| Author | Message | ||
| Ricky Agrawal (Vraa)
New member Username: Vraa Post Number: 25 Registered: 10-2003 |
Thank you sir, always trying to please! Now when you gonna bring that beast of yours to my house and let me get my hands on it? .. The 550 that is... :D | ||
| Dan (Bobafett)
Intermediate Member Username: Bobafett Post Number: 1874 Registered: 9-2002 |
Vraapper: you are a true soldier! --Dan | ||
| Ricky Agrawal (Vraa)
New member Username: Vraa Post Number: 22 Registered: 10-2003 |
Am I dedicated yet? I can't drive legally alone yet, but guess what I did  You know the really crappy jacks Mercedes gives? Yeah, the ones that slip easily and are a PITA to use? Well I used that, did every wheel on dads R230, did the wheel wells, the brakes, clayed and waxed all interior, and clayed the car body. I'm not done yet... I'd post pics but that's all that's clean and has wax. --------------------------------------- The benefits of spending 3-5 hours vs an entire weekend without a trophy to show for it, are well, beyond our levels of insanity. ---------------------------------------- We get different trophies, the trophies of our knuckles scraped to the bone from the discs of the brakes, red mixed with black, black from the brake dust, and your shirt gone from black, to nothing but skin and wet hair. :D That, is my trophy. Oh yeah, and a clean car.. heh! | ||
| Sunny Garofalo (Jaguarxj6)
Intermediate Member Username: Jaguarxj6 Post Number: 1110 Registered: 2-2003 |
I'm bored at lunch so I though I would share some of my insanity with you. The point is the last paragraph, so skip down to it if you don't want to hear my philosophy. There are those who will let no one touch their car, those who let only "the best" or those according to certain criteria touch their car, and those who let anyone. I'm the first category, with one exception, and thats Kal participating in this thread. The second category is a big grey area. Big money for great results for whatever reason. No time, disability, whatever. How much will you pay to have someone care (or not care) as much about your car? How much would you pay a valet to really take care of your car? Would you tip a valet $20, $40, or even $50 just to make sure? For those that would, you risk the chance of still being bitten, just as you do with professional detailers. They still make mistakes. If you learn or already know the techniques to your specific car, there will be NO mistakes and no learning curve. For the people who say time is money, how much is not making a mistake worth to you? To some, priceless. Ask Bart about his 550, those who's car was taken for a joy ride, those who had to spend hundreds to remove a dent by a careless individual, or an owner who took a car to another detailer to fix the mistakes of the first. The third category, the quicky detailer gets good enough results for $25-50. Beware of anyone who doesn't prove their results from start to finish on another car before touching your own. If its that important to have the best, its important enough to make sure if you are not doing it yourself. Its still a business. You can get burned no matter how much your paying them. For those who have this credibility, they are priceless. They really are just cars. But this post is about pride. Just food for thought!! Sunny | ||
| Dan (Bobafett)
Intermediate Member Username: Bobafett Post Number: 1861 Registered: 9-2002 |
So glad others are as messed up in the head. --Dan | ||
| Sean F (Agracer)
Member Username: Agracer Post Number: 424 Registered: 2-2003 |
Go to page two. http://www.fca-kc.org/Newsletters/FCA%20April%20Newsletter.pdf Local club member tell me the guy is magic with your car, but he went back to school so I won't get to find out anytime soon. Also http://www.fca-se.org/concours.htm has a good write up as well. | ||
| Mitch Alsup (Mitch_alsup)
Intermediate Member Username: Mitch_alsup Post Number: 1240 Registered: 4-2002 |
I will end up putting about 8,000 miles on my F355 this year, including 17 track days. Not only do I drive my car in the rain, I drive it on a race track in the rain! at 145 MPH! It is much easier to learn car control in the rain than on dry road surfaces. And once you learn, it is still good to go out and practice regularly. Driving in rain only about doubles the time it takes to get the car as clean as I like it. A typical car wash take me 3 hours, and a full job will take 6-7 hours. Wash, glasse, wax, engine detail, leather treatment, and miscellaneous. | ||
