Suggestions for washing and waxing
Your first two steps before spending any money on wax??
a) get a NICE wash mitt
b) most important, get this thing called a grit guard www.gritguard.com im telling you, this will save your paint. you would not believe how much grit and grime is in the bottom of your bucket by the time your done.. and the way you do it now washes that crap right into your paint each time.
I have one of these and I definatlely recommended it. Then go get a nice wax and an orbit polisher.
a) get a NICE wash mitt
b) most important, get this thing called a grit guard www.gritguard.com im telling you, this will save your paint. you would not believe how much grit and grime is in the bottom of your bucket by the time your done.. and the way you do it now washes that crap right into your paint each time.
I have one of these and I definatlely recommended it. Then go get a nice wax and an orbit polisher.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
SL Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 168
Thanks for all the recommendations guys, gives me some good starting points, any further suggestions are of course welcome.
I have to reiterate that I want long lasting and easy to apply over deep show car shine... so the one step long lasting options (never heard of DG but will have to look into it) are appealing to me.
As for wash mits, what about those brushes you can attach to your hose? I would think they are good as the water running through them constantly keeps them from collecting dirt and scratching your car....
Seems in general microfiber everything is the way to go? Cotton is not the fabric of choice anymore?
I have to reiterate that I want long lasting and easy to apply over deep show car shine... so the one step long lasting options (never heard of DG but will have to look into it) are appealing to me.
As for wash mits, what about those brushes you can attach to your hose? I would think they are good as the water running through them constantly keeps them from collecting dirt and scratching your car....
Seems in general microfiber everything is the way to go? Cotton is not the fabric of choice anymore?
Member
SL Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 87
From: Baton Rouge, LA
yes, microfiber is the way to go. And i dont know about the hose attachment, never tried it.
And you can find DG products at a carquest if there is one near you, or i think most pep boys carry it. their wash soap is great- super lubricated and smells like cherries. And i use their 105 wax topped with aquawax when i want a really good shine, and then just use aquawax in between.
And you can find DG products at a carquest if there is one near you, or i think most pep boys carry it. their wash soap is great- super lubricated and smells like cherries. And i use their 105 wax topped with aquawax when i want a really good shine, and then just use aquawax in between.
Senior Member
SL Member
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,533
From: Mountain View, CA
check out autopia.org
They have a lot of info and reviews on the various car care products. Zaino's is available only online (I think) but a lot of people like it for their high end cars.
Basically;
wash with car wash shampoo - NOT Dishwashing liquid
Use microfibers cloths / wash mitts, etc. DO NOT use a cloth if you drop it on the ground - I like the big yellow ones you can get at Costco - like a bag of 30 for $10.
Clay your paint - gets rid of surface contaminant nicely - the little bumps you feel on your paint even AFTER you wash your car. Clay bars - You can read up on it on autopia.org.
Polish - hmmm I dunno how necessary it is. Good if you have a lot oxidation and wear on your paint. I dunno if you really need to if you just have a lot of surface contaminants.
Sealant - Pretty good - this assumes though that your paint is nice and clean. I like Klasse-All-in-one. A nice synthetic acrylic-based sealant / wax / polish that lasts for a long time (3-6 months for me)
Wax - people spend a lot of energy fighting over this one but the previous steps are a lot more important towards the long care health of your paintjob.
They have a lot of info and reviews on the various car care products. Zaino's is available only online (I think) but a lot of people like it for their high end cars.
Basically;
wash with car wash shampoo - NOT Dishwashing liquid
Use microfibers cloths / wash mitts, etc. DO NOT use a cloth if you drop it on the ground - I like the big yellow ones you can get at Costco - like a bag of 30 for $10.
Clay your paint - gets rid of surface contaminant nicely - the little bumps you feel on your paint even AFTER you wash your car. Clay bars - You can read up on it on autopia.org.
Polish - hmmm I dunno how necessary it is. Good if you have a lot oxidation and wear on your paint. I dunno if you really need to if you just have a lot of surface contaminants.
Sealant - Pretty good - this assumes though that your paint is nice and clean. I like Klasse-All-in-one. A nice synthetic acrylic-based sealant / wax / polish that lasts for a long time (3-6 months for me)
Wax - people spend a lot of energy fighting over this one but the previous steps are a lot more important towards the long care health of your paintjob.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
SL Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 168
I have heard good things about klasse but it always seemed to be a kit recommended which contained 4 or 5 products and cost over $100... I see I can get a 33 oz klasse all in one jug for under $40... that sounds ideal.
