whats your typical carwash process like?
05-19-2013, 09:53 PM
#1
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whats your typical carwash process like?
just curious as to what other fellow cobalt owners do for a typical week to week car wash.
i have a pretty easy process.
1.)take the car was to the local self service carwash and spray it off with a power sprayer. hose it down with soap,take a wash mit and rub it all down and then spray it off.
2.)depending on how i feel,i will either bring it home and dry it off there,use a quick wax spray. or else,after being power sprayed off,i may bring it to a touch free car wash down the road. 8$ for the best car wash for wax and all that crap. it actually comes pretty clean.
3.)say i go to the touch carwash,ill bring it home after that,then i will wipe it down if there is any water still on it. vac out the inside of the car,trunk.
4.) spray and clean all the insides of the windows (i use stoners invisible glass,it works great)
5.)wipe down the dash,cup holders and all the door panels.
6.)wipe down all the door jams and trunk jam.
7.)wipe down and clean all the wheels. armorall the tires.
8.)look at the few imperfections like they will magically fix themselves haha
all this takes me usually 1-2 hours,depending on how dirty the bitch is before the wash.
im thinking of starting to just washing the car at home,might save a few bucks. i want to know what other people do as far as their car washing techniques and what not..
i have a pretty easy process.
1.)take the car was to the local self service carwash and spray it off with a power sprayer. hose it down with soap,take a wash mit and rub it all down and then spray it off.
2.)depending on how i feel,i will either bring it home and dry it off there,use a quick wax spray. or else,after being power sprayed off,i may bring it to a touch free car wash down the road. 8$ for the best car wash for wax and all that crap. it actually comes pretty clean.
3.)say i go to the touch carwash,ill bring it home after that,then i will wipe it down if there is any water still on it. vac out the inside of the car,trunk.
4.) spray and clean all the insides of the windows (i use stoners invisible glass,it works great)
5.)wipe down the dash,cup holders and all the door panels.
6.)wipe down all the door jams and trunk jam.
7.)wipe down and clean all the wheels. armorall the tires.
8.)look at the few imperfections like they will magically fix themselves haha
all this takes me usually 1-2 hours,depending on how dirty the bitch is before the wash.
im thinking of starting to just washing the car at home,might save a few bucks. i want to know what other people do as far as their car washing techniques and what not..
05-19-2013, 10:01 PM
#2
1. Read the forecast and determine if wasting time scrubbing a daily driven car is going to provide any benefit. If so, make sure the car is in the shade and proceed to step 2.
2. Extend the hose from the reel, which often jams. Swear and violently rip the hose out of the reel as neighbors glance over. Turn the water on.
3. Blast as much dirt from the car, wheels, and undercarriage as possible.
4. Wash the wheels, wheel wells, exhaust tip, and rocker/bumper moldings.
5. Use a different wash mitt for the body of the car, wash from top down. Use 2 buckets and always rinse the mitt before dipping it back into the soap bucket.
6. Rinse with hose nozzle removed.
7. Dry paint w/ absorber. Spray tire foam on tires. Dry wheels and door/trunk jambs with microfiber towel.
8. Put **** away.
2. Extend the hose from the reel, which often jams. Swear and violently rip the hose out of the reel as neighbors glance over. Turn the water on.
3. Blast as much dirt from the car, wheels, and undercarriage as possible.
4. Wash the wheels, wheel wells, exhaust tip, and rocker/bumper moldings.
5. Use a different wash mitt for the body of the car, wash from top down. Use 2 buckets and always rinse the mitt before dipping it back into the soap bucket.
6. Rinse with hose nozzle removed.
7. Dry paint w/ absorber. Spray tire foam on tires. Dry wheels and door/trunk jambs with microfiber towel.
8. Put **** away.
05-19-2013, 10:04 PM
#3
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1. Read the forecast and determine if wasting time scrubbing a daily driven car is going to provide any benefit. If so, make sure the car is in the shade and proceed to step 2.
2. Extend the hose from the reel, which often jams. Swear and violently rip the hose out of the reel box as neighbors glance over. Turn the water on.
3. Blast as much dirt from the car, wheels, and undercarriage as possible.
4. Wash the wheels, wheel wells, exhaust tip, and rocker/bumper moldings.
5. Use a different wash mitt for the body of the car, wash from top down. Use 2 buckets and always rinse the mitt before dipping it back into the soap bucket.
6. Rinse.
7. Dry paint w/ absorber. Dry wheels and door/trunk jambs with microfiber towel.
2. Extend the hose from the reel, which often jams. Swear and violently rip the hose out of the reel box as neighbors glance over. Turn the water on.