| Drewh (Drewh)
New member Username: Drewh Post Number: 19 Registered: 10-2003 |
I put 10,000K on my car this year. Not one of those K's was in the rain and it was never parked beside another car or left where it wasn't being watched. It has been parked (ie. reserved parking outside a hotel or restaurant etc..) I learned form this site that there are people more nuts than me (that's a good thing) and that there are people who think that they care for their car but really have no clue. I call it caring for it and enjoying it! DrewH | ||
| DES (Sickspeed)
Senior Member Username: Sickspeed Post Number: 7529 Registered: 8-2002 |
Stephen, i believe it was in the last issue of The Prancing Horse that Mike Charness had parts II & III of his 3-part series on washing your car and washing it correctly... He posts on here, it would probably be a good idea to find him or email him or somehow get his opinion... | ||
| Sunny Garofalo (Jaguarxj6)
Intermediate Member Username: Jaguarxj6 Post Number: 1107 Registered: 2-2003 |
Dave, I think most of us want "extra clean" but not "show trophy" clean. The benefits of spending 3-5 hours vs an entire weekend without a trophy to show for it, are well, beyond our levels of insanity. I used to show but not any more. It was simply way too much time not only preparing but on the field itself. A good several days down for a trophy on the shelf. The realization for me was when I enjoyed the car more putting rock chips into the front end chasing exotics and pushing hard around canyon roads and I'd have no F-chat time trying to combine both obsessions! Sunny | ||
| Ermin Trevisan (Trevi)
Member Username: Trevi Post Number: 390 Registered: 5-2003 |
tom once a year is enough...it could get dirty again ;-) | ||
| Ermin Trevisan (Trevi)
Member Username: Trevi Post Number: 389 Registered: 5-2003 |
you guys drive me crazy....... i have mine for 4 years now, made 35k miles, and spent maybe 9 hours overall for cleaning and washing.... i have to drive, no time for cleaning, it gets dirty again anyway. | ||
| Frank K Lipinski (Kaz)
Member Username: Kaz Post Number: 422 Registered: 11-2002 |
That's nothing...I trophyed twice this year and it took me almost two weeks to get ready for the last show and about a full day just on the motor! I'm registered for Cavallino, there goes the whole month of December! | ||
| Dave Penhale (Dapper)
Member Username: Dapper Post Number: 757 Registered: 4-2002 |
"I spent 9 hours doing a car once" This guys just a mere beginner. There was a time I'd take that car after his clean and then clean it properly. It would take me a full weekend sometimes. I dont do it quite so often now, there are so many more important things in life. Don't forget to use a triple o brush to touch in the slots in the black screw heads that have been disturbed....what...you mean you dont do this? | ||
| Frank K Lipinski (Kaz)
Member Username: Kaz Post Number: 420 Registered: 11-2002 |
It's good to see such a high response on this topic. A year ago the author would have gotten flamed cause "wax and mats" were an uspoken taboo here. Just want to add, to keep water out of the engine I did this...work like a charm. http://www.ferrarichat.com/discus/messages/251280/230168.html | ||
| Dan (Bobafett)
Intermediate Member Username: Bobafett Post Number: 1823 Registered: 9-2002 |
Gary: stunning looking TR! Better than new! Sunny: hah! So true! --Dan | ||
| Jeff Green (Carguy)
Member Username: Carguy Post Number: 625 Registered: 10-2002 |
Kal...speaking of boars-hair brushes...a car buddy of mine uses a brush of some kind..but I thought it was a horse-hair brush. He keeps after his cars but not to the extent I do. But the finish on his car using the brush looks good. | ||
| Gary Dougan (Squeeky)
New member Username: Squeeky Post Number: 3 Registered: 9-2003 |
missed the pic  | ||
| Gary Dougan (Squeeky)
New member Username: Squeeky Post Number: 2 Registered: 9-2003 |
