Suggestions Please.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: Green River WY
Suggestions Please.
I am not looking to start a what's best thread. But I have had my 1997 for three weeks now and it's time for me to give it a good detailing. What products do you guys use for Wheels, tires, interior, glass... and where do you get them. Car is White with the black interior and only has 35k on it.
Thanks in advance
Doug
Thanks in advance
Doug
Former Vendor
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 14,104
Likes: 244
From: South Florida
First ... you only shop at forum supporting vendors. Those like www.autogeek.net that offer a price guarantee and full time forum discount on most items. (smiles) Plus we are the only vendor that's been in place for over 10 years !!
Wheels --- DP Wheel Cleaner, Griots Wheel Cleaner, or P21S w/ Daytona Wheel Brush
Wash -- Poorboys, Griots, Duragloss, or Einszett
Interior --- 303, Ultima, Wolfgang, Blackfire
Glass --- Invisible Glass or Sprayway Glass
Tires --- 303, Perls, Opti-bond
Spray Waxes -- Finishkare 425, Optimums Spray Wax, or Primas Hydro Max
come visit our forum for hints to keep your Vette looking good at www.autogeekonline.net
Wheels --- DP Wheel Cleaner, Griots Wheel Cleaner, or P21S w/ Daytona Wheel Brush
Wash -- Poorboys, Griots, Duragloss, or Einszett
Interior --- 303, Ultima, Wolfgang, Blackfire
Glass --- Invisible Glass or Sprayway Glass
Tires --- 303, Perls, Opti-bond
Spray Waxes -- Finishkare 425, Optimums Spray Wax, or Primas Hydro Max
come visit our forum for hints to keep your Vette looking good at www.autogeekonline.net
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,509
Likes: 946
From: Western New York
I use Blackfire products for exterior ( wash, swirl remover , waxes ) from Autogeek. Adams interior detail for interior. Surf City Voodoo Blend for the leather seats. I am very happy with the results I get at a reasonable cost. Here are a few pictures of my results . Enjoy the corvette!!!
Last edited by Borntorun04/17; Dec 8, 2014 at 08:22 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 10,789
Likes: 894
From: Northern Illinois
Oldtimer
I've never washed my car in the 13+ years that I've owned it. I don't drive in the rain and only put on about 1,000 miles a year, so it never really gets dirty. I clean my car every time I drive it. I use a California Duster and C-Magic detail spray. I also use C-Magic wax and tire dressing. I've had great success with Menzerna products when it comes to removing light swirl marks. The only thing I use on my chrome wheels is a microfiber towel dampened with water. I pull my wheels off 2-3 times during the summer to wipe the barrels off, again only using a damp microfiber. When I'm done, I use DP Wheel Glaze on them. If you haven't guessed by now, my car is pretty much a garage queen. 
Last edited by DevilDog II; Dec 9, 2014 at 12:43 PM.
Former Vendor
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 14,104
Likes: 244
From: South Florida
I've never washed my car in the 13+ years that I've owned it. I don't drive in the rain and only put on about 1,000 miles a year, so it never really gets dirty. I clean my car every time I drive it. I use a California Duster and C-Magic detail spray. I also use C-Magic wax and tire dressing. I've had great success with Menzerna products when it comes to removing light swirl marks. The only thing I use on my chrome wheels is a microfiber towel dampened with water. I pull my wheels off 2-3 times during the summer to wipe the barrels off, again only using a damp microfiber. When I'm done, I use DP Wheel Glaze on them. If you haven't guessed by now, my car is pretty much a garage queen.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 10,789
Likes: 894
From: Northern Illinois
Oldtimer
Not to challenge what appears to work well for you, but have you considered moving from a Detail Spray to a rinseless or waterless wash product ?? You might find the ingredients more in tune with cleaning without marring and just as much gloss as an outcome. I highly suggest Ultima and Optimum No-Rinse as options and would love to hear your thoughts and outcome.
Last edited by DevilDog II; Dec 9, 2014 at 11:09 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,760
Likes: 69
From: Fayetteville Arkansas recently moved from Oakland Ca
St. Jude Donor '06
I've never washed my car in the 13+ years that I've owned it. I don't drive in the rain and only put on about 1,000 miles a year, so it never really gets dirty. I clean my car every time I drive it. I use a California Duster and C-Magic detail spray. I also use C-Magic wax and tire dressing. I've had great success with Menzerna products when it comes to removing light swirl marks. The only thing I use on my chrome wheels is a microfiber towel dampened with water. I pull my wheels off 2-3 times during the summer to wipe the barrels off, again only using a damp microfiber. When I'm done, I use DP Wheel Glaze on them. If you haven't guessed by now, my car is pretty much a garage queen.
Keep the shiney side up
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 4,735
Likes: 14
From: Visalia CA
Like DevilDog, I haven't washed my 'Vette since I bought it eight years ago. I don't allow it to get dirty. I wipe it down before and after every drive.
As far as using a "waterless" car wash product, it's not for me. And the Adam's detail spray actually enhances the look of your wax or glaze.
As far as using a "waterless" car wash product, it's not for me. And the Adam's detail spray actually enhances the look of your wax or glaze.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 4,344
Likes: 48
From: San Marcos CA
At first I was going to suggest getting a gallon of Meguires Gold class soap at costco for $12 as this is the best cheap soap you can find in stock at retail establishments, but then i saw where you live! You can still get this soap in walmart and parts stores, just not quite at that price. I use the same soap for wheels and the paint assuming the wheels aren't totally jacked up. just be sure to use different buckets for the wheels and the paint!
So for mail order you have a ton of confusing choices, but the concentrated soaps from Chemical Guys are a good value as a little goes a long ways. For polishes I am mostly using Meguires products there as well. The wax (or last step product) almost doesn't matter just so long as you use one for protection from the environment. For a white car I would also suggest Rejex sealant as it is durable even on cars parked outdoors. A bottle of that is about $14-$20 depending on size and is good on more than just the body panels as it can be for glass, chrome, and wheels sealant.
Definitely look into machine polishing with a dual action polisher and foam pads- you aren't fixing scratches and swirls without one. All the tutorials on you tube make it super easy to learn.
So for mail order you have a ton of confusing choices, but the concentrated soaps from Chemical Guys are a good value as a little goes a long ways. For polishes I am mostly using Meguires products there as well. The wax (or last step product) almost doesn't matter just so long as you use one for protection from the environment. For a white car I would also suggest Rejex sealant as it is durable even on cars parked outdoors. A bottle of that is about $14-$20 depending on size and is good on more than just the body panels as it can be for glass, chrome, and wheels sealant.
Definitely look into machine polishing with a dual action polisher and foam pads- you aren't fixing scratches and swirls without one. All the tutorials on you tube make it super easy to learn.
Last edited by mike100; Jan 4, 2015 at 09:26 PM.