NorCal (Bay Area) OFF-TOPIC Chat Thread

[finch1750]

Originally Posted by SoNotCool

just had to cancel the Carbon Clean Out ... due to work schedule of having to work half day on Saturday which is a mandatory OT day for us...

however me and the wife were looking to run up to the Observatory tomorrow if anyone is interested?

Try the drive thread

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showt...05#post2899505

[finch1750]

Originally Posted by Clipdat

Nice. That's been my go-to car wash soap for several years. I think you will like it.

I picked up a few new car wash soaps to try out when my current bottle of gold glass is empty:

http://www.autogeek.net/blackfire-gloss-shampoo.html

http://www.chemicalguys.com/Mr_Pink_...cws_402_16.htm

Also do let me know what you think of that chemical guys brand claybar. I know you don't have a lot to compare it to though

You? A go-to soap?

[Clipdat]

Yeah, I've had the same 64oz bottle for like 10 years!

Originally Posted by finch1750

You? A go-to soap?

[Kaotic Lazagna]

Originally Posted by spike021

Oh I see. I already have a wax so I'll just use that separately this time after washing the car.

I have a lot of paste wax I gotta use up (Collinite 476s) so that I can get some liquid wax (Collinite 845iw) now that I have a DA polisher. haha.

Make sure you do proper washing and drying techniques to try to avoid marring the paint and "cobwebs."

[Kaotic Lazagna]

Originally Posted by Clipdat

Nice. That's been my go-to car wash soap for several years. I think you will like it.

I picked up a few new car wash soaps to try out when my current bottle of gold glass is empty:

http://www.autogeek.net/blackfire-gloss-shampoo.html

http://www.chemicalguys.com/Mr_Pink_...cws_402_16.htm

Also do let me know what you think of that chemical guys brand claybar. I know you don't have a lot to compare it to though

I've been using Meg's GC wash for years now too. I stocked up when Costco had a rebate on them since I use quite a bit (I use it on my pre-foam stage) and I use more than the recommended cap fulls per gallon.

[spike021]

Originally Posted by Clipdat

Nice. That's been my go-to car wash soap for several years. I think you will like it.

I picked up a few new car wash soaps to try out when my current bottle of gold glass is empty:

http://www.autogeek.net/blackfire-gloss-shampoo.html

http://www.chemicalguys.com/Mr_Pink_...cws_402_16.htm

Also do let me know what you think of that chemical guys brand claybar. I know you don't have a lot to compare it to though

Nice! I got one of the big bottles of the Meguiars so hopefully I like it enough to keep using haha.

For sure! Of course, hopefully I'll be using it correctly and be able to give an accurate opinion of it lol.

Originally Posted by Kaotic Lazagna

I have a lot of paste wax I gotta use up (Collinite 476s) so that I can get some liquid wax (Collinite 845iw) now that I have a DA polisher. haha.

Make sure you do proper washing and drying techniques to try to avoid marring the paint and "cobwebs."

I did hear Collinite is also pretty good. Do you prefer the liquid to paste?

Yeah, I'll try. Seems simple enough: rinse things down really well with hose, then start using soapy water with a mitt from top to bottom, then rinse it off from top to bottom, then claybar and probably quik detailer all over the car, and then wax?

I need to pick up buckets though, I think. Might have one to use but not sure if it'll be good enough lol.

[Kaotic Lazagna]

Originally Posted by spike021

I did hear Collinite is also pretty good. Do you prefer the liquid to paste?

Yeah, I'll try. Seems simple enough: rinse things down really well with hose, then start using soapy water with a mitt from top to bottom, then rinse it off from top to bottom, then claybar and probably quik detailer all over the car, and then wax?

I need to pick up buckets though, I think. Might have one to use but not sure if it'll be good enough lol.

I prefer paste since it's easier to get an even coat by hand. Although, I will tell you right now, 476s is a PITA if you apply too much. It's also a wax that will give pseudo scratches/holograms. However, 476s provides a nice, natural gloss finish and is very durable (lasts at least 6 months).

I want to switch to liquid eventually since I can't use the DA with paste wax.


Something people don't think about is the movements they use when soaping up and drying the car. You should never go in circles, and always go in linear movements. That way, you prevent swirl marks. It's also best to wash the wheels first (but I wash em last since I'm careful about overspray). Liberally use quick detail during the drying process (so spray QD on the wet car one panel at a time, and then dry said panel; repeat onto the next). Liberally use QD on the section of the panel you'll be clay barring as well. No need to quick detail the car before wax. You'll be wiping away a lot of QD anyway from the clay bar step.

Two bucket system is good to have (I quickly blast my wash mitt with the hose before dunking into the water bucket as well, so I actually don't get a lot of debris in my buckets [so I actually don't use grit guards]).

I have a separate wash mitt and drying towel (Absorber) for my wheels we well.


As you can tell, I'm OCD when it comes to my cars, and I go through a lot of wash soap and quick detail spray (I don't use QD to "clean" the car either; I use Meg's Ultimate wash and wax Anywhere spray for bird crap and other things that might be harmful to the paint if I can't wash soon).

[SmartedPanda]

reddit.com/r/autodetailing

[Kaotic Lazagna]

LOL, this applies to me.

