Tips or Tricks for keeping your car clean?
#21
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Sonax also makes a superior tire treatment. It is extremely long-lasting, through many rain storms and washes, and does not turn the tire into a brownish color like many I've used.
It's labeled "gloss," but once dry it's just a nice satin black. I only feel the need to use it every other month because it keeps the tires looking good for a long time.
It's labeled "gloss," but once dry it's just a nice satin black. I only feel the need to use it every other month because it keeps the tires looking good for a long time.
Thanks,
Dave
#23
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Uncle Fishbits (04-28-2016)
#24
#25
#27
![Smile](https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/images/icons/icon7.gif)
for me
pressure washer
snow foam attachment
loads of microfibres
clay bar used with lots of water and soap, turned over numerous times
wash off each panel with fresh water not from a bucket
dry with a few big towels
and most importantly.....the outside tap which is a mixer tap and provides nice warm or hot water..........just right for a cool summers day in the UK and makes everything soap up better
pressure washer
snow foam attachment
loads of microfibres
clay bar used with lots of water and soap, turned over numerous times
wash off each panel with fresh water not from a bucket
dry with a few big towels
and most importantly.....the outside tap which is a mixer tap and provides nice warm or hot water..........just right for a cool summers day in the UK and makes everything soap up better
#28
![Default](/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif)
for me
pressure washer
snow foam attachment
loads of microfibres
clay bar used with lots of water and soap, turned over numerous times
wash off each panel with fresh water not from a bucket
dry with a few big towels
and most importantly.....the outside tap which is a mixer tap and provides nice warm or hot water..........just right for a cool summers day in the UK and makes everything soap up better
pressure washer
snow foam attachment
loads of microfibres
clay bar used with lots of water and soap, turned over numerous times
wash off each panel with fresh water not from a bucket
dry with a few big towels
and most importantly.....the outside tap which is a mixer tap and provides nice warm or hot water..........just right for a cool summers day in the UK and makes everything soap up better
#29
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After wasting too much time and too much money on too many products and not ever ending up with the perfect look I wanted I have reached now the point where every new car goes straight to the detailer. Paint corrected, wrapped and then quartzed/glassed (whatever your preferred product is). I never touch my cars washing them except when dirt does not come off after power wash, foam lance and power wash. That is what the quartz/glass does, it is so smooth that dirt just rinses off.
The few spots, like behind the wheels where dirt is more embedded I use a microfiber sponge with lots of super slipper honey dew soap and wash it off after power wash and foam lance. Then when clean the car gets blow dried with a heated master blaster, never touched with a piece of cloth. The car ends up with now streaks, no swirls, and no new scratches in a show room shine. The quartz/glass lasts about 2-4 years depending where you live, how often you wash your car and whether you store it inside or out. It takes me about an hour to do one car including setting everything up. It takes me less than 30 minutes to get a car to showroom shine if I am already setup, without vacuuming and wiping down the interior of course. I do 4 cars in an afternoon.
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The few spots, like behind the wheels where dirt is more embedded I use a microfiber sponge with lots of super slipper honey dew soap and wash it off after power wash and foam lance. Then when clean the car gets blow dried with a heated master blaster, never touched with a piece of cloth. The car ends up with now streaks, no swirls, and no new scratches in a show room shine. The quartz/glass lasts about 2-4 years depending where you live, how often you wash your car and whether you store it inside or out. It takes me about an hour to do one car including setting everything up. It takes me less than 30 minutes to get a car to showroom shine if I am already setup, without vacuuming and wiping down the interior of course. I do 4 cars in an afternoon.
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superq7 (04-22-2016)
#31
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I always wash my own sports or collector cars.....wouldn't let anyone else. I don't know about tips, but here's what I do;
- store them in a climate controlled garage with no direct sunlight
- hand wash using a clean microfibre cloth and car wash liquid (turtlewax is my current)
- wax with a heavy wax periodically depending on use
- use a duster to dust off between washings (a light cover would work too)
- I don't use much else; no tire shine, no armorall, nothing in the interior 'cept a damp microfibre.....may look into a leather conditioner for this car.
Dave
- store them in a climate controlled garage with no direct sunlight
- hand wash using a clean microfibre cloth and car wash liquid (turtlewax is my current)
- wax with a heavy wax periodically depending on use
- use a duster to dust off between washings (a light cover would work too)
- I don't use much else; no tire shine, no armorall, nothing in the interior 'cept a damp microfibre.....may look into a leather conditioner for this car.
Dave
I don't have a garage, but I do have a car port..... but the pollen!!!
I am going to compile all the ideas in this thread now... wish me luck!
#32
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Compiling the thread:
It seems -
try and have a garage.
2 buckets: one warm soapy water, one fresh rinse bucket. Grit guards preferred.
Wash mits, no sponges. Ever. (any rec on a solid one you love?)
Pressure wash system like DI 120 CR Spotless System
Foam Gun.
Rinse with clean water.
Microfibre to dry. Never chamois. Never terry.
Tires should look matte and not glossy, so the only preferred solution is Sonax Tire Gel. (Is the tire gel for the tire, while the Meguiars is for the wheel?)
Wash the convertible top as seldom as possible, when you do water only. Keeps it water repellant much longer.
Products:
Spotless "wash and walk away" spotless water system:
Tornador Pneumatic Foaming Gun (need air compressor connection):
Tornador® Pneumatic Foaming Gun - Griot's Garage
Pinnacle Foam Master Gun (no air compressor needed):
5 gallon bucket with grit guard (not mentioned or approved in thread):
Sonax Tire Gel:
or Meguiars Shine Gloss for Tires:
Rag company microfibre detail starter kit:
Auto Detailer's Starter Microfiber Kit | The Rag Company
California Duster (this is perfect!! Thanks!):
Someone explain the allure of quik detailer... just a nice finish to give gloss 'tween wax?:
Let me know what I left out. Apparently I am going to spend a few bucks here. LOL WAY cheaper than allowing my dealer's free wash ruin the paint, or a drive through (which seem totally dangerous in every way).....
