Tell me about your first wash

Z chick · 07-09-2012, 12:47 PM

It has now been one month since I picked up my new PW Z!! It's been a great first month, and I decided to celebrate it by giving her a wash and a bit of detailing.

Can you spray your all-weather Z floormats with water and use soap on them?
Is it possible to clean the brake disc to make it look brand new again?
How often do you wax?

speedfreek · 07-09-2012, 12:52 PM

I dont see why you couldnt use soap and water on them if you want to let them air dry.

What is wrong with your month old discs that they dont look brand new right now?

I only wax a couple to few times a year but keep a coat of detailer on it every wash.

MattP725 · 07-09-2012, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Z chick

It has now been one month since I picked up my new PW Z!! It's been a great first month, and I decided to celebrate it by giving her a wash and a bit of detailing.

Can you spray your all-weather Z floormats with water and use soap on them?
Is it possible to clean the brake disc to make it look brand new again?
How often do you wax?

First off, all female Z owners are required to post pictures of themselves (with the cars I guess if you really want)...

Floormats can get wet, no problem... just make sure they are relatively dry before putting them back in the car to avoid any mold/mildew of the carpet.

The rotors will unfortunately not look brand new after some initial usage because you will have brake pad deposits and some oxidation in them which will worsen over time but you can use brake cleaner to help a bit. Problem is that brake cleaner is VERY corrosive and if you get it on the paint it could do damage. Use some Mequiars Hot Rims (or Wheels can't remember) wheel cleaner... that will help shine up the wheels and calipers.

Also make sure if you wash the car that you prerinse it very well to get off all the loose dirt you can... also use a lot of soap and constantly rinse your sponge to avoid running dirt across the paint.

I have a foam gun that I bought off Amazon for somewhere around $40 that works wonders.

Lastly make sure you dry the car with a clean microfiber cloth or else you will end up with water spots/scratches which will ruin your finish over time.

Good luck and please wash it more than once a month like the rest of us maniacs... I do it every weekend.

370Z Purist · 07-09-2012, 01:27 PM

First wash on the Z wasn't as all out as kenchan, although it was pretty close.

Didn't clay as the car had been in a warehouse for all of three days off a truck. Washed with Meguiar's Gold Class. Dried and waxed with Meguiar's Gold Class Liquid Wax. Did the tires with ArmorAll, and cleaned the wheels with a soft brush and Dawn. Wasn't much brake dust to speak of.

Interior was simple, I had carpeted mats and they were mostly clean. Slapped em a bit and vacuumed loose dirt. Used Meguiar's Interior detailer on all the plastic panels. Lexol leather cleaner and conditioner on the seats. Distilled water for the shift knob and steering wheel (don't make the mistake of using interior detailer on the wheel! bad idea). Interior and exterior glass cleaned with an ammonia free cleaner with microfiber (Invisible Glass).

Brakes get a bit rusty with all the water, but a quick brake into the garage cleans them off.

Nowadays I do a full wash every two weeks. Upkeep with some instant detailer, and wipe down the wheels with a paper towel and some dawn soap. Tires look a bit ugly but they're bald and slightly brown. Avoid using silicone based tire shine unless you do a lot of upkeep as they brown over time because they absorb brake dust.

whoady4shoady · 07-09-2012, 02:30 PM

I peed in a rusty bucket, dipped a large pinecone in it, and then went to work.

On a serious note i rinsed the car, then cleaned it with optimum car wash, clayed, rinsed again. I then put on wax and sealent. Looks good to me. I think some people go overboard at times, but I can understand it being your passion.

binary0x01 · 07-09-2012, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattP725

First off, all female Z owners are required to post pictures of themselves (with the cars I guess if you really want)...

Floormats can get wet, no problem... just make sure they are relatively dry before putting them back in the car to avoid any mold/mildew of the carpet.

The rotors will unfortunately not look brand new after some initial usage because you will have brake pad deposits and some oxidation in them which will worsen over time but you can use brake cleaner to help a bit. Problem is that brake cleaner is VERY corrosive and if you get it on the paint it could do damage. Use some Mequiars Hot Rims (or Wheels can't remember) wheel cleaner... that will help shine up the wheels and calipers.

Also make sure if you wash the car that you prerinse it very well to get off all the loose dirt you can... also use a lot of soap and constantly rinse your sponge to avoid running dirt across the paint.

I have a foam gun that I bought off Amazon for somewhere around $40 that works wonders.

Lastly make sure you dry the car with a clean microfiber cloth or else you will end up with water spots/scratches which will ruin your finish over time.

Good luck and please wash it more than once a month like the rest of us maniacs... I do it every weekend.

PS: My gf would probably punch me if she read this... but she doesn't visit 370z forums so I'm in the clear

LakeShow · 07-09-2012, 05:29 PM

First wash was the dealer prep and it was horrific.

sexZness · 07-09-2012, 05:34 PM

TerribleONE · 07-09-2012, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sexZness

sexZness · 07-09-2012, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TerribleONE

hey, i'm just voicing what every guy in this forum is thinking

How've you been, btw?!

