Car care 101.
07-31-2008, 01:05 AM
#1
Car care 101.
Hey guys, I was hoping you guys could drop some knowledge my way.
I just picked up exceldetails Eurow Pro Wash kit and I'm excited to use it. I also bought the following car care products:
- Optimum Car Wash
- Duragloss All Wheel Cleaner
- DG Glass Cleaner
- Four Star Ultimate Spray Wax Plus Boosted with Polycharger
- FS Ultimate Paint Protectant spray
- FS Ultimate Leather Cleaner Gel
- 303 Protectant
Ok I hope I didn't miss anything (other than a clay bar). Aside from the stuff I got in the Eurow kit, I have some terry clothes and some MF towels but thats it.
Whats a good procedure to follow, using what I have? A quick step-by-step would be helpful. I've washed cars before but probably never the correct way.
I'll start the list off...
1. Rinse car off from top to bottom, removing loose dirt/dust/bugs etc.
2. Mix up car shampoo with water. Whats a good amount for the TL? 3 gal?
3. Use sheepskin washmit to wash the roof. Rinse roof
4. Rinse off washmit.
5. Wash a) rear windshield, trunk, 1/4s, bumper b) windshield, hood, fenders, bumper, headlights c) side windows, doors, side mirrors. Rinse after each "area".
6. Pat dry with WW?
OK your turn!
Thanks,
Jason
I just picked up exceldetails Eurow Pro Wash kit and I'm excited to use it. I also bought the following car care products:
- Optimum Car Wash
- Duragloss All Wheel Cleaner
- DG Glass Cleaner
- Four Star Ultimate Spray Wax Plus Boosted with Polycharger
- FS Ultimate Paint Protectant spray
- FS Ultimate Leather Cleaner Gel
- 303 Protectant
Ok I hope I didn't miss anything (other than a clay bar). Aside from the stuff I got in the Eurow kit, I have some terry clothes and some MF towels but thats it.
Whats a good procedure to follow, using what I have? A quick step-by-step would be helpful. I've washed cars before but probably never the correct way.
I'll start the list off...
1. Rinse car off from top to bottom, removing loose dirt/dust/bugs etc.
2. Mix up car shampoo with water. Whats a good amount for the TL? 3 gal?
3. Use sheepskin washmit to wash the roof. Rinse roof
4. Rinse off washmit.
5. Wash a) rear windshield, trunk, 1/4s, bumper b) windshield, hood, fenders, bumper, headlights c) side windows, doors, side mirrors. Rinse after each "area".
6. Pat dry with WW?
OK your turn!
Thanks,
Jason
07-31-2008, 08:48 AM
#2
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Your list looks pretty good. You'll probably need between two to three gallons of car wash solution. As long as you wash from top to bottom, you should be fine. If you can, try to blow most of the water out of the crevices and blot dry with the WW to reduce your chances of marring your paint.
Hope this helps.
Hope this helps.
07-31-2008, 09:38 AM
#3
^ I'm gonna be washing my car at one of those "pay for water" places since I live in an apartment with no hoses. Can I just blow with my mouth? Haha 
Denzil, can you help me with steps 7 and onwards? I know one of those steps will be:
6. Use silicone blade to dry windows.
7. Dry car with WW.
8. Use MF glass towel and DG Glass Cleaner.
9. Use Duragloss All Wheel Cleaner with __blank__ <- which cleaning tool should I use? I have refinished rims so I don't want to be too rough.
10. Use tire brush and soapy water to clean tires. (I hate dressing tires because they get all over my car.)
11. Use FS UPP on dry car with __blank__ <- MF towel, mit, pad?
12. Finish off with FS USW using __blank__ <- MF towel, mit, pad?
13. Clean leather with FS ULC gel and then 303 Protectant.
14. Dust trim and apply 303 Protectant (spray on terry cloth and apply?)
How does that sounds? Do I have to do each step every time I wash my car (2x-4x a month)?
Denzil, can you help me with steps 7 and onwards? I know one of those steps will be:
6. Use silicone blade to dry windows.
7. Dry car with WW.
8. Use MF glass towel and DG Glass Cleaner.
9. Use Duragloss All Wheel Cleaner with __blank__ <- which cleaning tool should I use? I have refinished rims so I don't want to be too rough.
10. Use tire brush and soapy water to clean tires. (I hate dressing tires because they get all over my car.)
11. Use FS UPP on dry car with __blank__ <- MF towel, mit, pad?
12. Finish off with FS USW using __blank__ <- MF towel, mit, pad?
13. Clean leather with FS ULC gel and then 303 Protectant.
14. Dust trim and apply 303 Protectant (spray on terry cloth and apply?)
How does that sounds? Do I have to do each step every time I wash my car (2x-4x a month)?
07-31-2008, 10:45 AM
#4
Former Sponsor
Answers in Bold.....
8. Use MF glass towel and DG Glass Cleaner.
9. Use Duragloss All Wheel Cleaner with.....a soft nylon brush. Something I have become real fond of is the Laitner Power Brush. Of maybe you can find an assortment of wheel brushes at your local auto repair parts shop?
