How ANAL are you?
Thread Starter
RAR
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 10,783
Likes: 1,286
From: DC Metro
How ANAL are you?
Here we go boys and...well more boys, time to share just how anal and compulsive and crazy you are or can be.
I wash about once every other week. Polish, clay, and glaze every 3 months. I only use premium from Shell or Chevron. I wash EVERY little detail - like the paint underneath the doors. I polish and wax my wheels! I'll use poorboys spray & wipe every night to get the bugs off the front. I will top off, however I'll use a paper towel to hold up against the nozzle when I pull it out. I'll park way out in bumblef*ck...
I wash about once every other week. Polish, clay, and glaze every 3 months. I only use premium from Shell or Chevron. I wash EVERY little detail - like the paint underneath the doors. I polish and wax my wheels! I'll use poorboys spray & wipe every night to get the bugs off the front. I will top off, however I'll use a paper towel to hold up against the nozzle when I pull it out. I'll park way out in bumblef*ck...
One on the right for me
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,914
Likes: 272
From: Bay Area, CA
I wash every week because my car is black. I try to get some sort of wax on there every month, and will clay 3x/year. Its a little harder now that I dont have my own driveway but a stupid apartment complex.
Dont Touch My Car !!!
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 562
Likes: 6
I wax my car mostly everytime i wash it...depening on temperature. Since i got my 05 TL back in June...i have gone through 1.5 bottle of Zaino Z2 pro and 1/2 bottle of Z5.
I try to park away from other cars, sometimes i dont. I clean in inner well of my wheel. Condition the leather ever so often. Although, i try my best make it look the day i bought it...i have some battle scars.
Dent from a shopping cart (stupid lil kid), paint scrap on bumper (flying object from junk trunk) and of couse got a bb dent on the window trim 2 days after i got it.
Im trying to get less anal..LOL
I try to park away from other cars, sometimes i dont. I clean in inner well of my wheel. Condition the leather ever so often. Although, i try my best make it look the day i bought it...i have some battle scars.
Dent from a shopping cart (stupid lil kid), paint scrap on bumper (flying object from junk trunk) and of couse got a bb dent on the window trim 2 days after i got it.
Im trying to get less anal..LOL
313.4WHP& 284.6TQ
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 261
Likes: 0
clay, zaino z5 2 coats, z2 pro 4 coats every 6 months. if i am wax happy i will wax it each month 1 coat . if i am busy or just lazy every 3 months. clean the leather every 3 months. hmmm you will love this but might hate it. i pay 29.99 each month ( i can go every day if i like ) and go to the car wash 2-3 times a week and they clean my car. hehe.. of course i provide them with my drying towel for the paint so it prevent 99% of the swirl marks.
= smoking hot
= smoking hot
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Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,222
Likes: 5
From: IE Baby
Wash once a week. Quick wax once a month. Complete detail including clay and wax 2x year. Detail the inside once a month. I had the dealer replace the driver seat back because the tan finish was coming wearing off. No food allowed inside, only water.
I clayed and waxed the gas cap compartment this weekend and the inside of the little door just for fun.
I clayed and waxed the gas cap compartment this weekend and the inside of the little door just for fun.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 125
Likes: 1
Originally Posted by leedogg
Here we go boys and...well more boys, time to share just how anal and compulsive and crazy you are or can be.
I wash about once every other week. Polish, clay, and glaze every 3 months. I only use premium from Shell or Chevron. I was EVERY little detail - like the paint underneath the doors. I polish and wax my wheels! I'll use poorboys spray & wipe every night to get the bugs off the front. I will top off, however I'll use a paper towel to hold up against the nozzle when I pull it out. I'll park way out in bumblef*ck...
I wash about once every other week. Polish, clay, and glaze every 3 months. I only use premium from Shell or Chevron. I was EVERY little detail - like the paint underneath the doors. I polish and wax my wheels! I'll use poorboys spray & wipe every night to get the bugs off the front. I will top off, however I'll use a paper towel to hold up against the nozzle when I pull it out. I'll park way out in bumblef*ck...