MattP725 · 07-09-2012, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sexZness

Cafiax · 07-09-2012, 05:41 PM

Lol creepers much? And you wonder why not many girls are active :P

sexZness · 07-09-2012, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cafiax

Lol creepers much? And you wonder why not many girls are active :P

i'm gonna call it!!! ^ is a chick!!!...

TerribleONE · 07-09-2012, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sexZness

hey, i'm just voicing what every guy in this forum is thinking

How've you been, btw?!

Not I!! okay, maybe a little bit.. hahaha

Im hanging in there, couple more weeks and il be walking again! How about yourself?

TerribleONE · 07-09-2012, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sexZness

i'm gonna call it!!! ^ is a chick!!!...

most definitely

07-09-2012, 12:47 PM	#1 (permalink)
Z chick Base Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Vancouver BC Canada Posts: 58 Drives: 2012 370Z PW M6 Rep Power: 13	Tell me about your first wash It has now been one month since I picked up my new PW Z!! It's been a great first month, and I decided to celebrate it by giving her a wash and a bit of detailing. Can you spray your all-weather Z floormats with water and use soap on them? Is it possible to clean the brake disc to make it look brand new again? How often do you wax? __________________ New Z owner, lifetime car enthusiast

07-09-2012, 01:27 PM	#4 (permalink)
370Z Purist A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Zion, Illinois Posts: 1,873 Drives: '09 370Z-T BS M6 Rep Power: 19	First wash on the Z wasn't as all out as kenchan, although it was pretty close. Didn't clay as the car had been in a warehouse for all of three days off a truck. Washed with Meguiar's Gold Class. Dried and waxed with Meguiar's Gold Class Liquid Wax. Did the tires with ArmorAll, and cleaned the wheels with a soft brush and Dawn. Wasn't much brake dust to speak of. Interior was simple, I had carpeted mats and they were mostly clean. Slapped em a bit and vacuumed loose dirt. Used Meguiar's Interior detailer on all the plastic panels. Lexol leather cleaner and conditioner on the seats. Distilled water for the shift knob and steering wheel (don't make the mistake of using interior detailer on the wheel! bad idea). Interior and exterior glass cleaned with an ammonia free cleaner with microfiber (Invisible Glass). Brakes get a bit rusty with all the water, but a quick brake into the garage cleans them off. Nowadays I do a full wash every two weeks. Upkeep with some instant detailer, and wipe down the wheels with a paper towel and some dawn soap. Tires look a bit ugly but they're bald and slightly brown. Avoid using silicone based tire shine unless you do a lot of upkeep as they brown over time because they absorb brake dust. __________________ -Phil "Since one of my brake light bulbs just went out, the forum told me that my piston rings are about to blow." Last edited by 370Z Purist; 07-09-2012 at 01:30 PM.

07-09-2012, 05:29 PM	#7 (permalink)
LakeShow A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: L.I., NY Posts: 5,307 Drives: Everything Rep Power: 25	First wash was the dealer prep and it was horrific. __________________ \|2013 Audi S4\|Ibis White/Black\|S-Tronic P+\| \|2013 370z\|PearlWhite/Persimmon\|Touring/Sport/Nav\|F.I. CBE 18" CF\| \|Sold\|2011 370z\|Gun Metallic\|Touring/Sport/Nav\|

07-09-2012, 05:34 PM	#8 (permalink)
sexZness A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 18,504 Drives: like it's stolen Rep Power: 107	__________________ Clarification #1: I'm not a bro... [FONT="Garamond"]♥ Baby Zilla ♥ ~ Instagram: @SxZnS Forgestar \| FAST INTENTIONS \| Berk \| Injen \| H&R \| SPC \| Seibon \|

07-09-2012, 05:41 PM	#12 (permalink)
Cafiax Enthusiast Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Canada - Richmond Posts: 291 Drives: 10 Nissan 370z PW A7 Rep Power: 15	Lol creepers much? And you wonder why not many girls are active :P __________________ 2010-PW-370z Fast Intentions CBE 18" res + HFC, K&N Typhoons Intakes(Gen 3 Stillen soon), 20mm H&R Front - 25mm H&R Back, Shine Auto(Sunline)

07-09-2012, 12:52 PM	#2 (permalink)
speedfreek A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Huntsville,AL Posts: 1,724 Drives: '12 370Z PW 6sp Rep Power: 18	I dont see why you couldnt use soap and water on them if you want to let them air dry. What is wrong with your month old discs that they dont look brand new right now? I only wax a couple to few times a year but keep a coat of detailer on it every wash.

07-09-2012, 02:30 PM	#5 (permalink)
whoady4shoady A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: New Orleans Posts: 1,088 Drives: 09 Silver Nismo Rep Power: 18	I peed in a rusty bucket, dipped a large pinecone in it, and then went to work. On a serious note i rinsed the car, then cleaned it with optimum car wash, clayed, rinsed again. I then put on wax and sealent. Looks good to me. I think some people go overboard at times, but I can understand it being your passion.

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