I get alot of questions about how to properly detail a car. Ive been in the business just under 5 years and I consider myself good at what I do. Cleaing your car isnt a once a month thing, it takes proper matainence often, using the right tools, and proper prep. This isnt a read on how to be a professional detailer, but more a good guide on how to keep your ride presentable.
First and most importantly, The car wash, touch free wash or dusting will not clean your car...in fact you are just adding to the daily pain your cars paint is so helplessly trying to fight.
Go to a Pepboys, Autozone, general store dealing in car "stuffs" you will find the basic tools. A great start is: (and these are what I have been using for years)Car wash, Good Hard Carnuba, Wax Applicators, Bucket, Wash Mitten, Terry Towels, Microfiber Towels, Shammy, Shop Towels, Stoners Invisible Glass Cleaner, Wheel brush, Eagle One Quick detail spray, and the California duster.
Always remember to pre soak your car before washing!!!!
Car wash: (look at the soap, if its thick and slimy thats your soap) You dont want anything with super detergents or teflon or whatever flashy things they want to advertise, Dish soap is also a no no. Reason being, Too harsh a soap and you will eat away at everything you put on, thus deteriorating what is protecting your paint and your finish. Pour enough to put a layer about half an inch thick along the bottom of your bucket and make it sudsy.
Wash Mitt: Any wash mit will do, one with a seperate side for bug removal is also great. Should always be soaking wet during use, if not the fibers WILL damage your paint.
Carnuba wax: (I recommend a hard carnuba paste) you will find this in a tin can about 5 inches in diameter. Liquid carnuba will make your car soft but lacks staying ability. Generally the harder the wax is to get off the better it is. Eagle1, Black Magic, Mothers, Turtle Wax, 3M are all great choices as long as it is a hard carnuba. Carnuba is also a cleaner wax so as you remove it from your cars paint you will also be taking off other contaminants that washing doesnt. So using a wax applicator found in the same general area that your products will be, dampen your applicator and spread over paint, small swirling motions and excess force will damage paint. A little wax will go a long way so spread your wax in long wipes gently. To remove the wax, you can use a soft terry towel like one you would find in your bathroom or a MICROFIBER towel which can also be purchased at the same stores, make long swipes the same way you applied the wax. Again carefully or you will damage your paint. Be sure to do this in proper light or you will look dumb with wax on your car.
Window Cleaner: (this is the tricky part) I cannot stress this part enough. Choosing the right method to do your windows will make or break your detail. I only only only use a product called "Stoners Invisible Glass" It comes in aerosol form or spray form. You also need two towels for this job. (shop towels, News paper, anything thin and absorbant. Terry is a bad choice) Spray a light spray in the middle of the window and wipe the glass spreading as much as needed, use your one towel to wipe the window cleaner off and the other to follow up. This is called the wet and dry method. Also remember to roll windows down a little to get the top two inches. Subie owners just open your doors lazy.
Tire dressing: Again any tire dressing is great in moderation. If you use too much it will be all over, use too little and it will be gone before you finish. This is trial and error, all people have differnt size tires so making generalizations wont be good for anyone.
Wheel Cleaner: Honestly if you let the brake dust build enough to make your wheels black... you shouldnt be reading this. Most cases a wheel brush and some soapy water work fine. For the people who spend less time washing and more time driving you probably will need a wheel acid and should let some one else clean them for you.
Vaccuming. This is where most people make their biggest mistake. A quick run through with the vac will not solve anything. You need to move your seats, get inbetween them and pull the mats out and really really vac them.
Dash and trim treatment: Armorall is a great product... for show cars. Its not a good idea to use it on a daily driver. It is a thick oily residue thats left on surfaces that WILL attract more dust that is even harder to remove. So the best method is a lightly dampend towel. Wipe and dust where needed, try not to leave anything wet.
Now if you have used all of these products when you have washed, quess what, unless its poured rain, or snowed or you have gone off road. More than likely (i make no promises) you will only need to use your quick detail spray and a micro fiber to get ready for the next Tristate meet.
Feel free to ask questions.