite the detailing buff, probably could be a pro if he wanted to. Tons of info in his thread about the products he uses and his process.
OP
DFB's Garage
Like most, my garage space is a long-term project that has kept me busy for many years now, be that on improvements or working on projects. It’s a space where I can be myself, a space where I can be at ease without having to please anyone but myself. I think we all know how life can wear you...
He's quite the detailing buff, probably could be a pro if he wanted to. Tons of info in his thread about the products he uses and his process.
Ah, right… I’m all over that thread. My whole detailing routine is practically a tribute to his playbook. Oddly enough, I’m atrocious with usernames—ironic as hell, given the landscape we’re in.
ludakris04
Well-known member
I will have to check back with the turtle wax bug stuff.. its been years since I have used it and recently got an aerosol one that doesn't do much.
I stack two buckets instead of the grit guard. I just drill a bunch of holes in one of the buckets and stack it. Works well, but does take up more space in your situation.
I am famous for the "protective layer of dirt" over winter. But as long as my interior and windows/mirrors are clean... I am happy.
I stack two buckets instead of the grit guard. I just drill a bunch of holes in one of the buckets and stack it. Works well, but does take up more space in your situation.
I am famous for the "protective layer of dirt" over winter. But as long as my interior and windows/mirrors are clean... I am happy.
OP
The flat front of the Rivian is a straight serial killer of bugs. Cruising back and forth to California a few weeks ago, I tried every bug cleaner known to man—Chemical Brothers junk, some highbrow concoction from AMMO that was supposed to be the best, and a **** ton of others I picked up along the way. Hell, every time I stopped to charge, I had to scrub down the windshield, so I started pre-treating with bug remover before the glass cleaner.
Shockingly, Turtle Wax outperformed everything else I tried.
In the car wash, I’d just spray it on the bug-riddled front, blast it with the wand, and boom, it was gone. So long as the bugs weren’t fossilized on there, that’s all it took.
mrbill55
Well-known member
Lateral cross country (Northeast to southern Florida) drive in a bug killing Ford F250 van (1987), basically a brick going through the air at 65-80mph. Rainex treatment (twice actually) to the entire front end, especially windshield and headlights....The same experience as you, only we were in the middle of Love Bug mating season. A cream colored van that the front end almost looked stealth black by the time we arrived after a 27 hour marathon drive. A quick trip to the local self wash, and 80+ percent of the bug massacre was gone. Yes, the rest required a good scrubbing, but it too came off. Have not experienced Love Bugs yet, count yourself lucky. Those that have, you have my condolences.
Bill S.
e015475
Well-known member
Your method of washing with a bucket and mitt at the car wash then driving home to dry off f worked very well for me for years. Especially in Arizona with the 'dry heat'
But the DIY car washes around here are just plain hostile to the idea of using their bays for a couple minutes for a mitt wash with a bucket, even if you're the only one there!
I finally bought an inexpensive HF pressure washer for use at home and a Amazon adapter to get past the proprietary fittings on it so I could use standard pressure washer nozzles. A pre-wash with the pressure washer, then a soap cannon followed by the bucket/gritgard/mitt routine seems to work really well. (I have the pressure washer hooked up to the hot water heater in the garage- seems to help a little too)
A leaf blower gets 90% of the water off of the car and only a few swipes with Quick Detailer and a microfiber towel get what's left without touching the car too much
Bugs are a problem. They're pretty much desiccated and stuck like glue to the paintwork with the heat and low humidity here. Will try the Turtle Wax stuff.
But the DIY car washes around here are just plain hostile to the idea of using their bays for a couple minutes for a mitt wash with a bucket, even if you're the only one there!
I finally bought an inexpensive HF pressure washer for use at home and a Amazon adapter to get past the proprietary fittings on it so I could use standard pressure washer nozzles. A pre-wash with the pressure washer, then a soap cannon followed by the bucket/gritgard/mitt routine seems to work really well. (I have the pressure washer hooked up to the hot water heater in the garage- seems to help a little too)
A leaf blower gets 90% of the water off of the car and only a few swipes with Quick Detailer and a microfiber towel get what's left without touching the car too much
Bugs are a problem. They're pretty much desiccated and stuck like glue to the paintwork with the heat and low humidity here. Will try the Turtle Wax stuff.
dcg9381
Well-known member
My solution is:
Wash it, clean the interior, park it in the garage, put a cover on it, and don't drive it. Which begs the question? Why not park it in the living room if you're not going to drive it. Legit question.
