Cleaning Products

[familymopar]

Ok guys, I have been inspired by a member of this board to try to stop (mostly anyway) hose washing.  So, how are you guys keeping your car clean?  What products are you using and suggest?  What do you use on the vinyl roof for cleaning and maintaining?  What do you use to spot clean on the go  What do you use on tires and wheels?  If you don't hose wash, do you spot clean with soap and water bucket on more soiled areas like bugs and road grime?  I fear one of the waterless spot cleaning products may scratch on these tougher jobs.  Also, what do y'all use on the interior seats, dash, etc?  I hate the greasy stuff.

[jb666]

I've been using nothing but Zaino for 12 years and will NEVER use anything but...   


www.zainobros.com

[Charger4404spd]

You'll probably think Im crazy (and I may be), but I use Bassboat Saver. Leaves a nice shine, has UV protectant in it and it smells good. Its great on vinyl too.

http://www.bassboatsaver.com/

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

I've been using nothing but Zaino for 12 years and will NEVER use anything but...   


www.zainobros.com

I was/is a fan of Zaino as well but lately I have been using Adams Products exclusively on both the show car & the daily drivers

www.adamspolishes.com

[moparnation74]

I use mothers brazilian carnabu wax products.  Surf city garage Vinyl protectant for the top.  Surf city garage/mothers interior protectant.

[charger Downunder]

I've been using nothing but Zaino for 12 years and will NEVER use anything but...   


www.zainobros.com

Zaino good stuff

[ODZKing]

I have a white interior on both cars. To clean the interior as I've mentioned on other posts ... I use Scrubbing Bubbles.  Does not leave a film. Has a bit of bleach so it gets everything nice and clean. Works GREAT! 
Then for things like the dash, hoses and black stuff, I use this Meguiars product. Smells like grape and is sort of thick - Endurance Tire Gel. Shines and stays on for a while.

[1965gp]

Curious- why are you looking to get away from using water? Are you looking for a waterless spray on system?

Used to make fun of people that used Zaino- until I tried it.

Amazing stuff

[myk]

Curious- why are you looking to get away from using water? Are you looking for a waterless spray on system?

Used to make fun of people that used Zaino- until I tried it.

Amazing stuff

I spent almost 10K cutting out rusted panels and pieces on my car-I'll be damned if I'm going to go through that again any time soon, which is why I do not use water on the Charger's body unless I absolutely have to.  As everyone here knows, these cars LOVE TO RUST...

[draftingmonkey]

If used on a regular basis this works well for me http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/spray-on+car+wash+kit.do.

[bill440rt]

To me, washing the car with a hose makes more of a mess than actually cleaning/detailing it. There may come a time where it's actually necessary, but I've found that far & few between.
Trick is not to let the dirt build up in the first place.

I'm a big fan of Griot's Garage products.
http://www.griotsgarage.com

However, there are a few other products I do like from 3M, Adam's, & Meguiar's. For vinyl tops I like a protectant from RaggTopp.
Most over-the-counter products at auto parts stores get used on the daily driver's, I stick with more quality products on the Chargers.

Basically, thru lots of trial & error you just find products that you like.
Lots of threads on this, try the Search feature.  

[myk]

To me, washing the car with a hose makes more of a mess than actually cleaning/detailing it. There may come a time where it's actually necessary, but I've found that far & few between.
Trick is not to let the dirt build up in the first place.

I'm a big fan of Griot's Garage products.
http://www.griotsgarage.com

However, there are a few other products I do like from 3M, Adam's, & Meguiar's. For vinyl tops I like a protectant from RaggTopp.
Most over-the-counter products at auto parts stores get used on the daily driver's, I stick with more quality products on the Chargers.

Basically, thru lots of trial & error you just find products that you like.
Lots of threads on this, try the Search feature.  

Do you refrain from using water on your drivers as well? 

[bill440rt]

To me, washing the car with a hose makes more of a mess than actually cleaning/detailing it. There may come a time where it's actually necessary, but I've found that far & few between.
Trick is not to let the dirt build up in the first place.

I'm a big fan of Griot's Garage products.
http://www.griotsgarage.com

However, there are a few other products I do like from 3M, Adam's, & Meguiar's. For vinyl tops I like a protectant from RaggTopp.
Most over-the-counter products at auto parts stores get used on the daily driver's, I stick with more quality products on the Chargers.

Basically, thru lots of trial & error you just find products that you like.
Lots of threads on this, try the Search feature.  

Do you refrain from using water on your drivers as well? 

No. For the daily's, well for the most part it's necessary. Sorry for the confusion.
When I mentioned not using water I was referring specifically to the Chargers. They are cleaned with much more care.

[myk]

To me, washing the car with a hose makes more of a mess than actually cleaning/detailing it. There may come a time where it's actually necessary, but I've found that far & few between.
Trick is not to let the dirt build up in the first place.

I'm a big fan of Griot's Garage products.
http://www.griotsgarage.com

However, there are a few other products I do like from 3M, Adam's, & Meguiar's. For vinyl tops I like a protectant from RaggTopp.
Most over-the-counter products at auto parts stores get used on the daily driver's, I stick with more quality products on the Chargers.

Basically, thru lots of trial & error you just find products that you like.
Lots of threads on this, try the Search feature.  