It seems -
try and have a garage.
2 buckets: one warm soapy water, one fresh rinse bucket. Grit guards preferred.
Wash mits, no sponges. Ever. (any rec on a solid one you love?)
Pressure wash system like DI 120 CR Spotless System
Foam Gun.
Rinse with clean water.
Microfibre to dry. Never chamois. Never terry.
Tires should look matte and not glossy, so the only preferred solution is Sonax Tire Gel. (Is the tire gel for the tire, while the Meguiars is for the wheel?)
Wash the convertible top as seldom as possible, when you do water only. Keeps it water repellant much longer.
Products:
Spotless "wash and walk away" spotless water system:
Tornador Pneumatic Foaming Gun (need air compressor connection):
Tornador® Pneumatic Foaming Gun - Griot's Garage
Pinnacle Foam Master Gun (no air compressor needed):
5 gallon bucket with grit guard (not mentioned or approved in thread):
Sonax Tire Gel:
or Meguiars Shine Gloss for Tires:
Rag company microfibre detail starter kit:
Auto Detailer's Starter Microfiber Kit | The Rag Company
California Duster (this is perfect!! Thanks!):
Someone explain the allure of quik detailer... just a nice finish to give gloss 'tween wax?:
Let me know what I left out. Apparently I am going to spend a few bucks here. LOL WAY cheaper than allowing my dealer's free wash ruin the paint, or a drive through (which seem totally dangerous in every way).....
Last edited by Uncle Fishbits; 04-28-2016 at 07:24 PM.
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Padre (05-06-2016)
#35
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I wash my cars a couple of times a week, not so much because they get dirty, but because I find it among the most relaxing things I can do in 30 minutes; it's just plain soothing to me. Also, if you own a Jaguar, you necessarily have tons of brake dust after only a few miles of driving. I prefer Meguiar's Gold Class Car Wash (sometimes available at Costco) but will use anything like Armor All Wash or Turtle Wax. I use a small window washing bucket that has two small compartments that I fill with soap and water. I wash with microfibre towels. After washing, I dry with the heavier napped side of newer microfibre towels. Newer because after a dozen or so dryings, the nap is pressed down and much harder (potential for swirls etc.). After the newer microfibres are no longer real soft, they become the new batch of the washing rags. I recently tried Meguiar's Ultimate Synthetic Paste Wax and was impressed with how easily it spread and wiped off. We'll see how long it lasts.
As for the wheels, I will admit I have not tried the Sonax products, but I find a 50/50 mix of Simple Green and water sprayed all over the wheels and tires along with the microfibre rags that have been retired from the wash bucket clean them very thoroughly. After cleaning each wheel and wiping down the excess water, I will wipe completely dry with a fresh dry microfibre. On my car with silver wheels, this last step is not as important as it is on the car with black wheels. The last step takes away the water streaking and leaves the wheels bright and shiny.
And by the way, that is the best way to do the windows as well: wipe away excess water, leaving them damp but without drops, followed immediately by a very dry, lint free, microfibre "buff."
I have red calipers which get cleaned while doing the wheels, however, I'm often too lazy to back the car up a few inches in order to clean the parts of the calipers hidden behind the wheel spokes. So, I will usually have rags in my trunk and after I've stopped somewhere, I'll clean the rest of the caliper in its new position.
For tailpipes, about every six months I'll take 0000 steel wool and Mother's Metal polish and bring them back to new.
Everyone has their own routine, it's kind of fun reading about all of them.
As for the wheels, I will admit I have not tried the Sonax products, but I find a 50/50 mix of Simple Green and water sprayed all over the wheels and tires along with the microfibre rags that have been retired from the wash bucket clean them very thoroughly. After cleaning each wheel and wiping down the excess water, I will wipe completely dry with a fresh dry microfibre. On my car with silver wheels, this last step is not as important as it is on the car with black wheels. The last step takes away the water streaking and leaves the wheels bright and shiny.
And by the way, that is the best way to do the windows as well: wipe away excess water, leaving them damp but without drops, followed immediately by a very dry, lint free, microfibre "buff."
I have red calipers which get cleaned while doing the wheels, however, I'm often too lazy to back the car up a few inches in order to clean the parts of the calipers hidden behind the wheel spokes. So, I will usually have rags in my trunk and after I've stopped somewhere, I'll clean the rest of the caliper in its new position.
For tailpipes, about every six months I'll take 0000 steel wool and Mother's Metal polish and bring them back to new.
Everyone has their own routine, it's kind of fun reading about all of them.
Last edited by tberg; 04-28-2016 at 10:27 PM.
#36
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Adam's Car Wash Detailing Trio | Car Washing Supplies Trio
#37
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Wheel woolies for cleaning the wheels.
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jaguny (05-06-2016)
#38
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Wheel woolies for cleaning the wheels.
Amazon.com: Chemical Guys ACC_M10 Wheel Woolies Wheel Brushes (3 Brushes): Automotive
Amazon.com: Chemical Guys ACC_M10 Wheel Woolies Wheel Brushes (3 Brushes): Automotive
+1 Between these and Sonax, I brake dust is no longer a concern.
#39
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You can find a lot of accessories for your car care needs here:
Car Care Products, Detailing Supplies, Auto Accessories - Griot's Garage 800-345-5789
(I'm more referring to buckets, wash mits, towels, etc)
Car Care Products, Detailing Supplies, Auto Accessories - Griot's Garage 800-345-5789
(I'm more referring to buckets, wash mits, towels, etc)