3. Blast as much dirt from the car, wheels, and undercarriage as possible.
4. Wash the wheels, wheel wells, exhaust tip, and rocker/bumper moldings.
5. Use a different wash mitt for the body of the car, wash from top down. Use 2 buckets and always rinse the mitt before dipping it back into the soap bucket.
6. Rinse.
7. Dry paint w/ absorber. Dry wheels and door/trunk jambs with microfiber towel.
what do you use for car wash soap?
05-20-2013, 09:21 AM
#5
Exterior:
1. Take to quarter car wash, blast the crap out of the rims inside and out to clean most of the brake dust off.
2. Then hit the rockers, fenders behind the wheels for whatever is stuck there, and the front if there's bugs.
3. Drive home, wash the car by hand, I have some turbo wax wash right now. Start at the top work toward the bottom. Always overlap areas. Do the wheels last. Never let the car dry.
4. Once the car is totally washed, dry it. I use a shammy. Super important, don't let water dry on the car paint or windows. Especially if you don't have a good wax/sealant on the paint.
5. Any bug residue on the windows, I use clay bar to clean off. Any other tar/bugs I use a citrus based bug/tar remover.
6. Back to Black/Armor All/Tire shine for all the black plastic/rubber. Chrome polish for the Exhaust tip.
That usually makes it look pretty good.
I used Turbo Wax this year for the first time when I got the car out of storage and it seems to be holding up pretty good. Water spotting from rain washed right off, shine is still pretty good.
1. Take to quarter car wash, blast the crap out of the rims inside and out to clean most of the brake dust off.
2. Then hit the rockers, fenders behind the wheels for whatever is stuck there, and the front if there's bugs.
3. Drive home, wash the car by hand, I have some turbo wax wash right now. Start at the top work toward the bottom. Always overlap areas. Do the wheels last. Never let the car dry.
4. Once the car is totally washed, dry it. I use a shammy. Super important, don't let water dry on the car paint or windows. Especially if you don't have a good wax/sealant on the paint.
5. Any bug residue on the windows, I use clay bar to clean off. Any other tar/bugs I use a citrus based bug/tar remover.
6. Back to Black/Armor All/Tire shine for all the black plastic/rubber. Chrome polish for the Exhaust tip.
That usually makes it look pretty good.
I used Turbo Wax this year for the first time when I got the car out of storage and it seems to be holding up pretty good. Water spotting from rain washed right off, shine is still pretty good.
05-20-2013, 09:31 AM
#6
take off paint
repaint
rinse wheels
spray wheels with wheel cleaner
scrub with wheel mitt
scrub tire with scrubber
scrub inside of wheel and fenders with another thing
rinse
_________
rinse car
spray on some soap from a spray bottle in dirty areas
fill two buckets with grit gaurds, one with water, one with PH balanced soap solution
top down wash, rinse as i go along if its hot out. keep all panels wet until i'm done.
when all rinsed, spray with a detail spray or wax as you dry spray
get my big microfiber drying towel wet, spray with some detail spray, dry car (best way minus air blaster method and water sheeting to dry)
use air compressor and air spray fitting to get into the grilles and other crevices
wipe down door jams, trunk, engine bay
do any other detailing needed (clean exhaust tip, windows, tire spray sometimes, etc)
do any necessary engine detailing, then interior, blablabla
repaint
rinse wheels
spray wheels with wheel cleaner
scrub with wheel mitt
scrub tire with scrubber
scrub inside of wheel and fenders with another thing
rinse
_________
rinse car
spray on some soap from a spray bottle in dirty areas
fill two buckets with grit gaurds, one with water, one with PH balanced soap solution
top down wash, rinse as i go along if its hot out. keep all panels wet until i'm done.
when all rinsed, spray with a detail spray or wax as you dry spray
get my big microfiber drying towel wet, spray with some detail spray, dry car (best way minus air blaster method and water sheeting to dry)
use air compressor and air spray fitting to get into the grilles and other crevices
wipe down door jams, trunk, engine bay
do any other detailing needed (clean exhaust tip, windows, tire spray sometimes, etc)
do any necessary engine detailing, then interior, blablabla
05-20-2013, 06:23 PM
#7
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Exterior:
1. Take to quarter car wash, blast the crap out of the rims inside and out to clean most of the brake dust off.
2. Then hit the rockers, fenders behind the wheels for whatever is stuck there, and the front if there's bugs.
3. Drive home, wash the car by hand, I have some turbo wax wash right now. Start at the top work toward the bottom. Always overlap areas. Do the wheels last. Never let the car dry.
4. Once the car is totally washed, dry it. I use a shammy. Super important, don't let water dry on the car paint or windows. Especially if you don't have a good wax/sealant on the paint.