Originally Posted by Spedizzo
I like my car dirty with bird shit
Seriously, I'd like nothing better than to be able to do this, but I travel a lot for work, train three times (or more) per week at karate with the kids, like to take my son shooting at least once a month, I dabble in photography, cooking is another hobby, and I do try to pay at least some attention to the spousal unit once in a while. Whew!
I've been known to leave my last car covered in dirt and bird shit, but I firmly resolve to not do so with my TL! About washing every week. . .I don't know about that. One step at a time.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 125
Likes: 1
Originally Posted by King of Pain
I clayed and waxed the gas cap compartment this weekend and the inside of the little door just for fun.
Hehehehe.
05WDP Midlife crisis
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 653
Likes: 0
From: CT
I'm right there. You can eat off my engine. I wax/seal all painted surfaces, seen or not. Bottom line is when your car gets dirty, it is that much easier to get it back to clean. Increases the resale value, (not the trade in value), you're dealing with the bottom feeders there.
I also save every service slip which is placed in a folder for the next owner.
I also save every service slip which is placed in a folder for the next owner.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 295
Likes: 0
From: The ROC
I don't have a place to wash my car where I live so I have to go over to a friend's place. That keeps me from washing it every week- it turns into more like once a month. I wash and dry the car over there then go over it with the detail spray when i get home.
I park in an underground garage at home- I keep it in a spot as far from the entrance as I can get so fewer cars drive by- keeps the dust down.
I try keeping it mint inside and out but there are a few battle scars.
I park in an underground garage at home- I keep it in a spot as far from the entrance as I can get so fewer cars drive by- keeps the dust down.
I try keeping it mint inside and out but there are a few battle scars.
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
From: SoFla
Originally Posted by leedogg
Here we go boys and...well more boys, time to share just how anal and compulsive and crazy you are or can be.
I wash about once every other week. Polish, clay, and glaze every 3 months. I only use premium from Shell or Chevron. I was EVERY little detail - like the paint underneath the doors. I polish and wax my wheels! I'll use poorboys spray & wipe every night to get the bugs off the front. I will top off, however I'll use a paper towel to hold up against the nozzle when I pull it out. I'll park way out in bumblef*ck...
I wash about once every other week. Polish, clay, and glaze every 3 months. I only use premium from Shell or Chevron. I was EVERY little detail - like the paint underneath the doors. I polish and wax my wheels! I'll use poorboys spray & wipe every night to get the bugs off the front. I will top off, however I'll use a paper towel to hold up against the nozzle when I pull it out. I'll park way out in bumblef*ck...
Whoa! You really are obsessive with your car! And I thought that I was picky with my car!
Well, I don't think it is a good idea to wash your car every other week. It is not good on the paint and eventually the wax is going to wear off. You also said that you polish, clay and glaze every 3 Months, which I also think is very unnecessary. Clay is only going to be effective when the car has a lot of debris and residue on it, which your car does not (because you wash it so often).
I understand the "pride" of ownership and you love your car. I just don't think you need to be doing all of that unnecessary work. But, hey - if you love doing it and it is your hobby, then wax & wash away!
I hand wash every Saturday morning still drunk. Follow that with some Z6. I wax every 3 months, the last time was with my new PC and man was that fun. I contition the leather weekly to keep it looking and smelling good. I wouldn't say I'm anal, but I really care about my baby.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,589
Likes: 1
From: NorCal
Originally Posted by Bammyz
Whoa! You really are obsessive with your car! And I thought that I was picky with my car!
Well, I don't think it is a good idea to wash your car every other week. It is not good on the paint and eventually the wax is going to wear off. You also said that you polish, clay and glaze every 3 Months, which I also think is very unnecessary. Clay is only going to be effective when the car has a lot of debris and residue on it, which your car does not (because you wash it so often).
