What are your MUST HAVE supplies?

[clummus]

I'm sure there may be other threads similar to this, but, what are your MUST haves for your new fusion? mine should be here anyday and I've been perusing the forums like crazy. Just ordered the shark fin antennae..(Not sure who I'll get to install it, but I'll have it at least), the zaino Z5, AIO, and claybar, and a custom for Sun shade. What else do you all think is a must have for these beautiful automobiles?

[SteveB_TX]

Don't forget the micro-fiber towels and a California Duster. Gotta protect the paint from those nasty scratches! I think I have enough clay bars to last a lifetime. :)

[clummus]

what's a California duster?

[corncobs]

GOOGLE is a good friend of mine.

 

http://www.calcarduster.com/

[acdii]

Might want to rethink the Microfibers for the paint, they tend to catch and hold nasties that can scratch the paint. The California Duster is a good one too, forgot about those. They do an excellent job of getting the dust off. I have one for inside and outside.

[hybridbear]

Might want to rethink the Microfibers for the paint, they tend to catch and hold nasties that can scratch the paint. The California Duster is a good one too, forgot about those. They do an excellent job of getting the dust off. I have one for inside and outside.

The California duster doesn't hold dirt that scratches the paint?

[acdii]

It shakes out from the duster. The Microfibers have stuff stick and you cant get it out. The Duster looks more like a cotton mop.

[dalesky]

what's a California duster?

See previous reply, and get one! They are amazing, and rarely if ever need cleaning. I have a small one also, for the interior. Really, they are great devices

[dalesky]

If you attend any car shows, you will likely see California Dusters in use. Consider that many folks who have spent 10's of thousands on their cars, and really want their paint to pop, use them, so they are made to not scratch or leave swirl marks. I always rely on Meguiar's Quik Detailer, with a clean, like new microfiber cloth. It is not meant to be a dirt remover, just for very light dust perhaps, or a little rain spotting.

It shakes out from the duster. The Microfibers have stuff stick and you cant get it out. The Duster looks more like a cotton mop.

I wash my microfiber towels, then line dry them, not in the dryer. Yes, they can hold material. When mine lose their fluff I relegate them to window washing or even applying wax.

[neod192]

I wash my microfiber towels, then line dry them, not in the dryer. Yes, they can hold material. When mine lose their fluff I relegate them to window washing or even applying wax.

Do you wash them by hand or in the washer? What's wrong with using the dryer to dry them?

[acdii]

I will have to take some close up pics of what I am referring to on the MF towels. I have some that got dropped on the floor and I cant get the dirt out now.

[dalesky]

Do you wash them by hand or in the washer? What's wrong with using the dryer to dry them?

I machine wash them. I believe that the instructions for some of them say not to machine dry. It may reduce the moisture holding properties. My wife has some for hair drying, about the size of a bath towel. They also are not supposed to be dried by machine.

[hybridbear]

I will have to take some close up pics of what I am referring to on the MF towels. I have some that got dropped on the floor and I cant get the dirt out now.

Please post this. When I was telling my parents what I've learned here so we can take good care of their C-Max Energi right from the start they didn't believe me about microfiber because that's what's advertised and sold as being the "best" for use on cars

[dalesky]

Please post this. When I was telling my parents what I've learned here so we can take good care of their C-Max Energi right from the start they didn't believe me about microfiber because that's what's advertised and sold as being the "best" for use on cars

Not sure I am getting your concern. MF towels are sold as being best for car care in most auto stores and auto departments.

Also, they are often part of a kit sold by car wax companies (and those making polymer finish products), or are recommended by them for use with their products.

 

They are not going to harm your vehicle's finish if they are clean and don't get embedded with any grime or grit. I have not had any issues with mine, except that over time they will lose their 'loft' or softness. when that happens, or if they pick up grime that won't wash out, just don't use them for the exterior. They are the only thing I have used or years, and my Mustang's finish is amazing. Just keep them clean, they will serve you well. I think acdii was just warning that they can pick up dirt that doesn't get washed out.

 

When I polish my cars, with either wax or polymer, I put the product on with an old t shirt. I only use clean new pieces of shirt. I wet it, wring it out, and turn it frequently. Once the wax has dried I use a clean MF towel, again turning it frequently.

[acdii]

Not sure I am getting your concern. MF towels are sold as being best for car care in most auto stores and auto departments.

Also, they are often part of a kit sold by car wax companies (and those making polymer finish products), or are recommended by them for use with their products.

