Cleaning Your Car

[sketch1]

If you have one available I like to use a leaf blower to dry the car. It makes for a much quicker process then a chamois, and it allows you to blow all the excess water out of all the cracks and crevaces. I can't tell you how many times I have washed and waxed my car, only to drive off and have water rattle out of all the seams in the body, behind lights, behind the mirrors... It's like the cracks can hold ten times more water than you could ever imagine.

 

[rx900]

Here's what I usually have when I clean any of the cars: (brand doesnt really matter much on every item)

1. Soap
2. Sponge
3. 3 Towels
4. Wax-> Meguiars (occasionally)
5. Leather cleaner and conditioner (occasionally, and only for the GX)


Tire dressing is a NONO for me, because it just tends to splash on the body when you drive it!

 

[nauticalniremor]

Re: Cleaning your car

I searched and really could not find any info here about the difference between a wax and an acrylic treatment such as CRYSTAL-GLO. I did read Thai's post of how to wash a car and he mentioned that if you did not want to wax, you could use the CRYSTAL-GLO acrylic car polish instead.

Cleaning your car
by Paul Williams


Alternatively, an excellent acrylic finish, and Canadian-made, by the way, is Crystal-Glo Acrylic Car Polish. Too bad these guys make it so hard to find. Try specialty automotive shops. If all else fails, order it from crystalglo.com. You can skip the wax with this product, which starts at $14.99.

ANYWAYS - my question is this - is using the acrylic polish instead of wax better or worse for the car ? will there be build up or anything if i was to just use the crystal glo and never wax??

This is my first "real" car being that I have only leased all my cars in the past - and i want to be sure I keep it looking good for a long time!! Any hints would be great!! thanks!!

 

[broncosi]

If you have one available I like to use a leaf blower to dry the car.

Is that safe? id be kind of worried of something flying out of it and smacking my paint.

Also, nauticalniremor: the crystal glo stuff your talking about is a polish. To put it simply, polish will shine your car and wax will protect the shine.

 

[Iron Clad Lou]

ALWAYS use a good deep pile wash mit. I use ones that have that scrubbing mesh stuff on the back which helps to get off bugs and other road junk, but wont scratch the paint. The deep pile of the lambs wool (or synthetic material) draws the dirt into the mit, away from the surface of the car, therefore preventing fine scratches from ever forming. FYI-The wash mits are cheap, so do yourself a favor and buy 1!
Shaun

I used a lambs wool mit this weekend..amazing..does a great job and cuts the wash time in half...alot easier to use!

I also tried Eagle One window cleaner and a microfiber window cleaner towel...you must try this stuff...best results ever!

 

[sketch1]

Is that safe? id be kind of worried of something flying out of it and smacking my paint.

Also, nauticalniremor: the crystal glo stuff your talking about is a polish. To put it simply, polish will shine your car and wax will protect the shine.

Ive done it for years now without any problems... I dont know what would come flying out of your leaf blower and hit the car anyway?

 

[broncosi]

haha funny and painful story, i was using the power washer to rinse my car and about half of the metal nozzle gun shoots off onto my hood leaving a nasty cut through the paint but its only about the size of pea

 

[pickerdd]

Any thoughts on the Mr. Clean car wash system with the dedicated filter and soap?

 

[Uneek]

Any thoughts on the Mr. Clean car wash system with the dedicated filter and soap?

It works as advertised, no water spots. I've heard others say the soap builds a hazy layer on the paint and it strips wax. I haven't gotten around to experimenting by waxing a fender and then wash it with Mr. Clean soap. Many on detail forums like autopia recommend washing with good car soap and then use Mr. Clean for the filtered water to rinse.

 

[tomhaney1]

Any thoughts on the Mr. Clean car wash system with the dedicated filter and soap?

I use the soap from the thing occasionally on my wheels and I use the filtered water as a final rinse; however, I use Meguiar's Gold Class for the shampoo (with a lambswool mit of course- nothing better). The soap is pretty strong and I can easily see where it would strip wax. Cheap shit really. Also, I use a terry mit for the wheels and wells separately.

 

[Jacobzky]

polished and waxed..........

I use a foam gun which cuts my washing time in almost half the time. less chance of getting swirl marks

 

[broncosi]

what?!?! that looks really easy and quick?? How do you do that?

 

[Jacobzky]

with foam gun, all you have to do is soak up the truck with suds from the foam gun, in this case i used Meguiar's NXT car wash and a foam gun

once truck is fully soaked, just use your favorite wash mitt from top to bottom. i like how it lubricates the truck for easy dirt/dust/grime removal. you dont have to dug up to your bucket for shampoo. i do still use a bucket to rinse my wash mitt.

 

[broncosi]

so i can get it at lowes? and how much was it?

 

[qballjr13]

Three easy steps to cleaning your truck

1. Go to http://autopia.org/
2. Click "Forums"
3. Join, read and learn

There are a ton of professional detailers on that site and they have the best information I have ever seen. Read, read, read and read some more...its amazing how much you will learn

 

[Jacobzky]

so i can get it at lowes? and how much was it?

lowes don't have it, i got it on ebay and paid 43 including a 10 shipping. it is a Gilmour FoamMaster, google for it or goto autogeek.net they have it. the only difference is label on the bottle.

 

[Lug Nut]

Wow! That shine is absolutely amazing. Beautiful photos! Thanks for the tips!

 

[josh220]

Jacobzky, what type of wax do you use?

 

[Techsan]

Here are Techsan's tips:

1) Most folks typically use clay bar once a year. You really have to be careful when using it, especially if you have a dark colored vehicle. Just make sure you are using enough detailer spray so that the clay glides across the paint. If not, you'll mar your car.
If you have never done clay bar before, be sure to check this site out: Autopia.org

2) The Absorber works great for drying your car off. You can buy it anywhere...walmart, lowes, etc.

3) Turtlewax ICE is an exellent synthetic polish. It doens't leave a white residue, and you can use it on plastic/rubber as well. Also, it actually works better if you apply it IN the direct sun. Trust me. Here's a picture of my car after ICE:

 

[hulk311]

Washing my truck - quick question

So I've decided to start washing my truck after using the automated car washes. I decided to do this after I came back from the Totoya Stealership after getting an oil change and "free" car wash. The "free" car wash looked like they used a broken hose and just let the water drip on my truck.

Anyways, I just read that this is the proper way to wash your truck:

1) Wash
2) Clay
3) Wash
4) Polish
5) Wax

My question is:

How often are you supposed to wax? And how often do you wash and polish? Is claying only necessary when waxing?

Here are the products I bought:

Ice Car Wash
Ice Spray Detailer
Ice Total interior care

I'm also thinking about picking up the Ice clay bar and wax. What do you suggest for windows? Can the spray detailer be used on the outside windows? What do you suggest I use on the rims? There's a lot of black **** on there that won't come off.