Arkay
New member
- May 22, 2011
- 1
- 0
Who would have expected that a search for a product to resolve a specific issue (plastic polish to remove the fine scratching on my gauge cluster and entertainment display) would have opened the door to a new hobby which may one day become a new career (or at least one to supplement my new hobby)? 
While I always enjoyed washing cars by hand, my last residence did not afford me the opportunity (i.e. space) to do so. So much time and money spent at the automatic car wash and I no longer kept abreast of the changes in auto care technology. Now I have a proper driveway and garage at my disposal, a ride that screams “take good care of me, I’m too hot for you not to”, and kids that are now old enough to tend to their own needs, I have taken it upon myself to learn as much as possible to ensure my baby will provide me with years of top-down cruising enjoyment!
So much has changed from the days of hauling out the hose, filling a two gallon bucket with Sunlight, scrubbing down the car with some rag you grabbed from under the kitchen sink, and then slathering the beast with Turtle Wax. Boy was it shiny - as long as you ensured the light from the sun never graced its panels. Yes, black cars do look better in the shade – if you don’t know what you’re doing to properly clean them!
So now I’m armed with two California Dusters (large and small), two five gallon pails, wash designed specifically for cars (Meguiar’s Ultimate Wash and Wax), Norwex Microfiber wash mitt and towels, a bottle of Meguiar’s Ultimate Quick Detailer, Stoner Invisible Glass, and Black Magic Titanium Matte Tire Finish. This should be good I thought – all the latest tools and technology. While my 2010 Candy Red Mustang GT Convertible still looked great – it was slowly losing the lustre it had when I drove it off the showroom floor and those telltale swirly marks (fortunately very light) were once again ugly head (and let’s not forget the micro scratches on the gauge cluster and radio display).
“I must be missing something” I thought to myself, “and what am I going to do about all those fine scratches?” Better yet, if I was washing properly now, why were they still showing up?
Over the winter, while she stayed covered up in the garage, I began my journey of enlightenment and found AutoGeek.net along with Mike’s most informative videos. From Grit Guards to Clay. From DA polishers to Klasse. I soon discovered that while OTC products will provide most with the basic tools – to really bring back and maintain the “just rolled off the factory floor” look one needs to invest in some tools and education. My Mustang was my gift to myself for all the sacrifices I made over the years. I earned it and it deserved proper attention to more than just the mechanicals.
Hat’s off to everyone at AutoGeek.net for providing their wisdom and knowledge on all things auto detailing. Fortunately, there is a retailer in Canada (eShine.ca :caflag where I can order almost all the same products as is available at AutoGeek.net without having to worry about customs and duty. I am about ready to commit my order but still have a few questions so will post these in the Auto Detailing 101 discussion area and look forward to everyone’s comments.
Thanks again for all the great advice and product reviews. It is so exciting to find a new hobby and a community so enthusiastic about it.
Russ
While I always enjoyed washing cars by hand, my last residence did not afford me the opportunity (i.e. space) to do so. So much time and money spent at the automatic car wash and I no longer kept abreast of the changes in auto care technology. Now I have a proper driveway and garage at my disposal, a ride that screams “take good care of me, I’m too hot for you not to”, and kids that are now old enough to tend to their own needs, I have taken it upon myself to learn as much as possible to ensure my baby will provide me with years of top-down cruising enjoyment!
So much has changed from the days of hauling out the hose, filling a two gallon bucket with Sunlight, scrubbing down the car with some rag you grabbed from under the kitchen sink, and then slathering the beast with Turtle Wax. Boy was it shiny - as long as you ensured the light from the sun never graced its panels. Yes, black cars do look better in the shade – if you don’t know what you’re doing to properly clean them!
So now I’m armed with two California Dusters (large and small), two five gallon pails, wash designed specifically for cars (Meguiar’s Ultimate Wash and Wax), Norwex Microfiber wash mitt and towels, a bottle of Meguiar’s Ultimate Quick Detailer, Stoner Invisible Glass, and Black Magic Titanium Matte Tire Finish. This should be good I thought – all the latest tools and technology. While my 2010 Candy Red Mustang GT Convertible still looked great – it was slowly losing the lustre it had when I drove it off the showroom floor and those telltale swirly marks (fortunately very light) were once again ugly head (and let’s not forget the micro scratches on the gauge cluster and radio display).
“I must be missing something” I thought to myself, “and what am I going to do about all those fine scratches?” Better yet, if I was washing properly now, why were they still showing up?
Over the winter, while she stayed covered up in the garage, I began my journey of enlightenment and found AutoGeek.net along with Mike’s most informative videos. From Grit Guards to Clay. From DA polishers to Klasse. I soon discovered that while OTC products will provide most with the basic tools – to really bring back and maintain the “just rolled off the factory floor” look one needs to invest in some tools and education. My Mustang was my gift to myself for all the sacrifices I made over the years. I earned it and it deserved proper attention to more than just the mechanicals.
Hat’s off to everyone at AutoGeek.net for providing their wisdom and knowledge on all things auto detailing. Fortunately, there is a retailer in Canada (eShine.ca :caflag
where I can order almost all the same products as is available at AutoGeek.net without having to worry about customs and duty. I am about ready to commit my order but still have a few questions so will post these in the Auto Detailing 101 discussion area and look forward to everyone’s comments.Thanks again for all the great advice and product reviews. It is so exciting to find a new hobby and a community so enthusiastic about it.
Russ
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