Wife's car? No problem. We drive that all day. She asked me this weekend why she had scuffs on the rear bumper and doors dings. I'm too smart to tell the truth of "don't park your cars where other people park". Sometimes you have to go with empathy unless you're an idiot.
Wash it, clean the interior, park it in the garage, put a cover on it, and don't drive it. Which begs the question? Why not park it in the living room if you're not going to drive it. Legit question.
Wife's car? No problem. We drive that all day. She asked me this weekend why she had scuffs on the rear bumper and doors dings. I'm too smart to tell the truth of "don't park your cars where other people park". Sometimes you have to go with empathy unless you're an idiot.
AldeanFan
Well-known member
Old guy at the shop I worked at in high school always had a clean car.
He said it was because it never got dirty lol
He’d knock ofd his boots before getting in, didn’t eat or smoke in the car and washed it once a week.
He couldn’t understand the people that would let their car get filthy then pay to have it detailed.
He said it was because it never got dirty lol
He’d knock ofd his boots before getting in, didn’t eat or smoke in the car and washed it once a week.
He couldn’t understand the people that would let their car get filthy then pay to have it detailed.
I've come to believe that much of the auto detailing world is smoke, mirrors, and convincing people that some new product is worth it's weight in gold. Often, I am let down and find myself back to basics.
Turtle Wax bug & tar has been my go-to for years. It's safe on paint, highly effective, cheap, and sold everywhere.
Last edited:
OP
I have a sneaky suspicion that all the Chemical Brother’s products are just dish soap of different colors… I’ve tried a few different things from them and they all sucked. Their spray bottles aren’t bad though…
logical
Well-known member
disregard
Dan in Pasadena
Well-known member
I've posted this before but will again: My cars get washed weekly. Because I keep them waxed the dirt almost literally falls off with the first spritz of water. I use automotive soap.
THEN: I wax one panel every wash. I default to the hood or roof (I drive a pickup) because they are exposed to the most sun. Dad said, "They look good shiny but the real purpose of wax into be a sacrificial coat for the sun to consume instead of your paint". Maybe not literally true but I've had cars for many years and their paint looked as good the day I sold them as the day I bought them.
THEN: I wax one panel every wash. I default to the hood or roof (I drive a pickup) because they are exposed to the most sun. Dad said, "They look good shiny but the real purpose of wax into be a sacrificial coat for the sun to consume instead of your paint". Maybe not literally true but I've had cars for many years and their paint looked as good the day I sold them as the day I bought them.
ZRX61
Well-known member
My 25yo/124,000 ZRX1100 has been washed with actual soap & water 4 times since the day I rolled it out of the dealership on May 7th 1999...
Looks pretty decent, but a bit dirty in this pic from a while back.
I just started using Colinite Insulator Wax on it this month.
Looks pretty decent, but a bit dirty in this pic from a while back.
I just started using Colinite Insulator Wax on it this month.
ZRX61
Well-known member
I agree, plus they have like a dozen products to do the same damn task. There's a detailing supply place in Palmdale & 95% of the stuff they carry is CG junk.
I suspect some muppet bought a franchise.
I know someone who does that too..........................................................................................
Check these out as a replacement for the Griots -
Meguiar's Quik Interior Detailer Wipes - 30 Wipes
You practically live in your car and with Meguiar's Quik Interior Detailer Wipes you can quickly and easily keep it clean. Quik Interior Detailer Wipes are the fastest way to safely clean interior plastics, vinyl, leather, rubber, metal and even LCD and navigation screens. The gentle...
www.meguiarsdirect.com
I'm terrible with names as well.
Stuart in MN
Well-known member
There are disk brake pads that don't create as much dust, which helps reduce cleaning and maintenance. If I remember correctly PBR deluxe is one choice that still provides good braking power.
As far as detailing products go I wish Lexol hadn't discontinued Vinylex, I really liked that stuff for tires and interior vinyl.
As far as detailing products go I wish Lexol hadn't discontinued Vinylex, I really liked that stuff for tires and interior vinyl.
