Finally moving into a better place... Review my weekly maintenance?

[ajcarson11]

All,

I'm finally at a place in life where I can move into my first house with a nice 2 garage and facilities that eliminate the need to work with the coin-operated hand wash.

I plan on weekly washes/paint maintenance. I'd like to know thoughts on my routine for maintenance:

2x Liquid Wax by hand per year (spring, fall -- hand application)

Weekly maintenance:
- Power rinse (2000psi power washer)
- 2 bucket soap method with wash mitt
- Power rinse (2000psi power washer)
- Waffleweave dry
- Quick wax (haven't decided on brand yet...)

Any thoughts on the method above? I figure that if I quick-wax weekly I could get away with only 2 liquid/paste waxes a year.

One problem that I've noticed -- even with the two bucket wash method I find that some dirt gets left behind on the surface. I usually have to apply good force to get it out. Would it make more sense to adjust my method to include a foaming soap to help release dirt? The power-washer has a soap release tank. I would imagine a stronger soap would help release dirt from surface, but may strip wax off more quickly. I'd be applying quick wax after drying, and perhaps this would offset the loss of protection due to soap strength?

Thanks for your thoughts -- Trying to find a good balance between protection, cleanliness, and time/energy savings (given that I can devote an hour every 7 days)

[ryoma]

I don't really see a need to wash your car every week. wash it once it gets dirty; I haven't washed my car for about a month and half and it still looks pretty clean.

however, when I do wash my car, I do the wheels first with Sonax cleaner. then I use a foam cannon and let the soap sit on the car for a bit before rinsing. if my car is relatively clean, I only use 1 bucket but if it's really dirty I use 2 buckets with a microfiber mitt and I just dump my left over soap from the foam cannon into the bucket and fill it up before going down the car. rinse it off again and dry. then, depending on how long ago it was, I apply Carnuba wax by hand (usually once every 3 months). if I don't use the Carnuba, I use a spray-on sealant after washing my car. then I use a window detailer afterwards on both inside and outside windows (and anything else). tire dresser comes in at the very end. don't apply too much dressing though since it might fling off when you drive it

this is the soap I use: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
this is the sealant I use (plus it smells great): https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
window cleaner: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
wheel cleaner: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
foam cannon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I buy all my car towels from theragcompany.com. they're cheap and good quality

[Bman117]

Grab a third bucket (a different colour that your other two are best case) and ONLY use that bucket and the tools on your wheels. Will assist in preventing micro scratches.

[ajcarson11]

Originally Posted by ajcarson11

All,

I'm finally at a place in life where I can move into my first house with a nice 2 garage and facilities that eliminate the need to work with the coin-operated hand wash.

I plan on weekly washes/paint maintenance. I'd like to know thoughts on my routine for maintenance:

2x Liquid Wax by hand per year (spring, fall -- hand application)

Weekly maintenance:
- Power rinse (2000psi power washer)
- 2 bucket soap method with wash mitt
- Power rinse (2000psi power washer)
- Waffleweave dry
- Quick wax (haven't decided on brand yet...)

Any thoughts on the method above? I figure that if I quick-wax weekly I could get away with only 2 liquid/paste waxes a year.

One problem that I've noticed -- even with the two bucket wash method I find that some dirt gets left behind on the surface. I usually have to apply good force to get it out. Would it make more sense to adjust my method to include a foaming soap to help release dirt? The power-washer has a soap release tank. I would imagine a stronger soap would help release dirt from surface, but may strip wax off more quickly. I'd be applying quick wax after drying, and perhaps this would offset the loss of protection due to soap strength?

Thanks for your thoughts -- Trying to find a good balance between protection, cleanliness, and time/energy savings (given that I can devote an hour every 7 days)

Thanks for the tips! I may not wash every 7 days, but here in Indiana we get so much pollen and rain that the car gets dirty every 3 or 4 days easily.

[humfrz]

I feel that 2 coats of wax a year is sufficient in most situations.