 

They are not going to harm your vehicle's finish if they are clean and don't get embedded with any grime or grit. I have not had any issues with mine, except that over time they will lose their 'loft' or softness. when that happens, or if they pick up grime that won't wash out, just don't use them for the exterior. They are the only thing I have used or years, and my Mustang's finish is amazing. Just keep them clean, they will serve you well. I think acdii was just warning that they can pick up dirt that doesn't get washed out.

 

When I polish my cars, with either wax or polymer, I put the product on with an old t shirt. I only use clean new pieces of shirt. I wet it, wring it out, and turn it frequently. Once the wax has dried I use a clean MF towel, again turning it frequently.

Yes, I have found they can hold grit and scratch the paint. For a good read, here are tips from Zaino. They recommend a larger cotton towel instead and make some good points.

[dalesky]

Yes, I have found they can hold grit and scratch the paint. For a good read, here are tips from Zaino. They recommend a larger cotton towel instead and make some good points.

I appreciate the info. Thanks for the link.

[hybridbear]

Yes, I have found they can hold grit and scratch the paint. For a good read, here are tips from Zaino. They recommend a larger cotton towel instead and make some good points.

Thanks acdii. If you still have the pics you referenced above it would be nice to have those too. I know from experience with the microfiber towels we've used in the past to dry the car (but won't use now that I've learned this) that when they get stains on them from wiping the inside door jambs etc that those stains never come out of microfiber towels

[acdii]

I need to make one minor correction. I discovered that I do use a microfiber towel but it is one made specifically for drying a car. It is much thicker and softer than the microfiber cloths I have. It doesn't appear to have the same characteristics as the cloths I have. I can literally stick one of those cloths to my hand. They cling to the rough parts of my skin. The drying towel however is very soft and does not cling to anything. I only use it to dry the car though, and still use the recommended terry cloth towels for the polishing.

 

I will get some pics this weekend when I get the kits out for the cars. I have a couple carrying trays I store all my cleaning supplies in, and havent had a chance to bring them upstairs yet.

[Terps]

I use the Meguiars microfiber towels and have not had any issues with dirt staying in them after washing and line drying them. They are much softer than typical microfiber that you can get in bulk at places like home depot. I do have about ten or so per wash that I cycle through so I if I drop one I have a fresh one. Even using them on the piano black interior parts I haven't noticed any scratches from them.

[mokee]

My wife washes the car at least once a week 'cause she loves to play with water and it's her car. :headscratch: I don't know what she uses.

 

I'm allowed to drive it when we go out 'cause she doesn't like my helpful comments about her driving. I guess I'd have to say her must haves are the antenna balls she has for each holiday along with the sun glasses collection..

[hybridbear]

My wife washes the car at least once a week 'cause she loves to play with water and it's her car. :headscratch: I don't know what she uses.

 

I'm allowed to drive it when we go out 'cause she doesn't like my helpful comments about her driving. I guess I'd have to say her must haves are the antenna balls she has for each holiday along with the sun glasses collection..

:hysterical: that's awesome...my wife hates my "helpful comments about her driving" too. She especially didn't like it on our road trip so I'm going to try really hard to not upset her on this next road trip

[dalesky]

:hysterical: that's awesome...my wife hates my "helpful comments about her driving" too. She especially didn't like it on our road trip so I'm going to try really hard to not upset her on this next road trip

My wife has washed a car once that I remember, and that was at a drive thru. She does like to cut the lawn tho!

[hermans]

If you attend any car shows, you will likely see California Dusters in use. Consider that many folks who have spent 10's of thousands on their cars, and really want their paint to pop, use them, so they are made to not scratch or leave swirl marks. I always rely on Meguiar's Quik Detailer, with a clean, like new microfiber cloth. It is not meant to be a dirt remover, just for very light dust perhaps, or a little rain spotting.

I wash my microfiber towels, then line dry them, not in the dryer. Yes, they can hold material. When mine lose their fluff I relegate them to window washing or even applying wax.

+1000 on the California Duster. I started using them years ago on my daily drivers and on my classic muscle cars. They are great....

[HenryVIII]

I keep in my car at all times:

 

California Car Duster, PDP Body Gloss (Quick Detailer), Tint-Safe Window Cleaner, Exhaust Tip metal polisher and all associated Microfiber cloths for it.

[acdii]

I keep in my car at all times:

 

California Car Duster, PDP Body Gloss (Quick Detailer), Tint-Safe Window Cleaner, Exhaust Tip metal polisher and all associated Microfiber cloths for it.

How do you carry all that in the trunk and keep it from flying around? I only have the duster in mine, but would like to have some cleaning supplies in there too.