Really Dumb Question: Car Wash Tips?

PonyKeg · May 23, 2005

Confession: I am the world's worst car washer. As I proved yet again this weekend, leaving spots all over my 05 Pony.

What I know: Wash in the shade. Hose down the entire car before soaping. Use automotive detergent, not kitchen stuff. Use a soft mitt for washing. Wash small sections of the car in sequence, starting with the roof, so suds don't dry before rinsing. Dry with towels or a chamois. Windex the windows.

Questions: Basically, what am I doing wrong here? Whenever I use a chamois, I make a mess of streaks. What kinds of towels are best for washing and drying? Any other tips?

Maybe I'm just doomed to be a lousy car washer. But I sure don't want to trust anybody else putting their grubby mitts all over my Pony ...

TEAShea · May 23, 2005

If you are getting streaking, it could mean that the chamois you are using is dirty or oily. A chamois is generally not a good idea because it will push dirt particles into the paint and scratch the finish. A clean cotton towel or microfiber towel is better.

TEAShea

nbk13nw · May 23, 2005

PonyKeg said:
Confession: I am the world's worst car washer. As I proved yet again this weekend, leaving spots all over my 05 Pony.

What I know: Wash in the shade. Hose down the entire car before soaping. Use automotive detergent, not kitchen stuff. Use a soft mitt for washing. Wash small sections of the car in sequence, starting with the roof, so suds don't dry before rinsing. Dry with towels or a chamois. Windex the windows.

Questions: Basically, what am I doing wrong here? Whenever I use a chamois, I make a mess of streaks. What kinds of towels are best for washing and drying? Any other tips?

Maybe I'm just doomed to be a lousy car washer. But I sure don't want to trust anybody else putting their grubby mitts all over my Pony ...

What TEA Shea said! A good microfiber towel... actually... I use quite a few when I am dryig off the car. Mine is black and I get no streaking at all. Just keep it cool while washing, never wash when the body is hot or the wheels for that matter.

Capt Dan · May 23, 2005

Spots could also mean hard water. I have heard good things about the Mr Clean Auto dry system. haven't used it myself.

05Stangster · May 23, 2005

Another tip - when you wash and dry your towels, do NOT use fabric softener b/c the towels do not absorb nearly as well.

MyBlueOval · May 23, 2005

Capt Dan said:
Spots could also mean hard water. I have heard good things about the Mr Clean Auto dry system. haven't used it myself.

If you have hard water a filter system or water softener is an absolute must to prevent spotting. I can vouch for the Mr. Clean system. The water where I live is horribly hard and Mr. Clean provides for a spot free dry.

You can also try using a leaf blower (don't laugh) to do a "power dry" before you wipe down with a high-quality 100% cotton towel.

oohsoobad2 · May 23, 2005

I used to use the California Water blade which worked well however I recently spent $30 on an electric leafblower and I love it !! Its the easiest way Ive ever dried my car off. I use it with a clean towel to wipe down areas that run. Cut my drying time in half !!!

nbk13nw · May 24, 2005

oohsoobad2 said:
I used to use the California Water blade which worked well however I recently spent $30 on an electric leafblower and I love it !! Its the easiest way Ive ever dried my car off. I use it with a clean towel to wipe down areas that run. Cut my drying time in half !!!

The blower idea is a great one at that, but if you are still using the "blade" I would be very careful. If you were to pick up a particle it can leave a scratch the entire length of the stroke.

PonyKeg · May 24, 2005

Great tips, guys. I'll give it another try this weekend. Thanks!

Mike06_10pm · May 24, 2005

the leaf blower works very well since it will dry most of the car and get the water out of the places you didnt realize water was in ex. your mirrors, rear tail lights, doors. before i used the leaf blower i always thought the war was totally dry and then drove around the block to find all these streaks from when you actually drive the car the water coming out of these places. the leaf blower eliminates this, everyone should use one.

but how can we forget about Nino and his great car washing tips?! heres the link...
http://nino.dnsalias.org/carwash/

PonyKeg · May 24, 2005

Great link, Mike -- thanks!

biznazion · May 24, 2005

This is great... I'm not the only one who does the leaf blower thing. My wife and neighbors all get a good laugh when I'm drying my cars, but I find that nothing drys them better or more completely. Especially the wheels or front grill.

CaptainSaveAHoe · May 24, 2005

leaf blower huh? sounds good to me...but i will vouch for Mr. Clean, that bowflex using bald-headed 60 year old knows what he's doing...good stuff

Mike06_10pm · May 24, 2005

CaptainSaveAHoe said:
leaf blower huh? sounds good to me...but i will vouch for Mr. Clean, that bowflex using bald-headed 60 year old knows what he's doing...good stuff

HAHAHA!!! and no problem about the link
-mike

hamidlmt · May 25, 2005

I just purchased and tried the new Mr. Clean car wash system. It works wonderfully! For the most part, there is absolutely no hand drying! There were one or two spots I went over with a drying towel, but I could have been a bit impatient. It works very, very well.

Dubl10 · May 25, 2005

Question about the Mr. Clean system, since I just bought it! If you run out of the Mr. Clean soap that is provided, do you have to use that kind of soap? Do I have to buy some more of that kind or can I use some McGuires soap that I already have in my garage??

I'd like to use up that first before I HAVE to go out and purchase more soap.

MyBlueOval · May 25, 2005

Dubl10 said:
Question about the Mr. Clean system, since I just bought it! If you run out of the Mr. Clean soap that is provided, do you have to use that kind of soap? Do I have to buy some more of that kind or can I use some McGuires soap that I already have in my garage??

I'd like to use up that first before I HAVE to go out and purchase more soap.

No, you can use any good car wash soap. I'd suggest Zaino, Mother's or Meguiar's Gold Class. All of these are mild and have anti-spotting agents. I've personally used all three and any is suitable.

argabright52 · May 26, 2005

I was pretty impressed with the Mr Clean Soap. It seemed to get off more dirt than most others I've tried. The Mr Clean definitely works as good as any spot free car wash, great for a quick wash.

Mark05GTVert · May 26, 2005

I have to put in a good word for Dri Wash 'n Guard. Spray on a mist, wipe on, buff off. whole car (vert) in 10 minutes.

It may be overpriced, it may be marketed like Amway... but darn if it doesn't work great - and you can do all your detailing in your garage at night.

Fabulous stuff... but not cheap. Try it if you're up for an experiment.

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