I'm new to the self-detailing world, effective when I pick up my car on Friday. I've mostly used the quick wash places, especially recently, because we've been in a huge drought and have oppressive water restrictions. They've recently slacked up and allowed soaker hoses, but I get the feeling it will never move much beyond that.

The car I'm driving now wasn't taken care of that well after my mother gave it to my sister, and it shows. Huge dent, massive paint deterioration on the roof now. That stops with that car.

The problem is, the water restrictions. What products and technique can I use to get similar results that ya'll get? I see the pictures and it's amazing, I'd like to look half that good.

Sorry if this has been discussed before, but a search came up empty.

Also, I have to park outside. Under a tree. That apparently has birds in it who like to crap. So I could also use some tips on how to keep that problem sorted. Car cover help, or hurt?

Thanks in advance. Great looking cars people.

 

ONRS (Optimum No Rinse and Shine)... this stuff is great and uses minimal water to clean the car...

 

A friend swears by this stuff, I've never used it but have some on order...

Waterless Spray-ON Car Wash

 

Yeah, I'll probably be ordering the ONRS this weekend. But other than that, am I going to run into any other issues?

 

The only part of a car detail that uses much water is the wash, and using ONR fixes that.

Now you just have to decide how deep you want to get into detailing. Although, once you start, I'm not sure if it's really a choice anymore. I am being sucked in already...

Edit: I think the general consensus on car covers is that they will most likely cause a lot of marring in your paint.

 

Ugh. That's about the only spot where I can park, too. Leave clusters and bird crap fall on the car all the time. I guess I can try to park on the side during the week.

 

They should sticky ONR threads hahaha

 

Your best bet is to purchase Optimum No Rinse from Patrick at Excel Detail (www.exceldetail.com) and do ONR washes. It only requires as little as two gallons of water to wash your entire vehicle.

In order to take care of your bird problem, just be sure your vehicle is well protected. In doing so will ensure that the bird bombs won't etch into your vehicle's paint surface. However, whenever you do catch them on your car, just QD (quick detail) them down, let them soak and gently wipe away!

 

OK, here's another question:

It'll be a few days before I get my ONR, etc. The car was in pristine shape when I bought it, but 400 miles and a huge rainstorm later it's dirty. Do I just stand pat until I get the wash and have time to do it, or can I pick up a QD?

The car has been detailed in the past with Zaino and Blackfire (most recently, two weekends ago).

 

It depends on how bad it is. If it's pretty bad, I'd just wait for the ONR. You may do more harm than good if you're planning on doing a QD wipe down on a very dirty vehicle.

 

Most of the car just has some spotting from where the water dried overnight. But there is some areas (bumper, bottom of front doors) where it's pretty dirty from the road. I just hate seeing it that dirty.

It's going to rain again today, and probably tomorrow.

 

Onr ftw

 

I may have to get some regular car wash and pick up a QD to hold me over until I decide what I want to order.

 

Look no further............
Wash, detail, and protect with this kit for under $40.00.

 

There we go! I'll order that at work in the morning.