cleaning the car

arcticreaver · 02-16-2009, 04:52 PM

okay guys, i'm going to ask for some advice in regards to cleaning the car. here goes, i never really cared about cleaning the car myself. at all. i never washed/waxed a car in my life. i've basically just wiped the insides of car and took the car to a car wash place to get my car clean. but since getting the 370z, i'm just psycho and i don't really want rough hands taking car of the car and if i'm the one that screws up in anyway, it's on me and i would rather feel better that way.

so what type of cleaners do you guys recommend? i'm talking wash/wax/wheel/rims and interior cleaning brands that you guys would recommend. FYI - i do have this "touch of class" option from the dealer when i purchased my car, the dealer basically details the car every 6 months. but i don't need i should wait 6 months for all the cleaning. please help. thanks!!!

dad · 02-16-2009, 06:39 PM

How to center -watch the videos, more than once!
Car Care Tips: How to Wax Your Car to Classic Car Restoration, Your Guide to Car Detailing

hey32g · 02-16-2009, 06:40 PM

First things first, what color is your car?

Anyhow, go hear: Detail University - Automotive Detailing Community

dad · 02-16-2009, 06:48 PM

Car Detailing Tips & Complete Car Detailing Guide

Nikon FM · 02-16-2009, 07:08 PM

Never... ever move the cleaning sponge, wipe, micro fiber towel in a circular manner. Always move along the length of the car or side ways on the back end and bumper. Swirl marks are more noticable (catch light more relative to viewer) when they are circular in shape.

Whatever product brand you decide to go with (synthetic or carnuba based) the above will always remain true. The only exception is if you are trying to buff out swirl marks.

Dark colors show swirls easier but are beautiful when clean. My 2 cents.

dad · 02-16-2009, 07:44 PM

^ I never use a sponge, only the glove/mit thing!

arcticreaver · 02-16-2009, 08:42 PM

the color i got is the graphite platinum

370ZINMO · 02-16-2009, 11:22 PM

Most people destroy their car's paint when "washing" and not when waxing. Always hand wash with the "2 bucket" method. Google this method for details. The only cloth that should ever touch your paint is microfiber. For protection after you've cleaned the paint, I would use a good sealant like Zaino or Ultima Paint Guard Plus 2 or 3 times a year.

kdo2milger · 02-17-2009, 06:44 AM

im not much on waxing...infact i have never waxed my mach1 since ive had it.

i use meguiars nxt car wash, leaves a really nice shine to my baby.

Meguiar's Direct NXT Generation® Car Wash

chubbs · 02-17-2009, 06:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kdo2milger

im not much on waxing...infact i have never waxed my mach1 since ive had it.

i use meguiars nxt car wash, leaves a really nice shine to my baby.

Meguiar's Direct NXT Generation® Car Wash

Yes, Meguiars NXT is a good car wash.

Meguiars also do good polishes (to get rid of the more stubborn stuff).

For a final protective finish I really like Collinite 915 wax - goes on/buffs off really easily, lasts well and looks lovely. ...But you'll find almost as many products as people on this forum.

arcticreaver · 02-19-2009, 06:33 PM

thanks for all the advice. so i guess pretty much any type of wash solutions is alright. and a microfiber towel is definitely on my list when i go shopping this weekend. freakin' California weather is killing me!!! rain, rain, rain, sunny, sunny, rain, and showers. wtf?

dad · 02-19-2009, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arcticreaver

thanks for all the advice. so i guess pretty much any type of wash solutions is alright. and a microfiber towel is definitely on my list when i go shopping this weekend. freakin' California weather is killing me!!! rain, rain, rain, sunny, sunny, rain, and showers. wtf?

Tip: Do not spray on "tire foam/tire shine/tire gloss"! If the wind catches it , it will end up on your paint, and cause spots. Get a empty cleaned out coffee can<(plastic) and a soft haired brush. Spray the tire stuff in the plastic can(5 feet away from your car), use the brush to apply to the tires!

Be sure to use 2 separate buckets- one for the wheels&tires, the other for the car body. Don't use the items you clean the wheels&tires with on the car body.

arcticreaver · 02-20-2009, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dad

Tip: Do not spray on "tire foam/tire shine/tire gloss"! If the wind catches it , it will end up on your paint, and cause spots. Get a empty cleaned out coffee can<(plastic) and a soft haired brush. Spray the tire stuff in the plastic can(5 feet away from your car), use the brush to apply to the tires!

Be sure to use 2 separate buckets- one for the wheels&tires, the other for the car body. Don't use the items you clean the wheels&tires with on the car body.

that is actually very helpful. thanks.

probably going to wash the car this weekend. hopefully, it doesn't rain here in Cali again.

arcticreaver · 02-21-2009, 08:02 PM

i found a really good video about washing the car with the 2 bucket system/method. this video also introduced the grit guard. i think it's very useful for people looking to learn how to wash their car(s) ... like me.

anyways, here is the video link - LINK

G&M Performance · 02-21-2009, 08:13 PM

And remember to clean from top to bottom. The dirt falls down, not up. After that, apply some Meguiars wax, which is a charm, but another good option is Zymol. For touchups between waxing, be sure to use a "spray on" wax. I think there's some cheap stuff called "Ice" at the Autozone/Pepboys/Advance/Oreily's that apparently works well.

Oh, and the two bucket system works very well. Also, if you have "hard water" in your area, a filter for your water hose will eliminate pesky "dry" spots (usually mineral deposits), and washing in a shaded area helps keep your car streak free.

Yeah, waxing and sealing is tough... That's why you only do it once a month.

