Washing new car

[corinthos]

Hi, I just got a new car (black). It's two weeks old now and due for its first wash. The city I live in has hard water that leaves mineral deposits. I've done some quick searching on the topic and so far these look like my options:

1. Optimum No Rinse - use a couple of buckets of distilled (maybe bottled) water
2. Go to a do-it-yourself car wash place near work (in another city where hard water isn't
a problem).
3. Use the Quick Quack car wash. It's a $15/mo unlimited car wash place near work.
The company says its systems are "ater and blowbrushless" and utilize only soft-cloth and are safer
on your cars finish than hand-washing or "touchless" systems that may use harmful
chemicals. Fully automated, computerized and high quality system categorized as an
exterior conveyor wash. The customer stays in the vehicle while being automatically
guided through the glass enclosed open-air tunnel where the vehicle is soaked, soaped,
washed, polished, rinsed with spot-free wn dry all in a matter of minutes.

2 other questions:
a) what equipment brand/product line is best for:
-car wash soap
-wax (heard Meguiars is good for the money, widely available, and lasts)
-window cleaner that doesn't leave streaks and is safe on car windows
-window squeegee (most effective and does a perfect job)
-tire dressing (shine)
-wash cloth/sponge
-drying cloth
-dashboard polisher/cleaner
-dashboard duster
-dashboard indicator - plastic panels/covers cleaner (that doesn't leave "rainbows"
appearance when hit by sunlight.
-Steering wheel cleaner
-Also does anyone do anything to scotch guard the fabric materials near the armrests
by the doors or center console that may get dirty from all the elbowing?

b) regular dusting to extend time between car washes
I had a neighbor that said he dusts his car like every other day and it keeps his car
looking like new for a good amount of time after a wash, reducing his washing frequency.

he used a feather duster. i've looked at this, as well as wool dusters and swiffer dusters.

was wondering what you guys recommend as best and most effective?

i tried out this one mop-like duster from Walmart that has a "as seen on TV logo" and
claims to clean better the dirtier it gets, but i didn't find it to be all that great.

 

[Zor Prime]

Man you're gonna get a thousand different opinions.

Since you have a black car you're gonna have to be stupid careful not to create swirls & etc that are visible to the eye.

I use well water and it's hard and yes it will leave deposits but that's what a good towel is for so it doesn't matter.

I'm a Zaino fan I use their system (it's a "sealant," but they have other products too). It may not be the best (IMO it's 'one' of the best) or worst but damn it lasts for-freaking-ever. Shines for up to 6 months, get about 3 months of water beading when I put on multiple layers.

I use towels from Pakshak. They have awesome stuff. I LOVE them. No, really, I LOVE them. lol

I score some cleaning supplies from DetailedImage, blue grout sponges, microfiber detergent, etc.

I do the 2-bucket wash process I only go to a touchless car wash sparingly to knock off large stuff then I go home and do it proper.

I've got 70k+ on my ride now and aside from road debris and crap on the front bumper and a mystery ding on the hood it looks better than when it was driven off the lot.

You may want to do some searches on Autopia.

 

[Jumpem]

ONR. You won't need much water.

 

[Dumac]

Does ONR work well? I live in an apartment and don't have access to a hose, so I figured I'd have to bring my car to a car wash. But if I can just do it with a bucket of water, then that'd be great.

 

[Jumpem]

Does ONR work well? I live in an apartment and don't have access to a hose, so I figured I'd have to bring my car to a car wash. But if I can just do it with a bucket of water, then that'd be great.

I haven't personally used it, but I have heard of detailers that use it only.

 

[sgrinavi]

ONR. You won't need much water.

Personally I wouldn't wash a dirty car with any low/no water solution. Sorry, but I don't see how you can avoid rubbing the dirt into the paint. Might be useful after running it through a brush-less car-wash.

I've been doing the two bucket wash system with various car wash solutions - generally speaking anything but the cheap blue stuff that comes in very large containers (sold by a couple manufacturers) works about the same so long as you use enough.

Just about any soft microfiber cloth, mitt or sponge to wash. Rinse the car with low pressure (I like the hose with no attachment) Dry the car with a waffle weave microfiber cloth and one of the wax-as-u-dry products. I prefer Eagle-one, but they seem to work ok.

If I have time I throw a coat of wax. Although I may take a look at those Zaino products.

 

[iamwiz82]

Personally I wouldn't wash a dirty car with any low/no water solution. Sorry, but I don't see how you can avoid rubbing the dirt into the paint. Might be useful after running it through a brush-less car-wash.

I've been doing the two bucket wash system with various car wash solutions - generally speaking anything but the cheap blue stuff that comes in very large containers (sold by a couple manufacturers) works about the same so long as you use enough.

Just about any soft microfiber cloth, mitt or sponge to wash. Rinse the car with low pressure (I like the hose with no attachment) Dry the car with a waffle weave microfiber cloth and one of the wax-as-u-dry products. I prefer Eagle-one, but they seem to work ok.

If I have time I throw a coat of wax. Although I may take a look at those Zaino products.

Correct, you will want to pre-spray if it's really dirty, but ONR is good for normal dirt. I bought a gallon 6 years ago and have used it religiously since then and I have quite a bit left.