I understand the "pride" of ownership and you love your car. I just don't think you need to be doing all of that unnecessary work. But, hey - if you love doing it and it is your hobby, then wax & wash away!
Well, I don't think it is a good idea to wash your car every other week. It is not good on the paint and eventually the wax is going to wear off. You also said that you polish, clay and glaze every 3 Months, which I also think is very unnecessary. Clay is only going to be effective when the car has a lot of debris and residue on it, which your car does not (because you wash it so often).
I understand the "pride" of ownership and you love your car. I just don't think you need to be doing all of that unnecessary work. But, hey - if you love doing it and it is your hobby, then wax & wash away!
I wish I was more anal about my car. I was once a week for the most part. Hand was that is. I try to keep my interior real nice, but I tote lots of people around so that is difficult, and they don't care for my car like I do. About waxing. I have done it, but need to know what products from Zaino to purchase because that is the wax I'm going to use now. That and I need to learn to clay bar 
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 182
Likes: 0
From: Katy, TX
Okay so living here in TX there are a million bugs on my car each day. What product and what rag do you use to get them off? They have started eating into my paint and even the car wash people can't get some of them off 
Thanks!
Thanks!
My friend owns a car wash so I go there like 2-3 times a week. Since he also have a detailer there, I have it detail once a month.
I uses Meguiar products on all of my cars.
I only uses Shell and Chevron Premium of course.
Yes, I get VERY picky when I park. I would park next to a corner spot and park very close to it. If not the I would park waaaay out in the boonies.
I uses Meguiar products on all of my cars.
I only uses Shell and Chevron Premium of course.
Yes, I get VERY picky when I park. I would park next to a corner spot and park very close to it. If not the I would park waaaay out in the boonies.
Thread Starter
RAR
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 10,783
Likes: 1,286
From: DC Metro
Originally Posted by KatyTL
Okay so living here in TX there are a million bugs on my car each day. What product and what rag do you use to get them off? They have started eating into my paint and even the car wash people can't get some of them off Thanks!
Thanks!I use Klasse All In One - polish and Klasse Sealant & Glaze - which is an acryllic glaze. This makes it fairly easy to wipe things off as well as affording some protection from chips and such.
Senior Moderator
Regions Leader
Regions Leader
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 8,896
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From: Dallas TX
Lets keep this on topic of how anal you are or this will need to be in wash and wax..
damn leedogg, do you just sit around thinking up threads to post. where do you come up wtih this shit??
damn leedogg, do you just sit around thinking up threads to post. where do you come up wtih this shit??
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,589
Likes: 1
From: NorCal
Originally Posted by KatyTL
Okay so living here in TX there are a million bugs on my car each day. What product and what rag do you use to get them off? They have started eating into my paint and even the car wash people can't get some of them off Thanks!
Thanks!
Originally Posted by TOGWT
Dried bug remains are both abrasive and acidic (pH 3.0-4.0) and can scratch paint or glass surfaces, many times the acids will "cloud" or "etch" surfaces as they contain highly acidic concentrates, and should be carefully removed as soon as possible They produce what acts like a super-adhesive on impact (especially when heated or when they have remained on the vehicle surface for any amount of time) you almost need a crowbar to separate these substances from the paint, windshield, headlights or front end of your car.
Notes-
a) Use caution using bug removal products as they usually contain hydrocarbon solvents, which may compromise the integrity of the clear coat causing it to occlude (clouding or yellowing).
b) Do not scrub hardened/dried bug residue as it is very abrasive and will scratch the paint surface, once they are softened (re-liquefied) it enables their removal with less likelihood of damage to the paint surface
c) No car care product (polymer or wax) will protect your paint from this type of acid, as soon as it is noticed remove from the surface.
