Confession : I know nothing about detailing......

[Silversmok3]

..except what not to do, which apparently is go to the Amoco auto carwash every week:( .

In any case, I need some advice on what products to get. I plan on taking my one day off this week to fix the regulator, so while Im at it im just making it the "GA Day" with a detail job too.

Question is, what do I need to get? Which brand of claybar,polish, wash soap, and wax do I need to do the job right?

Second question:I live in Chicago, which pretty much declares war against your car's paint. I wont have access to a garage or anything, and the GA will be spending lots of time in polluted, pidgeon infested,and snowy conditons. What steps do I need to make sure my car is properly protected from all this stuff?

Much Thanks to all
Silversmok3

[Pontiac]

Not sure about anything to do with the paints, but what about one of those temporary car garages, or garage tents you can pick up? It'd piss off the birds to no end. ;)

[CARS GONE WILD]

Many people like this combo...

Meguiar's Gold Class (car wash). Stoner's Invisible Glass (window cleaner). Claymagic clay. Duragloss 501, then 601, then 105, then Aqua Wax.

Do it all in that order.

Polishing comes in between the 501 (cleanser) and sealant (601+105). I'm not very knowledgeable on polishes. But you need a Porter Cable 7424 (there are others, but this one's fine) and many different polishing pads to do a good polishing job. Polishing, IMO, is the hardest, most time consuming part of car detailing. Pays off, though.

[99blackSE]

If you don't mind the price/learning curve I would suggest David B's Ultima line:

http://www.autopia-carcare.com/ultima.html

Most of it is Polycharged.

[Blackhawk]

A good starter kit for claybars is the Mother's California Gold, comes with the bar, a small bottle of caranauba wax, and a bottle of quick detailer.