Car Washing for Dummies; a complete guide?
 

So, I just bought a new 2014 Lightning Red BRZ Sport-Tech two weeks ago today, and I stumbled onto this forum by sheer luck while looking up, believe it or not, gas mileage.

I've never given cosmetic maintenance much thought. The first car I had was a 2005 Toyota Corolla CE that I drove like I'd stolen it :D. So when it came time to clean (once every 4 months or so) I'd throw some Sunlight laundry detergent and Pert Plus shampoo (for shine apparently...) into lukewarm water and go to town using a year old dollar store sponge.

After reading through the various threads about exterior and interior maintenance, I think that technique might be a bit...off...to put it lightly.

So I come back, read some more, and I think I got the gist of it, but there were some things that I'm still not too clear about that I was hoping you guys could help me with.

1. Here's what I've gathered:

a. Optimum No Rinse Wash & Shine to wash the car
b. Sonax Full Effect for the wheels
c. Duragloss #751 (Rain Repel) for exterior of windsheild
d. Duragloss #761 (Glass Cleaner) for all other glass surfaces

2. The instructions I'll be following are the one's listed in this tutorial:

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25599

As for my questions:

a. What exactly is the detailing process after I've finished washing the car? Do I Just wax the car using Collinite Carnauba Paste Wax? Do I just use BLACKFIRE Wet Diamond All Finish Paint Protection and polish the car? Do I wax first and then polish with the above two, or are they both the same thing just from different manufacturers...

b) I live around Vancouver, Canada and the only place that I've found that ships to out here is eShine.ca. Is that my only option? Where would you recommend I get all of this from?

c) Are there any better variants of the products I've listed above? I don't mind them being pricier, just as long as I get what I pay for.

d) What are the various towels/sponges that I need. I'm guessing 4 types at least. Sponges for the actual wash, a type of cloth for drying, a type for interior cleaning, and a type for the application of detailing products. Which ones do I need?

Tl;dr, here are the results I'm looking for:

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=20527

I know I'm just a beginner, but aim for the stars and whatnot :D.

Thanks!

1. NEVER EVER EVER USE SPONGES ON YOUR EXTERIOR. Sponges will scratch the crap out of the paint. Instead, use a wool wash mitt because it traps dirty INSIDE the fibres.

2. You can wash, polish, then wax the car. But don't polish everytime you wash it because polishing takes off clearcoat, so do it once in awhile when needed.

3. Usually you can just wash, dry, and wax the car. Do all this out of direct sunlight as the sun will evaporate your products.

4. Get some good quality microfibre towels, and preferrably waffle weave microfibre towels for drying.

5. When washing your towels, throw them in the wash with detergent, and put in some vinegar during the rinse cycle. DO NOT USE FABRIC SOFTENER OR DRYING SHEET. If you do, the towels are pretty much crap. (Then you can use it for your tires, etc.)

6. When washing/drying, don't do circular motions. Do straight lines. In case you scratch your care, straight scratches are easier to repair.

I didn't really answer much of your questions, and i didn't click on the links (i'm at work), but i just wanted to share some tips just in case they help you.

I believe @DetailersDomain also ships out to your area. I just ordered a bunch of things from there and I live in Ontario, Canada

What the heck are you talking about? Are you referring to the sponges that you wash your dishes with that have a Scotchbrite backing???

this kind.....

I've never used that exact sponge, but I see nothing wrong with a sponge like that. I and countless other high end detailers use Grout Sponges and sponges similar to that without any issues. Would love to know why you feel they will scratch?

any left over dirt/contaminants on the paint would stay on the surface of the sponge, whereas wool wash mitts "trap" the dirt inside the mitt.

if it stays on the surface of the sponge and you move it along, it would put scratches/micro scratches. Then there goes your nicely polished car from last week.

Both a mitt and sponge work great as long as you are cleaning them off regularly. Dirt being rubbed over the ssurface is the same mechanical action no mqtte what wash media you use. If anything, a wool mitt is worse because that trapped dirt doesn't flush itself and accumulates more and more. Sponges release dirt better. Plus, as I already mentioned, countless detailers use sponges without any marring.

If you were to shake out both your sponge and wool mitt (when dry), you'll be surprised how much dirt particles fall out of it of the mitt compared to the sponge.

yes you could still scratch it, but there's less chance of it.
and using a grit guard definitely helps release the dirt from the mitt.

different methods. there's not 1 way to everything and each gets it's results

Sounds good, thanks a lot for the input guys!

If you are using ONR, then I strongly suggest you use this method instead.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTStk7vLKuM"]The Garry Dean Wash Method in action on paint GDWM Infinite Use Detail Juice Anywhere Wash Bucket Anywhere Detail Bucket Waterless Car Wash Auto Wash Rinseless Car Wash - YouTube[/ame]

It may take a bit more product, and you want to make a spray bottle of ONR in washless strength, but it's a much better/safer way compare to normal two bucket method.

Take note though,

I don't find the distilled water really necessary while not directly under sunlight.
I also got a little water gun... (yes I know) to act as my high pressure gun to blast off areas that are heavily containmented.

I like how he said he was going to show how to wash the wheels and then the video ended rofl

you know.. out of all the time in which I have recommend this video... I have never noticed that lol