It sounds like this, a bag of microfiber clothes and a wash mitt will be enough to get me going yeah?
I might go clay bar sometime but I am not pessimistic about that and it seems you can do that any time right?
Thinking along these lines:
http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product...lang=en-US&s=1
http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product...lang=en-US&s=1
http://www.amazon.com/Klasse-All-One.../dp/B0002LBKF6
http://www.meguiars.com/?car-washing...gle-Body-Brush
and something like this maybe
http://www.autogeek.net/pinmicmit.html
It sounds like this, a bag of microfiber clothes and a wash mitt will be enough to get me going yeah?
I might go clay bar sometime but I am not pessimistic about that and it seems you can do that any time right?
Thinking along these lines:
http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product...lang=en-US&s=1
http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product...lang=en-US&s=1
http://www.amazon.com/Klasse-All-One.../dp/B0002LBKF6
http://www.meguiars.com/?car-washing...gle-Body-Brush
and something like this maybe
http://www.autogeek.net/pinmicmit.html
Senior Member
SL Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,726
There's been a recent craze over grout sponges, available from Lowe's or Home Depot (loose kinds, available unwrapped.)
I would go with one of those before anything else. They're cheap, effective, and last forever. However, they do lose solution fast and don't give it up readily. I use one and watched really closely for wash-induced marring and have yet to see any. If not a grout sponge then I would go with a lambs wool mitt. The reason for that is microfiber has that "sticky" quality to it. It's basically microscopic channels to hold the wash solution and dirt and it can be difficult to rinse clean, even using the two bucket method. I've found lambs wool to release dirt more readily than microfiber mitts, but many people use microfiber with the same success.
I *feel* like microfiber is the most aggressive of the wash mediums. The micro channels are really good at getting every last piece of dirt of the paint in one pass, whereas other mediums might require another pass on dirtier vehicles (really only a problem with unwaxed cars.) If used with a grit guard, or frequently rinsed out thoroughly, MF is probably one of the better wash mediums.
Brushes are a little bit misunderstood in the detailing world. I like using then for wheels, but only because the bristles reach into the lug nut sockets. If you use a brush very carefully, as if it were any other kind of mitt or sponge, it'll be good. Even synthetic brushes are pretty good on paint. The key of brush function is that its long bristles act as channels for wash solution to travel up (adhesive and cohesive forces at play.) However, if you get the wrong brush, or if a brush is manufactured improperly, too stiff bristles can scratch up your paint pretty badly. Also, "paint friendly" brushes are feathered at the ends. But sometimes, the feathered tip will wear down past the "feathers" and it'll be stiff unfeathered bristles on your paint. There's no simple way of checking your brush for this wear. A respected member of Autopia once ruined some BBS wheels because of this de-feathering thing.
Aside from wash media, your choices of microfiber are pretty good. If you're willing to shop online I would get all of it from autogeek. Your detailing microfibers are fine but for drying you'll want to look for a 70/30 blend (most blends are 80/20.) 70/30 blends will be advertised as such and are specifically made for drying (more absorbent.) Btw, I don't remember what the two numbers are for. One is for polyamide and the other is polyester. And uh... I haven't found waffle weave or regular pile to make that big of a difference in drying but most people will swear that waffle weaves dry better.
I would go with one of those before anything else. They're cheap, effective, and last forever. However, they do lose solution fast and don't give it up readily. I use one and watched really closely for wash-induced marring and have yet to see any. If not a grout sponge then I would go with a lambs wool mitt. The reason for that is microfiber has that "sticky" quality to it. It's basically microscopic channels to hold the wash solution and dirt and it can be difficult to rinse clean, even using the two bucket method. I've found lambs wool to release dirt more readily than microfiber mitts, but many people use microfiber with the same success.
I *feel* like microfiber is the most aggressive of the wash mediums. The micro channels are really good at getting every last piece of dirt of the paint in one pass, whereas other mediums might require another pass on dirtier vehicles (really only a problem with unwaxed cars.) If used with a grit guard, or frequently rinsed out thoroughly, MF is probably one of the better wash mediums.