Hell, just wash it when you feel like it ...... during the summer, the "car" don't care if it's dirty or not ......



humfrz

[86geek]

Get your car Opticoat Pro or Gloss Coat. Then washing your car will be so much easier. No need power wash because the water will sheet off the car with Optimum Opticoat or newest Gloss Coat. No need wax every week. Every other wash I just use Optimum Instant Detailer. Just my 2 cents!

[KDad2]

I use a cordless leaf blower to dry my car. It really helps speed up the drying process on my wife's gigantic SUV.

[MR2]

I would wax every three months if you're in Indiana. The temperature extremes in the area and pollen definitely shortens the amount of protection you're getting from your wax.

[shiumai]

I use chemical guys waterless wash weekly; followed up by their VO7 detail spray.

I only hand wash my car with soap and water about 2-3 times a year, then apply sealant followed by wax.

Some folk don't trust a waterless wash, but this has worked well for me for the past 3+ years and my car is pretty much spotless most of the time.

Here are links to the products I use.
1. waterless wash - 16 oz concentrate makes two gallons and lasts a long time; more than a year. spray on, wipe dirt off with a clean microfiber. http://www.chemicalguys.com/EcoSmart...wac_707_16.htm

2. Follow up with detail spray - i like this because it buffs off easily to a nice shine. http://www.chemicalguys.com/Hybrid_V...wac_808_16.htm

I use the detail spray to clean my wheels as well. The entire process takes me an hour a week, including interior cleaning. I use aerospace 303 protectant on tires, exposed exterior plastic, seat leather and engine compartment (hoses etc).

Approx 2-3x a year, I wash (clay if need be) and then apply sealant: http://www.chemicalguys.com/JetSeal_...wac_118_16.htm
Add a coat of wax (optional) http://www.chemicalguys.com/Butter_W...wac_201_16.htm

Sometimes bird poop or bee poop can etch the paint, and once in a while I'll notice a fine scratch, so I'll manually buff it out with this: http://www.chemicalguys.com/Scratch_...com_129_16.htm

[FX86]

Originally Posted by ryoma

I don't really see a need to wash your car every week. wash it once it gets dirty; I haven't washed my car for about a month and half and it still looks pretty clean.

i knew a coworker that would take a microfiber towel to clean out his exhausts tips every morning he parked his car at work...then again he had an M5 and bought a shiny chrome, loud aftermarket exhaust for it lol

[ajcarson11]

Originally Posted by 86geek

Get your car Opticoat Pro or Gloss Coat. Then washing your car will be so much easier. No need power wash because the water will sheet off the car with Optimum Opticoat or newest Gloss Coat. No need wax every week. Every other wash I just use Optimum Instant Detailer. Just my 2 cents!

Sounds awesome -- Unfortunately the car is a 2013 and doesn't have the best paint overall. I'm sure I would go this route with a nearly new car, but given that I have to wash 2 other vehicles I may as well just apply my routine to all 3 vehicles.

Thanks for reminding me though... I'll opticoat on the next car.

[MrDinkleman]

Power rinse with a 2,000psi power washer? Aren't you afraid of blasting the paint off? I use a garden hose (60psi?) with the "fan" style lawn watering nozzle to knock off loose dirt/dust and I still cringe at "blasting" it with that.

[MarkR171]

The more you wash your car, the shorter your "sealant" will last. Also, the more concentrated your soap/water solution is, the faster the sealant will come off. Spray sealants don't last long.

If you're washing that often, I don't know why you would ever need to power wash.

If you need to use force to get any dirt out even after power washing, your sealant is no longer doing it's job and/or you didn't properly prep the surface before sealant.

[Yanbags]

I'm surprised there aren't more advocates for using a sealant. Protection from a wax really doesn't last longer than a month or two. A good sealant will last you for a good 4-6 months, so you can basically refresh it before winter & before summer; I personally use Menzerna PowerLock - really great stuff. You can top it with a wax for more shine but I just stick with the sealant. This should avoid the need to spend money on quick-waxes all the time.

RE: your question about having dirt left over after a 2-bucket wash, have you ever clayed the car? It sounds like you possibly haven't, so before doing a full seal/wax initially you should clay-bar the paint to get all of the difficult-to-remove contamination and smooth out the clear coat. That would prep the paint properly for any correction or wax/sealant.