Hi all. Good to see that there are some products being mentioned that I use here in New Zealand. I also use cotton towels and have seperate towels for each section of the car. I have done about 14,000km in the last year and entered my TR in the masters section of the New Zealand Concours De elegance and placed fifth. I usually hose down first then wash, then chamois and then put two coats of Meguiars on the car. Usually takes about 5 hours. I have also helped detail other club members cars. Its good to see that I'm not the only one thats obsessed with keeping the car in pristine condition. | ||
| Sunny Garofalo (Jaguarxj6)
Intermediate Member Username: Jaguarxj6 Post Number: 1101 Registered: 2-2003 |
Dan, yeah, but usually its so dirty people need no prompting at all. They look at the car after a hard thousand miles and go holy ****! | ||
| TOM BUCKLEY (Tom_b)
Junior Member Username: Tom_b Post Number: 147 Registered: 6-2003 |
"Washing the car." Hmmmm. Interesting concept. You mean like, more than 2X a year ? Tom | ||
| Lloyd (Lloyd)
Junior Member Username: Lloyd Post Number: 130 Registered: 8-2001 |
California Dusters- I use them occasionally on my black car and they work fine after you use them a bit. They seem to come with some wax on the strings and the first few times you use it it may leave wax residue on the car. However, after some use this is no longer a problem. | ||
| Kal (Suprakal)
Junior Member Username: Suprakal Post Number: 65 Registered: 4-2003 |
I posted this in MISC but maybe someone here can answer. Anyone try the Boars Hair brushes from griots instead of wash mit to wash the car? Seems like the ideal way however I don't know how much I trust boars hair not to scratch the surface of the paint. Seems awful hard! | ||
| Dan (Bobafett)
Intermediate Member Username: Bobafett Post Number: 1812 Registered: 9-2002 |
Sunny, I do the same thing! 'See how dirty it is! Look! Really it is!' Knowing friends will laugh and say ok, there goes a weekend then. ;) --Dan | ||
| Sunny Garofalo (Jaguarxj6)
Intermediate Member Username: Jaguarxj6 Post Number: 1094 Registered: 2-2003 |
I show off my car when its dirty more than its clean, because well, those days only happen maybe 5 times a year! When I mean dirty, I mean foggy-rainy-cross-state-puddle-chasing-high-speed-bug-splattered-barely-paved-road and back in a single day kind of funk that just changes the whole color of the car. Dirt so bad its imbedded and you need to clay to get it out. The same feeling when you see something perfect and you have to fuss it up just to add character, but more grandiose. Use a mister/quick detailer and a microfiber instead of the duster. The duster just moves the dirt around on the paint. Some of it sticks to the duster, sure. But it will leave fine scratches in addition to streaks because of the imbedded wax in the duster. Its a useful tool for the quick and dirty people where they like it shiny and without dust, but care less about the condition of the paint. There are microfiber booties already out for the Porter Cable buffers, I believe. Sunny | ||
| Dan (Bobafett)
Intermediate Member Username: Bobafett Post Number: 1782 Registered: 9-2002 |
Vraapper: at the bottom is an 'upload attachment' button next to Preview/Post Message. Click on that. No more than 640*480. GUYS! So glad to hear that others are whack-jobs. Yeah, we drive our cars. I just put on 400 miles this past Sunday. Does anyone ever get a 'dirty and proud of it" feeling? No? Not at all? Am I crazy? Hmm... I've been using the Griot's Garage leather care for interior (don't bother with the scent) - the damn 550 must have a herd of cows in there, because EVERY damn surface is covered in leather. Took me 3 hours, and of course you HAVE to do it in the sun / warm car to open up the pores in the leather. Blargh. Luckily the car had to be moved indoors to cool off for the washing. I used to be convinced Zymol is the way to go. I admit takes a long time, but the results were absolutely brilliant. I do concur with Jeff about putting the car up on jacks - it's actually MUCH easier to get at panels, dry stuff out, etc. when you've got it up higher. Plus wheels-off means you can reach allt he way inside the well. So let's take a product concensus? Seems to be a few Zaino / Meguiars guys here. I had helped organize a Meguiars demo here, and they flew out a rep to show a group of us their product line (back when Microfiber was new). Guys, I can't stress enough how much better a *good* microfiber cloth is over towel. First off, the lines left by a 100% cotton towel are still thicker and heavier than microfiber. Secondly, microfiber is much more managable in size, and it wrings water out considerably better (not like a chamois, but I don't trust bare leather as a drying agent). And the thinner material makes it much easier to 'feel' the surface, imperfections (hopfully none you can feel!), etc. Once you've tried it for a proper buffing, I doubt you'll go back. I'm waiting for a microfiber cloth to cover an orbital. --Dan | ||