5. Any bug residue on the windows, I use clay bar to clean off. Any other tar/bugs I use a citrus based bug/tar remover.
6. Back to Black/Armor All/Tire shine for all the black plastic/rubber. Chrome polish for the Exhaust tip.
That usually makes it look pretty good. I used Turbo Wax this year for the first time when I got the car out of storage and it seems to be holding up pretty good. Water spotting from rain washed right off, shine is still pretty good.
1. Take to quarter car wash, blast the crap out of the rims inside and out to clean most of the brake dust off.
2. Then hit the rockers, fenders behind the wheels for whatever is stuck there, and the front if there's bugs.
3. Drive home, wash the car by hand, I have some turbo wax wash right now. Start at the top work toward the bottom. Always overlap areas. Do the wheels last. Never let the car dry.
4. Once the car is totally washed, dry it. I use a shammy. Super important, don't let water dry on the car paint or windows. Especially if you don't have a good wax/sealant on the paint.
5. Any bug residue on the windows, I use clay bar to clean off. Any other tar/bugs I use a citrus based bug/tar remover.
6. Back to Black/Armor All/Tire shine for all the black plastic/rubber. Chrome polish for the Exhaust tip.
That usually makes it look pretty good.
I used Turbo Wax this year for the first time when I got the car out of storage and it seems to be holding up pretty good. Water spotting from rain washed right off, shine is still pretty good.when it comes to waxing,i have been using liquid glass. i would really like to try out some zano (sp?) my friend uses it and swears by it.
ive been using a super cheap california blade,but not an actual cali blade. i need to get one. i cant stand water spots!
im going to clay bar and wax my windows tonight. see if that does anything.
05-20-2013, 07:02 PM
#9
is that a paste type wax?
when it comes to waxing,i have been using liquid glass. i would really like to try out some zano (sp?) my friend uses it and swears by it.
ive been using a super cheap california blade,but not an actual cali blade. i need to get one. i cant stand water spots!
im going to clay bar and wax my windows tonight. see if that does anything.
Throw that blade away. After use one you are doing nothing but damage except ur windows. Same for a duster if you have that unless you use it correctly.
Bet its hard to stance like a boss with jacked up paint on a black car
Last edited by riceburner; 05-20-2013 at 07:02 PM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost
05-20-2013, 07:44 PM
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Paste wax and hand applied waxes are useless. If you want shiney paint, polish it with a d.a. Then protect it with wax, or better yet a sealant, applied by a buffer. Zanos good stuff but really its the teqnique, not the product, that gets a nice car nice.
Throw that blade away. After use one you are doing nothing but damage except ur windows. Same for a duster if you have that unless you use it correctly.
Bet its hard to stance like a boss with jacked up paint on a black car
Throw that blade away. After use one you are doing nothing but damage except ur windows. Same for a duster if you have that unless you use it correctly.
Bet its hard to stance like a boss with jacked up paint on a black car
yea,i know all about buffing and polishing. it took me about 10 hours to clay bar/compound/polish/wax my car right before i parked it for the winter. oddly enough my friend who helped me had some pretty bizzare mixture of ****. there was kerosene in it even haha and it turned out amazing.
i picked up a dewalt buffer about 2 years ago,i clay/compound/polish/wax my car usually 2 times a summer.
i keep the blade clean. working at a car wersh for 5 years. i know a thing about a thing. also learned that touch carwashes will **** your **** up after a period of time haha
****** dark colors suck ****!
these rainy ass days are driving me nuts. car is filthy!
05-20-2013, 07:53 PM
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I had a thread about my method not too long ago...
1) Take out power-washer and spray down car.
2) Get my two-buckets and hand-wash the car.
3) Spray down with power-washer.
4) Dry car with big ass waffle weave towels.
5) Detail Spray for all minor imperfections from wash.
If I'm going ***** to wall, step 5 is as follows...
5) Clay bar entire car.
6) Take out Porter Cable and M105/205 entire car.
7) Lay down a sealant to protect freshly cut/polished paint.
1) Take out power-washer and spray down car.
2) Get my two-buckets and hand-wash the car.
3) Spray down with power-washer.
4) Dry car with big ass waffle weave towels.
5) Detail Spray for all minor imperfections from wash.
If I'm going ***** to wall, step 5 is as follows...
5) Clay bar entire car.
6) Take out Porter Cable and M105/205 entire car.
7) Lay down a sealant to protect freshly cut/polished paint.
