buenafe

Okay, my 3 week old car is looking pretty bad, even though I park my car indoors. I don't get the same looks when I am at a stop light - now I know how a aging has-been beauty model feels :-)

I quickly read some threads about using specialized products (starts with leter Z* and M*). Eventually, I like to go that route, but right now I am too busy to baby the paint job.

Is there any disadvantages of using regular car soap and water? Or should I wait and do it "properly"?

Sorry for such an anal post, but I LOVE the Agean blue paint job and I hope to keep it looking new as long as possible.

Thanks!

bioyuki

I just was with regular soap and water. The part where you need to get good stuff is the polish/wax.

bricot

Most of the wax and polish companies make soaps that they claim are less harsh on your finish and their waxes. Don't know if there is any validity to that, I just use a low concentration of an automotive soap I got at an auto store.

Check out my pics, she's so shiny I had a hard time trying to get a detailed picture of the clear bra.
Bodykit, H&R Sport Springs, Xpel clear bra, Comptech Headers

Xorg

AAARRRGHHHH!!!!

NEVER EVER use regular soap to wash a car unless you're getting ready for a Zaino treatment.

Dish soap or anything not specifically made for car washing is WAY too harsh on the finish and can even strip your clearcoat over time.

Only use car wash concentrate PERIOD.

And the very best tip is DRY YOUR CAR after washing it. if you don't, you WILL get water stains and spots that can be next to impossible to remove, and car will NOT shine unless you dry it with a chamois.

SlyTLS

Zymol makes a car wash from all natural fruits & stuff...not exactly sure as to the ingrediants. I swear by the company, I've been using their products for 8 years now (mainly their car wash) and I haven't a single complaint. It's make your car gleam whether you've waxed it or not. You can pick it up at your local auto parts store, a bottle generally runs about $10.

oracion

Use auto car wash.