Hey everyone,

I just used for the first time the 'Mr Clean Autodry' product to wash my RX, and I was really pleased with it. It actually does what it claims to and allows you to wash without any drying and the car dries by itself with no water marks.

It's basically a device that fits on the end of your hose and has switches to dispense soap/water, but it also has a filtered water setting so at the final rinse you use this and it works great.

I'm not sure it's the right product for those who like to spend hours detailing their car, but for a fast wash it's the best product I've used.

 

did you try posting in the detailing forum as well?

 

the mr clean product is OK but a little to gimmicky for me and expensive to replace the filters.

your better off using a quality waffle towel to dry the vehicle

 

Yes I agree but it takes a long time to dry with towels. This product is great for a quick wash, however I must admit I have not yet bought any replacement filters so you could be right about that.

 

I have used Mr Clean for two years. Including trips to the car wash I seem to be adicted to washing (waxing) my cars. I also use other car wash products but prefer Mr Clean when I'm in a hurry. It does work advertsed! It is expensive!

 

I prefer using Meguiar's Gold Class Wash or NXT Wash. After doing it so much, I can wash/dry with microfiber towels in less then 30 minutes for an RX330.

 

http://carcareonline.com/

 

Old and trusty chamoise (sp?) skin is excellent in absorbing water. Synthetic materail is a good substitute as well.

Frind of mine uses leaf blower to push off water instead of absorbing it. [I have never tried this]

Salim

 

I was just at my Lexus dealer and I was talking with the service rep. about waxing my RX. He suggested that I use Maguire's synthetic wax because he has 3 cars and that is exactly what he uses..and he loves it... Does any one else feel the same way?

Also he suggested Murphy's Saddle soap for the leather. Any suggests about that?

Also i was wonder what do you guys use on your dash and other surfaces(kick panel, and other areas...)

 

I use Meguiar's NXT Tech wax and love it. I use it on a lot of cars besides my own and my customers love it as well.

I don't like saddle soap for the leather. I use the Lexus cleaner and conditioner products. They are very good. Most people don't seem to realize that the leather is actually coated with a urethane. That is like a vinyl coating over the leather. This coating contains a pigment and gives the leather a uniform color and texture. If you use anything too abrasive you run the risk of removing that coating and permanently marring the leather.

For the interior I use Meguiar's Quik Interior Detailer. This product has some UV protection and leaves a like new finish. No streaking and no shine just a clean new look.

 

cleaner and conditioner. It is the best hands down. DO NOT USE SADDLE SOAP

 

Thanks for the help guys...

 

I've never had to use anything but plain water and a soft cloth. Our seats come from the factory with a protective coating so does conditioning really do anything except make them smell different?

 

plain water does not remove, sweat, soil, blue dye from jeans or really anything from leather. Most people make the mistake of not cleaning off the soil before they condition. and yes the wrong cleaner can be too caustic, and do more harm to the leather. I vaccum the seats first with the soft brush attachment to get the sand out of t he seams and creavices. Then i use Woolite mixed with water, it is safe for leather and cleans the soil, and everything else from the seat. I then condition with Maguiars leather conditioner, it leaves the leather soft and renews the oils. Many people swear by the lexol cleaner conditioner products.

BTW the Maguiars NXT tech wax is the best and easiest to use wax i have ever used including Zymol. You can put it on the whole car at once, it wipes off easily, covers scratches and leaves a brilliant shine. The entire finish is soft like butter and it has lasted longer than Zymol. I would make sure the car finish is perfectly clean as this wax does not remove grease or any road residue.

 

As far as I know:

Don't ever use saddle soap.

Use some leather cleaner to clean the leather, not just water. Wollite mixed 1/7 with water is excellent. Lexol is supposed to be good, but I have been using Zaino's leather cleaner and Zaino's leather conditioner. The leather conditioner especially comes highly recommended by professionals.

For the dash and rubber parts, use 303 Aerospace Protectant. Absolutely the best, but generally not sold in car stores like AutoZone because it is not made for the auto market, although it is readily available from auto detailing web stores. Give it a Google and find out all about it. Great stuff, and is the best dressing for any interior surface that is not leather (although it will not harm leather).

As for wax, you are on your own -- it's like beer -- there are too many good ones out there for there to be a consensus. I use a polymer sealant myself, instead of wax, but that's not everyone's cup of tea.