Hello all, as some of you may know from my other thread I just bought my other half his first Vette. It needs a bath but I wanted to get the scoop on the best and worst products so we do this right.

Thanks.

 

All the major brands will do the job. They are basically formulated to clean but not remove wax as a dish detergent will do. Just wet that fine car down thoroughly and have at it with a soft hand mitt or similar soft wash cloth.

 

Go to Lowes and get a Tile & Grout sponge. It is not located in the tile section but rather the cleaning supply aisle. Its yellow and the product code is K-28p. Only $2 so get a few. This holds water and suds like you couldnt believe. And thats what you want. Use the 2 bucket method. rinse the sponge before dunking it in the soap bucket.

Over the counter, Meguiars Gold Class car wash is good. Cant go wrong.

 

I also use Meguiars car wash. Available at any auto parts store. Don't use dishwashing soap, it takes off the wax.

 

Congrats. on the car. I thought it looked really good. I use the MR. Clean car wash system on my black '77. I totally stops the water spotting from my hard water. I do not have to wipe car down after final rinse. I keep my car covered with a flannel cover and wash car and cover regulary. Helps to avoid scratches from people walking by when in the garage. Have fun, mds...

 

I'm hooked on Adam's products.

http://www.adamspolishes.com/

That's my 69 in between the C4 & C6, it was just waxed with Adam's products

 

Use a hose only on the tires - no sense "creating" leaks. To really do a great job - wash with a car wash product with terry towels - then use polish which acts as very fine sandpaper but brings out the shine in the car - then wax to protect the finished job. If you have the time - there is a clay bar product (that you use after you use dish washing detergent get the wax off the car)-the clay bar will get every bit of ground in dirt off the paint job - then polish, then wax, then beautiful.

 

This is good advice. And it's nice to read that someone knows that wax and polish are not the same thing.

Using the claybar is tedious but the results are well worth the effort.

 

Have you posted any pictures? I use Meguiar's products.

 

 

We are waiting for pics!

 

I own a detail business.
Since this is potentially the first wash you are going to do I will suggest you do these things, I'm not going to recommend too many particular products.
Bug/tar spray on all the bugs up front.
If you dont have aluminum wheels, I use wesley's bleche-wite on the tires, IF YOU HAVE ALUMINUM/MAGNESIUM WHEELS DONT USE THIS IT WILL ETCH THEM. Ask my torque thrusts how I found this out.
I would start out by rinsing it down and using 2 microfiber sponges to clean it, remove the tag off of both sponges by cutting it out of the threads holding it. Do the tires/wheels LAST!
I recommend using dawn dish soap for the first part.
Then go over it with a clay bar system.
Then I would rinse and rewash with dawn soap again.
Use microfiber towels to dry it. If they are brand new, wash them through a couple of cycles to get the loose fibers out first. DONT wash them with fabric softener or use and softener sheets.
Then go over it with a wax product of your choice, on my car I use zaino, which is technically a polish, but not getting into all of that. I don't recommend anything that starts with "turtle" and ends with "wax"
I use soft cotton pads to apply it and cheesecloth to remove it.
If you do a wax and not a polish after you are done with removing the wax I recommend a good glaze afterwards.
If you do the tires dont use a spray on tire cleaner, use a rub on, and don't get too generous with it. The stuff zaino sells is VERY good on tires, the best stuff I have found.
As far as interior, all the usual, some people dont like armor all, claim it cracks their dash I like armor all, and think it helps prevent cracks, it's a silicone based product.
Oh, and dont forget to clean the door jambs.

If anyone wants to add on or tell me I'm wrong, please do, I am always willing to learn.