Use an Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA) or a glass cleaner, but avoid ammonia based products (ammonia acts as an acid accelerant) or a gel alcohol hand cleaner (Purell®) place a small amount on to a first aid gauze pad, this will help it stay in place during the necessary dwell time and apply to effected area in a shaded area as the alcohol will evaporate very quickly in direct sunlight. Take your time and blot with the alcohol until it softens and melts the sap to the point where you can gently wipe it off the paint.
The alcohol content, acts as a drying agent, which will extract the acid, then thoroughly flush with water to rinse away any grit or sand, etc or use detailers clay to encapsulate it, re-spray the area let it dwell for 2-3 minutes and wipe dry. Pre-soak heavy bug contamination with an IPA soaked towel(s) and let dwell for 4-5 minutes before removing.
Avoid using a QD spray to flush residue, as they contain carnauba wax, which will seal the acid and not allow it to dissipate. Using an alkaline rinse of baking soda and water (to neutralize the acid) as soon as is practical is highly recommended, if the affected paintwork is not neutralized any remaining acid residue will be reactivated each time it comes into contact with water.
If the affected paintwork is not neutralized any remaining acid residue will be reactivated each time it comes into contact with water. Water contains 2- hydrogen and 1-oxygen atom and will acts as a catalyst and a carrier system for acid. Oxygen is an oxidizer; ozone is an allotropic form of oxygen (an oxidizer is any component that emits oxygen); many chemical compounds react to slight heating and an oxidizing process.
Add water (dew, rain, car washing etc) so now you have an acid + water +oxygen + ozone all of which equates to a highly concentrated acidic solution, which causes a concave indentation (acid etching) to the paint surface. This should be neutralized by using an appropriate product (Automotive International, A B C Decontamination/Neutralization wash system (http://www.autoint.com). If the paint or glass surface has been etched the surface can be levelled with a suitable polish and then apply a paint protection.
Notes-
a) Use caution using bug removal products as they usually contain hydrocarbon solvents, which may compromise the integrity of the clear coat causing it to occlude (clouding or yellowing).
b) Do not scrub hardened/dried bug residue as it is very abrasive and will scratch the paint surface, once they are softened (re-liquefied) it enables their removal with less likelihood of damage to the paint surface
c) No car care product (polymer or wax) will protect your paint from this type of acid, as soon as it is noticed remove from the surface.
Use an Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA) or a glass cleaner, but avoid ammonia based products (ammonia acts as an acid accelerant) or a gel alcohol hand cleaner (Purell®) place a small amount on to a first aid gauze pad, this will help it stay in place during the necessary dwell time and apply to effected area in a shaded area as the alcohol will evaporate very quickly in direct sunlight. Take your time and blot with the alcohol until it softens and melts the sap to the point where you can gently wipe it off the paint.
The alcohol content, acts as a drying agent, which will extract the acid, then thoroughly flush with water to rinse away any grit or sand, etc or use detailers clay to encapsulate it, re-spray the area let it dwell for 2-3 minutes and wipe dry. Pre-soak heavy bug contamination with an IPA soaked towel(s) and let dwell for 4-5 minutes before removing.
Avoid using a QD spray to flush residue, as they contain carnauba wax, which will seal the acid and not allow it to dissipate. Using an alkaline rinse of baking soda and water (to neutralize the acid) as soon as is practical is highly recommended, if the affected paintwork is not neutralized any remaining acid residue will be reactivated each time it comes into contact with water.
If the affected paintwork is not neutralized any remaining acid residue will be reactivated each time it comes into contact with water. Water contains 2- hydrogen and 1-oxygen atom and will acts as a catalyst and a carrier system for acid. Oxygen is an oxidizer; ozone is an allotropic form of oxygen (an oxidizer is any component that emits oxygen); many chemical compounds react to slight heating and an oxidizing process.
