first car wash
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: TX
first car wash
so I get free car washes at the dealer. The only day I would have time is on Saturday and I can only imagine how long the wait is going to be. So basically I'll be doing the first wash myself. This is my first NEW car, and I was looking for advice on such things as what soap is best, sponges to use/not use, wax, and any other information that you think is important.
Lead Lap
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 559
Likes: 2
From: Bay Area, CA
I just use a basic wash mit that has the cloth wormy looking things on it. Any car soap will work. Use cold water. For wax you can try the new Meguiars stuff. Or Zaino
I first spray the wheels with simple green to help release all the brake dust.
I first spray the wheels with simple green to help release all the brake dust.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,086
Likes: 9
From: West Yorkshire
First thing, no sponges. The flat face of the sponge traps grit and scrapes it across your car, leading to swirls. Below is a list of what you will need:
1) Lambswool wash mitt - traps dirt inside so the grit doesnt touch the paint
2) 2 buckets - one for the car shampoo, the other for rinsing after each panel
3) Microfibre drying towel/pure leather chamois - for drying without swirls, i personally use a chamois because I find it is much easier to use
4) Tar remover - to take tar off the car
5) Iron decontaminant - Get rid of the iron deposits/rail dust on your car. It may be brand new but youll be surprised by how much rail dust the car already has. IronX is the best in my opinion
6) clay bar - to remove other bonded contaminants on the vehicle, again, the car may be new, but youll be surprised by how much crap is on there
7) Tyre gloss - to bring out the shine in the tyres, zaino z16, chemical guys new look are very good
8) Plastic protectant - to keep the plastic trim nice and black and protect it from going grey/white
9) a good car shampoo - meguiars gold class is good and wont strip wax
10) pH neutral wheel cleaner - keep those rims looking shiny and get the dirt off. pH neutral so it doesnt negatively affect the wheel. Lots of horror stories around about acidic wheel cleaners
11) A polish - to keep the "natural" swirls at bay
12) Wax/sealant - to protect the finished vehicle, i personally use collinite 476s and meguiars #16 as they last for 3 months+
Oh and please dont scrub the paint as hard as you can. It should feel like you are barely touching the car. Just glide it over, thats all.
1) Lambswool wash mitt - traps dirt inside so the grit doesnt touch the paint
2) 2 buckets - one for the car shampoo, the other for rinsing after each panel
3) Microfibre drying towel/pure leather chamois - for drying without swirls, i personally use a chamois because I find it is much easier to use
4) Tar remover - to take tar off the car
5) Iron decontaminant - Get rid of the iron deposits/rail dust on your car. It may be brand new but youll be surprised by how much rail dust the car already has. IronX is the best in my opinion
6) clay bar - to remove other bonded contaminants on the vehicle, again, the car may be new, but youll be surprised by how much crap is on there
7) Tyre gloss - to bring out the shine in the tyres, zaino z16, chemical guys new look are very good
8) Plastic protectant - to keep the plastic trim nice and black and protect it from going grey/white
9) a good car shampoo - meguiars gold class is good and wont strip wax
10) pH neutral wheel cleaner - keep those rims looking shiny and get the dirt off. pH neutral so it doesnt negatively affect the wheel. Lots of horror stories around about acidic wheel cleaners
11) A polish - to keep the "natural" swirls at bay
12) Wax/sealant - to protect the finished vehicle, i personally use collinite 476s and meguiars #16 as they last for 3 months+
Oh and please dont scrub the paint as hard as you can. It should feel like you are barely touching the car. Just glide it over, thats all.
Driver
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 102
Likes: 0
From: Florida
so I get free car washes at the dealer. The only day I would have time is on Saturday and I can only imagine how long the wait is going to be. So basically I'll be doing the first wash myself. This is my first NEW car, and I was looking for advice on such things as what soap is best, sponges to use/not use, wax, and any other information that you think is important.