Brushes are a little bit misunderstood in the detailing world. I like using then for wheels, but only because the bristles reach into the lug nut sockets. If you use a brush very carefully, as if it were any other kind of mitt or sponge, it'll be good. Even synthetic brushes are pretty good on paint. The key of brush function is that its long bristles act as channels for wash solution to travel up (adhesive and cohesive forces at play.) However, if you get the wrong brush, or if a brush is manufactured improperly, too stiff bristles can scratch up your paint pretty badly. Also, "paint friendly" brushes are feathered at the ends. But sometimes, the feathered tip will wear down past the "feathers" and it'll be stiff unfeathered bristles on your paint. There's no simple way of checking your brush for this wear. A respected member of Autopia once ruined some BBS wheels because of this de-feathering thing.
Aside from wash media, your choices of microfiber are pretty good. If you're willing to shop online I would get all of it from autogeek. Your detailing microfibers are fine but for drying you'll want to look for a 70/30 blend (most blends are 80/20.) 70/30 blends will be advertised as such and are specifically made for drying (more absorbent.) Btw, I don't remember what the two numbers are for. One is for polyamide and the other is polyester. And uh... I haven't found waffle weave or regular pile to make that big of a difference in drying but most people will swear that waffle weaves dry better.
Anyone tried fast wax? I just go one from a guy selling in the self car wash, I bought one to try but I expected it was like a scam.. Just tried it today and it works great!! Its a spray that you just wipe on and wipe off, no water and its amazingly clean, the dirt and hard water spots comes off easily without hard buffing. it works well on glass too better than any glass cleaner I've used
Senior Member
SL Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 568
From: Bethesda, MD
1) Never use a sponge. It will trap dirt and grime on the surface and scratch your clear coat.
2) Use car wash solution. This is designed to work with the wax on your car an not strip it off
3) Use 2 buckets and two wash mitts, one for the lower half of your car and one for the top half. Since the bottom half of the car will be dirtier than the top, this will help reduce scratches because one mitt is used for the bottom and one for the top.
4) Always wash in the shade if possible
As far as wax, I have a ton of it, Mothers, meguiars, eagle one, etc. It is finding what you like.
And like someone said autopia.org There is so much stuff on washing cars there. That is where I learned. Because there is no way we can tell you everything you need to know.
2) Use car wash solution. This is designed to work with the wax on your car an not strip it off
3) Use 2 buckets and two wash mitts, one for the lower half of your car and one for the top half. Since the bottom half of the car will be dirtier than the top, this will help reduce scratches because one mitt is used for the bottom and one for the top.
4) Always wash in the shade if possible
As far as wax, I have a ton of it, Mothers, meguiars, eagle one, etc. It is finding what you like.
And like someone said autopia.org There is so much stuff on washing cars there. That is where I learned. Because there is no way we can tell you everything you need to know.
Senior Member
SL Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,457
From: Earth
Originally Posted by kungpaosamuraiii
There's been a recent craze over grout sponges, available from Lowe's or Home Depot (loose kinds, available unwrapped.)
I would go with one of those before anything else. They're cheap, effective, and last forever. However, they do lose solution fast and don't give it up readily. I use one and watched really closely for wash-induced marring and have yet to see any. If not a grout sponge then I would go with a lambs wool mitt. The reason for that is microfiber has that "sticky" quality to it. It's basically microscopic channels to hold the wash solution and dirt and it can be difficult to rinse clean, even using the two bucket method. I've found lambs wool to release dirt more readily than microfiber mitts, but many people use microfiber with the same success.
I *feel* like microfiber is the most aggressive of the wash mediums. The micro channels are really good at getting every last piece of dirt of the paint in one pass, whereas other mediums might require another pass on dirtier vehicles (really only a problem with unwaxed cars.) If used with a grit guard, or frequently rinsed out thoroughly, MF is probably one of the better wash mediums.
Brushes are a little bit misunderstood in the detailing world. I like using then for wheels, but only because the bristles reach into the lug nut sockets. If you use a brush very carefully, as if it were any other kind of mitt or sponge, it'll be good. Even synthetic brushes are pretty good on paint. The key of brush function is that its long bristles act as channels for wash solution to travel up (adhesive and cohesive forces at play.) However, if you get the wrong brush, or if a brush is manufactured improperly, too stiff bristles can scratch up your paint pretty badly. Also, "paint friendly" brushes are feathered at the ends. But sometimes, the feathered tip will wear down past the "feathers" and it'll be stiff unfeathered bristles on your paint. There's no simple way of checking your brush for this wear. A respected member of Autopia once ruined some BBS wheels because of this de-feathering thing.
