Detailing Your Vehicle

[christob]

...I'm curious what folks do after driving in the rain... assuming garage coverage at home/work, anyone towel-down the whole car after a thorough rainfall soaking? I'm talking when the car is dripping wet when you pull in, not say, caught in the rain while driving an hour ago, and now wind-dried and streaky when you get home. (And of course, this is assuming it isn't splattered with wet mud, or otherwise needing a true washing, etc., when you pull into the garage.)

I just washed mine 3 nights ago, and then got caught in a sudden downpour while out on errands at lunch today. Back in the office garage, I got out the chamois/drying cloth and wiped the whole car down... couldn't stand the thought of dried water spots all over, when my carwash wasn't 96 hours old just yet!

Of course, it will probably be sprinkling in time for the commute home in 90 minutes... I'd probably towel it down again at home, if it is soaked. (I don't have a hose connection at either the home or office garage, so this towelling down would only really strike me when the car is essentially clean already, just very wet.)

[meshell]

my husband and i are both getting new cars. we were looking into getting waterless washes for our cars. i have seen information on eco touch. has anyone had experience with this product, or any other waterless car product and how does it work? i mean, if your car is really dirty what do you do? are these products for those with just 'dusty' cars...?

[Tideland Prius]

yeah I've heard of it but they're rather expensive. What sounded the alarm was when I asked about wheels/tyres shine and the salesman said it'll do those too... and I'm like.. err they're usually silicone or oil-based and a waterless carwash doesn't make a tyre shiny (esp. when there's a separate tyre bottle right on the table too which he didn't see).

Anyway, if it's freshly waxed and not too dirty, swiffer the entire car and it'll come right off.


Otherwise, I (unfortunately) do it the conventional way with a bucket. I don't leave the water running and I try to wash the soap off with minimal water (i.e. let the water sheet down rather than just jet and have overspray).

[Freightbusters@aol.com]

I have used the wash and filtered water system by mr clean and it works...I began with it because of the hard water in Florida ..but I watch it dry without and I mean without spots!!!!

[Tideland Prius]

I can add Optimum No Rinse to the detailing garage. It's great for those in apartments/condos or people with water restrictions.

[Sheepdog]

Zaino here baby! smmmmoooth!

Rain runs off clean. The neighborhood cat also slid off trying to jump on the hood! went away unhappy!

[xsmatt81]

Originally Posted by christob

...I'm curious what folks do after driving in the rain... assuming garage coverage at home/work, anyone towel-down the whole car after a thorough rainfall soaking? I'm talking when the car is dripping wet when you pull in, not say, caught in the rain while driving an hour ago, and now wind-dried and streaky when you get home. (And of course, this is assuming it isn't splattered with wet mud, or otherwise needing a true washing, etc., when you pull into the garage.)

I just washed mine 3 nights ago, and then got caught in a sudden downpour while out on errands at lunch today. Back in the office garage, I got out the chamois/drying cloth and wiped the whole car down... couldn't stand the thought of dried water spots all over, when my carwash wasn't 96 hours old just yet!

Of course, it will probably be sprinkling in time for the commute home in 90 minutes... I'd probably towel it down again at home, if it is soaked. (I don't have a hose connection at either the home or office garage, so this towelling down would only really strike me when the car is essentially clean already, just very wet.)

If you can keep up on it, just pull it up in the drive way and let water run down the panels, roof, hood etc..then dry it good. You want to wash away any crude that was in the air/rain so it won't etch your paint bad if it is allowed to dry. I have 4 really bad waterspots that will not come off on my roof(black car) because of lazyness after it rained out here, and when our sun kicks in here in neveda it only takes 1 min to dry those puddles...and if left over night forget about it! Will need to buff sometime to remove it. Vinegar will get some water spot's off. Anyway just rinse the car, and dry it after it rains, or do a full wash..whatever you have time for.

keep a bottle of quick detailer in your car also, mothers brand or meguiars are easily found in most stores...this stuff is awesome on fairly clean paint, dont rub if it is really dusty though. This can remove water spot, etc right after it has encountered your car.

[Michgal007]

I just got my Prius professionally detailed after 20 months. Looks really clean inside, almost like when it was new.

[Tideland Prius]

Congrats! How much was it?

[brad_rules_man]

Originally Posted by tmgrl3

Great articles, TP! I printed them out....I know I won't do much of it, BUT I will get better drying towels, and dump the dishwashing soap in favor of something more Prius-friendly....

Thanks!

terri

Oh no! Don't ever use dishwashing soap on a car. It removes and strips wax, and also gets the finish too clean for the health of the car. There's a lot more to it, but I don't remember it off hand. Google it!