Driver
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 107
Likes: 1
From: ca
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Lexus Champion
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 4,423
Likes: 16
From: GA
let's put it this way... if you let the dealer wash your car the paint will never be the same unless you get a professional detail done after they ****** up your paint. after i buy a new car i always take it to DD and let Phil bless me with a new car prep (because the dealer has already trashed your paint before you rolled out with it), i just have to maintain it after he's done. my car has no scratches or swirls etc, and the new car prep was done in april. my car never sees a carwash... touchless, brushless, whatever. some don't care but i can't see someone allowing another person or machine to ****** up the paint on a beautiful car... makes the car look ugly, TJM.
Last edited by sydtoosic; Aug 2, 2013 at 08:05 PM.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,419
Likes: 10
From: ON, Canada
Driver
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
From: HTX
Make sure you use two bucket method. Invest in a microfiber wash mit. use two bucket method one for soap and one for clean water. dip wash mit into clean water before dipping into soap. use wafle weave towel to dry car just lay it on the pannel pat dry and pick up and move to next section. If you have a leaf blower that would be the best to method to prevent swirling up the car.
Pit Crew
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 130
Likes: 14
From: CA
First thing, no sponges. The flat face of the sponge traps grit and scrapes it across your car, leading to swirls. Below is a list of what you will need:
1) Lambswool wash mitt - traps dirt inside so the grit doesnt touch the paint
2) 2 buckets - one for the car shampoo, the other for rinsing after each panel
3) Microfibre drying towel/pure leather chamois - for drying without swirls, i personally use a chamois because I find it is much easier to use
4) Tar remover - to take tar off the car
5) Iron decontaminant - Get rid of the iron deposits/rail dust on your car. It may be brand new but youll be surprised by how much rail dust the car already has. IronX is the best in my opinion
6) clay bar - to remove other bonded contaminants on the vehicle, again, the car may be new, but youll be surprised by how much crap is on there
7) Tyre gloss - to bring out the shine in the tyres, zaino z16, chemical guys new look are very good
8) Plastic protectant - to keep the plastic trim nice and black and protect it from going grey/white
9) a good car shampoo - meguiars gold class is good and wont strip wax
10) pH neutral wheel cleaner - keep those rims looking shiny and get the dirt off. pH neutral so it doesnt negatively affect the wheel. Lots of horror stories around about acidic wheel cleaners
11) A polish - to keep the "natural" swirls at bay
12) Wax/sealant - to protect the finished vehicle, i personally use collinite 476s and meguiars #16 as they last for 3 months+
Oh and please dont scrub the paint as hard as you can. It should feel like you are barely touching the car. Just glide it over, thats all.
1) Lambswool wash mitt - traps dirt inside so the grit doesnt touch the paint
2) 2 buckets - one for the car shampoo, the other for rinsing after each panel
3) Microfibre drying towel/pure leather chamois - for drying without swirls, i personally use a chamois because I find it is much easier to use
4) Tar remover - to take tar off the car
5) Iron decontaminant - Get rid of the iron deposits/rail dust on your car. It may be brand new but youll be surprised by how much rail dust the car already has. IronX is the best in my opinion
6) clay bar - to remove other bonded contaminants on the vehicle, again, the car may be new, but youll be surprised by how much crap is on there
7) Tyre gloss - to bring out the shine in the tyres, zaino z16, chemical guys new look are very good
8) Plastic protectant - to keep the plastic trim nice and black and protect it from going grey/white
9) a good car shampoo - meguiars gold class is good and wont strip wax
10) pH neutral wheel cleaner - keep those rims looking shiny and get the dirt off. pH neutral so it doesnt negatively affect the wheel. Lots of horror stories around about acidic wheel cleaners
11) A polish - to keep the "natural" swirls at bay
12) Wax/sealant - to protect the finished vehicle, i personally use collinite 476s and meguiars #16 as they last for 3 months+
Oh and please dont scrub the paint as hard as you can. It should feel like you are barely touching the car. Just glide it over, thats all.
I add grit screens/guards in my buckets to ensure the grit and grime stay in the bottom of the buckets.
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