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[LucidMomentum]

Originally Posted by SG02WRX

Thank you Gents.

I'll be placing the order soon. Id like the grit guards, but In my apartment complex, I can't wash my own car.

To be honest, if you keep on it using ONR and the towels can be sufficient enough. I'd suggest taking it somewhere and waxing it first though.

I do one "real" wash and wax each month or so, and every weekend in between I just do a run down with the ONR, spraying it on the area first, then waiting a minute, then wiping it down and drying with the towels.

You go through a lot of towels, and a bit more ONR than you normally would, but it's really waterless apart from what you mix in to the spray bottle.

[LucidMomentum]

Hey Phil,

Since I'm coming up on having owned my car for six months, I'm planning to do a clay bar with my next major wash and wax. How much clay bar do you recommend I have on hand for a car of the FR-S' size, and say little to no real particles on the car? I wash it regularly and wax every month or so so there's very little sap or anything like that on the paint, but I want to clay bar it just to keep it looking good.

Also, would the following cleaning process be a good method:

-Foam Cannon
-Wash Foam Off
-Foam Cannon Again
-Wash Foam Off
-Dry Car
-Clay Bar (Using ONR or Meguiar's Final Inspection as Lubricant)
-Foam Cannon Again
-Wash Foam Off
-Dry Car
-Wax Car

Or should I add any extra steps?

Thanks again for all your advice.

*EDIT* Also I have a second question. The Engine Bay is getting rather dusty, is there anything to worry about if I hit that with a pressure washer? Any areas in particular I need to cover up so water doesn't damage anything?

[imom]

Originally Posted by SG02WRX

Thank you Gents.

I'll be placing the order soon. Id like the grit guards, but In my apartment complex, I can't wash my own car.

Don't bother with the grit guards. You'll end up scratching the paint more often with this method of using two buckets...so old school.

If you go rinseless wash, you can wash in your complex as there's not much water to be used. Just buy Meguiar's D115 Rinseless wash and some high quality microfiber towels. You mix the D115 with distilled water and just spray the car down one panel at a time and wipe down. The whole car can be done in 6 to 8 oz of D115 solution. The ratio is 1 (D115) to 4 (distilled water).

Here is the link of the applications and review.http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/...-wash-wax.html

I don't even bother using any buckets at all except to store the dirty towels. The towels are used one once for one pass so less chance of scratches.

Rinseless is a new way of washing cars and scary for some, but once you do you don't go back to the old method unless you haven't washed the car for 2 months. Good luck.

P.s. I also have ONR and I rather use D115.

[LucidMomentum]

Originally Posted by imom

I don't even bother using any buckets at all except to store the dirty towels. The towels are used one once for one pass so less chance of scratches.

Rinseless is a new way of washing cars and scary for some, but once you do you don't go back to the old method unless you haven't washed the car for 2 months. Good luck.

P.s. I also have ONR and I rather use D115.

I may have to try D115 when I use up my ONR. I love trying new products.

Also how many towels do you go through a month? I reuse mine quite often.

[imom]

Originally Posted by LucidMomentum

I may have to try D115 when I use up my ONR. I love trying new products.

Also how many towels do you go through a month? I reuse mine quite often.

I think you misunderstood me. I use microfiber towels and I use about 3 to 4 towels per wash...generally two towels on the outside and one towel on the inside of the car. I don't mix bottom of the car with top of the car when wiping.

Once all the towels are done, I pre-rinse them and then soak them in a bucket until I get enough to wash all the microfiber towels again. I don't throw them out. What I mean by one pass is I take a clean towel and use each panel of the car with a part of the towel in one pass. As soon as that part of the towel is dirty, I use the next section of the towel that is clean.

[LucidMomentum]

Originally Posted by imom

I think you misunderstood me. I use microfiber towels and I use about 3 to 4 towels per wash...generally two towels on the outside and one towel on the inside of the car. I don't mix bottom of the car with top of the car when wiping.

Once all the towels are done, I pre-rinse them and then soak them in a bucket until I get enough to wash all the microfiber towels again. I don't throw them out. What I mean by one pass is I take a clean towel and use each panel of the car with a part of the towel in one pass. As soon as that part of the towel is dirty, I use the next section of the towel that is clean.

Ah. Yes. That's how I do it too haha. Just gotta make sure that the towel isn't dry when you're cleaning off dirt and it should be fine.

[Krazy]

Ok.. so yeah this just happened.. I did a 7-11 run for my buddy got him a big gulp of pepsi placed it in the center cup holder, and on my way back the turn before my house the cup flipped spilling all over my passenger seat and a bit between the crack of the seat. I was wondering what would be the best method to clean it up (such as taking the seat out) and what product should I use to prevent the seat from getting sticky or damaging even further. I have already soaked up all the extra soda with a dry towel and used Turtle Wax upholstery cleaner and scrubbed the seat.

[Assphalt]

Originally Posted by Krazy

Ok.. so yeah this just happened.. I did a 7-11 run for my buddy got him a big gulp of pepsi placed it in the center cup holder, and on my way back the turn before my house the cup flipped spilling all over my passenger seat and a bit between the crack of the seat. I was wondering what would be the best method to clean it up (such as taking the seat out) and what product should I use to prevent the seat from getting sticky or damaging even further. I have already soaked up all the extra soda with a dry towel and used Turtle Wax upholstery cleaner and scrubbed the seat.

You should look into a hand held shampooer. It will be able to penetrate the spill deeper and leave it smelling fresh.

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[ducky369]

If i want to clean my engine bay, is there anything i need to watch out for? can i just hose it down? I heard it can mess up your engine, every car is different?

[DG-86]

Any idea how to remove these etch marks on my hood? I've been using my Groits Garage Dual Action Polisher with the Uber Orange medium polish pad, that I purchased from you all, with Meguiars Ultimate Compound, to no avail. That combination seems to be working on the roof and trunk though. Do you think I should try a microfiber cutting pad or a more aggressive foam pad? Different product? I know with the hood being aluminum, affects how pads and compounds react in relation to the steel panels. Thank you!


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[DetailersDomain]

Originally Posted by ducky369

If i want to clean my engine bay, is there anything i need to watch out for? can i just hose it down? I heard it can mess up your engine, every car is different?

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[DetailersDomain]

Originally Posted by DG-86

Any idea how to remove these etch marks on my hood? I've been using my Groits Garage Dual Action Polisher with the Uber Orange medium polish pad, that I purchased from you all, with Meguiars Ultimate Compound, to no avail. That combination seems to be working on the roof and trunk though. Do you think I should try a microfiber cutting pad or a more aggressive foam pad? Different product? I know with the hood being aluminum, affects how pads and compounds react in relation to the steel panels. Thank you! Attachment 104727Attachment 104728


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do you have closer shot of the etch marks?

[DG-86]

I'll try to get some closer ones. They are very tiny and uniform across the entire hood. They look like they are pitted into the clear coat. Unfortunately, it spends a lot of time outside at my condo. I keep it clean and protected as best I can. Besides these, the paint is in great shape!


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