| Ricky Agrawal (Vraa)
New member Username: Vraa Post Number: 21 Registered: 10-2003 |
I'm sorry yall, I seem to have totally messed up this thread, I don't seem to know how to post pictures, if someone can e-mail me instructions on how to, I'd appreciate it. I tried the /image and it didn't work. In the mean time, click here for the image. http://forums.mbworld.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=56742 | ||
| Ricky Agrawal (Vraa)
New member Username: Vraa Post Number: 20 Registered: 10-2003 |
Messed up post, sorry. | ||
| Ricky Agrawal (Vraa)
New member Username: Vraa Post Number: 19 Registered: 10-2003 |
My dad drives the SL about 1000 miles a month, my moms van gets the same, and my car gets only about 200 miles a month. Even so, we (I) take care of all of them perfectly I don't like the california dusters, seems too risky to have the dust particles get stuck on the duster and leave webbing on the clearcoat. I'll just get some quick spray detailer and mist it off. | ||
| peter james moran (Pjm)
Junior Member Username: Pjm Post Number: 77 Registered: 3-2002 |
What to you people think of the "California Dusters"? | ||
| sindo rodil (308qv_miami)
Junior Member Username: 308qv_miami Post Number: 127 Registered: 5-2003 |
I'm as detail obsessed as the next guy, but if you're not going to drive your car more than a couple of feet a year, what's the point of having such an immaculate car? I would think the fun would be knowing you'd have to pamper her after a drive and also show her off as often as possible.I've put at least 10,000 miles on my 308 in one year and looks beautiful, and its black. By the way, Griots Garage makes great products or I use Meguiars too. | ||
| Ricky Agrawal (Vraa)
New member Username: Vraa Post Number: 18 Registered: 10-2003 |
Poor Carrea.  | ||
| Jack (Gilles27)
Intermediate Member Username: Gilles27 Post Number: 1528 Registered: 3-2002 |
I love to do all my own car cleaning. I've been like that since a kid. We were at a bar one afternoon and I started chatting with the guy next to me, seeing as how he was wearing a work shirt from a local auto detailing chain. He was the owner, so, being buzzed, I started asking him all kinds of questions about their process. Washing, waxing, polishing, clay, types of rags, orbital polishers vs. by-hand, on and on. He tended to respond to most things with a "Ah, that's a bunch of crap" response. "Drop your car off, and I guarantee you'll be amazed." Well, my neighbor did me the favor by taking his Carrera there. After picking it up, I saw it parked outside in the sun, nicely reflecting the swirl marks from bumper to bumper, top to bottom. Plus, his tires were greasier looking than the windows on a commuter bus. Basically, when it's your own car, you care more than the guy doing it for minimum wage + tip. | ||
| Ricky Agrawal (Vraa)
New member Username: Vraa Post Number: 17 Registered: 10-2003 |
What is this drive you speak of? | ||
| Sunny Garofalo (Jaguarxj6)
Intermediate Member Username: Jaguarxj6 Post Number: 1092 Registered: 2-2003 |
Alright, Jeff! Thats the spirit! I used to show and its an incredible amount of work if you have a driven car and not a garage queen! Dave, I drive 25k/year. lol Its mine, my own... my... precious! Stay away from wicked tricksie car washes. Sunny | ||
| Jeff Green (Carguy)
Member Username: Carguy Post Number: 619 Registered: 10-2002 |
When do you guys find time to CLEAN your cars:-)? LOL! Yeah....I've heard some of my neighbors talking amongst themselves about my peculiar car washing habits.....they speak in a whisper and point over in my direction. They think I don't know what they are talking about...but I do! | ||
| dave handa (Davehanda)