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Any opinions on ceramic coating? I hate washing and waxing cars and my wife's Explorer is black... Not a great combo.
Ceramic and the work to properly apply it is expensive, but if it really lasts, I'm OK with it
Ceramic and the work to properly apply it is expensive, but if it really lasts, I'm OK with it
Notgrownup
Well-known member
I don’t was or wax the cars or bike that often. It’s lot of work but it does look good when cleaned up. I recently ordered Wolfgang rinseless car wash to use on the Trike and it works great. I might have totry some of their other products.
gahrajmahal
Well-known member
I once had a boss who, when interviewing new hires would go out to the visitor parking spots and look at the cars there. If a persons car was filled with fast food wrappers or otherwise dirty and unkempt he considered that the interviewee would bring those bad habits to the job.
Ryan, you would have gotten the job!
Ryan, you would have gotten the job!
bwringer
Well-known member
Everyone's favorite reason for the mute button tested a bunch of the spray-on ceramic elixirs, and the Turtle Wax "Hybrid Solutions" product ended up at or near the top, and cost a lot less.
Like I said, MUTE... and fast-forward to about a minute from the end.
Obviously, these are not really the same as some other ceramic coatings that require a far more laborious application process.
True to form, the Chemical Guys sauce ended up near the bottom...
Bagherra
Well-known member
I use these and they arent too bad.Check these out as a replacement for the Griots -
Meguiar's Quik Interior Detailer Wipes - 30 Wipes
You practically live in your car and with Meguiar's Quik Interior Detailer Wipes you can quickly and easily keep it clean. Quik Interior Detailer Wipes are the fastest way to safely clean interior plastics, vinyl, leather, rubber, metal and even LCD and navigation screens. The gentle...
OP
Dude... I need you to tell me what I'm doing wrong. Sincerely.
See any place where I can get improve efficiency/quality? I'm happy with the process now, but I'd welcome advice from someone with far more experience in the game.
dcg9381
Well-known member
That's great.. I'm gonna use that.
Course, we've hired at least 2 people that didn't have cars at all for a while....
gtae07
Well-known member
Did he follow them home too? Maybe poke around their garages, inspect the kitchen to make sure they meet health department standards, measure the grass to make sure it's mowed to an acceptable height? Sounds like the kind of boss I don't want to work for anyway.
My car isn't a trash can, but even if I jad the time to spend detailing (which I don't) that's not how I'd be spending it.
4xdog
Well-known member
I do like the Chemical Guys Microfiber Wash and use it regularly. But yes, their other stuff is unremarkable.
The now-out-of-production Blue Coral liquid spray upholstery/carpet cleaner was excellent. I'm using what's left of mine very carefully. The current aerosol version doesn't work as well from my experience.
Autofiber.com does a nice job with South Korean-made microfiber wipes. I like the heavyweight edgeless ones especially. Give me South Korean microfiber any time.
I used the sprayable version, actually there are two version of that. The retail version is brilliant, it's one of Meguiar's best products. The gallon size sold under the Detailer banner is likewise brilliant..............................except it stinks of white vinegar. No idea why that's the case, apparently it's a known issue that Megs doesn't seem interested in fixing.
This is not the thread for me... 
I bought a new truck the first week of January, and I've only washed it 3 times this year. And one of those was because I went to the beach for a week and had to wash the salt off of it. My Mazda has gone through the car wash 4 times in a little over 2 years (and it's black!). I've never hand washed it.
I want to. I want to keep a clean vehicle. I want to clay bar, and wax/ceramic coat it. I just don't have the time, the place (gravel driveway, parking under trees), or the weather doesn't cooperate.
I do use Chemical Guys soap. Bought two bottles many years ago and just opened the second bottle. I don't think the soap you use matters much at all. Dawn (yes, I know), Blue Coral, Chem. Guys, Meguires, ZEP, store brand...they all perform the same. As long as they suds up to capture the dirt, they are doing their job. (Not counting the ones that claim a built-in wax, hybrid, or ceramic coating....just normal car wash soap)
I bought a new truck the first week of January, and I've only washed it 3 times this year. And one of those was because I went to the beach for a week and had to wash the salt off of it. My Mazda has gone through the car wash 4 times in a little over 2 years (and it's black!). I've never hand washed it.