02-16-2009, 04:52 PM	#1 (permalink)
arcticreaver Track Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Arcadia, CA Posts: 769 Drives: 2009 Z34 7AT PG Rep Power: 924	cleaning the car okay guys, i'm going to ask for some advice in regards to cleaning the car. here goes, i never really cared about cleaning the car myself. at all. i never washed/waxed a car in my life. i've basically just wiped the insides of car and took the car to a car wash place to get my car clean. but since getting the 370z, i'm just psycho and i don't really want rough hands taking car of the car and if i'm the one that screws up in anyway, it's on me and i would rather feel better that way. so what type of cleaners do you guys recommend? i'm talking wash/wax/wheel/rims and interior cleaning brands that you guys would recommend. FYI - i do have this "touch of class" option from the dealer when i purchased my car, the dealer basically details the car every 6 months. but i don't need i should wait 6 months for all the cleaning. please help. thanks!!!

02-16-2009, 06:39 PM	#2 (permalink)
dad Grand Prix of Endurance Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Tennessee Posts: 3,476 Drives: Mulsanne Straight Rep Power: 25	How to center -watch the videos, more than once! Car Care Tips: How to Wax Your Car to Classic Car Restoration, Your Guide to Car Detailing __________________ We can do without any article of luxury we have never had; but once obtained, it is not in human nature to surrender it voluntary.

02-16-2009, 06:48 PM	#4 (permalink)
dad Grand Prix of Endurance Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Tennessee Posts: 3,476 Drives: Mulsanne Straight Rep Power: 25	Car Detailing Tips & Complete Car Detailing Guide __________________ We can do without any article of luxury we have never had; but once obtained, it is not in human nature to surrender it voluntary.

02-16-2009, 07:08 PM	#5 (permalink)
Nikon FM Track Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Snoqualmie WA Posts: 973 Drives: 03 996TT Porsche Rep Power: 606	Never... ever move the cleaning sponge, wipe, micro fiber towel in a circular manner. Always move along the length of the car or side ways on the back end and bumper. Swirl marks are more noticable (catch light more relative to viewer) when they are circular in shape. Whatever product brand you decide to go with (synthetic or carnuba based) the above will always remain true. The only exception is if you are trying to buff out swirl marks. Dark colors show swirls easier but are beautiful when clean. My 2 cents. __________________ Buddy Revell: "One man's sooner is another man's later"

02-16-2009, 07:44 PM	#6 (permalink)
dad Grand Prix of Endurance Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Tennessee Posts: 3,476 Drives: Mulsanne Straight Rep Power: 25	^ I never use a sponge, only the glove/mit thing! __________________ We can do without any article of luxury we have never had; but once obtained, it is not in human nature to surrender it voluntary.

02-16-2009, 06:40 PM	#3 (permalink)
hey32g Enthusiast Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Dallas Posts: 278 Drives: ‘14 370Z, Black, 7AT Rep Power: 6726	First things first, what color is your car? Anyhow, go hear: Detail University - Automotive Detailing Community

02-16-2009, 08:42 PM	#7 (permalink)
arcticreaver Track Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Arcadia, CA Posts: 769 Drives: 2009 Z34 7AT PG Rep Power: 924	the color i got is the graphite platinum

02-16-2009, 11:22 PM	#8 (permalink)
370ZINMO Base Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: ST. Louis, MO Posts: 41 Drives: Suzuki Boulevard C50 Rep Power: 287	Most people destroy their car's paint when "washing" and not when waxing. Always hand wash with the "2 bucket" method. Google this method for details. The only cloth that should ever touch your paint is microfiber. For protection after you've cleaned the paint, I would use a good sealant like Zaino or Ultima Paint Guard Plus 2 or 3 times a year.

02-17-2009, 06:44 AM	#9 (permalink)
kdo2milger OG Priesthood Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Fargo, ND Posts: 17,859 Drives: NISMO T Rep Power: 59	im not much on waxing...infact i have never waxed my mach1 since ive had it. i use meguiars nxt car wash, leaves a really nice shine to my baby. Meguiar's Direct NXT Generation® Car Wash

02-19-2009, 06:33 PM	#11 (permalink)
arcticreaver Track Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Arcadia, CA Posts: 769 Drives: 2009 Z34 7AT PG Rep Power: 924	thanks for all the advice. so i guess pretty much any type of wash solutions is alright. and a microfiber towel is definitely on my list when i go shopping this weekend. freakin' California weather is killing me!!! rain, rain, rain, sunny, sunny, rain, and showers. wtf?

02-21-2009, 08:02 PM	#14 (permalink)
arcticreaver Track Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Arcadia, CA Posts: 769 Drives: 2009 Z34 7AT PG Rep Power: 924	i found a really good video about washing the car with the 2 bucket system/method. this video also introduced the grit guard. i think it's very useful for people looking to learn how to wash their car(s) ... like me. anyways, here is the video link - LINK

02-21-2009, 08:13 PM	#15 (permalink)
G&M Performance Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 425 Drives: LS3 Genesis Coupe Rep Power: 227	And remember to clean from top to bottom. The dirt falls down, not up. After that, apply some Meguiars wax, which is a charm, but another good option is Zymol. For touchups between waxing, be sure to use a "spray on" wax. I think there's some cheap stuff called "Ice" at the Autozone/Pepboys/Advance/Oreily's that apparently works well. Oh, and the two bucket system works very well. Also, if you have "hard water" in your area, a filter for your water hose will eliminate pesky "dry" spots (usually mineral deposits), and washing in a shaded area helps keep your car streak free. Yeah, waxing and sealing is tough... That's why you only do it once a month.