Garage/Car Care:
---GLASS CLEANERS:---
Invisable Glass Window Cleaner:
It's not the best in cleaning, but it's great at adding that extra boost in reflection for windows. Call it a window polisher if you'd like to.
---QUICK DETAILER SPRAYS:---
Meguiars NXT Speed Detailer:
Best QD I've had, even though the difference isn't huge, but noticable.
Meguiars Quick Detailer:
Good enough if you just want a quick detailer that can get the job done nicely.
Mothers Showtime:
It's less forgiving than the others, as it streaks on warm surfaces. Works just fine on cool surfaces, I usually stay away from the hood with this, as it always gets me with streaks.
Meguiars Final Inspection:
It's ranks up there with the Speed Detailer NXT. Very forgiving, just not as available at the local stores as the NXT version.
---WAXES:---
Meguiars NXT Tech Wax:
Very easy to use, forgiving under bad weather when applying. Decent lifespan, I got no more than a month before it started losing its protection. The shine is quite nice, very clear, and a little bit of wetness can be achieved when multiple coats are added.
Left: Nice overview shot. Right: NXT brought some depth back to the powdercoated rollbar.
Meguiars Gold Glass (new version 2005):
Easy on, easy off. Almost identical as the NXT Tech Wax, but lasts longer. I haven't done multiple coats with it, as I just use it for those times when I feel I need a longer lasting layer of wax, and the NXT won't cut it.
Zymol Cleaner Wax:
Very good, as it's not just a wax, but it has some very good cleaning agents that are included in the mixture. Very unforgiving to use, I mainly use it during the cold times, as it dries up one minute after you have applied it, and it's difficult to buff off. It produces a deep, and wet shine. Produces some of the best water beads that I've ever seen in my life. Lifespan is in the same catagory as the NXT stuff. Smells wonderfully coconut good.
---SEALANTS:---
Left: #20 on top of Pinnacle LS. NXT on the wheels. Right: Another shot.
Meguiar's Sealant #20:
Great stuff. Easy on, easy off. Lasts long. No complaints.
---POLISHES:---
Pinnacle Liquid Sourvean:
Very good stuff, easy on, easy off. I found that it needs some time to set onto the paint, usually a few minutes after application, and then you can proceed to buff it off nicely. The result is a ice deep and wet finish afterwards. Just wish they sold this stuff locally, so I don't have to order it online.
Meguiar's ColorX:
Great stuff for a deoxidized paint surface. Cheap and available at your local stores. Big keeper!
---WHEEL CLEANERS:---
Eagle One Etching Mag Wheel Cleaner:
Left: Works deep enough to even see the internals of the OEM wheel. Right: Nice shot of how well it works, and the depth of NXT Tech Wax.
Eagle One A-Z Wheel Cleaner:
Works great for all sorts of wheel finishes. This one is the one I'll be using for a long time, since it can be used on any type of wheel makes it so much better.
Eagle One All-Wheel Cleaner:
The replacement of the A-Z cleaner, yet still just as good as the original. Nothing new, just always clean looking wheels after I use this. Only thing new is that I apply it differently now, I previously rinsed the wheel first with the hose, then proceed with the cleaning. Now I apply the cleaner to a cool and dry wheel, let it soak on for a minute or two, and then grab my brush and dip it into a bucket of water to scrub them nice and clean. This method is much better than the original method.
---CLAYBAR KITS:---
Mother's ClayBar Kit:
My favorite claybar kit, but I've only tried two kits, so I can't really say it's the best out there, but it does work well, and I'm never dissappointed with it.
Left: Nasty containments! Right: Comparing a clean claybar vs. a loaded with containments claybar.
---ENGINEBAY CLEANING:---
Engine Bay Cleaning (97 Toyota Avalon XLS):
Left: Before. Right: After! Masked off every electrical item, hose off as much as you can, spray Simple Green all over, scrub as much as you can, and then hose off everything. Dry it with towels as well as you can, and turn on the car to finish off the drying process. Then grab your favorite Quick Detailer and Vinyl/Rubber protectant. Detail it out to finish the deal.
---METAL POLISHES:---
Blue Magic Metal Polish:
Left: Filthy exhaust. Right: After rinsing it down with an all-purpose cleaner, and buffing it out by hand with the metal polish.
Mother's Billet Metal Polish:
Best metal polish that I've used. Easy on, easy off. Removes a ton of gunk, and it removes some pretty disgusting scratches, or at least makes the larger scratches less noticable.
---TOWELS:---
Absorber:
Very good all purpose drying towel. A must have as a carry on for your car, as it holds a bunch of water. I recommend that you have an extra microfiber towel to completely dry a spot.
California Water Blade:
Not even a towel, but does the work of a towel. I use this to remove the majority of the water off during the drying process. Make sure it's clean before using it, if not, you can leave some nasty and annoying marks on the paint surface.
Microfiber Towels:
Get some at Costco, or Sam's Club in a bundle, as they go cheap. I got the thicker yellowed colored ones. Works great, as I use them for about everything for car care. Wheels, enginebay wipe ups, interior, and the paint surface. Machine wash after use, and they come out still useful. A must have for any car care enthusiast.
Bath Towels:
I've discovered, for those quick 20 minute car washes, using about 2-3 bath towels dries the car in a snap. A few minutes and you're done. I did notice more swirl marks, so be careful and don't use them all the time for drying your car, if you plan to keep it looking it's best.
---TIRE DRESSING:---
NXT Insane Shine
Spray it on, let it set for about as long as you want, usually 10 minutes or so, grab a rag, and wipe off the excess as you'll also even it all out. You should have a nice deep black rubber color. Little shine to it, but not that greasy black look if you use the rag method.
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Page2Brake&Suspension Upgrades
Page3Engine&Tranny Upgrades
Page4Wheels&Tire Upgrades
Page5Autocrossing
Page6Garage/Care Care
Page7Road Trips
Page8HardDog Hardcore Double Diagnoal Rollbar
Page9My Buddy's Rides
Page10Car Shows
Page11Exterior/Interior Modifications
Page12Snowboard'n
Page13Fun Photos
Disclaimer: DO ALL MODS AT YOUR OWN RISK!!! I AM NOT AT FAULT FOR ANY OF YOUR MISTAKES!!!
