jeowen

Just curious as to how everyone performs the wash. For instance, do you take it to a spray and wash yourself with the brushes, and power spray? Or perhaps an "AutoBell" were the car goes though a 20 yard spray and wash then the employees dry it off and clean wheels? For those of you who do it yourself, what do you find to be the best products? thanks in advance...

drat19

All the answers you need can be found here

As for me, I've been a Zaino loyalist since the day I purchased my '06 TL. Great results!

Bearcat94

Most everybody is probably going to say hand wash it. I don't think anyone will recommend any washing process that allows anythng to touch your car other than:

- You
- Soap & Water
- A soft Mitt or MF Towel

That leaves out "AutoBell" (where you from anyhow - AutoBell is a SE thing isn't it?), but it leaves open the possibility for a "no touch" quicky every now and then.

jeowen

thanks fellas.. im in Greensboro, NC

lusid

My wash process:

1. Get Car wet, get the big crap off the car.
2. Soap(CAR SOAP) + Bucket, get lots of SUDS (foam)
3. Lather / wash with a wool mit / high quality brush.
4. and since your car looks dark, try to do this in shade.
5. Dry with TWO Microfiber towels, make sure they are Waffle Weave.


Lusid

duhjeenyus

iTrader: (2)

thanks drat19, I've been looking for better results with washes and waxes and now it looks like I've found the better product. I think I'll give Zaino a shot.

ebs312

Zaino is the way to go. A little bit of extra work, but worth it when you're done.

You can find instructions in the wash and wax area. Don't let all the steps scare you away, it's pretty simple, but time consuming.

Yakuza70

This is a great how to wash your car properly video I saw online: http://video.yahoo.com/video/play?vi...7&fr=yfp-t-501

drat19

I find Zaino addictive. I love the results I get with it, and I often use a morning or an afternoon of Zaino'ing my car as a form of therapy...seriously.

tripflex

So anybody used this "Grit Guard" thing? I mean is it really worth how much they are charging for it?

fiveoh-tl

I'm a big fan of Mother's or Meguiars...Zaino is pretty good too.

SteveP66

Zaino junkie.........

Yes, a lot of prep and effort when you first get it but much much easier once the initial process is complete. The Z-6 is a fantastic product for in between clean-ups!

Zoser

Another Zaino fan here.

Check out autopia.com for complete car care illustrated instructions.

-Wash the wheels and tires first using car wash and appropriate brushes
-Dump and refill car wash bucket
-Fill second bucket with water for rinsing after each use on the car(two bucket method)
-Use Wool or chamois wash mitt rinsing often
-Keep car wet and don't do it in direct sunlight to prevent water spots
-California water blade(silicone) to get most of the water off
-Meg's water magnet microfiber to dry the rest
-Use other micro fiber towels to dry door jambs

The Autopia site really got me into car detailing.

JD TL-S

iTrader: (1)

I rinse the entire car, then with a separate bucket, mit, brush I clean the wheels, tires, wheelwells and rinse. Then with another separate bucket I use a microfiber wash mit, put 3 ounces of Mr. Clean in the bucket with HOT water. I use the Mr. Clean giant sprayer but don't put the soap into it, I use it to rinse the soap off and when the entire car is washed and rinsed, then I swich over to the Mr. Clean spotless filter and re-rinse. Then it dries 100% spotless without touching it with ANY towels PERIOD. After the cars dries 99%, I drive it about 1/2 mile to get any remaining water off the wheels and body seams, then I dry the remaining water with a LARGE microfiber drying towel. And dry the tires and wheels with another separate towel. I then wipe the tires real good to get any remaining residue from the last tire dressing. Then I coat the tires with Meguirs Extreme tire Gel. And coat the inside wheelwells. Then I dry inside all the door jams, trunk, engine. When I wax the car I also wax the door jams, trunk, engine, any metal.

drdamian

for soap i uuse turtle wax soap.
- i spray the rims w water and i wash those first. i have a mit just for the rims.. and rinse it off. change thre water in the bucket
-. then i use my good mit and do the rest of the car.
- spray it all down. then i use a silicone blade to get the bulk of the water off.
dry w a mf towel.
- dry the rims, clean the door jams,
- drive the car around the block and wipe off any residual water that gets on the car. wipe the rims a final time and use any tireshine i have for the tires.
-windex the windows
- wipe down the interior and the seats.

Xx06SickspdTlxX

I definitely hand wash it myself with a microfiber mit and dry it off with a microfiber towel. I wouldnt trust any wash place they may leave your cars paint with some nice swirls!

devilldawgg

Im a big fan of Meguire's, i use there wash, wax, quick detail, and quick wax products. They have treated my car very nice.

AirJordan23922

My friend and I started our own Detailing Company, and we are strong supporters of Zaino!

We've worked on Bentley's, Range Rovers, Benzes, Lexus, Hummer (annoying as all hell), Beemers, never have we had one disappointed customer, no swirls or anything, especially using the clay bar to get off those annoying little bugs that just dont wanna come off ur car... can't go wrong with Zaino!

Rinse
Wash with Dawn Soap
Rinse again
Clay Bar
Dry
Wax (preferably 3 coats)
As for your tire's and rims.... Black Magic but i forgot who it's by (Maguire? maybe?)

avs007

Don't bother with those either...
I've never seen a car wash place use reverse-osmosis to clean the reclaimed water. Without using reverse-osmosis, you WILL NOT remove any dissolved minerals or salts.

With that being said, you'll be washing your car with salt water. (albeit clean salt water)

Most of the touchless washes also use powerful (ie bad for your finish) detergents to try to dissolve the dirt on your car without touching your car.

If you are concerned with salt buildup on your car, just hose off your car every once in a while... I've been known to hand wash my car at 1am in sub freezing temperatures before.

spiike

I guess it all depends on color.

When I owned my old black bmw i would wash at home with the methods listed and curse every swirl mark.

Now with my silver car, I just go to the free carwash machine at the dealer. Then avoid the guy with the rag who dries the cars (whom I saw drop the chamois on the ground, look around, pick it up, and dust it off for the next victim). I have a bottle of Zymol to give it a nice shine.

SteveP66

spiike...........


Silver A+ so easy to take care of and looking good!!!

I don't trust the knuchleheads at the dealer either............ do it myself at home or one of them touchless wand washes when I'm in a pinch

datmrman

We have a forum dedicated to keeping your car looking nice and sparkling: Wash & Wax

Please continue the discussion (if necessary) in the above forum. Thanks.