Intermediate Member Username: Davehanda Post Number: 2175 Registered: 5-2001 |
You guys are NUTS! :-) When do you have time to DRIVE your cars??? Dave | ||
| Jeff Green (Carguy)
Member Username: Carguy Post Number: 618 Registered: 10-2002 |
It's nice to see that lots of you guys do your own work. When I wash my TR I do it in my shop, not outside. This way there is no airborn debris to land on the wet car and I can go a little slower and do a better job. I have also found that washing the car thoroughly 3 full times in succession gets it so clean that it looks as if it's already been waxed. You can't get it too clean! I usually raise the car up on stands and remove the wheels and clean the backs and fronts, and the wheel wells. Definately cover the engine with plastic. And I use a gas powered leaf blower but you must be careful as the exhaust can leave a residue, so I run it lean with no oil-mix in the gas...besides I'd swear she makes more power this way! Only do this for drying the car. I then use 100% cotton towels, good pure cotton ones are hard to find and expensive. There are tons of cheapie ones that say 100% cotton but have some algadon mixed in. I have towels for the paint only, some for glass, some for wheels, and the rest for the engine bay and other areas. The micro fibre towels are really cool, but I haven't used them much yet. It is not unusual to spend 6 hours and a wash job, and the results are worth it. And it can take weeks getting ready for a carshow. Most people out there have no idea what it takes to get a car truly clean and keep it looking top notch! They think you must really SCRUB that thing...and I say NEVER! Use chemical muscle whenever possible, do the least destructive thing that will get the job done. This does take more time and knowledge than most people want to invest. But then that's why my 16 year old car will still look near new while their 5 year old car will be all hazy and dull and they'll wonder why! DETAIL FREAKS FOREVER ! | ||
| Sunny Garofalo (Jaguarxj6)
Intermediate Member Username: Jaguarxj6 Post Number: 1090 Registered: 2-2003 |
I have to second plush bath towels for wax/glaze removal. Makes the job much easier. Sunny | ||
| Drewh (Drewh)
New member Username: Drewh Post Number: 14 Registered: 10-2003 |
I forgot to mention the mis-conception with diaper cloth. It is thought by some that because diaper cloth is so soft that it is wise to use it on your paint. In fact diaper cloth is very bad. Diaper clother has no where for grit to to go so if you pick up something on the surface you are scratching it around on your paint. The microfiber cloth is alright but best for wax removal. Good old 100% cotton bath towels are best! Tip of the day: I go to a store called value village in Canada which is a used thrift store. You can buy bath towels that almost look as good as the ones in our bathroom for $1.50 - $2.00 each and they beat anything you'll see new in the car care section of your automotive detail store. Plus: My wife won't freak out cause I'm using our bath towels! DrewH | ||
| Sunny Garofalo (Jaguarxj6)
Intermediate Member Username: Jaguarxj6 Post Number: 1089 Registered: 2-2003 |
Meguiar's Gold Class, Mother's Carnuba Cleaner, Pinnacle, and P21S are all wonderful waxes. I went for Zaino because I really need the durability. And the optics are still on par and superior to all but the top waxes. Sunny | ||
| Ricky Agrawal (Vraa)
New member Username: Vraa Post Number: 16 Registered: 10-2003 |
Go for Meguires than, cheap, and it's local! I use Zymol Cleaner wax on the Odyssey and once on the Lex. It beads like nothing i've ever seen, but then agian, I haven't personally used Zaino yet, the kit is still waiting downstairs. Man I can't wait till a weekend of sun! | ||
| Dan (Bobafett)
Intermediate Member Username: Bobafett Post Number: 1780 Registered: 9-2002 |
I am dubious of Zaino. I was a Zymol freak for a while...now I'm all over the place. --Dan | ||
| Ricky Agrawal (Vraa)
New member Username: Vraa Post Number: 15 Registered: 10-2003 |
Dan you are crazy, you have a black car and your not outside adding another layer of zaino on it. | ||
| Dan (Bobafett)
Intermediate Member Username: Bobafett Post Number: 1779 Registered: 9-2002 |
Guys - so good to know I'm not crazy! You guys are bringing back my spirit. Bring on the 3M imperial hand glaze. --Dan | ||