I want to. I want to keep a clean vehicle. I want to clay bar, and wax/ceramic coat it. I just don't have the time, the place (gravel driveway, parking under trees), or the weather doesn't cooperate.
I do use Chemical Guys soap. Bought two bottles many years ago and just opened the second bottle. I don't think the soap you use matters much at all. Dawn (yes, I know), Blue Coral, Chem. Guys, Meguires, ZEP, store brand...they all perform the same. As long as they suds up to capture the dirt, they are doing their job. (Not counting the ones that claim a built-in wax, hybrid, or ceramic coating....just normal car wash soap)
wolfhawk73
Well-known member
I think that stuff's been available at least since the late 80's when I was a teenager. I've never tried anything else, because it works so well.
madison069
Well-known member
What is the process to remove bugs that has been on the car for years and isn't coming off easily? I haven't tried the turtle wax bug remover yet, but I did get some bug remover from Adam's Polishes, but it didn't seem to faze the baked in bugs. Before i attack it with a harsher cleaning pad, I'm open to suggestions.
Dixie_Flatline
Well-known member
I will be crucified by the detailing pros, but, I have used my clay bar to get some seriously stubborn bugs off the front of my vehicle. It was basically a last resort sort of thing after trying numerous other products.
We have a local detailing supply company that sells their own brand of products along with some P&S products. Since the wife insists on running her car through the automatic washes regularly I only use some Bead Maker from P&S when I hand wash her car. Looks good for a little while at least. Back in the spring I bought some Griot's ceramic spray, the green stuff, and have applied it to my Expedition. Feels like polishing a turd because the paint on it is not good at all!
The Griot's I applied per the label, and for about four months I parked outside since the garage was in use for other purposes. There was a noticeable amount of degradation in the bead-making ability after those four months since it was sitting outside. At the beginning of October I washed and reapplied the spray. Because its parked inside now it looks exactly the same as it did after the application...aside from some gnats on the front. Drove through a cloud of those one evening and you can imagine the results!
I tried the Turtle Wax recommended by everyone's favorite youtube farm product reviewer years ago. My test was my 5th wheel camper. The front is bug cemetery and the sides get soot on them from exhaust along with the usual road grime. Thought my arm was going to fall off by the time I finished. Initially it looked great, and I thought I was really on to something, but after many months when we returned from a trip I washed it again. The bugs were somewhat easier to remove, and most of the grime washed away, but it was almost like being back to square one.
All of that to say, if its going to sit outside, I would probably want to put on a pro-level ceramic coating. The sun shows no mercy, not to mention the environmental contaminates. You can get good results out of a spray bottle if you temper your expectations.
We live on a crushed rock road. The road rock is 3/4” with fines which means anything that goes through a 3/4” screen. Lots of limestone powder. Closest blacktop depending on direction is 2 miles, 2.8 miles or 4.7 miles. Drive slow they say. Ya right. Tried it once - made it to the end of the driveway. Tractors go faster than some people drive on crushed rock. Fun passing convertibles. Yes it has been known to happen and I wasn’t driving. Color of vehicle doesn’t mater. They all look the same color. When I wash them I use a turtle wash or dawn. Use the same to wash equipment. Key is to put them inside when done. In the winter I will go through a car wash that has the under body spray. Half the vehicles we see in neighboring towns have the same color coating ours does. Have lived in cities before. Country living is the place for me.
Ha! I do not wash our two cars much. I usually pick colors that hide dirt better. I am also in the rust belt in Michigan and the roads are horrible with grit all over and lots of rain showers. So it is relatively hopeless. The main thing I do is pressure wash a few times in the spring underneath, the engine compartment, and body panels. This is mainly to remove accumulated winter salt to inhibit corrosion and remove grime so it will last longer and be easier to work on. Sometimes I wire brush and touch up paint below ... but that is a LOT of work and nothing lasts long with the daily grit blasting on the underbody. Salt gets into everything too ... including body panel seams. Usually the outer body is the least of my worries. But then again, I suspect not many people are cruising around Michigan with vintage show room cars ... at least if they want them to last. Michigan would be the wrong place to live with such vehicles in pristine condition.