 

[rsutoratosu]

avoid washing or wiping in circular pattern, makes swirls..

http://www.autogeek.net/cr-spotless-water-systems.html - I remember googling once and finding a DIY version. ill see if i can find it

 

[rsutoratosu]

http://www.adamsforums.com/forums/wash-dry-clay-bar/13064.htm

 

[repoman0]

Just bought a bunch of stuff to wash my black 03 330i:

-ONR Wash&Shine
-Detailed image sheepskin wash mitt
-Detailed image ultra fine clay bar
-DI microfiber towel
-Klasse all-in-one
-Klasse high gloss sealant glaze

-303 Aerospace for interior / engine bay/ etc.
-Leatherique rejuvenator oil
-Leatherique pristine clean

-"black sapphire metallic" dr. colorchip to minimize rock chips on front bumper

It's nice to keep the paint in good condition because it looks decent for a 10 year old car. But, it's my DD, it's parked outside in a city, I live in an apartment, and I don't want to spend all my time keeping it perfect (washing once every month or so is enough for me). I'm hoping this Klasse stuff stays put for a while - I've heard I can expect 6 months to a year out of it.

 

[rsutoratosu]

I use leatherique a lot, even with the sofa's and handbags at home.. its pricy but worth it.

Another thing to look at is opticoat 2.0 http://www.autogeek.net/optimum-opti-coat.html

If you get your car wash correct and opticoat apply the first time, you might be better protected

From autogeek

You read it right. Optimum Opti-Coat 2.0 is a permanent coating that protects automotive paint over its lifetime! Unlike a wax or sealant, Optimum Opti-Coat 2.0 will not wash or wear off. It acts as a second layer of clear coat which provides increased protection against the elements. Formerly only available to professionals, Optimum Opti-Coat 2.0 is now available to the public in a more user-friendly formula.

 

[CraigRT]

For the interior stuff, I prefer stuff to just be clean. NO PRODUCT.

I use my california car duster to clean my dash and hard surfaces in my car, they still look like new.

I use KROWN carwash for my actual car wash, and a soft mitt for washing (one for rims and tires, one for paint, windows) And an Absorber with Eagle One Wax As U Dry for the final dry.

That's pretty much it. My car is always clean, but looks totally natural.

 

[TonyB]

Like Zor Prime said, you'll get a thousand different replies. Everyone has their own technique, do as much research before you drop money on something. Do what works for you.

Everytime you touch your car, you risk marring/scratching it. Doesn't matter what you're doing, what product you use, you touch your car you risk introducing mars and swirls. this is multiplied 1000x if you have a black car.

I have a Kranzle electric pressure washer, which is hooked up to a 250 gallon water tank that holds RO/DI (reverse osmosis deionized) water. The pressure washer has a detachable foam cannon which can hold 20oz of shampoo. I fill it up with Dawn dish soap and use it to foam up my car, then rinse off and let it dry by air, no towels, no water spots (ro/di water). the only thing that touches the paint is water. I find this removes dust, pollen, heavy particulates and dirt particles fairly well. However, this doesn't remove road film, or other sticky stuff like tree sap.

For the road film, every couple weeks between my normal wash, i'll bust out my bucket, fill it up with RODI water and dawn dish soap. I'll place a stack of 20-30 microfiber towels in the bucket, let that soak. I'll do my foam with the pressure wash, then i'll take 1 towel, wipe each panel 1 or 2 strokes with it, then discard the towel into a bag. get a new towel and repeat until the entire surface of the car has been wiped. then i'll finish it off with a rinse and let it air dry. again, no water spots because I'm using RO/DI water.

this is my method, also I should note, when I had the car delivered, I brought it to a detailer to get the paint corrected and opticoated. hope this helps and give you an idea on how to develop your own technique.

 

[Dumac]

I should note, when I had the car delivered, I brought it to a detailer to get the paint corrected and opticoated.

Is this a normal thing/a good idea to do?

 

[TonyB]

Is this a normal thing/a good idea to do?

It's not normal. Most people are fine with the pre delivery inspection detail job that the dealership gives.

If you're anal about your car, and want it to be 100% perfect then I highly recommend finding a detailer who does opticoat, especially if you're a lazy ass like me who doesn't like to wax/seal the car every couple months; you get to skip out on that labor intensive step.

 

[demiro]

My car is dirty pretty much all the time, but I have a bud who is way OCD about his ride. He is pretty much old school, with mild detergent and a sponge, but he spends many, many hours waxing. Looks amazing, but the time, sweat and back pain he invests are no small thing. He convinced me that "products" aren't the answer, but he also convinced me that I don't care enough to do it his way.

 

[corinthos]

I have a new honda civic and am wondering if parking my car in uncovered lot at work all day in the sun is going to have detrimental affects on the front dash or under the rear window, where there's plastic or whatever composite materials they use...

will they discolor/crack?

do any products help protect against this or are they pretty much going to look like new on cars these days and i shouldn't worry about it?

i'm putting a rear pull down sunshade in my car, but it won't cover the plastic/composite materials under the rear window.. that will still get exposed to the sun whenever i'm out...

my windows are not tinted.

 

[sgrinavi]

If nothing else the sun will fade your interior. It get worse from there. I always get my windows tinted and use clear ceramic on the front.

 

[xSkyDrAx]

I have a new honda civic and am wondering if parking my car in uncovered lot at work all day in the sun is going to have detrimental affects on the front dash or under the rear window, where there's plastic or whatever composite materials they use...

will they discolor/crack?

do any products help protect against this or are they pretty much going to look like new on cars these days and i shouldn't worry about it?

i'm putting a rear pull down sunshade in my car, but it won't cover the plastic/composite materials under the rear window.. that will still get exposed to the sun whenever i'm out...

my windows are not tinted.

I use this for my front windshields when I'm at work. It's a bit more pricey than regular ones but they do custom fit it to your car which is nice and quality is very nice.
​

 

[ballmode]

Wash, Clay, Wax, Clearbra