Detailing???

carlr · Post by **carlr** » 28 Mar 2010, 17:06

Just wondering what are the best products to use on:leather interior and exterior.
I want to keep the car in good shape and keep it running and looking great for a long time.
Thanks, Carl

coustyj · Post by **coustyj** » 28 Mar 2010, 17:23

Personally and IMHO I use McGuires Leather Cleaner and Leather Protector on the interior. It is a two step process I consider to be as good as or better than Volvo's Cleaner and Protector which was used first 2 times. It is cheaper too. My exterior plastic was painted - so wax. My new 2007 V50 has a rough black plastic rocker panels which I keep clean with simple green and a scrub brush.
Jim

zhenya · Post by **zhenya** » 28 Mar 2010, 17:30

How far do you want to go with the exterior? At a minimum, give it a good wash and a hand wax/buff a couple of times per year which will at least give the paint some protection. If you want to make the car look really good, wash it, learn how to use a claybar, move on to a paint cleaner and/or a polish, and then a wax. If the paint is in decent shape to start, it'll look nearly as good as from the showroom after that treatment.

coustyj · Post by **coustyj** » 28 Mar 2010, 17:42

I agree with zhenya depends on what you want your car to look like. Personally I wax (cleaner wax and carnuba wax) the exterior every other month, and do the interior twice a year (does not include weekly vacuuming and washing). The Carnuba wax only enhances what you arleady have - if you have a shiny finish it makes it better and adds protection.
Jim

carlr · Post by **carlr** » 28 Mar 2010, 17:49

The finish is very shiny, however there are a # of tiny marks and scratches from 10ft away the finish looks flawless. When you get up close you can see them. Overall the finish is in real nice shape.I am going to have a friend who owns a body shop refinish the front and rear bottom skirts . They seem to need the most work. The interior on the other hand is flawless. I don't think anyone ever sat in the rear seats. Even the cargo area is perfect.. I think I will wait awhile and maybe next spring have it repainted. Then it will be perfect in and out.

coustyj · Post by **coustyj** » 28 Mar 2010, 17:53

For those I use swirl remover or a light rubbing compound being very careful not to further scratch. McGuire's has a number of different compounds depending on the severity of the scratches. Go to their web site to learn more. I do not work for them nor sell their products - I just use them
http://www.meguiars.com/
Jim
Sorry about spelling their name wrong