I want to keep the new baby looking tip-top -- what products do people like best for the interior surfaces (dash, etc...) as well as exterior products for shine and protection? I will usually have my car detailed professionally a couple times a year, but for in-between, what products do people like?

thanks in advance!!

ShellyD
Auburn, Alabama, USA

Vehicles:
2007 HCHII, Alabaster Silver Metallic w/ Navi
2006 HCH, Alabaster Silver Metallic w/ Nav (RIP: 3/15/07)
2003 Jetta TDI 5-speed; lifetime avg MPG ~48

For interior protection, nothing like Aerospace 303 Protectant. Matte finish and not oily. Great on exterior plastic trim and tires as well!

Since water-based, it may not last as long as other silicone-based products, but I really like the matte finish and its clean feel that doesn't attract as much dust as other products.

Exterior paint:
Memoirs Gold paste wax, touched up with Memoirs Gold touch-up wax spray.
Despite 3 years of parking outside beads up like crazy and looks at least as good as the first day I drive it.

I use wheel brite on the wheels & tires, followed up by any old tire "wet" oil.
Rain-x for the windows.

Interior mats get washed out when I wash the rest of the car.

Interior plastic is cleaned with just plain 'ol warm clean water with a clean terry cotton cloth. If it's really dirty I'll put a single drop of dish liquid in a gallon of cleaning water.

I drive around with the front windows cracked an inch or two so it lets some dirt in, and this fall I plan to use plain water and wet vac on all the cloth and carpet surfaces. They still look great but want to prevent any buildup.

Obviously water just evaporates leaving no oil and looks good as new.
It stays cleaner and cheaper too!

Efficient drivers do it better.
1003 miles a tank personal record. 74MPG calculated. HCH1 CVT

There has been much discussion about the easy-care nature of the fabric upholstery. I thought that I had finished it off after seeing the large black stain on the pax seat under where I had transported an inkjet printer on its side (note: don't do that). A liquid spray cleaner (Woolite "Oxy Deep") was completely effective, and I was completely amazed. I know this sounds too much like a product endorsement, but you should have seen the thing before and after. Was dumb to not take pictures.

DAS