Do you refrain from using water on your drivers as well? 

No. For the daily's, well for the most part it's necessary. Sorry for the confusion.
When I mentioned not using water I was referring specifically to the Chargers. They are cleaned with much more care.

Well, two of my daily's leak (t-top and convertible), so I'm not fond of water on them either.  I use a California duster and a spray-detailer every day or so.  This keeps me from having to wash them too often.  As for the Charger, I drown its body panels in spray-detailer and wipe it clean...

[familymopar]

Thanks for the responses guys.  I am trying to avoid the full wash because of leaking issues and fear of future rust issues.  I do not mind spot cleaning with water, just not the full spray down.  I will try some of these products and see how they go.  The main thing I am looking for is the vinyl cleaner and conditioner, just don't seem able to find one at my local auto shops.

Again, thanks for all the suggestions.

[BIGBLCK11]

I had previously found a good number of positive comments on 303 Products - Aerospace Protectant for a vinyl top.  I have not found it local to try yet, but will be ordering some soon.  But, I am not sure on if they used a separate cleaner from them? 

http://www.goldeagle.com/product/303-aerospace-protectant

[bill440rt]

Thanks for the responses guys.  I am trying to avoid the full wash because of leaking issues and fear of future rust issues.  I do not mind spot cleaning with water, just not the full spray down.  I will try some of these products and see how they go.  The main thing I am looking for is the vinyl cleaner and conditioner, just don't seem able to find one at my local auto shops.

Again, thanks for all the suggestions.

Occasionally I will wipe the car down with a washcloth saturated with water, & dry immediately. Sometimes it gets rid of heavy dirt, followed by a California Duster. Then spray detailer, etc.

I like Meguiar's Heavy Duty Vinyl Cleaner. For interior vinyl protectant their VLR Protectant works well, also. You should be able to find that at an auto parts store that carries Meguiar's products.
As mentioned I do like RaggTopp for vinyl tops. I've never seen it in stores in my area, so I order it online or find it at auto shows/swap meets.

[familymopar]

I had previously found a good number of positive comments on 303 Products - Aerospace Protectant for a vinyl top.  I have not found it local to try yet, but will be ordering some soon.  But, I am not sure on if they used a separate cleaner from them? 

http://www.goldeagle.com/product/303-aerospace-protectant

Whew they're really proud of that stuff aren't they!

[familymopar]

I like Meguiar's Heavy Duty Vinyl Cleaner.

This is what I set out looking for and couldn't find it at my corner auto shops that carry Meguiar's, Autozone and O'Reilly's.  I will keep looking and probably try some of these other products as well.  Thanks!

[68X426]

I had previously found a good number of positive comments on 303 Products - Aerospace Protectant for a vinyl top.  I have not found it local to try yet, but will be ordering some soon.  But, I am not sure on if they used a separate cleaner from them? 

http://www.goldeagle.com/product/303-aerospace-protectant

Whew they're really proud of that stuff aren't they!

They should be, because 303 is the best.  It's bona fide, based on my many years of usage.

[familymopar]

I had previously found a good number of positive comments on 303 Products - Aerospace Protectant for a vinyl top.  I have not found it local to try yet, but will be ordering some soon.  But, I am not sure on if they used a separate cleaner from them? 

http://www.goldeagle.com/product/303-aerospace-protectant

Whew they're really proud of that stuff aren't they!

They should be, because 303 is the best.  It's bona fide, based on my many years of usage.

Well that's a healthy endorsement!  Now I have to try it.  How far does a 32oz bottle get you if you are only using it on a vinyl top?

[68X426]

Well that's a healthy endorsement!  Now I have to try it.  How far does a 32oz bottle get you if you are only using it on a vinyl top?

I'll make some guesses on this, because I don't have a vinyl top, and I've never measured my usage.  It sprays on and it goes a long way.

I use 303 on my 2 kayaks, on the dash and seats in the Road Runner, and miscellaneous plastic, vinyl, rubber, and leather on the other vehicles.  My most recent supply is a gallon size 303 I bought maybe 5 years ago.  It's half gone now.  So, I'd say it goes a long way (maybe I'm just frugal with it).

My biggest usage is with the kayaks, which are probably five to seven times the square footage of a vinyl roof.  I'd estimate 3 to 4 ounces covers one kayak.  I "303" them once in spring when they first see the sun.  The supply has gone a long way.

My car estimate would look like this:  I'd clean a vinyl top by hand, with distilled water and Simple Green (or a Meguair's) and then spray on the 303, rubbing and buffing by hand the whole time.  I think that 2 to 3 ounces would rehabilitate and rejuvenate a top on the first go.  I'd think that for most show cars you would do that once a year.  A top that sees a lot of sunshine would need maybe 3 or 4 times a year.  If covered or garaged, each time after the first coverage might use one to two ounces.  Therefore 32 oz. may deliver 10 to 16 coats.

As they say, your mileage may vary.

Coats is not the right word.  The 303 blends into material, sort of like butter into bread and cream into coffee.  It's absorbed and bonds, and you don't remove it, so coating is not correct.

Note that 303 is not a cleaner per se, it is a UV protector.  It absolutely does everything their website says it does.

And no, I don't work for them or own stock in the company.