I need to wash my car already! Any reccomendations

[tracysbeans]

Ok my car is ready for it's first wash. I have never had a car nice enough to need to be washed. (no use washing a rusty car)

So do you have any reccomedations on what products I should use to wash the car? Or do I just go through one of those automatic car washes with the brush. Or the car washes with the hoses?

Also can I could use some help to wash my car too

I'm not silly to be asking about car wash products am I? I don't know a thing about that stuff. IF you think I'm asking a silly question please remember I'm a blond

So there is 3 ways I know of to wash a car:

1. In the car wash with the brushes
2. In the car wash with the hoses
3. With my garden hose at home (In my bikini......NOT!)

I also want to wax my car to.

Are do I just go to Wallyword and grab the first car wash wax I see????

Help my car is dirty! :P Tracy

[aaf709]

It was my wife's suggestion that I get the Mr. Clean AutoDry Car Wash. You just spray the stuff on, moving the selector as needed. It dries without spotting (well, the windows a bit), and you don't even have to worry about using a towel. I haven't had any problems with it, other than it's more pricey than others.

[AlphaTeam]

Living in Wi you might have the same problem I have in Mi. Road dirt, salt and all that yukkie stuff. It will get that way almost right away. I just go to those do it yourself spray gun things. Fot $1.50 I can quickly wash and rince all that gunk off. When spring comes I'll do a proper job.

[robochimp]

Whatever you do... (speaking from an owner of a black pk8)

don't use any kind of brushes...you will eventually get black paint swirls...the worst!

I'd get:
a shammy
an electric buffer (with buffer pads)
karnuba wax (no grit)

and spray the thing down at a high pressure hose "self spray" car wash (about $2.00)

quickly wipe it down with a *wet* shammy (don't worry about getting it completely dry)

now drive the car for about 5 miles -or back home- whatever is greater...it
should be pretty dry by the time you get home ;] nature does a great job.

apply the carnuba wax all over the car and wait till dry
then use the buffer to polish (very light pressure)

it will be beautiful when finished.... just be careful that you aren't scratching
the paint with the buffer - test it in a small area first...

Wax once a month....wash once a week...

good luck.
-robochimp

Originally posted by tracysbeans@Jan 12 2006, 07:03 PM
Ok my car is ready for it's first wash. I have never had a car nice enough to need to be washed. (no use washing a rusty car)

So do you have any reccomedations on what products I should use to wash the car? Or do I just go through one of those automatic car washes with the brush. Or the car washes with the hoses?

Also can I could use some help to wash my car too 

I'm not silly to be asking about car wash products am I? I don't know a thing about that stuff. IF you think I'm asking a silly question please remember I'm a blond 

So there is 3 ways I know of to wash a car:

1. In the car wash with the brushes
2. In the car wash with the hoses
3. With my garden hose at home (In my bikini......NOT!)

I also want to wax my car to.

Are do I just go to Wallyword and grab the first car wash wax I see????

Help my car is dirty!  :P Tracy

[snapback]188787[/snapback]

[bbianchi]

Since your prius is black here is what you really want to do.

Head to http://www.zainostore.com and pickup the starter kit. It comes with wash, polishes, etc.

Go to any wallyworld type place and pickup a nice high pressure hose/nozzle and some higher end 100% cotton smaller towles.

Then go to a nicer bath and body works or whatever type place and get some higher end 100% cotton towels for your polishing, there is a much better guide on the Zaino site.

Wash your car with the Zaino, then polish it as per the instructions. My Prius's paint was clean enough that I didn't have to clay bar it from the factory.

The reason I do not reccomend wax is because it does nothing for the finish of your car. It just fills in the swirls, spiderwebbing, and scratches. The Zaino Polishing system actually removes these imperfections from the finish itself, as well as making your paint smoother than glass (really). Ive seen several black cars that had a numerous zaino application done and it was AMAZING.

I dont reccoment anything electric either. Besides doing it by hand is not only easier on your car (especially when you think about it removing the chance of human error) plus its a good afternoon workout. And Zaino can be applied in cold weather, it just takes it a bit longer to dry.