| Sunny Garofalo (Jaguarxj6)
Intermediate Member Username: Jaguarxj6 Post Number: 1088 Registered: 2-2003 |
Yes, I have two coats of Zaino on them, but unfortunately, they are really that dirty. I drive too much to keep them clean. Those Ferodo's are dusty sons-of-a-Cedar-fire! Sunny P.S. I use the compressed air for the chrome on on my bumpers, the plinth on the trunk, and the front headlight assemblies, as well as the door mirrors. The chrome on the bumpers especially holds an insane amount of water. I also use dental floss on the door guards as well. Q-tips for the crevices of the chrome. I dry the paint the old fashioned way with a (microfiber) cloth. | ||
| Ricky Agrawal (Vraa)
New member Username: Vraa Post Number: 12 Registered: 10-2003 |
Sunny : Help is on the way! Only six hours?! :D Becareful with the compressed air, like Dan said, may even get the dirt further into the clearcoat. After you've sheeted the water off your car, I'd try a large leaf blower, that works real real good! Make sure the ground is wet so the dirt and leaves don't fly onto the ground. That'll also get into the cracks without the use of consumables. | ||
| Sunny Garofalo (Jaguarxj6)
Intermediate Member Username: Jaguarxj6 Post Number: 1087 Registered: 2-2003 |
A can of compressed air (for those of us who lack an air compressor) gets in the cracks effectively. Microfiber is the way to go.. all the ones I use are 175k-210k hook count. When a friend picked up his new Z06, I watched him, literally, sitting in the driveway for 6 hours as he fully washed, clayed, prepped and Zaino'ed the car. I helped rinse a few panels off early on. I'm obsessive-compulsive and I admit, I enjoyed it. Help? Sunny | ||
| Ricky Agrawal (Vraa)
New member Username: Vraa Post Number: 11 Registered: 10-2003 |
Hey Sunny, have you tried waxing your rims when they are clean? That way once you just rinse, the dirt (or most of it) just slids off. All it takes is about an hour for all four rims to look sparkling clean, the rinses then take about thirty seconds. | ||
| Ricky Agrawal (Vraa)
New member Username: Vraa Post Number: 10 Registered: 10-2003 |
Ooo, sponges are bad. Go out to the wal-mart next door or so and get some wash mitts. Real cheap and they work real good. Make sure you get the sheepskin thingy ones that are a dark brown color. They are water sealed (or almost) so the dirt doesn't go in and out and stuff. They are real soft too. I ordered the zaino kit a while ago so I haven't used it yet, but even with the Meguires Deep Crystal wash, mothers clay bar, and a coat of Meguires Scratch-X and Meguires Gold Class wax, I was able to make a Black Mercedes look better than a mirrow, ask Dan! :D | ||
| Sunny Garofalo (Jaguarxj6)
Intermediate Member Username: Jaguarxj6 Post Number: 1086 Registered: 2-2003 |
Dan, yes, if you worry about technique, then you are still a part of the club. I compound but usually when someone leaves a scratch in my paint. The last one I'm still furious over was from the House of Blues. We were parked in the VIP area, and as they were closing down and the people were streaming out, this little floosy blonde with rings and bracelets is leaning on my car and leaves a nice 2 inch long scratch on my trunk, once I could examine it in light the next day. It needs wet sanding, something I will be teaching myself on junk yard panels in a few months. My rims and my engine are the only parts I allow to be dirty. My rims were chromed, once. I haven't washed them in at least a month and I drive hard. Sunny | ||
| Dan (Bobafett)
Intermediate Member Username: Bobafett Post Number: 1776 Registered: 9-2002 |
Drew, Some people find it madness. I found it therapeutic, almost. Back when I was learning how to do this the right way, I spent 9 hours doing a car once. Yeah, I cut some corners, yeah, a Q-tip would've been black in parts, but I was leaning and enjoying it. Regarding compressed air: I've never tried it. I can certainly see where / how it helps, but I am always fearful that *if* there is something left over (let's say you didn't clay bar that day), then when you apply some serious pressure, it'll scratch and push further into the clearcoat. Drew: Are you using microfiber cloths to dry? This is what I've been doing lately, and I just wring them out and keep polishing. It takes a few strokes over an area, but it seems ot be doing the job effectively. --Dan PS: I might email you to compare notes on equipment. It's been a long time since I've stocked up and it'd be interesting to see what people are using for what. | ||
