I borrowed my mother’s Tucson N-Line this morning to prepare it for winter. The red appears vivid and deep after using 3D One. The paint had minor haze and a few swirls, though nothing serious ( she uses a car wash every week).

I finished it off with some Meguiars ceramic wax.

Griots G15 Polisher ( New and first time using )
Porter Cable with 3” pad for the more intricate areas
3D one polish
Meguiars Ceramic wax

I don't know how you guys do it but it took me about 9 hours yesterday to wash, polish and put on the first coat of sealant, another 2 hours today for the 2nd coat. I can't feel a damn thing on my right hand. You guys are Gods!

I bought this car in July (2021 RAV4 LE). Since the first time I drove it home, the windshield has been covered in streaks. It's extremely noticeable at night.

I've searched through this subreddit and tried various things. Bought a squeegee, Dobie pads, Stoners Invisible glass, I replaced the windshield wipers. Followed multiple YouTube videos and tutorials I found in this sub. I've cleaned the outside and inside extensively multiple times, but can't seem to get the windshield clear. It's really bothering me and making the car less enjoyable to drive.

Can anyone tell me once and for all how to get my windshield crystal clear? I have no problem using some elbow grease, I just need something that'll actually work. Thanks!

I tried to clean the lower interior door panel on my 2013 Mercedes C250 but all it did was make it worse and discolor it a weird yellow/brown color. Now, I am thinking of painting it black using a can of this Dupli-Color fabric and vinyl spray paint. Does anyone have any experience doing this? Will the black look okay? The beige can doesn't look like a close enough color match and would likely just get dirty again. What do you think?

I was driving on the highway when tire debris hit my windshield. It left these marks and need some direction on how to removing them!
Thanks :-))

Context time: I bought some brand new, never been on a car, in original OEM packaging trim pieces to replace some worn parts on my car. I bought some Gyeon Trim Evo to put a long-term ceramic coating on them and to try and protect from the sun, which is kind enough to allow life on Earth but in exchange tries to kill my car's plastic.

Everything I can find online is steps to apply on a car which has been out in the weather, and usually on the whole car rather than trim pieces. What steps are needed for prep on brand new parts that are in original packaging?

Can I use Meguair’s ultimate wheel cleaner for my Gloss black wheels (not ceramic coated or coated at all)? I bought it for my wife’s wheels but I don’t want to buy a new one separately for my wheels alone.

I also watch a guy from youtube use alkaline based shampo, which I’m about to use for pre-washing my car, on top of a wheel cleaner (not Meguairs) so I just wanted to know if I can use it as well since I haven’t cleaned my car using mitts since I bought it 3 yrs ago.

See photos for reference.

Searched the sub a bit and couldn't quite find an answer.

I noticed a weird smell in my car, so I hired a well-reviewed detailer. He said he couldn't find anything and so he basically deodorized the car and called it a day.

I turned on the air, and heard a THUMP. I opened the cabin air filter slot and to my horror, found the source of the smell: a half-decomposed mouse.

I immediately removed it, but am now realizing there's got to be all kinds of fur/hair/other scary stuff lingering in the ducts.

Anyone have any tips on how to get a sweeper through there? I tried some Frigi-Fresh, but that's not really going to actually remove the hair.

Any help would be the most appreciated.

2006 Solara convertible.

So I’m just a weekend warrior and have been using the Adams 1.2GPM compact pressure washer for about 2y now, no issues besides a bit of surge here n there which I can generally live with. Always debated getting into Active’s system and saw that the 2.0 is on sale for ~250 right now. Do you guys think its worth the upgrade at that price? Would also be buying an additional steel braided line since apparently my current kink-resistant will wear the pump further

TL;DR: Can't use a pressure washer? I developed a cheap, safe, and easy 'foam, rinse, foam' wash method using an electric pump sprayer and a garden hose that gives you more layers of safety without disturbing the neighbors.

More details? Read on...

The inspiration behind this post and video came straight from you guys! Someone posted a question a few weeks ago about how to safely wash their car if they couldn't use a pressure washer. I explained this method in a rather lengthy comment, and many people had questions. So... here we are!

The No-Pressure Method Explained: In my neighborhood, it's really difficult for me to use a pressure washer without disturbing my neighbors (close houses, I wash at night, etc.). I still value the safety of the foam, rinse, foam method, so I needed a solid alternative. There are so many good options for electric foamers these days, so this method is built around those.

The process itself is pretty simple:

• First Foam – Apply foam using an electric pump sprayer on a dry car.

• Rinse – Remove loosened dirt and soap using a regular garden hose.

• Second Foam – For contact wash lubrication.

• Contact Wash – Perform a traditional contact wash using one bucket for rinsing and the wash media of your choosing.

• Dry

Modifiers: For an extra margin of safety or extra dirty cars...

• Use a dedicated pre-wash for your first foam (Touch-Less or whatever)

• Add soap to the bucket OR use 2 separate buckets (wash and rinse)

• Use the foamer to add foam directly to your wash mitt/pad/towel before contacting the vehicle

• Apply the "Gary Dean Method" - using multiple towels/mitts/etc. that don't go back into the bucket

Why Not a Rinseless Wash?: I love rinseless and use it all the time. This is for those times when you desire a higher level of safety. I'm not comfortable doing a deep cleaning of my wheels and wheel wells using only rinseless, so that's where this method comes in.

