Dave335i

Just purchased my S4 and live in the Northeast. With all the sand and salt on the road it's almost impossible to keep the car clean. What brand of cleaners do people use/recommend for car wash, tire/rim cleaner, leather cleaner, etc.? I've always found trying to keep the rims clean of brake dust is nearly impossible as well. Any recommendations there?

gk1

I know...Northeast is rough...I gave up years ago and have a winter set of wheels that I simply expect to get ruined. I clean them up as best as I can when I switch back to summers.
For leather I like the Lexol wipes if you can get them...simple...easy to use and non-greasy.

jdgamble

I use Zymol leather cleaner and conditioner for the leather. For the wheels, I use a spray on polish (I think Zymol too), and the brake dust accumulates, but it comes off really easy when I wash again. For the paint, there's about a billion good waxes and sealants... I really like Zaino, but it's a process.

spacey

Sonax wheel cleaner is phenomenal. I really like Dodo Juice wash, wax, and detail products. I use 303 Aerospace Protectant on vinyl/rubber, Poorboy's wheel wax, Einzett leather cleaner, Chemical Guys chrome polish/wax.

isles1

I've been very happy with the Adam's Polishes products I have tried to date: Car Shampoo, All-Purpose Cleaner, VRT Dressing and Glass Cleaner.

Others highly recommend Armor All Wheel Protectant to reduce brake dust build-up. I picked up a few cans at PepBoys a few weeks back on sale for just over $5.00 each. I have not tried it out yet.

DrGP

Can't go wrong with Zaino products. As far as brake dust is concerned, SonaX works well. BUT, when you factor in the cost of the Sonax and compare it to replacing the brake pads with ceramic brakes, its probably cheaper in the long run to change to ceramic pads.

GoNavy

+1. Absolutely agree. Get a bottle and see for yourself!

+1. Again, I use this product all the time and it's a quick way to keep your wheels clean and brake dust free for 3-4 weeks (seriously!)

As far as washing the car, I use 1Z einszett W99.

RCM09

This.... http://www.autogeek.net/optimum-opti-coat.html

I have this on my wheels and never a need for harsh chemicals to clean with. Also coated the front,back and lower panels. I would have done the whole car but enjoy detailing and trying different products.

helix139

My car is stripped, corrected as needed, prepped, and sealed 2-3 times a year by my detailer with 3 coats of Zaino Z2 enhanced with Z6 between coats, and finished with Z-CS.

For maintenance in between, I use:

Uber microfiber towels and lamb's wool wash mitt
Zaino border free towels for spot cleaning
Gilmour foam gun for pre-soak
Zaino Z7 wash
Zaino Z6 gloss enhancer as a detail spray
Zaino Z8 grand finale spray sealant
Zaino Glass Sealant
Sonax wheel cleaner
EZ Detail Brush (wheels)
Armor All Wheel Protectant
Einzsett Anti Insekt
Einszett Windscreen
Einszett Cockpit
Einszett Deep Plastic Cleaner
Adam's SuperVRT (tire shine)
Adam's In and Out (engine bay)
Wolf's Trim Coat (rain gutters by the windshield after IPA wipedown)
Wolf's glass sealant
Leatherique Rejuvenate
Leatherique Pristine Clean
Xpel film cleaner
Xpel film sealant

For spot corrections:

Griot's Orbital
Uber foam pads (4" and 6", all colors)
Adam's Detail Clay (for small spots)
Nanoskin Autoscrub regular and fine (larger areas)
Nanoskin Glide clay/autoscrub lube (7:1 dilution)
Meguiar's M105 (compound)
Menzerna SF4000 (finishing polish)
Einszett Glanz (Sealant)

This will strip off waxes or sealants. If you're prepping for a full detail, this is a good idea, but for maintenance I'd stick with a quality pH-neutral car shampoo

Dave335i

Do you guys ever take your car through a (touchless) car wash, especially when the weather outside makes it tough to do by hand, or is that a big no no?