Ryan's Car Care Recommendations

I take great pride in maintaining my car's look. Here, you'll find out how I do it, and with what products. Also, you'll find out how I remove those "Dings and Scratches".

  • Recommended Product List
  • Evaluation Product List
  • Covering Up Life's Little Dings/Scratches

    • Recommended Product List

    Recommended Products for Serious Users:

    Car Wash Supplies
  • Zaino Bros' Show Car Wash (Z-7)
  • Armor All Window Cleaner
  • Rain-X
  • Several 100% US Cotton Towels

    • Detailing Supplies
  • Zaino Bros' Show Car "Polish Lok" Pre-Cleaner & Gloss Conditioner (Z-1)
  • Zaino Bros' Show Car Polish for clear-coated paint (Z-2)
  • Zaino Bros' Polish for swirl marks & fine scratches (Z-5)
  • Zaino Bros' Ultra Clean "Gloss Enhancer" Spray (Z-6)
  • Zaino Bros' Perfect Tire Gloss (Z-16)
  • Meguiars Gold Class Leather Cleaner and Conditioner (G-7208)

    • Specific / Special Supplies
  • Meguiars Medallion Premium Paint Cleaner (M-9716)
  • Meguiars #9 Swirl Remover (M-0916)
  • Meguiars #2 Fine-Cut Cleaner (M-0216)
  • Meguiars #7 Show Car Glaze (M-0716)
  • Meguiars #26 Hi-Tech Yellow Wax (M-2616)
  • 409 Carpet Cleaner / Hoover Steam Vac
    • Recommended Products for Other Users:

    Car Wash Supplies
  • Meguiars Clear Coat Car Wash (A-1716)
  • Armor All Window Cleaner
  • Rain-X
  • Several 100% US Cotton Towels

    • Detailing Supplies
  • Zymol Cleaner Wax (Z-503)
  • Zaino Bros' Perfect Tire Gloss (Z-16)
  • Meguiars Gold Class Leather Cleaner and Conditioner (G-7208)


    • More Product information available at:
    Zaino Bros ( www.zainobros.com )
    Meguiars ( www.meguiars.com )
    Zymol ( www.zymol.com )

    ( I have no affiliation with Zaino, Meguiars, or any other product endorsed on this site. I do not profit from you buying their products. I am only recommending what I use. )

    Evaluation Product List

    The following is a list of Products I am currently, or plan to evaluate.

    Currently Evaluating

  • Meguiars Intensive Protectant (A-3819)
    [ Liked it after only one try. Does a better job than Armor All. Used it inside and out, will see how it lasts. ]
  • Meguiars #36 Wheel Cleaner (M-3616)
    [ Ho-hum, not sure I like it, but then again, not sure I like this line of products. Even Eagle One A2Z Cleaner falls short of cleaning the rims. ]
  • Meguiars #39 Heavy Duty Vinyl Cleaner (M-3916)
    [ Very promising. Appeared to remove old wax buildup on black trim. Liked that!!!. ]
  • Meguiars #42 Rubber Treatment (M-4216)
    [ Only works well on "rubber" trim, go figure. Kinda hard to apply, but still promising. ]
  • Meguiars Quick Detailer Mist & Wipe (A-3316)
    [ Got a few dirt spots off the car, seems to work well. Didn't notice any scratching. ]

    • Planned

  • Zaino Bros' "Leather Soft" Spray Cleaner (Z-9)
  • Zaino Bros' "Leather In A Bottle" Treatment & Conditioner (Z-10)
  • Zaino Bros' Clear-View Glass Polish (Z-12)
  • Zaino Bros' Plastic-Magic Cleaner & Polish (Z-14)
  • Zaino Bros' ClayBar (Z-18)
  • Meguiars All Metal Polish (M-2805)
  • Meguiars Unigrit Sanding Blocks (K-[1000/1500/2000/3000/9900])

    • Covering up Life's Little Dings/Scratches

    The following is how I cover up little dings and scratches:

    1. Clean car, or at least the area in question.

    NOTE:
    The following steps should be used in moderation, have patience. Apply in small amounts, working small areas at a time, completing steps 2-4, then repeat.

    Also, all products are applied to the rag first, then car. Always rub in circular motions. Wipe clean with a different clean rag.

    2. Removing the defect / scratch.

    2a. Try the #9 Swirl Remover first. This usually takes out the scratch and/or left over paint from that door ding.

    2b. If the mark is still present, use Medallion Premium Paint Cleaner. This product is nice since works better than the #9 Swirl Remover, and is still safe on the clear coat finish.

    2c. If the mark is serious, and #9 Swirl Remover and/or Medallion Premium Paint Cleaner are not working, then use #2 Fine-Cut Cleaner. (NOTE: Can scratch clear coat, so use in moderation.)

    2d. NOT RECOMMENDED: If you're venturous, Meguiars makes a Medium and Hard-Cut Cleaners, but I've never used them, and I'm not sure I want to. But they're available if you want.

    3. Any of the products used in step 2 can/will dull the paint. Not to worry, apply #7 Show Car Glaze to the work area and about 2-3 inches beyond. Work this in thoroughly until shine has come back.

    4. If the mark is still present, repeat steps 2-3. Remember, work in moderation, using only small amounts in steps 2 (2a - 2c), using step 3 to recover from step 2.

    5. After you have done what you can to the mark, apply #26 Hi-Tech Yellow Wax to the work area and about 2-3 inches beyond the area used in step 3.
    At this point, you should notice a difference, but sometimes the scratches are just too deep in the paint. I've been very successful in at least hiding the marks.

    Hope this helps.......

    Ryan


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    Last updated on January 2, 2003
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