Here is the video if you want to see this process in action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j75oWWSv5II (The demo itself starts at 5:40).

As always, no product links and my channel is not monetized.

Lastly, if pressure washers aren't an option for you, I hope this shows you don't need expensive gear to safely wash your car. If you just like that sticky-icky-icky foam, that's totally cool too! Please let me know what you think of this method.

It’s an absolute dust magnet also leaves so much green residue on my black colour car. I am no longer fan of waxing my car anymore due to dusty weather of India. I would better apply ceramic spray on my car and that should be it.

I’m in NE so my unheated garage I would guess could get as cold as maybe 10 degrees? Does this really mess up the chemicals when you try use in spring ?

I just got a 23 subaru outback, with perforated nappa leather seats. The front passenger seat feels much dryer, harder / less soft than my driver side and rear seats.

I’m assuming that UV and a lack of a body blocking said UV rays caused this, but I’m worried that it will dry and crack, wondering if there’s any recommendations for products and/or techniques to keep these seats moisturized through the winter and coming years :)

Any advice or help is greatly appreciated, thanks!

This is my second black car. I told myself when I owned one years ago, I would never own one again.

Apparently, that was a lie.

I‘m wanting a pretty basic washing routine I can do during the week. I don’t have a pressure washer or any of the gear that a lot of people are suggesting. Is there a way to still get a good wash in without a pressure washer? Is it necessary?

I would love to hear recommendations on basic washing routines and best products to use.

thanks!

Been several years of having sunscreen handprints. Not sure how to get it off without ruining the paint :(

I do mobile detailing out of a sedan and carry a 30-gallon water bladder. I’m looking for a cordless pressure washer that can pull water directly from the bladder through an intake hose and build spray pressure on its own. I want to run it without a customer’s spigot, a power outlet, or a separate feed pump.

I’m looking for a built-in rechargeable battery that charges in the unit. My current washer is a 1,200 PSI Ryobi, so I’m hoping for enough real-world pressure and flow to rinse cars and wheels. It doesn’t have to match 1,200 PSI exactly.

Has anyone actually used a setup like this for mobile detailing? If so, what’s the exact model, how long does it spray per charge, and can it still pull water when the tank is low? A link or photo of your setup would help.

I applied this coating to my daily driver shortly before I sold my detail business in late 2024. Since then I have maybe done 3 hand washes and Decon’s. I get -40° climate where I’m from, and I struggled throughout my career to find a coating that will actually hold through the winter when temps are so low, but gyeon seems to be holding up really well despite the lack of care and beating its taken. Gyeon infinite gets a thumbs up from me, and I’ve tried many different brands and coatings and this one has to be in the top 3

I had my grandpa in my car about 3 months ago. I’ve been trying to get the sunblock out ever since. I’ve tried interior specific sprays, windex, alcohol, and soap/water. Nothing seems to work. Has it already “baked in”? Any suggestions?

Hi Guys,

I felt bored a few weeks ago and built this bottle and brush holder that attaches in the boot of my VW Golf 7 with a steel plate and Velcro strips.

Perhaps someone might find it interesting and develop similar ideas.

Let me know what you think; maybe it could be improved further.

At present, the Velcro is reused and was removed from back of a foam sign, so it was not as sticky as new, which is why it comes away at the top.

Got a 2026 Mazda 3 recently and I'm having a hard time finding a way to clean the plastic part of the dash, the part that sits further forward than the soft touch portion. It feels sort of tacky or sticky and when you rub your hand over it it almost seems like dust gets stuck and caked into it.

I've tried using some Griot's garage interior cleaner (the clear liquid), but it doesn't seem like that. The surface stays sticky and when wiped off, instead of gliding, it just pulls lint off of whatever I'm using (shop rag, microfiber towel, anything) and makes it look even worse.

What would work best for this situation?

Anybody gave them a try? I wanna order "Lucullan" towels for drying. If you know a better quality brands, please do let us know

Hi all, I wanted to put some sort of wax or protective coating on my 2002 4Runner for the first time since purchasing it. I wanted to get opinions on how I should handling polishing or waxing these areas on the hood and roof where the clear coat has gone and there is visible sun damage. Should I avoid clay barring those areas or should I only lightly polish as well? I don’t have much experience with any of this.

Hate dragging the pressure washer out

Ideally don't want to build out because they look cheap

Whats the wall mounted pressure washer you like?

Hello, I’m looking for some guidance on how I can improve my paint. This picture is directly after a wash. I’m hoping to at least try to make it shine a bit more so I was looking into a Griots G9 polisher but was hoping to get some insight on if this would even benefit the paint at all or what should I expect when doing this. Also if it is likely to help what products would you recommend besides the polisher because I’ve seen people recommend different products for black paint. Also if it’s possible is there any different products I would need to fix the scratch on the back right part of the bumper it was from backing into a wood fence and how would I go about doing that? Lastly kind of a weird one is there any way to get the scratch’s out of the taillight covers? Unfortunately they don’t make them anymore so I’m hoping I can at least get them a little smoother. Detailing is still all new to me so thank you for baring with me the photos are actually my first time washing my own car so any tips on that is also appreciated 🙏

TLDR: need recommendations on if this paint can be polished and what products are needed to fix the paint and the scratch.

Thank you 🙏