Car Wash 101

[SLO-BOB]

Wash and wax in the shade. It keeps the water from evaporating too fast and leaving spots. Carnuba wax should also be applied in the shade. I bought this canopy for $99 from Target. It sets up in about 5 minutes.

Anyone else have any basic tips?

[RANDY P]

#1 rule= Try not to let the car get that dirty between washes.

If car wash (not dishwashing soap) isn't neede no caked on mud and dirt, and you think you can get away with it, just hose the car down, then dry it with terrycloth bath towels. Always wash the towels when you're done.

Lots of wax, and frequently. Mine gets waxed on the average once every 3 weeks spring through fall, 2 applications each time. My paint is flawless.

rjp

[JonT]

Buy 2or threel large microfiber towels for drying and detailing. I bought mine from Carcareonline.com and love them for drying. McGuire's NXT for wax--love it--amazing shine. Nice looking car! Great idea with the portable canopy. I usually wash car early in the moring or at dusk.

[FrayAdjacent911]

Just a shameless plug.. I use a Mr Clean autodry washer and it works great. It does exactly what it says it does. Comes in handy when you're doing the whole repertoir (wash, dry, polish, wax, etc). Saves you the drying step.

[Por_sha911]

*Make sure the car's surface is cool enough to touch.
*Never use harsh dishsoap-will strip the wax off the paint.
*Don't make circles-causes swirl marks. Rub lightly in a straight line length-wise.
*Rinse your wash mit frequently-the dirt acts like sandpaper.
*Use 100% cotton or microfibre to prevent scratching.
*Wash the top and bonnet first, then the sides, then the bottom last-less chance of dirt getting on wash mit.
*Use a different sponge or brush for the wheels-brake dust is bad news and don't wash the wheels when hot.
*Dry completely to avoid water spots.
*The sooner you clean the car, the less damage to the paint.
*Keep a bottle of no-salt seltzer in the trunk on trips. If a bird divebombs your car, shake up the seltzer and then open it (acts like a mini pressure wash to get the majority of the stuff off till you can get home and wash it properly.

Learned all this from: www.carcareonline.com The guy was super helpful and answered a bazillion questions for free. He has products for every need and really knows his stuff.

[livi]

Don´t need a canopy in Sweden. The sun is a rare sight.

Seriously, Randy. Every 3 weeks ??? I hardly even wash my car that often. My little car must really hate me...

[kilodawg]

Towels for drying! Not anymore, now I use a blower. Not only does it minimize the direct contact of towels it also gets out the pools that can linger in areas and promote corrosion. For a final detail I go over the cars lightly with Zaino Z6 and a very soft cotton cloth if necessary. The least direct contact the better.

[twin plugged targa]

BIG TIP-
cover the engine before putting and water on the car!.
Use a towel or similar over the alternator- they do not like being doused with water!!!!
Do not use harsh detergents or cleaners on the anodised Fuchs!.
Thats about all i can think of right now, that has not been already mentioned
rgds Ben

[SLO-BOB]

Originally posted by twin plugged targa

Do not use harsh detergents or cleaners on the anodised Fuchs!.
Thats about all i can think of right now, that has not been already mentioned
rgds Ben

That is a HUGE one!!!! I used Wesley's Bleche white to clean my tires once. Some leaked down on my Fuchs and etched the silver anodizing. Now I just use soapy water to clean my tires and Fuchs.

Many great tips here. I never thought to cover my engine. Washing the car from the top down is one I've used for quite some time. Seperate rags for lower and upper and wheels too.

Keep em coming!

[RANDY P]

Originally posted by livi


Seriously, Randy. Every 3 weeks ??? I hardly even wash my car that often. My little car must really hate me...

OK, here's the rub - I drive my car maybe 3K miles a year. Cleaning a car that isn't driven but 6 months at a time really makes for quick work. I can rip wax over the whole car in under 1/2 hour. I never need to prep since it's only dusty. It's pretty well maintained and only driven in rain sometimes.