Aside from wash media, your choices of microfiber are pretty good. If you're willing to shop online I would get all of it from autogeek. Your detailing microfibers are fine but for drying you'll want to look for a 70/30 blend (most blends are 80/20.) 70/30 blends will be advertised as such and are specifically made for drying (more absorbent.) Btw, I don't remember what the two numbers are for. One is for polyamide and the other is polyester. And uh... I haven't found waffle weave or regular pile to make that big of a difference in drying but most people will swear that waffle weaves dry better.
I would go with one of those before anything else. They're cheap, effective, and last forever. However, they do lose solution fast and don't give it up readily. I use one and watched really closely for wash-induced marring and have yet to see any. If not a grout sponge then I would go with a lambs wool mitt. The reason for that is microfiber has that "sticky" quality to it. It's basically microscopic channels to hold the wash solution and dirt and it can be difficult to rinse clean, even using the two bucket method. I've found lambs wool to release dirt more readily than microfiber mitts, but many people use microfiber with the same success.
I *feel* like microfiber is the most aggressive of the wash mediums. The micro channels are really good at getting every last piece of dirt of the paint in one pass, whereas other mediums might require another pass on dirtier vehicles (really only a problem with unwaxed cars.) If used with a grit guard, or frequently rinsed out thoroughly, MF is probably one of the better wash mediums.
Brushes are a little bit misunderstood in the detailing world. I like using then for wheels, but only because the bristles reach into the lug nut sockets. If you use a brush very carefully, as if it were any other kind of mitt or sponge, it'll be good. Even synthetic brushes are pretty good on paint. The key of brush function is that its long bristles act as channels for wash solution to travel up (adhesive and cohesive forces at play.) However, if you get the wrong brush, or if a brush is manufactured improperly, too stiff bristles can scratch up your paint pretty badly. Also, "paint friendly" brushes are feathered at the ends. But sometimes, the feathered tip will wear down past the "feathers" and it'll be stiff unfeathered bristles on your paint. There's no simple way of checking your brush for this wear. A respected member of Autopia once ruined some BBS wheels because of this de-feathering thing.
Aside from wash media, your choices of microfiber are pretty good. If you're willing to shop online I would get all of it from autogeek. Your detailing microfibers are fine but for drying you'll want to look for a 70/30 blend (most blends are 80/20.) 70/30 blends will be advertised as such and are specifically made for drying (more absorbent.) Btw, I don't remember what the two numbers are for. One is for polyamide and the other is polyester. And uh... I haven't found waffle weave or regular pile to make that big of a difference in drying but most people will swear that waffle weaves dry better.
Grout sponges are the best method to clean your ride! I made the switch from MF to grout sponges (for washing) and will never look back.
I prefer Lowes ProLine Professional Tile & Grout Sponge 7 x 4.5 x 2.25, $1.98 each, that I slice in half height wise to make two 7 x 4.5 x 1.125 sponges.
I use 14 sponges each wash, using ONR because of water restrictions. 1 wash bucket, 2 rinse buckets.
The sponges I use for the bottom half of the paint areused once, maybe twice, before retireing them for the day.
The sponges release dirt better than any MF/lamb/cotton mitt I have ever used.
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 965
From: Eastern Illinois University
Originally Posted by Dr_Isotope
Meguiars is fine if you're happy with off-the-shelf consumer grade product that's really no better than anything else sitting on the shelf next to it. You'll get the same results from Mother's, Black Magic, hell, even Turtle Wax. Sure, the professional stuff is better, but the increased cost will easily allow you to buy better product.
Sonus 3-step paint prep, Klasse acrylic sealant, P21s carnauba. Go to Klasse + P21s, you'll never go back to consumer waxes.
Sonus 3-step paint prep, Klasse acrylic sealant, P21s carnauba. Go to Klasse + P21s, you'll never go back to consumer waxes.
I've been waxing with Pinnacle Liquid Souveran it's a very easy wax to work with, I will never go back to meguiars.
Here's alot of pinnacles products...http://www.autogeek.net/picarcaki.html
I also use alot of adam's products as far as detailing goes. http://www.adamspolishes.com/
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Sgtfluffy16
Regional - Northeast
3
Jul 28, 2021 10:32 PM
Klunkerbill
Scion xB 1st-Gen Owners Lounge
5
Nov 9, 2015 11:39 PM
edwinisdumb15
Regional - Pacific South
1
Sep 13, 2015 12:44 AM