Hi everyone,

This is my first nice car and I want to take care of it without going too far over into car obsession.

I've searched the forums and know that hand washing and waxing is best. I intend to do this every month or so, but is there an easier alternative in the Dallas area for weekly washes for us lazy folks (touchless washes and the like)? What products do you recommend for hand washing?

I'm also very curious which products you recommend to clean the interior and help repel dust (for both the dash and for the leather - I'm aware these will be seperate products). I'd rather not have to dust my car every other day to keep it looking nice if I can help it.

Thanks a bunch for your guidance!

Kelson

 

park your car in a paint booth. Dust free. lol

 

I just moved to the dallas area...luckily my place has a car wash seconds away.....and there is one just a block away from work too....sometimes i stop before or after work to clean the car...

I would just say stick with touchless...and make sure they dont have those horrible rails that scrape your wheels....look for the kind that dont use those and only use eye sensors...

as for interior...im still trying to figure that one out...

- Jason

 

Welcome and congratulations. How many mlles are on the car?

The detailing forum is all about detailing. Read and study.

If the car is on the road every day, I recommend a weekly hand wash. A touchless car wash is OK, but it presents you with a problem. It leaves the car dirty. After a touchless car wash I do NOT recommend wiping the surface with a towel. You have just ground the dirt into the paint. Not good.

90 percent of paint problems are caused by the owner. New owners will go to AutoZone, buy one bottle of everything and “give it a try.” If you are not familiar with a product and its intended purpose, leave it alone. It is best to err on the side of caution.

 

Ya pay me to detail it.

 

To learn more about how to wash and dry properly and what products to use I would recommend reading our Detailing Guide. The Wash and Dry section will give you lots of good insight on how to prevent swirls and fine scratches in the paint. This is the step where you'll add the most swirls if you're not careful. As for the products there are lots of great options out there. I would suggest you get our Washing and Drying Starter Kit for some high quality products.

I clean my interior with the 303 Cleaner and Spot Remover. It's very easy to use on anything vinyl and fabric. Just spray it on a towel or the desired surface and wipe it in. For interior protection I would recommend the 303 Aerospace Protectant, Plexus and a good microfiber towel. The 303 Aerospace Protectant is a great interior dressing that leaves a nice matte finish on anything vinyl, rubber, fiber glass, etc. It will help protect the surface and make future cleanings easier. For anything plastic I use Plexus, which is a cleaner, polish and protectant in one. Plexus has anti-static properties which helps repel dust. I use this product on my gauges, DVD/Nav screen, coated hard wood, etc. Using an Ultra Plush Microfiber Towel is really the key to keep it clean. This towel uses static electricity to pull in and trap dust. After you have applied protection you can just glide it over the dashboard, doors, etc. and it will easily pick up the dust, without circulating it back in to the air.

Let me know if you would like any more information or product recommendations. Good Luck!

Greg @ Detailed Image

 

You are welcome.

 

ouch, guess he would rather talk to me

 

I apologize for not getting back to you. I am reading all I can and compiling information to help me with this. There's a LOT to learn.

I appreciate your willingness to help. It's a new Z and I just broke 2k miles yesterday.

I've ordered a bunch of supplies from Detailed Image with Greg's help. I'm hoping to put them to good use within the next few days once the rain has passed.

Thanks again!
Kelson

 

If you need other supplies, I suggest checking out Tropi-Care. They are a local based company that uses similar products to Zaino, except better. You can often get a "bucket" with soap, mitts, towels, clay bars, etc. for like $60-80.

 

Do you know any other local stores in the DFW, TX area that carrys high end products? Does this Tropi-Care place only care there specific Tropi-Care products? I'm looking for some Zaino/Klasse Products. Anyways for the OP I would just keep a small MF towel in a compartment and just wipe the dash area weekly. If you're that lazy and have money you could just pay the guys to hand wash your car, it's like 50$ though. I personally enjoy detailing my car myself, the aftermath makes me feel so great.

 

Theres a store on preston and forest called the complete garage, they only carry griots garage, I think theres a detail store here that carries stuff, but its a body shop supply store english color or something. I can get you a sample of some klasse aio if you wish.

 

That would be wonderful! Do you know anything in the Arlington, TX area to be more specific? I was going to look at ordering something from Autopia Car-Care or Properautocare but I'd really perfer local buy if it's not insanely more expensive. I need a bunch of new supplies such as waffle weave towels and all.