What car wash do people use?

[janus77]

Thanks Sparoz, good run down on what to do.

Just 1 question, why not use a sponge? When i've washed cars i've always used a sponge without any ill effects that i can see. You just thinking the sponge may hold particles that can scratch the duco more than a microfibre towel?

[sparoz]

Originally Posted by janus77

Thanks Sparoz, good run down on what to do.

Just 1 question, why not use a sponge? When i've washed cars i've always used a sponge without any ill effects that i can see. You just thinking the sponge may hold particles that can scratch the duco more than a microfibre towel?

Exactly - a sponge has got lots of holes in it. Dirt get trapped in those tiny little holes and get "pushed around" - scratches the paintwork. Microfibre actually traps and burried dirt, so the contact surface is a lot "cleaner". There are many microscopic shots of microfibre on the net, once you have a look at those you'll know what I meant by that. When you think about it, that's how essentially a foam pad works for polishing. The foam pad itself has no cut until you put a polish in. Once there's polish, it pushes it around and it cuts the paint.

That's why in an ideal situation, you don't touch the paint at all - you foam it up with a foam gun (I've got a karcher foam bottle but might invest in a different one soon as it doesn't really do snow foam) which loosen and lubricate the dirt, and you do your first rinse with moderate pressure to remove most of the dirt before you even touch the paint.

If you take a look around parking lots, you'll see many cars with swirl marks all over their car. As yours is a relatively new car, the paint work should be relatively scratch free. Your dealer would have introduced some marring on delivery, but it should be otherwise swirl free. Once you start looking, every car looks "dirty".

[zenderm3]

Originally Posted by sparoz

Head to the detailing forum, there are tons of information there.

I have Maguire's NXT wash for the foam gun (I will explain), and Dodo Juice Supernatural for the wash. The main thing about the wash is that it needs to be gentle so it doesn't take off the wax, and have enough lubricants so dirt slides off. Foaming action is not important as long as it makes the surface slippery.

You have a black car, and swirl marks shows up easily if you don't wash your car properly. If you are not going to do a proper detail, here is what you should do:

1. Wet and wash the wheels first in a separate bucket - preferably with soft bristle brush, there are plenty on the market (you wash it first so it doesn't get the dirt on your paint work after you've cleaned the car)
2. Foam the car up with a foam gun if you have got one and let it sit for 2-3 minutes.
3. Rinse the car down with water
4. Wash car with your select choice of wash product - do not use detergent and other cheap wash - it removes the wax. Use a wash that is designed for cars, ie Swissvax, Dodo Juice, Maguires, Zaino, Zymol, Mother, etc, one panel at a time, and keep the rest of the paintwork wet.
5. Use a Microfibre Mitt or wash cloth only, do not use a sponge! Use one bucket (not the one you've just washed your wheels in) for your wash fluid, another to rinse so you don't transfer dirt back to the wash fluid.
6. Rinse car from the top, so water sheets off, and dry the car. For best results, use a Microfibre Weave Towel - one that is designed for drying - don't wipe - you hold onto one end and pull it towards you.
7. Do the windows - front first, then back, then side windows with any glass cleaner really.
8. Use a quick detailer to finish it off. Take care of door jams, internal, etc.

What you should not do:
1. Let your dealer wash your car.
2. Use a sponge to wash.
3. Have one bucket of water.
4. Take it to an automatic car wash.
5. Let anyone wash your car who doesn't know how to keep your paint swirl free.
6. Wash under the sun.

For waxing etc, I think it would be another topic.

Hope it helps.

Sparoz... thanks for this information... did you get your car from Coastline... and if so... what is your experience with them cleaning/delivering your car?

[janus77]

Thanks Sparoz, sounds like i might be better off not opening this kettle of fish.. too easy for me to turn into a paint nazi.

Just wondering, as far as washing liquid brands go, are they all pretty ok, or is there a difference? (am not talking about wash and wax, just wash liquids).

[Totti]

How do you guys do the wash with water restrictions? Take your gear to the local servo and use their guns?

[05C4R]

Originally Posted by Totti

How do you guys do the wash with water restrictions? Take your gear to the local servo and use their guns?

spit & polish, thats what its come too

[Taymaishu]

Originally Posted by Totti

How do you guys do the wash with water restrictions? Take your gear to the local servo and use their guns?

We're now allowed to wash cars & hard surfaces with a nozzle hose.

[janus77]

Just ordered the following, i already have glass cleaner, and Meguires million dollar polish, and some other polish stuff.

Armor All Car Wash - 1 Litre $5.99
Meguiar's Quik Clay Kit - 473ml $34.88
SCA Sponge - Jumbo $1.82
Kenco Polishing Cloth - 2m $4.49
SCA Microfibre Cloth - Detailing $4.99
SCA Flexible Tub - Red, 14 Litre $6.99
SCA Flexible Tub - Blue, 14 Litre $6.99
Meguiar's Gold Class Leather Cleaner & Conditioner - 414ml $19.88
Total - including $15 postage $101.03

[zenderm3]

Originally Posted by janus77

Just ordered the following, i already have glass cleaner, and Meguires million dollar polish, and some other polish stuff.

