Keeping the car clean after washing it

I've been scolded to not use dish soap to wash my car. Fine. So I buy some of that car wash stuff. I washed my car and waxed it. But, a day later, it shows a little dirt, dust, etc. Can I put some of that car wash stuff into a spray bottle with some water and just spray it onto the dirty areas and wipe it off? Or wet a rag with the stuff and wipe the car? Is there a better solution other than washing my car every other day?

By the way, I haven't waxed my car since I bought my last "new" car in 1978. My girlfriend almost died laughing when I told her I was waxing my Prius. She said, "you haven't waxed a car for 20 years." If you do the math, it's actually be about 30 years.

Dumb Mike

You are lucky you don't live in Arkansas where there are no paved roads off the interstate. My Prius always has a light coat of read dust. The Pruis paint is great without any waxing but I have to attach the sprayer and rinse it off at least every other day....jf

There are sevral solutions, but it sounds like you won't do them.

Get a California Car Duster--I've been using them for decades with great results. Also get a mini duster for the interior.
California Car Duster with Plastic Handle - Car Duster - CaliforniaCarDusters.com

Just wash it once a week (or every other week) and don't worry about a thin layer of dust that isn't visible from a distance. It should look relatively clean for up to a week, unless there happens to be a construction site nearby that gets it dusty immediately.

Meguiar's Direct Meguiar's Ultimate Quik Detailerâ„¢


This stuff works GREAT!!!
I use it once a week, "BABY" always looks sweet

I use the CA Car Duster too. It makes it very easy to maintain a light wax on the car. Just be sure to use a light touch with the duster.

The only issue with doing things like using california dusters and quick detailers in between washing is the possibility of inducing marring into the paint. Whenever you wipe something with questionable lubricity over the paint, you run the risk of scratching the paint.

I use the california duster too (they're great, actually get better with age, mine is probably 15 years old), but you have to be smart with it, if its more than just a day or so's driving dust or pollen, don't use it. If its rained, at all, don't use it.

You might want to think about a product called Optimum No Rinse. You mix a few capfulls of it with a gallon or so of water, and use it with a mitt or sponge (I prefer a microfiber sponge) and then dry (I dry with a waffle weave microfiber towel and use Eagle One's Wax as U Dry as I dry each panel). I've gotten to where I can ONR a car in about the time it would take to spray it down with a QD, and the ONR is much safer from a scratching standpoint. Might want to give that a try.

You can buy it here:

Optimum No Rinse Wash & Shine: clay lubricant, optimum rinseless wash, no rinse car wash, optimum detailing products

Heres a video of it in action:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-744800996428313622#

That's why the ONLY way I will use Meguiar's is immediately after I thoughly wash the car. Which I do once a week! A clean microfiber cloth, a couple of spritzes of Meguiar's, you will be surpised at the results!!!

Using this or any other kind of instant wash or quik detailer, without first removing the dirt, will lead to scratching the clearcoat!

You might want to try that Eagle One Wax as U dry product instead of the quick detailer spray. You spray it on before you dry each panel, I've found you get that same result with one less wiping step.

Less wiping = less work and less scratching.

I already have one of these (not the same maker, but same type of product). I guess I'll dig it out of the box and use it.

But, I know it wasn't very good for the situation like when it just sprinkles a little and the dirt just sits there.

Dumb Mike

The Speed Shine sounds like a great idea, but kinda expensive for its intended use. I'll have to think about that.

But I do have some spray on wax, which I might have to give a try.

Dumb Mike

Do you use it ONLY after you wash your car? If you use it without washing your car, it might be what I'm looking for.

Dumb Mike

That No Rinse Wash sounds real good. I'll have to look into that. I have the Eagle One spray wax. But it sounds like I have to "clean" the surface before using the spray wax.

Dumb Mike

No, I always wash the dirt off first!!!
I still end up with dirty microfiber towell when I am finished!
I would NEVER think of using anything without first washing off the major dirt!!

There is NO substitute for soap & WATER!!!

Easiest way to keep it as clean as possible after a wash/wax: garage or cover it. Sitting out overnight will let moisture condense on the cool surface which will catch and hold any dust/pollen.

I don't like the oils on these....it helps a lot if you wash the car duster BEFORE ever using it.

The oils are what make the whole thing work. Its a little annoying at first with the streaking, but as they age they get better like I said and the streaking stops.

To DumbMike, theres no way around washing the car. If the car is really dirty, meaning its rained or its been more than a couple days of dry driving since you washed it...it needs to be washed. Wiping anything off the paint surface is going to scratch it under those circumstances.

If you use the ONR wash once a week and then use the cali duster, the car will pretty much always look clean.