05-20-2013, 08:11 PM
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Yes chemical guys is good stuff. What are you looking for? I use a wide variety of products, really don't stick to a certain brand. I have however been extremely obsessed with Infinite Use Detail Juice for detail spray. The **** is AMAZING and it's a concentrate so you get a TON! I recommend it to EVERYONE
05-20-2013, 08:27 PM
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well my buddy (drives a srt4) is in love with the chemical guys. i wouldnt even know where to start,id like to buy some of their stuff but no clue where to start.
i would like to try some of the buffing products. currently im using 3m compound and polish along with the pads.
i noticed that i do still have some light scratches (from the pervious owner,he must have washed the car with a handfull of rocks) so in the next month i may buff my car and would like to try some of the chemical guys stuff out.
i would like to try some of the buffing products. currently im using 3m compound and polish along with the pads.
i noticed that i do still have some light scratches (from the pervious owner,he must have washed the car with a handfull of rocks) so in the next month i may buff my car and would like to try some of the chemical guys stuff out.
05-20-2013, 08:45 PM
#17
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I had a TON of surface scratches from my previous owner (guy was a total *******) needless to say, I have had alot of experience with a porter cable. Ive had great results with the Meguires professional line. I use their 105/205 with white/orange pads and it did wonders!
Before...
After...
Obviously that's just a small sample, but I have had great results. I recommend to go onto autogeek to look at reviews..
Before...
After...
Obviously that's just a small sample, but I have had great results. I recommend to go onto autogeek to look at reviews..
05-20-2013, 08:58 PM
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thats a pretty damn good turn around.
ive buffed the car i think 4 times now since ive had it and am still finding light sratches on the damn thing. it abosultly drives me nuts.
i think im going to order a few chemical guys buffing products and see how that goes. im always open to use new things,so i figure i could start with chemical guys and then go from there
ive buffed the car i think 4 times now since ive had it and am still finding light sratches on the damn thing. it abosultly drives me nuts.
i think im going to order a few chemical guys buffing products and see how that goes. im always open to use new things,so i figure i could start with chemical guys and then go from there
05-20-2013, 09:21 PM
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hmm i see they have some pretty good package deals. ill have to do a little more research on them. some of the **** they have is kinda confusing.
like with the 3m stuff i use now. the compound is white,the pad i would use would be white also.
everything is color cooridinated,puple polish purple pad.
they have a 3 pad sampler kit. it comes with a orange,black and grey buffing pad. the v34 is a hybrid compound. the v36 would be a cutting polish. then the v38 would be a final polish.
i would like to run with that line up,but i dont think those are the pads that i would want to use with the V line up.
like with the 3m stuff i use now. the compound is white,the pad i would use would be white also.
everything is color cooridinated,puple polish purple pad.
they have a 3 pad sampler kit. it comes with a orange,black and grey buffing pad. the v34 is a hybrid compound. the v36 would be a cutting polish. then the v38 would be a final polish.
i would like to run with that line up,but i dont think those are the pads that i would want to use with the V line up.
05-20-2013, 09:36 PM
#22
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they have a sample pack of pads. i have a dewalt variable speed buffer.
the sample pack include:
a orange pad for swirl and scratch removal
a white pad for polishing
a black pad for fine finishing.
now would the v34,v36 and v38 work with these pads. maybe its because its monday and im dog tired,i just cant figure it out haha
since the v34 is a compound,
the sample pack include:
a orange pad for swirl and scratch removal
a white pad for polishing
a black pad for fine finishing.
now would the v34,v36 and v38 work with these pads. maybe its because its monday and im dog tired,i just cant figure it out haha
since the v34 is a compound,
05-20-2013, 09:38 PM
#23
yea,i know all about buffing and polishing. it took me about 10 hours to clay bar/compound/polish/wax my car right before i parked it for the winter. oddly enough my friend who helped me had some pretty bizzare mixture of ****. there was kerosene in it even haha and it turned out amazing.
i picked up a dewalt buffer about 2 years ago,i clay/compound/polish/wax my car usually 2 times a summer.
i keep the blade clean. working at a car wersh for 5 years. i know a thing about a thing. also learned that touch carwashes will **** your **** up after a period of time haha
****** dark colors suck ****!
these rainy ass days are driving me nuts. car is filthy!
05-20-2013, 09:48 PM
#25
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haha no worries doode. sorry if i came off like a dick haha
dude,working at a car wash,thats all i called it was wersh haha
now if i could figure out these damn chemical guys pads and polishes i could plan a nice weekend to make my baby shine.
i have a intercooler,IC pipe and pedders waiting to be put on. is it bad that id rather make this bitch shine vs. putting parts on..? hahah
dude,working at a car wash,thats all i called it was wersh haha
now if i could figure out these damn chemical guys pads and polishes i could plan a nice weekend to make my baby shine.
i have a intercooler,IC pipe and pedders waiting to be put on. is it bad that id rather make this bitch shine vs. putting parts on..? hahah