Extreme noob question (don't laugh): how do I wash my car?
 

I know that this sounds ridiculous and am willing to take the flames for some good advice.

I just bought my Z on Wednesday and couldn't be happier. My last car was a '90 Integra that gave me 15 great years, but I never really babied it. I used to just wash it with dish soap and old t-shirts and dry it with old bath towels. Of course I got some swirling, but I never worried too much about it. With the Z, I worry. I want to keep my Z looking show-room new.

So what do you guys recommend as far as what kind of soap, towels, etc. to use? I've seen some threads here where people use leaf-blowers to dry their cars! And what about wax? There's a really long thread in the Detailing discussion about Crystal Guard. It seems like lots of Z owners swear by it.

Thanks!

Search on the forums for Zaino or Dr Bonz. Bonz posted details once on the best way to wash your car.

Not laughing at all, it's a good question.

I will search later and post the link here for you.

Congrats on your new Z and welcome to the forums :D

Z-Stalker

Re: Extreme noob question (don't laugh): how do I wash my car?
 

This is in my own opinion, others will say different but..
1.)Dont use dish soap unless you want to strip off the wax you have on there.
2.)Dry with a real good shamois.(cant spell)
3.)Use a claybar before you start waxing
4.)Order Zainos on line and put at least 4 coats on- Spray between coats with zainos spray polish.
5.)Buff off with a 100% cotton towel made in the USA.

My .02 cents
BEN

Re: Re: Extreme noob question (don't laugh): how do I wash my car?
 

Chamois - you dont really dry it with it - get the chamois very wet in a bucket of water, wring it out - and just pull it across the auto. It absorbs lots of water. Works great. I use EVER-WEAR paint sealant as a wax (contains teflon ) Keeps the finish nice!! Only have to use it twice a year - even going through the car wash,:D

Check out detailing tips at this site:

http://www.properautocare.com/index.html

Also read Bonz columns at:

http://www.350zfrenzy.com/forum/view.php?pg=editorials

I wash with Mothers California Gold. I use the Meguiars NXT wax because I really couldn't be bothered wasting a whole day waxing a car and the car still ends up looking great. Not once have I ever used a towel to dry off the z. I just go on the highway after washing and the water just slides off (if you're going fast enough).

Meguiars Spray on wax, for the impatient guys that wants a shine very quickly and lasts pretty long too

I guess thats a nice way to dry a vehicle off, however, when you come back to wax, wouldnt you have to wash off the dust you just picked up drying off your car? Unless canada has some really really clean streets.

Chamois - don't use it at all!

Get a large waffle-weave Microfiber towel from any one of the places that sells high quality car care products.

Here's a link to some pretty good instructions posted by a fellow member:

http://crackaddict.com/~flynn/howtos/washhowto.htm


Also, check out http://autopia.org and you'll find a lot of great instructions on how to wash and detail your Z.

Why don't you want to use chamois?

Ian

Goto: www.properautocare.com.

They have great products! I use blackfire myself. However, I'm starting to think that using Meguire's is prob just as good as Zaino, Blackfire, etc..

However, on the site listed above, I would definately recommend their "Big Blue" towel for drying. It's microfiber and VERY effective.

Also, use only microfiber products to clean you car with.

Ditto on Big Blu

I love Meguire's tech wax. Easy on, easy off. Done.

The look is very nice. The water repelling ability is amazing. And when you run the back of your fingers on the car, she feels almost like silk.........or maybe it's just me.

I just don't see the point of spending a good chunk of your time, money, and elbow grease like some of the more complicated brands require you to. You can get the same result with Meguires tech wax for less time, money, and effort. After using Meguires, I felt so silly that I spent all that time dealing with Crystal Guard.

But then it may be a subjective thing, so to each his own.

I heard sand paper is best for washing and drying


....j/p

Use the 2 bucket system. One with soap and water, the other with just water. After washing each panel with soap use the 2nd bucket to rinse out any dirt that is collect by your sponse or towel. Hope this helps.

3rd to the Big Blue. I don't know how I ever dried my car without it. I use the full Zaino product line and really like it.

i dry my car off with my leaf blower.

blows the water right off.. just like the local car wash.. totally touchless.

Thanks, everyone, for all of the info. I am certain that I am not the only one who appreciates this. :)

i use the MR clean autodry . its worth its $20


just get one of those and in the real dirty areas go over it with on of those wash mits.

your done in 5 minutes!

I use the big blue microfiber towel for drying.

Not sure how true this is, but I was once told that chamois is can suck the wax out of painted surfaces. (not sure how that applies to all the modern synthetic polishs/paint protectants)

Try this minimalist approach:

Go to your local Autozone & buy a gallon of "car wash soap" I wash my car whenever good weather provides, and I finish it off (after towel drying) with Meguiars quick detail. Its a polish that someone reccomended to me a long time ago and I've used it ever since. It gets the water spots out and prolongs that "just waxed" look. I also wax the car 3 to 4 time during the spring summer fall seasons and the car looks great always.

I love my Z but I do realize its just a car. ;)