10. Use tire brush and soapy water to clean tires. (I hate dressing tires because they get all over my car.) As long as your not trying to remove built up dressings, soapy water should be ok. I would elect to go with something a little more dedicated to tires though......Consider using a protectant though. They help keep the sidewalls from drying out. and really add to the appearance of a well kept car.
11. Use FS UPP on dry car with a sponge applicator. Remove with soft microfiber polishing towel. Consider a paint cleaner or paint polish prior to using UPP though. Cleaning or polishing paint is vital, prior to protective steps.
12. Finish off with FS USW using microfiber polishing towels. Apply to both surface and towel (lightly), wipe in, buff off.
13. Clean leather with FS ULC gel and then 303 Protectant. Alternate between FS ULC and plain old water. Wipe in, wipe off. Use water dampened microfiber towel. Spray 303 on towel, wipe in, buff off with dry microfiber towel.
14. Dust trim and apply 303 Protectant (spray on terry cloth and apply?) See above
How does that sounds? Do I have to do each step every time I wash my car (2x-4x a month)? Use the spray wax after every wash while drying. Actually include it in yor drying step. Everything else, use on an as needed basis.
8. Use MF glass towel and DG Glass Cleaner.
9. Use Duragloss All Wheel Cleaner with.....a soft nylon brush. Something I have become real fond of is the Laitner Power Brush. Of maybe you can find an assortment of wheel brushes at your local auto repair parts shop?
10. Use tire brush and soapy water to clean tires. (I hate dressing tires because they get all over my car.) As long as your not trying to remove built up dressings, soapy water should be ok. I would elect to go with something a little more dedicated to tires though......Consider using a protectant though. They help keep the sidewalls from drying out. and really add to the appearance of a well kept car.
11. Use FS UPP on dry car with a sponge applicator. Remove with soft microfiber polishing towel. Consider a paint cleaner or paint polish prior to using UPP though. Cleaning or polishing paint is vital, prior to protective steps.
12. Finish off with FS USW using microfiber polishing towels. Apply to both surface and towel (lightly), wipe in, buff off.
13. Clean leather with FS ULC gel and then 303 Protectant. Alternate between FS ULC and plain old water. Wipe in, wipe off. Use water dampened microfiber towel. Spray 303 on towel, wipe in, buff off with dry microfiber towel.
14. Dust trim and apply 303 Protectant (spray on terry cloth and apply?) See above
How does that sounds? Do I have to do each step every time I wash my car (2x-4x a month)? Use the spray wax after every wash while drying. Actually include it in yor drying step. Everything else, use on an as needed basis.
07-31-2008, 12:22 PM
#7
Senior Moderator
Something else too......not sure if it was mentioned but you also need a rinse bucket. After washing a body part I rinse the mit in the 2nd bucket before getting more soap in my mit. Helps prevent putting dirt back on the car and helps prevent maring as well.
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08-01-2008, 02:06 AM
#11
The Detailer
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Originally Posted by jmkiang
^ I'm gonna be washing my car at one of those "pay for water" places since I live in an apartment with no hoses. Can I just blow with my mouth? Haha
Denzil, can you help me with steps 7 and onwards? I know one of those steps will be:
6. Use silicone blade to dry windows.
7. Dry car with WW.
8. Use MF glass towel and DG Glass Cleaner.
9. Use Duragloss All Wheel Cleaner with __blank__ <- which cleaning tool should I use? I have refinished rims so I don't want to be too rough.
10. Use tire brush and soapy water to clean tires. (I hate dressing tires because they get all over my car.)
11. Use FS UPP on dry car with __blank__ <- MF towel, mit, pad?
12. Finish off with FS USW using __blank__ <- MF towel, mit, pad?
13. Clean leather with FS ULC gel and then 303 Protectant.
14. Dust trim and apply 303 Protectant (spray on terry cloth and apply?)
How does that sounds? Do I have to do each step every time I wash my car (2x-4x a month)?
Denzil, can you help me with steps 7 and onwards? I know one of those steps will be:
6. Use silicone blade to dry windows.
7. Dry car with WW.
8. Use MF glass towel and DG Glass Cleaner.
9. Use Duragloss All Wheel Cleaner with __blank__ <- which cleaning tool should I use? I have refinished rims so I don't want to be too rough.
10. Use tire brush and soapy water to clean tires. (I hate dressing tires because they get all over my car.)
11. Use FS UPP on dry car with __blank__ <- MF towel, mit, pad?
12. Finish off with FS USW using __blank__ <- MF towel, mit, pad?
13. Clean leather with FS ULC gel and then 303 Protectant.
14. Dust trim and apply 303 Protectant (spray on terry cloth and apply?)
How does that sounds? Do I have to do each step every time I wash my car (2x-4x a month)?
As for including USW in your drying step, it's exactly that. You spray on USW as you dry your car even though there is water on your paint's surface. It saves you a step and some time.
08-04-2008, 12:07 AM
#13
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When I used to use the wool mitt, I would just always let it dry in my five gallon bucket on top of the Grit Guard. It usually completely dries up.
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