Add water (dew, rain, car washing etc) so now you have an acid + water +oxygen + ozone all of which equates to a highly concentrated acidic solution, which causes a concave indentation (acid etching) to the paint surface. This should be neutralized by using an appropriate product (Automotive International, A B C Decontamination/Neutralization wash system (http://www.autoint.com). If the paint or glass surface has been etched the surface can be levelled with a suitable polish and then apply a paint protection.
Thread Starter
RAR
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 10,783
Likes: 1,286
From: DC Metro
Originally Posted by trancemission
Lets keep this on topic of how anal you are or this will need to be in wash and wax..
damn leedogg, do you just sit around thinking up threads to post. where do you come up wtih this shit??
damn leedogg, do you just sit around thinking up threads to post. where do you come up wtih this shit??
Good info on the Bug cleaning, thanks! Scratch Quick Detailer off the list Katy!
To those who *must* use a car wash *BLASEPHEMY* do NOT let them dry your car in the winter time. Their coat zippers WILL scratch your car up.
Who here lets nobody else drive their car but them? FYI when you have passengers in your car allow for PLENTY of room for doors swinging open. Had one passenger swing it open and hit a tree, I cringed inside.
Instructor
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 128
Likes: 0
From: Massachusetts
my car gets washed at least 3 times a week. When we start getting snow here in massachusetts my car gets washed every day. And now that I have been practicing on waxing, my car will get waxed about once every three months.
Originally Posted by gdfthr
my car gets washed at least 3 times a week. When we start getting snow here in massachusetts my car gets washed every day. And now that I have been practicing on waxing, my car will get waxed about once every three months.
Lets just say on average a car wash costs $5, thats $150 a month just to keep a clean car................
Instructor
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 128
Likes: 0
From: Massachusetts
Originally Posted by lembowski
Everyday
Lets just say on average a car wash costs $5, thats $150 a month just to keep a clean car................
Lets just say on average a car wash costs $5, thats $150 a month just to keep a clean car................
I completly agree.
But when you own the car wash, now thats a whole different story
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 196
Likes: 0
From: Houston, TX
Ok i wash my car evry 2 weeks or so. I spend an average of 3-4 hrs on it. I clean those plastic inserts on the bottom of the front bumper. I've even try to clean my rotors, but that's a bitch to get to.
I inspect my car upon entry and when getting out of it. Dings piss me off so i'll park as far as possible and preferably somewhere where I don't get backed into or have a door open on me. If parking is difficult I will try to park as optimally as possible so that I give the driver next to me the most space possible. Even then some ass will park right up and close.
To some it all up, I want my baby to look good. I know i'm fighting a losing battle, but atleast she'll age gracefully.
I inspect my car upon entry and when getting out of it. Dings piss me off so i'll park as far as possible and preferably somewhere where I don't get backed into or have a door open on me. If parking is difficult I will try to park as optimally as possible so that I give the driver next to me the most space possible. Even then some ass will park right up and close.
To some it all up, I want my baby to look good. I know i'm fighting a losing battle, but atleast she'll age gracefully.
Senior Moderator
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 21,418
Likes: 2,187
From: Space Coast, FL
i wash my TL every week and apply some QD, i also take the tires off the car and wax the inside of the rims and outside one a month.I clay/Zaino the car twice a year. I do the leather treatment and 303 dash every month. I even clayed my gas door inside and out just like the king of pain. I also have clayed my windows, the door jambs and even the exposed parts of paint with-in the car (that includes trunk). I also vacum the interior before the leather-treatment. I dust the inside of the car every other week. (have of my garage is full of detailing supplies)
Registered VTEC junkie
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 332
Likes: 6
From: Anaheim, California
Originally Posted by leedogg
I wash about once every other week. Polish, clay, and glaze every 3 months. I only use premium from Shell or Chevron. I was EVERY little detail - like the paint underneath the doors. I polish and wax my wheels! I'll use poorboys spray & wipe every night to get the bugs off the front. I will top off, however I'll use a paper towel to hold up against the nozzle when I pull it out. I'll park way out in bumblef*ck...
