Wanted to get everyone involved in a discussion about washing techniques:

Where do you go?
How often?
How do you wash?
What products do you use?

A general sharing of knowledge about how to wash and care for your car and what not to do

 

I cant wash a car worth ****.

I usually get my wifes little brother to do it.

but he doesnt do to good of a job.

must b a reflection of the youth of today.

 

Stay far far away from any automated carwashes, they'll will strip your wax quicker than Nad's. I also never use the brush in a wandwash b/c there is always crud in them. I like to use wand washes b/c it is quicker, though I find my wax coat dies faster. I polish and wax every 2-3 months or whenever the beading of water stops. I bought a 50 dollar orbital buffer from home depot that is a godsend. I use meguiers swirl remover polish right now (my sister took my car thru a old-skool carwash, swirled the frick out of it) and follow with #26 yellow carnauba wax. Takes a bit of time, but worth it. Just last week we had some hail up here and I have to say, it protected car very well.

I have the midnight blue P5 so mine gets dirty looking often, which means I have to wash more (at least once per week, weather depending), and with more washes comes less time b/w waxes. The pure carnauba does not last as long as synthetic waxes but noone can doubt its effectiveness in paint protection. Remember it doesn't just protect against the elements, but also rocks and chips. A good layer of wax can be quite an energy absorber. Do it on the rims as well.

I also would always recommend polishing before waxing, and never just polish (if it is specifically a polish). The swirl remover I am using at the moment strips the wax off the car when it is applied. The polish helps support your clear coat and paint and gives you the killer shine.

And enjoy. I find it quite relaxing and rewarding to clean a car, you also get to enjoy the looks afterward. Look at Meguiars or other manufacturer's websites, they will give you good info on what products are good for you.

 

cool man,
thanks for the info.

 

i have a little car washing business at the side of my house...lol...

i just do a basic wash, wax & interior clean with products that you can get at like canadian tire or wherever it's called in the states...

i really don't have a technique but just taking your time is the best...don't rush it!

 

Wash my ride every week, spend about $5.00, I recently started using wax-as-you dry stuff from Eagle, works pretty good, but not as good as Meguiars stuff. I use their 3-step program every month and use their Quick Detailer every week after every wash.

 

Since we are talking a little about waxing, i was wondering if anybody using meguiars, or any wax for that matter, noticed that after a couple of days that the wax seems to attract dust. I try to make sure i do a good job buffing but 2 days later i have a layer of dust just chillin on my car. It may be where i live (dry desert climate) but if someone could offer up a tip it would be greatly appreciated.

 

I personally use the whole ziano process. Last weekend was the first coat. It is kinda long at first because to have to wash, dry, clay bar, wash, dry, apply prelok, apply Z2 polish, remove and finish with the Z5 gloss enhancing spray. The spray helps keep the dust down and gives it a super wet shine. This stuff last a long time and beads like hell and shines like nothing I have ever used before. Also, after the first application it goes on and off extremely easy and I usually just put a coat on before I attack the interior. I used to use the Meguairs products but they didn't last as long. I still use their car wash products and wash the car by hand at home once a week and dry with an absorber.

For the interior I use the Meguairs interior cleaning products for the dash and interior trim. For the leather seats I use Lexol cleaner and then follow with the Lexol leather conditioner. Finally I use either the Meguairs tire gel or the Eagle one wet I like both the eagle one is a little easier to deal with. I use this same process on the miata and it is a 97 and looks fresh off the showroom floor. I sounds a little long but it isn't bad but you gotta like doing it which I do. Just a note on the zaino even my wife said the car looked great afterwards and she usually doesn't respond positively to my spend a couple hours cleaning the cars when I can't seem to pick up my clothes around the house.

Tony

 

I have an article written by a guy named Scott. He owns a couple detailing shops and the article includes the techniques, the product to use etc. He's also the mod on some other car detailing forums. I'll post it once I get home.

 

what kind of pads do you use for the wax, polish and swirl remover? I've got a buffer too, and it came with a whole bunch of different kinds of applicators, but no real direction as to which should be used for which...

 

That's the carnuba wax!! It attracts dust like theres no tomorrow. Apparently synthetics don't have this problem which is why once I'm done my current bottle of meguars i'm switching to zaino...

 

Once or twice a year: Clay bar entire car (also use on certain spots as needed). Also, step 1 of Mother's "ultimate" 3-step wax system. Washing with Dawn is also just a once or twice a year event to totally remove any wax (when I want a totally clean surface).

2-3 months: Mother's steps 2 (sealer and glaze) and step 3 ("pure" carnauba wax).

Once a week: wash with Mother's California Gold car wash. Also, quick detailing can be done to maintain a fresh appearance longer.

I wash right in front of my house with a hose unless it's winter. In winter, I only go to a wand wash place and in those cases, I bring my own wash mitt and use that as opposed to the brushes that they provide.

To wash, I hose down the car completely and start by scrubbing the tires with soap and water and a tire brush. Then I use a lambs wool mitt to wash the car, starting from top down. Spray off with hose and then dry by first blotting with a 100% cotton towel, then wiping up any remaining with a Micro-fiber towel.

I've used Meguiar's cleaner wax, Nu-finish, and now the Mother's 3-step system. IMO, the best results (from the 3 I listed) are easily seen with the Mother's system. I'd definitely like to try the 3M stuff as I've heard good things about them.

 

Mike:

How much did you pay Smedly to start this thread??

LMFAO

 

You know what to do Dale.

BTW...why don't YOU describe your washing techniques to us? Muwhahahahahaahahahahaha :P

 

And I believe you know what to do right back, kiddo.

Anyway, I don't think these guys are prepared to hear about my 12-step, labor-intensive, high-tech cleaning system.