| Dan (Bobafett)
Intermediate Member Username: Bobafett Post Number: 1775 Registered: 9-2002 |
Sunny, I can no longer claim to be a member of the club! My car had dirt caked on it so high that a friend 'wrote' his initials on my front right wheel, and 4 weeks later that was black too, just not AS black! I hadn't washed the car for 2 months, and it is black! But, it's not much more than common sense once someone shows you what is going on. You see what scratches, and just how much, and then you determine what you can live with and care about. If you're obsessed, you're probably sitting there with different grades of abrasives polising out swirl marks (while introducing even finer ones ;) ), etc. --Dan | ||
| Sunny Garofalo (Jaguarxj6)
Intermediate Member Username: Jaguarxj6 Post Number: 1085 Registered: 2-2003 |
Dan & Drew, count me in for the fanatical about cleanliness F-chat crowd! I do have to disagree on the car-cover aspect. The three of us will use a cover properly. Do our cars ever get dirty? Probably not. For everyone else, as long as they understand the difference when to cover and when not to, its much better than leaving bird droppings and sap to cook in said sun on the paint. Blocking some or a majority of UV is better than not at all to keep your interior from fading. To hot box in proteins when conditioning the leather without direct sunlight. In coastal or high humidity conditions, it keeps some of the moisture and dew off the paint which creates a haze in optics. Unless you keep a garage like a paint curing room that sucks the dust out of it, parking in them will get dusty and that level can be negated with a cover. Sunny | ||
| Stephen Etheridge (Surreytr)
New member Username: Surreytr Post Number: 28 Registered: 9-2003 |
Thanks for the suggestions guys. Dan, my wife needs to see your post too lol! Joe, thanks for the compliments, but your own car was 100% immaculate too... fantastic example! Steve | ||
| Lloyd (Lloyd)
Junior Member Username: Lloyd Post Number: 129 Registered: 8-2001 |
Best trick a detailer gave me was to first wet down the car with water. Next spray the car using a spray bottle which contains your car cleaning soap diluted with water. This eliminates having put washing towel/mit in soapy water, then rinse before placing back in soapy water to avoid contaminating your soap bucket. Plus when you spray on it gets a change to soak in a bit. Then just use a clean towel/mit to wash and regularly rinse the towel as needed. It goes a lot faster, especially when combine with leaf blower to dry. Leaf blower is essential in TR because the side strakes are a pain to dry. I also cover engine to avoid water in engine compartment. However, must be sure engine not hot and I tie a towel to the steering wheel to remind me to uncover the engine before I start car. | ||
| Drewh (Drewh)
New member Username: Drewh Post Number: 13 Registered: 10-2003 |
Dan, It is nice to hear about someone as fanatical as myself! I'll show my wife your post so she won't think I am the only one. DrewH | ||
| Dan (Bobafett)
Intermediate Member Username: Bobafett Post Number: 1769 Registered: 9-2002 |
All good points, Drew. I find that using different mitts / buckets for different sections always helps. I have one for top / upper panels, one for mid, one for lowest/bumpers, and then another for wheels. --Dan | ||
| Drewh (Drewh)
New member Username: Drewh Post Number: 12 Registered: 10-2003 |
I am the biggest detail fanatic period! I owned a two detail shops that catered to exotics only. 1) Never wipe a car down without washing with water first. You are basically moving what is on the surface around the paint and scratching. 2) Always rinse well before and during washing. Start form the top and work your way down. If you are a paint fanatic like myself you will change the water during the wash process. 3) Always use a different bucket and mitt/towel to do the wheels. 4) Carcovers are fine if you just washed and dried the car but not recommended for daily use as they slide around on the surface when putting them on and off and move the dirt across your paint. They are also bad if the car is left outside with one on in rain or hot sun. 5) Use a compressor if you have one to blow water out of cracks before drying the vehicle. I have a 1999 Spider that I put two 1000 watt floods on when detailing that show every imperfection. While the lights are on you can see the damage you are inflicting when wiping a car down that hasn't been washed but appears clean. DrewH | ||
