What car wash do people use?

[janus77]

Am just wondering what brand of car was liquid people use, any recommendations, does it really make much of a difference?

['fatboy']

Meguiars...

I try to get something that won't remove the wax on my car.

[Taymaishu]

Mothers.

Gold Class Wash + 3 stage prep, seal & wax.

Usually i'm only using the Wash + last 2 stages as the prep should only be done once or twice a year.

[janus77]

So i'm a bit of a detailing novice. Is the idea to clean your car, then give it a coat of wax to protect the paint? Seeing as i haven't waxed my car, should i be looking at giving it a proper go over?

[Taymaishu]

Originally Posted by janus77

So i'm a bit of a detailing novice. Is the idea to clean your car, then give it a coat of wax to protect the paint? Seeing as i haven't waxed my car, should i be looking at giving it a proper go over?

If you're thinking of actually detailing, it's nearly an all-day job.

To get a good finish, you should be looking at Washing, claying, glaze, seal, wax.

This process usually takes me about 2 hours, depending on whether and how much i had to drink the night before/have had to drink.

[janus77]

sounds like a pain in the A-hole.. Can't you just wash, chamois and wax?

[janus77]

actually don't worry, i'll do some google searching to get the info

[wkthyk]

Get whatever car shampoo left at home, wash, chamois, check if any tough dirt sticking on paintwork, use spray detailer to remove them if find any, I'm a lazy person so I use the turtlewax ice liquid polish/wax - not lasting very long, not very shine, but no white residuals and very easy to apply, very good for lazy people who love to wax their car everyweek.

This take me less than an hour comfortably and 30 mins if in rush.

[zenderm3]

Anyone here use Zaino? I think that is how you spell it?

[Taymaishu]

Originally Posted by zenderm3

Anyone here use Zaino? I think that is how you spell it?

It's very popular in the USA.

I know a couple of us here in Aus use it. I noticed on the weekend at Autobarn that they are stocking a massive product range from AutoGlym. I want to try it

[Richard135i]

I have the ultimate solution, so if anyone interested PM me for more information.

[minijet]

Originally Posted by zenderm3

Anyone here use Zaino? I think that is how you spell it?

Yup I use Zaino.

Got he ultimate kit from the USA as its HEAPS cheaper than buying locally. The Zaino stuff is just a sealant and will only help you get that gloss to protect the car. It doesn’t really help to remove scratches or recondition (though they claim that Z5 does) the paintwork but that’s ok as the car is new.

I have a few layers of Z5 + ZPC for the base and heaps more layers of Z2 + ZPC for the shine.. Works great and give a great shine. Whilst I know that the shine may not be as deep as some of the natural stuff ie Swissvax, I actually find the Zaino products easy to put on and take off and also last ages! After 8-10months later the car still beads! Although less…

For washing im trying out Duragloss http://www.duragloss.com/product.asp?pid=296 and im finding it better than meguires gold class and the zaino stuff.

[~sarah~]

I dont think i have acutally washed my car myself since i have owned it. I usually take it to the hand carwash near my work, they do a brilliant job!! It is actually there getting washed right now

[Taymaishu]

Originally Posted by ~sarah~

I dont think i have acutally washed my car myself since i have owned it. I usually take it to the hand carwash near my work, they do a brilliant job!! It is actually there getting washed right now

I did this 2 weeks ago with Christine.

They did a great job, but installed more swirl marks than the dealer did on delivery. I spent 3 hours getting them out

[CT135]

I use Meguair's NXT 2.0 car wash & Wax (along with Scratch X and Swirl X for minor blemishes). I have done the claybar once also - you really need to only do that 1 or 2 times a year ... unless you are able to dedicate the time every week!

[Zuzu]

Originally Posted by zenderm3

Anyone here use Zaino? I think that is how you spell it?

Yep... You can buy online from..

zainobros.com.au

[BMWDave]

Usually, my car gets a simple spray with the hose, chamois dry reasonably regularly but before the onset of summer/winter, I give it the full meguairs treatment from pre-wash through to claybar. Best part of the day but the coat it leaves on the car is beautiful!

[sparoz]

Head to the detailing forum, there are tons of information there.

I have Maguire's NXT wash for the foam gun (I will explain), and Dodo Juice Supernatural for the wash. The main thing about the wash is that it needs to be gentle so it doesn't take off the wax, and have enough lubricants so dirt slides off. Foaming action is not important as long as it makes the surface slippery.

You have a black car, and swirl marks shows up easily if you don't wash your car properly. If you are not going to do a proper detail, here is what you should do:

1. Wet and wash the wheels first in a separate bucket - preferably with soft bristle brush, there are plenty on the market (you wash it first so it doesn't get the dirt on your paint work after you've cleaned the car)
2. Foam the car up with a foam gun if you have got one and let it sit for 2-3 minutes.
3. Rinse the car down with water
4. Wash car with your select choice of wash product - do not use detergent and other cheap wash - it removes the wax. Use a wash that is designed for cars, ie Swissvax, Dodo Juice, Maguires, Zaino, Zymol, Mother, etc, one panel at a time, and keep the rest of the paintwork wet.
5. Use a Microfibre Mitt or wash cloth only, do not use a sponge! Use one bucket (not the one you've just washed your wheels in) for your wash fluid, another to rinse so you don't transfer dirt back to the wash fluid.
6. Rinse car from the top, so water sheets off, and dry the car. For best results, use a Microfibre Weave Towel - one that is designed for drying - don't wipe - you hold onto one end and pull it towards you.
7. Do the windows - front first, then back, then side windows with any glass cleaner really.
8. Use a quick detailer to finish it off. Take care of door jams, internal, etc.

What you should not do:
1. Let your dealer wash your car.
2. Use a sponge to wash.
3. Have one bucket of water.
4. Take it to an automatic car wash.
5. Let anyone wash your car who doesn't know how to keep your paint swirl free.
6. Wash under the sun.

For waxing etc, I think it would be another topic.

Hope it helps.

[BrokenVert]

I use Mr. Clean AutoDry Car Wash.

[amk2912]

I'm a bit of a Philistine when it comes to car cleaning. The wife's X5 gets the BP Clean & Go - it's too big to clean with any real conviction.

The M3 gets a blast with the Karcher which dispenses Meguiars shampoo. Bucket of water/shampoo and microfibre to remove splatted/baked on insects and dirt, then a couple of blasts with the Karcher then chamois dry. A quick blast around the block to blow off any excess water and then a general rub over with a microfibre cloth. That's it! Haven't applied any polish or wax yet but I have some Meguiars quick polish stuff in a spray bottle.

[Breville]

Originally Posted by janus77

sounds like a pain in the A-hole.. Can't you just wash, chamois and wax?

I'm with you.

I pre-wash with the pressure jet and soap thingy, spray with clean water, clean with microfibre, rinse, chamy, wax. Or Qantas valet...

[AussieRacer]

Chemical Guys Maxi Suds + Citrus Wash