[bbianchi]

Originally posted by robochimp@Jan 12 2006, 05:13 PM

quickly wipe it down with a *wet* shammy (don't worry about getting it completely dry)

now drive the car for about 5 miles -or back home- whatever is greater...it
should be pretty dry by the time you get home ;] nature does a great job.

apply the carnuba wax all over the car and wait till dry
then use the buffer to polish (very light pressure)

it will be beautiful when finished.... just be careful that you aren't scratching
the paint with the buffer - test it in a small area first...

Wax once a month....wash once a week...

good luck.
-robochimp

[snapback]188800[/snapback]

I am strongly against this theory. Having a white prius I can tell you exactly why you dont want to do this. After I detailed my car I drove with the car dry (dry objects attract less dirt than wet ones last I checked as well) and I had a nice ammount of road grime on the rear portion of the car just like that. And I had only driven MAYBE 1 mile. Not to mention that when you drive there is a vaccume behind your car created by driving that is going to suck up the dirt, dust, and whatever else is on the road.

Then when you go to buff it with your electric buffer all thouse abrasive particles are going to get onto your pad and add a nice 'effect' to your paint thats going to be very not fun to remove.

To play it safe, if your planning on waxing or polishing, never drive after washing but before applying anything to your paint!

[tracysbeans]

Originally posted by aaf709@Jan 12 2006, 07:09 PM
It was my wife's suggestion that I get the Mr. Clean AutoDry Car Wash. You just spray the stuff on, moving the selector as needed. It dries without spotting (well, the windows a bit). I haven't had any problems with it, other than it's more pricey than others.

[snapback]188792[/snapback]

Ok thanks! I think I have some coupons for Mr. Clean carwash.

So I would just use that stuff with my hose at home.

What temperature should it be to wash my car??

[aaf709]

Originally posted by tracysbeans@Jan 12 2006, 04:37 PM
Ok thanks! I think I have some coupons for Mr. Clean carwash.

So I would just use that stuff with my hose at home.

What temperature should it be to wash my car??

[snapback]188820[/snapback]

They recommend using that method in the shade. I've used it when it's overcast, but generally after 4pm.

[robochimp]

Thanks for that info -- I'd have to agree with you on that completely..

I still say "no brushes" or auto carwashes - also no one (including handwash places) will
take better care of the car than you... they don't care if they scratch the heck outta your car, IMO.

-robochimp

Originally posted by bbianchi@Jan 12 2006, 07:36 PM
I am strongly against this theory. Having a white prius I can tell you exactly why you dont want to do this. After I detailed my car I drove with the car dry (dry objects attract less dirt than wet ones last I checked as well) and I had a nice ammount of road grime on the rear portion of the car just like that. And I had only driven MAYBE 1 mile. Not to mention that when you drive there is a vaccume behind your car created by driving that is going to suck up the dirt, dust, and whatever else is on the road.

Then when you go to buff it with your electric buffer all thouse abrasive particles are going to get onto your pad and add a nice 'effect' to your paint thats going to be very not fun to remove.

To play it safe, if your planning on waxing or polishing, never drive after washing but before applying anything to your paint!

[snapback]188819[/snapback]

[tracysbeans]

Originally posted by bbianchi@Jan 12 2006, 07:31 PM
Since your prius is black here is what you really want to do.

Head to http://www.zainostore.com and pickup the starter kit. It comes with wash, polishes, etc.

Go to any wallyworld type place and pickup a nice high pressure hose/nozzle and some higher end 100% cotton smaller towles.

Then go to a nicer bath and body works or whatever type place and get some higher end 100% cotton towels for your polishing, there is a much better guide on the Zaino site.

Wash your car with the Zaino, then polish it as per the instructions. My Prius's paint was clean enough that I didn't have to clay bar it from the factory.

The reason I do not reccomend wax is because it does nothing for the finish of your car. It just fills in the swirls, spiderwebbing, and scratches. The Zaino Polishing system actually removes these imperfections from the finish itself, as well as making your paint smoother than glass (really). Ive seen several black cars that had a numerous zaino application done and it was AMAZING.

I dont reccoment anything electric either. Besides doing it by hand is not only easier on your car (especially when you think about it removing the chance of human error) plus its a good afternoon workout. And Zaino can be applied in cold weather, it just takes it a bit longer to dry.

[snapback]188816[/snapback]

Ok thanks for the info. I have heard other people mention the Zaino. Are you sure Zaino can be applied in cold weather? (Remember I'm in WI)

Can I ask you what you use your cargo net for?