| Joe (Spider)
Junior Member Username: Spider Post Number: 168 Registered: 9-2003 |
Hi Steve, You seen my baby, I always sponge it with a soaked sponge but not too much that its all over the place, rinse off soapy water same way, chamois off and t-cut out scratches cos you always get some, final polish with Super Resin Polish. what a treat she looks :-) P.s your car looked great on Sat, Guys this man looks after his car , and why not when you drive such a special Car " the testarossa" as we discussed Steve on Sat, I dreamed of that Car as a boy, pictures on my bedroom wall. Lets be fair is one of the best known Fcars of all time. Just my opinion guys ( trying to make sure i dont upset anyone) :-)   | ||
| Dan (Bobafett)
Intermediate Member Username: Bobafett Post Number: 1763 Registered: 9-2002 |
Drive it. Drive it some more. Drive it some more. I washed it for Sunday's little meet, before that? Probably a month fo daily driving if not two. Closer to two, actually. A friend wrote his initials in the brake-dust of my front right wheel - his initials became black a few weeks later. --Dan | ||
| dave handa (Davehanda)
Intermediate Member Username: Davehanda Post Number: 2158 Registered: 5-2001 |
Drive the car, don't worry about it.... | ||
| robert biscan (Tn_ferrari_bob)
New member Username: Tn_ferrari_bob Post Number: 48 Registered: 1-2003 |
I use an air compressor in the garage to blow out hidden water at wheel and body panels. I keep it covered when not in use unless the weather is good and I plan on using it a few days in a row . Then I wash it and cover the car. | ||
| BobD (Bobd)
Intermediate Member Username: Bobd Post Number: 1617 Registered: 3-2001 |
I have a fair-weather car and it's driven 1000 miles per year. I wash it with a bucket of soapy water and a hose once a year. Other than that, I take a large, soft sponge filled with water, wipe it down and then follow-up quickly with an old soft towel when it gets dusty. I have the Griot's Speed Shine but I don't like the concept... I'd rather use a sponge loaded with water. | ||
| Andrew-Phillip Goalen (Andrewg)
Member Username: Andrewg Post Number: 482 Registered: 9-2002 |
Jet wash the lower panels after every damp use or every time in the winter (roads are salted, in the summer just whe its dirty! | ||
| Frank K Lipinski (Kaz)
Member Username: Kaz Post Number: 417 Registered: 11-2002 |
Stephen - Use a Quick Detail spray like Meguiars Final Inspection or Quick Detail with a Micro-Fiber cloth - takes less than 5 minutes and the micro fiber will not scratch the paint. As for water in the cracks, after washing I use an electric leaf blower. Open trunk, engine, doors and it will blow all water out of hidden cracks. Old detailer trick. Careful not to blow any dirt on floor onto car. Other option is a wide open highway with a strong 4th gear pull to redline. | ||
| Sunny Garofalo (Jaguarxj6)
Intermediate Member Username: Jaguarxj6 Post Number: 1083 Registered: 2-2003 |
Wipe down every other day, wash once a month, use a cover religiously. For a non-daily driver, its even easier just to wash and cover. Sunny | ||
| Stephen Etheridge (Surreytr)
New member Username: Surreytr Post Number: 26 Registered: 9-2003 |
I know this will sound like a sad old git's thread, but I have a genuine question.. Even driving your car only on dry sunny days, it will accumulate some dirt and need cleaning. Do you wash it with a hose and lots of water... some of that water will still be sitting in hard to find places several days later and may lead to corrosion over time, or do you just use a wet cloth and risk scratching loose grit across the surface of the paint? I dont like flooding the car with water, but I don't like rubbing the paintwork too much either. What's the consensus here? |