This is also a shameless plug for 3M Imperial Glaze, 3M gray liquid swirl remover, Meguiars Clay bars, and The Wax Shop Superglaze liquid wax.

My daily driver (BMW) uses NuFinish (yes, gasp!)-it sits outside at work in the rain and whatnot and the stuff holds up. Not nearly as deep of a finish with Wax Shop but for protection and longetivity there's no comparision. Easy to apply and cheap too. Waxed the BMW 2 coats every 3 MOS year round even though it's primarily rain driven and the stuff has held up. 1 shot is all it needs.

rjp

[944for-ever]

I have a 944, & I drive semi for a living. every weekend I wash both of them, it doesn't matter if I put on 5 miles or 5,000 miles, it gets washed. I always use KIT carnuba car wash, dry it with a shami and it looks like its just been waxed. when I wax them I use snap-on ( yes, snap-on as in the tool company) wax, it go's on easy, come's off easy and leaves them looking great. If I have time I'll post some pics this weekend.

[glenndeweirdt]

Remember after washing your towels DO NOT USE FABRIC SOFTENER IN THE DRYER.

[Bill Douglas]

What ever you do. DON'T let your girlfriend wash the car for you.

[walt]

I like the california water blade for drying. Very soft silcone rubber that will not scratch. Used it for years with good results. Still need an occasional soft cloth for the nooks.

[Bob's Flat-Six]

Originally posted by twin plugged targa
BIG TIP-
cover the engine before putting and water on the car!.
Use a towel or similar over the alternator- they do not like being doused with water!!!!
Do not use harsh detergents or cleaners on the anodised Fuchs!.
Thats about all i can think of right now, that has not been already mentioned
rgds Ben

Just remember to remove them before starting. Throw a towel on the seat as a reminder.

[howie944]

After washing the car with car soap spray the soap off. Then turn the hose to a low pressure (take nozzle off) and let the water "sheet" off the car from the top down. It leaves a lot less water on the car when it comes time to dry. Don't use your shammy on the wheels or on the underside ridges. The shammy will pick up grit and brake dust. Use a towel for those areas.

[GeorgeM]

No one has mentioned the California Car Duster for those days when it's just dusty and not dirty. I use it all the time between washes and to get rid of "garage dust", then a quick shine with Griot's Speed Shine about every third dusting. The key is a great clayed and waxed surface to work with and maintenance is cake.

For the daily driver, I gave Griot's Paint Sealer and Spray-on Wax system a try. Once you treat with the sealer, at every wash, just squirt the spray on wax after squeegee-ing, then dry with cotton towels or micro fiber. Works like a champ and keeps the finish silky smooth.

[Type911]

Originally posted by Bob's Flat-Six
Just remember to remove them before starting. Throw a towel on the seat as a reminder.

Remembering should not be a problem.
A good detailing should also include opening the decklid,
both doors, gas lid, trunk, wiping down jams, inside of seals
etc. with a towel.

Even though my car rarely sees rain, I like to apply Rain-X to
the windshield, headlamps, tail-lights, mirrors. Water beads off nicely, plus its easier to remove bug splatter.
Clean the wiper blades with rubbing alcohol, they will last
forever & work like new every time.

Like others have mentioned, Larry @ Carcareonline.com
is the guru.....akin to the Pelican Parts of Porsche detailing.
I buy all my detailing products from him.

[dsdw40]

kilodawg,
what kind of blower, like a shop vac in reverse with the cone attachment? or a gas powered leaf blower?
I imagine either would work, might try this myself today...

there was a thread similar to this, it suggested washing the wheels first, i figured out this is a good approach. if you wash your wheels last you'll splash water on rest of the car while rinsing

[HawgRyder]

I guess I should not say this, but, I washed the car for the first time in 4 years yesterday.
In my defence, she has been in the garage, being worked on and collecting dust and grease for that time.
The good thing....the paint has had a long time to harden...LOL
Bob