What about washing...
 

Our cars are mostly all pretty new... how do you guys wash them?


I did my first wash this WE just at a High Pressure wash station (called "Elephant Bleu").


Basically, you get a hose with high pressure water and 4 modes :
- Wash (hot water with some kind of "solvent")
- Rince (clear hot water)
- Wax (??? don't know what this does ???)
- Finish (demineralised water)


I sprayed the car in wash mode (hot water + some washing stuff) then I used the finish mode (demineralised water) to avoid water spots.


The finish is pretty good (only took 3 or 4 minutes in all) and shiny...


Didn't do any wiping or drying, just left it as is, didn't want to risk scratching.


Then I looked on the web and came accross this :


http://www.meguiars.com/en/automotiv...te-wax-liquid/


Would you say it's a good idea to apply this after washing. I figure the idea of this is to add a coat of wax that will prevent stuff messing up to clear coat/paint... therefore the original clear coat is protected and the durst and washing cycles will utlimately remove the wax, but I can just rewax once every few months? Is this correct? What is your experience with washing new cars (black metal for me)

I only use those stations if i'm in a crunch. Hand wash mostly. Meguiars car wash soap. Good sponge of some type. Separate sponge for wheels than the rest of the car. Dry with squeegee then microfiber towels.

What do you find wrong with high pressure washing stations? Don't they at least allow to get rid of big muck so you don't mess up your sponges and stuff?


... also, to make drying easier (or at least to make avoiding water spots easier), why not rince with demineralised water? I've often wondered and just bought 5 leters myself to try thie WE on my older car just to see. Why not do the full wash with dimineralised water (it's only 2$ for 5 leters, and that shoud be enough to wash a pretty clean car? no?)

I highly advise against high pressure washing. I would only use that if you were spraying off the undercarriage. I would buy a really good set of microfiber towels/sponge (not made in China). Mild pre-rinse. Pressure washer will push dirt across the surface and scuff the clear coat. Then glide the microfiber towel/sponge across the surface. 2 buckets is highly recommended. One bucket to rinse your towel/sponge and the other with soap in it. Then clean from roof to doors with one towel. You another towel for lower part of car and wheels. Rinse and dry with a waffle towel/microfiber cloth. Wax is simply a way to protect the clearcoat a little bit. It also provides a barrier from the clearcoat and dirt that accumulates. Many people recommend a sealant.

What about using demineralised water? Why not use it to rince... surely it makes avoiding the water spots easier?

Two bucket method: http://www.autopiaforums.com/forums/...et-method.html

My preferred wash materials: http://www.autogeek.net/optimum-no-rinse-buckets.html

When i've used the high pressure washes they never seem to get the dirt off as well as scrubbing with my hands can. I have more control when I can scrub with my hands.

I'm not worried about messing up my sponges, as that's what they are meant and used for.

I like the idea of demineralized water, but I just avoid water spots by keeping the whole car wet until i'm ready to dry. Then my squeegee does an incredible job of drying the car. And I finish with microfiber towels which don't scratch the car at all.

Also, I use a California Car Duster between washes to keep it looking clean. Great for removing dust that accumulates in a garage or for pollen that lands on the car in spring time.

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I use an in-line water softener because the water here is crap. First I spray the wheels down with wheel cleaner, then rinse off. Then I spray the front down with insect remover and rinse off. Then I wash the car using two buckets, a merino wool mitt, and Sonax car shampoo. Start at the top and wash down. Squeegee it off and dry with a drying towel. Then I'll use quick detailer if I need to. My paint is sealed, so I don't need to do a full wax on it. If I was going to clay bar it or use paint cleaner, I'd do it after the car was dry.

I also hand wash using the 2 bucket method. Then quick detail or wax as needed.

I use the spray wash when I am in a hurry but even using the spot free rinse I get spots. And this is after driving 60+ mph to help dry the car. Also I am VERY careful not to get too close to the paint with the wand.

This is what I usually do now for a quickie wash. This is if the car is not really dirty like after I drive in the rain. I use the hose to rinse the car. Then I usually put some car wash soap with wax in a bucket with lots of water and pour that over the car and rinse all the soap off the car. I then towel dry all the water off the car starting with the windows / mirrors. Then start from the top and work my way down.

Lots of good info at AutoGeek.NET including videos on washing, etc.

Two bucket method for me as well. Also, check out Cosmetic Maintenance (Wash, Wax, Detailing, Body Repairs) forum

I use buckets of water/hose, car wash soap of any flavor, and a microfiber mitt with a microfiber towel to do the wheels. I use the high pressure bays when I don't have the time necessary to clean it after work- but I always make sure to hit the brushes with the high pressure water to get any left over dirt off.


It is just a car, after all.

You know, I am not sure about that one. There is a few posts on that stating the reason. I always hand wash at home.

One more thing...make sure the car is in shade and cool. Water obviously won't dry quickly and leave water spots.

A lot of the "spotless car wash" systems use filtered, softened, or deionized water. If you remove all the minerals and deposits in the water, they won't dry on your car and leave spots. CRSpotless would love to sell you their deionizing water system, but they're $300+.

The one I bought is from purewaterproducts.com. I bought a single white filter housing with a water softener cartridge. It's wonderful. I had considered buying the dual housing with a filter cartridge and a softener cartridge, but decided to get just the one. Total cost: ~$50.