[spike021]

Originally Posted by Kaotic Lazagna

Something people don't think about is the movements they use when soaping up and drying the car. You should never go in circles, and always go in linear movements. That way, you prevent swirl marks. It's also best to wash the wheels first (but I wash em last since I'm careful about overspray). Liberally use quick detail during the drying process (so spray QD on the wet car one panel at a time, and then dry said panel; repeat onto the next). Liberally use QD on the section of the panel you'll be clay barring as well. No need to quick detail the car before wax. You'll be wiping away a lot of QD anyway from the clay bar step.

Two bucket system is good to have (I quickly blast my wash mitt with the hose before dunking into the water bucket as well, so I actually don't get a lot of debris in my buckets [so I actually don't use grit guards]).

I have a separate wash mitt and drying towel (Absorber) for my wheels we well.

As you can tell, I'm OCD when it comes to my cars, and I go through a lot of wash soap and quick detail spray (I don't use QD to "clean" the car either; I use Meg's Ultimate wash and wax Anywhere spray for bird crap and other things that might be harmful to the paint if I can't wash soon).

That part about not washing with circular motions is a good reminder. I'd heard that before but it's easy to forget (at least before I've actually done the washing once or twice, lol).

So are you saying use the QD twice? Once while claying and then at the end while drying before doing the wax?

Hmm. Is it fine to use a standard microfiber towel for the wheels? I don't have a second mitt or absorber towel for that.

I doubt I'll be as crazy as you but I want to make sure I wash/detail it at least once a month.

I actually noticed some bird.. splatter, yesterday. Like maybe bird diarrhea or something on the passenger door area. Haven't cleaned it off since I was gonna do a full wash tomorrow, though I'm wondering if maybe I should've QD'd it anyway.. It wasn't like full blown crap with the green stuff or anything so I kinda thought it'd be ok to wait.

[Clipdat]

I don't understand what Lazagna said about using quick detailer "while drying". Never heard of that myself. I'd just use it liberally while claying the still wet car, and then do a final rinse and then dry it.

For the wheels, you should probably be fine with spraying the Sonax on and letting it do it's thing and then just rinsing off. I doubt you will need to do any scrubbing, but if you do definitely use a different sponge and drying towels that you aren't using on the bodywork.

Regarding the bird shit, as soon as you can react to it the better. My method is just getting some paper towels soaked with water (warm if possible) and laying it across the bird shit for several minutes. After it's soaked and penetrated it, you should be able to gently wipe it away.

Originally Posted by spike021

That part about not washing with circular motions is a good reminder. I'd heard that before but it's easy to forget (at least before I've actually done the washing once or twice, lol).

So are you saying use the QD twice? Once while claying and then at the end while drying before doing the wax?

Hmm. Is it fine to use a standard microfiber towel for the wheels? I don't have a second mitt or absorber towel for that.

I doubt I'll be as crazy as you but I want to make sure I wash/detail it at least once a month.

I actually noticed some bird.. splatter, yesterday. Like maybe bird diarrhea or something on the passenger door area. Haven't cleaned it off since I was gonna do a full wash tomorrow, though I'm wondering if maybe I should've QD'd it anyway.. It wasn't like full blown crap with the green stuff or anything so I kinda thought it'd be ok to wait.

[Sapphireho]

Originally Posted by Kaotic Lazagna

I probably overpaid, but I did use 3M Crystalline (door windows, including the tiny ones) and Color Stable (back three windows) films. Ended up paying $400.

Where did you go and what tint, like CR70 and CS20?

[Kaotic Lazagna]

Originally Posted by Sapphireho

Where did you go and what tint, like CR70 and CS20?

A place in Fremont. Blanking on the name atm. He does the dealerships out there, so I figured he was worth it. Haha. I went 70% Crystalline on the door windows, and 5% Color Stable on the back three.

[Kaotic Lazagna]

Originally Posted by spike021

That part about not washing with circular motions is a good reminder. I'd heard that before but it's easy to forget (at least before I've actually done the washing once or twice, lol).

So are you saying use the QD twice? Once while claying and then at the end while drying before doing the wax?

Hmm. Is it fine to use a standard microfiber towel for the wheels? I don't have a second mitt or absorber towel for that.

I doubt I'll be as crazy as you but I want to make sure I wash/detail it at least once a month.

I actually noticed some bird.. splatter, yesterday. Like maybe bird diarrhea or something on the passenger door area. Haven't cleaned it off since I was gonna do a full wash tomorrow, though I'm wondering if maybe I should've QD'd it anyway.. It wasn't like full blown crap with the green stuff or anything so I kinda thought it'd be ok to wait.

Originally Posted by Clipdat

I don't understand what Lazagna said about using quick detailer "while drying". Never heard of that myself. I'd just use it liberally while claying the still wet car, and then do a final rinse and then dry it.

For the wheels, you should probably be fine with spraying the Sonax on and letting it do it's thing and then just rinsing off. I doubt you will need to do any scrubbing, but if you do definitely use a different sponge and drying towels that you aren't using on the bodywork.

Regarding the bird shit, as soon as you can react to it the better. My method is just getting some paper towels soaked with water (warm if possible) and laying it across the bird shit for several minutes. After it's soaked and penetrated it, you should be able to gently wipe it away.

No, no, I was saying after you wash the car, spray a panel down with QD while it's wet before you wipe the panel down dry. It's an extra step to help prevent marring from the drying towel.

Bird crap, I'd get off asap. On my first Yaris, I let it sit for 2 days since I had a final exam, and when I finally got it off, the clear coat was etched already.