ElVee

Grats on the Z!

I'm special and locked into using coin-op car washes, so my soap choices are small. But I do use special wheel cleaner.

For towels, you can do a few largish waffle weave towels for drying, but to be honest, I really like microfiber towels. You can pick up some premium, super-soft and absorbant ones from Adam's or Amazon or Griot's or elsewhere. But for general wiping and stuff, I like to just get the not-cheapest 20-50 packs off Amazon of like 12x12 or 16x16 towels. Get plenty. It's better to use a ton of towels during a wash/dry than to rub an already dirty one against your paint. Besides, they prefer to be washed alone, so may as well get enough to fill a wash load! I use them to dry and some to wash windows, interior, pick up dust, apply All-Purpose (AP) cleaner, wipe wheels, or do spot detailing if a bird drops a gift.

Microfiber or super soft wooly mitts work great, boarshair brushes on wheels plus a plastic bristle brush for wheel wells/tires, and some longer brushes for inside the rims. Microfiber pads work great to apply tire dressing or wax; basically the same things you would use on a polisher, but you can get premium ones with a "handle" on them if you want.

I believe Junkman pimped out American Buffing (Buffing Pads | Polishing Foam Pads | Headlight Polishing | American Buffing Company Inc Wisconsin) as a great source, and I've ordered from there as well.


Definitely just check out the threads in this forum, there's plenty that has been gone over already.

Junkman probably has the best suite of videos. He has some threads on the forum, answers questions, and has a ton on his Youtube site. Highly recommend.

Also, I really like the AmmoNYC videos, and Adam's Garage has a whole forum and long video series as well. These three sources make for great knowledge.

If you live in a decently sized community, see if you can find a local detail shop and/or store. You can always ask questions there at no cost, and likely they're manned by enthusiasts who know what they're talking about. Buy some things, support local business, etc. For instance, you'll more easily acquire buckets from local stores than shipped from online shops.

I'm no expert, but for actual waxes I think you're looking at 2 general camps: synthetic sealant and wax (like carnauba). Carnauba is going to be your show car wax, but for most of us (myself included) a synthetic sealant is a bit more convenient. Both accomplish the same thing: a layer of protection and some shine, so use whatever you prefer.

Yes, yes, and yes. I drug my feet on it and now have 2 chips (very small, only noticable when I wash the car) on the front after 2 months of careful driving. Just get it and be done with it. The Clearbra is no substitute for washing, or vice versa.

It'll likely run you something like $500-$1000. Don't fret on the cost or cheap out; it's worth it to get quality material and installation. If you can, ask around in your area (especially that detail shop if you have one) for recommendations. I would put a lot of weight on personal recommends, much like tinting installers or detailers.