beginner, what else do i need? and order of detailing

[TheZodiac]

Hey all, so i've been washing my car by hand for years now. but am looking to step up my detailing game.

i have a 99 jeep Grand Cherokee thats been neglected for quite some time. last washed a few months ago, hasn't been waxed/polish/clay bar'd in years.

here's what i currently have:

3 buckets
cleaning agent for tires/wheels
turtle wax car wash
simple green (which i can use as an all purpose cleaner right?, like for pre cleaning bad spots on my car like bird droppings?)
turtle wax protectant (and a cali duster for interior)
turtle wax express shine spray wax
& a headlight restoration kit

i have a microfiber sponge and mitt, multiple microfiber towels (including clean/polsih ones), and a microfiber wheel scrubbing sponge as well as a random brush, and some microfiber applicator pads.

this is what im considering picking up:

is there anything im really missing or would this sufficient?
not looking to make the car perfect just clean it up a bit.
considering skipping the wheel brushes and using the microfiber sponge or just a generic one ?

any advice here would be great! :autowash:

now as far as order goes:
wash
clay bar
wash
polish
liquid wax

is this the correct order?

also at what point should i use back to black / do the headlight restoration?

and after i do this for normal maintenance washes should i just wash it?

how often do i need to do something more thorough like the above?

 

[ihaveacamaro]

Surprisingly, you're paying more on a few item through amazon, than you would through AG.

Case in point:

Mothers Back-To-Black Bumper & Trim Care restores black plastic & rubber bumpers and trim to their original black color. Care for your car's bumper amazon is 1.50 more

Mothers Detail Brush Set cleans crevices and creases inside your car. Mother Detail Brush Set includes 2 small brushes. amazon is 1.29 more.


For your order, here is what I would get:

Gold Plush Micro-Chenille Wash Mitt, microfiber chenille wash mitt

Meguiars Smooth Surface Clay Kit, meguiars detailing clay,

Optimum No Rinse Wash & Shine: clay lubricant, optimum rinseless wash, no rinse car wash, optimum detailing products

The Guzzler Waffle Weave Microfiber Drying Towel by Cobra is a better drying towel than a chamois, or terry cloth towel. Microfiber makes the best

Mothers Tire, Wheel & Well Brush Kit

 

[ihaveacamaro]

Just so you know, I've been researching wool mitts and pads and whatnot lately, and lots of people have them breaking apart after medium to heavy use.

Whereas, with a microfiber chenille, you can get as many uses as you want, so long as you care for it

 

[TheZodiac]

Surprisingly, you're paying more on a few item through amazon, than you would through AG.

Case in point:

Mothers Back-To-Black Bumper & Trim Care restores black plastic & rubber bumpers and trim to their original black color. Care for your car's bumper amazon is 1.50 more

Mothers Detail Brush Set cleans crevices and creases inside your car. Mother Detail Brush Set includes 2 small brushes. amazon is 1.29 more.


For your order, here is what I would get:

Gold Plush Micro-Chenille Wash Mitt, microfiber chenille wash mitt

Meguiars Smooth Surface Clay Kit, meguiars detailing clay,

Optimum No Rinse Wash & Shine: clay lubricant, optimum rinseless wash, no rinse car wash, optimum detailing products

The Guzzler Waffle Weave Microfiber Drying Towel by Cobra is a better drying towel than a chamois, or terry cloth towel. Microfiber makes the best

Mothers Tire, Wheel & Well Brush Kit

i know they have them cheaper elsewhere but i currently have a $50 gift card for there and am pretty broke (college student)

 

[TheZodiac]

Just so you know, I've been researching wool mitts and pads and whatnot lately, and lots of people have them breaking apart after medium to heavy use.

Whereas, with a microfiber chenille, you can get as many uses as you want, so long as you care for it

yeah i may just stick with my microfiber mitt then

 

[TheZodiac]

Also does the order of my process seem to be correct?

I'll probably get the brush set though here though at least
Sent from my HTC One XL using AG Online

 

[Bill1234]

I would buy the spray master bottle to dilute the simple green to get the most out of it

 

[darkangelism]

autogeek under palm beach motoring sells on amazon as well, so you should be able to get their stuff with your amazon gift card, I have done that before.

 

[quiksilver_ben3]

I would get the megiuars back to black over mothers. It lasts a lot longer and the mothers tends to run when it gets wet.

 

[TheZodiac]

I would get the megiuars back to black over mothers. It lasts a lot longer and the mothers tends to run when it gets wet.

Don't see that in their, any word on forever black ?

Sent from my HTC One XL using AG Online

 

[DocV]

I would recommend switching from Simple Green as an APC, since it is not recommended for painted surfaces. Instead you can pick up Simple Green Pro HD (purple color) at Home Depot. It is safe for paint and makes a great carpet cleaner at medium strength (about 1:5 dilution).