Armor All Car Wash - 1 Litre $5.99
Meguiar's Quik Clay Kit - 473ml $34.88
SCA Sponge - Jumbo $1.82
Kenco Polishing Cloth - 2m $4.49
SCA Microfibre Cloth - Detailing $4.99
SCA Flexible Tub - Red, 14 Litre $6.99
SCA Flexible Tub - Blue, 14 Litre $6.99
Meguiar's Gold Class Leather Cleaner & Conditioner - 414ml $19.88
Total - including $15 postage $101.03

Janus... where did you order all this from?

[janus77]

supercheapauto.com.au - online.

Don't have one near my house, and don't mind paying $15 for delivery.

[MFKN3]

Originally Posted by AussieRacer

Chemical Guys Maxi Suds + Citrus Wash

me too

[DaveN54135]

Originally Posted by janus77

Am just wondering what brand of car was liquid people use, any recommendations, does it really make much of a difference?

I use Maguiars all the way... three step wax with cleaner, wax, and Carnauba gives a hell of a shine..



This is my Baby, its a 2008 135i 6 spd Manual, with Dinan Flash, AE Air Intakes, Intercooler, BMW factory Upgraded performance brakes, and BMW upgraded Exhaust. Over 400 Horsepower and 380 Torque makes this a beast!

Carbon Fiber has been added to this vehicle everywhere to reduce weight,
the Hood, Trunk, Sun Roof, rear spoiler are all Carbon Fiber.
Car sounds beefier than the current model M3, and 0-60 is about 4.5 seconds.
Over 10k invested in this vehicle, but I have to sell for my Wife, and for the sake of my License
Check my auction for more pictures or email me clickdave@live.com
Or call me 407-697-6697
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...t_43567wt_1167

[ncutinelli]

Originally Posted by Totti

How do you guys do the wash with water restrictions? Take your gear to the local servo and use their guns?

yeah we have no option here in MELBOURNE but to get it hand washed or washed one of thoes DIY places ...

[zenderm3]

Water restrictions have lifted slightly... we can wash our cars on one day a week...

[amk2912]

Originally Posted by zenderm3

we can wash our cars on one day a week...

????!!!!!! I don't even wash my car once a month!

[zenderm3]

Originally Posted by amk2912

????!!!!!! I don't even wash my car once a month!

yes well... i wouldn't wash my car more than once every month!

[Zuzu]

Originally Posted by amk2912

????!!!!!! I don't even wash my car once a month!

Thats cause your car isnt BSM... Only have to look at my car and it gets dusty...

[amk2912]

Originally Posted by Zuzu

Thats cause your car isnt BSM... Only have to look at my car and it gets dusty...

I hear you, Zuzu.... we have a number of Mercs and BM's of the black variety at school and the biggest whinge is keeping the things clean. I generally wait until my space grey turns space dust before I get the Karcher out! One of our friends has a black ML and she whinged incessantly about it, then hubby turns up with a black CLK......boy did he get his ears chewed!!

[sparoz]

Originally Posted by zenderm3

Sparoz... thanks for this information... did you get your car from Coastline... and if so... what is your experience with them cleaning/delivering your car?

Yes, I did - and I have holograms everywhere. BUT, the higher end black cars get done out not at the dealership but at the bodyshop with McCullochs so that it is "supposed" to be spotless. As yours a M3 they might send it to them, or may be you can sus it out to see who would be doing it. You might want to give Graham at McCullochs a call to see if he would correct all the defects from Prix.

Originally Posted by janus77

Thanks Sparoz, sounds like i might be better off not opening this kettle of fish.. too easy for me to turn into a paint nazi.

Just wondering, as far as washing liquid brands go, are they all pretty ok, or is there a difference? (am not talking about wash and wax, just wash liquids).

Most are good, I like Maguires because they are nice and cheap and good quality. Dodo juice is nice, but you are paying a bit for it - it feels slicker.

Originally Posted by Totti

How do you guys do the wash with water restrictions? Take your gear to the local servo and use their guns?

Install a water tank .

Originally Posted by janus77

Just ordered the following, i already have glass cleaner, and Meguires million dollar polish, and some other polish stuff.

Armor All Car Wash - 1 Litre $5.99
Meguiar's Quik Clay Kit - 473ml $34.88
SCA Sponge - Jumbo $1.82
Kenco Polishing Cloth - 2m $4.49
SCA Microfibre Cloth - Detailing $4.99
SCA Flexible Tub - Red, 14 Litre $6.99
SCA Flexible Tub - Blue, 14 Litre $6.99
Meguiar's Gold Class Leather Cleaner & Conditioner - 414ml $19.88
Total - including $15 postage $101.03

I have recently bought all my goodies, and it cost 20 times as much lol! But I do have a polisher in there as well, and paint thickness gauge, and all the goodies. The latest is a Fenix TK11 R2 Torch @ $110 that shows up holograms. One thing I notice you should considered is getting some Aerospace 303 Fabric Protectant if you haven't got fabric protection.

Originally Posted by zenderm3

Water restrictions have lifted slightly... we can wash our cars on one day a week...

Get a tank installed

[janus77]

What would i use fabric protection on? The interior's leather..?

[jksgoh]

sparoz,
what sort of foam bottle would you recommend? i have access to a karcher as well.

[AussieRacer]

For foam bottles, you have to go snow foam. Once you've done it, you won't go back