| Author | Message | ||
| Michael N. (Man90tr)
Member Username: Man90tr Post Number: 524 Registered: 4-2001 |
Everyday if she's in the mood and sometimes when she isn't.  ..... | ||
| Mitch Alsup (Mitch_alsup)
Junior Member Username: Mitch_alsup Post Number: 51 Registered: 4-2002 |
I wash the F355 just about every other time I drive it (and it stays covered in the garage when not in use. I also give it a leather treatment any time I drive with the windows open (like track events). I put 7,000 miles on the car last year. I find I get about 4 washes per waxing, and 3 waxings between polishings. However, a single 50 mile trip in the rain requires a complete washing with a detergent that removes wax, followed by a polish (lacquer loves polish), followed by a sealer, and finally a waxing. | ||
| Tom Antal (Intenso)
Junior Member Username: Intenso Post Number: 87 Registered: 5-2001 |
In the past I used Griots Speed Shine to lightly clean the car in between washings. It really brought back the shine but I also think it adds a small layer of wax. I noticed that after you did this process more than a few times, you really needed to wash the car. It seems like it attracts a lot of dirt and grime to stick to the car. Speed Shine is also not usable when the weather is cold, it just seams to smear. So when you want to touch up the car before an early morning jaunt, it is a pain in the ass. A few weeks ago I started using Zaino. The shine on the car is the best I've ever seen. I also use the Z-6 Gloss Enhancer Spray in between washings. I can use this in any weather condition and it lifts the dirt without scratching the car. I also use a duster on the car after a drive, before I put the cover back on, when the car gets tucked in for the night. The Zaino product does not seem to attract the grime like the Speed Shine does, so I can go a lot longer with out washing. By the way if you use the Zaino system to wax your car, do not use the Speed Shine in between the washings. They do not seem to be compatible and it really messes up the shine. | ||
| wm hart (Whart)
Member Username: Whart Post Number: 309 Registered: 12-2001 |
Hmmm, i get the idea of not washing the car frequently if it is an issue of not scratching the finish (i'm not so sure the water in the crevasses is that big a deal if you use an air compressor, like i do, when i wash). However, the idea of wiping a detail spray on a dirty car seems even more problematic, and if you tell me you dust the car first, before spray detailing it, i still wonder how much micro-grit is still on the surface, that you are then rubbing into the finish. (I thought the idea of a good, nondetergent shampoo was to lubricate and emulsify ;help me here, what i did during chemistry class is not worth repeating). As to sprays, the best one i have found is Wurtz "Zebra" spray, but it is a tad pricey. | ||
| Eric Vartanian (Evartanian)
New member Username: Evartanian Post Number: 15 Registered: 3-2002 |
Speaking of detail spray...which do you guys think gives the best results (or, which do you use?) I have been using, and only ever used, Meguiar's Quik Detailer - Mist and Wipe. I have found that it gently gets the dust and minor dirt off quite nicely, however, it sometimes appears that it might dull the gleaming shine of the "waxed look". I understand that it probably takes some of the wax off as you "mist and wipe", but still not enough to do what I am seeing. The car still feels pretty smooth, but not super slick and sometimes I can even see the wax coming off, almost a difficult to wipe residue. Anyway, it seems to do a good job at dusting and only a very little amount of wax is removed, but I am still disappointed with the dulled look of the paint. I have noticed at most concours and other various car shows that most or all of the exhibitors usually use a pink liquid in a spray bottle to dust throughout the day, and this product seems to be great. It almost leaves a glazed look and always a "slick to touch" surface. I am not sure what this is, and never asked. I was hoping to hear what you guys have been using and also if any of you knew what this "glaze" detailer spray was. Also, is this detailer okay to use often on the paint. Thanks, Eric Oh yeah, I have no ritual of washing the car, just whenever they get dirty. Wax and maintenance as needed. | ||
| martin J weiner,M.D. (Mw360)
Member Username: Mw360 Post Number: 418 Registered: 5-2001 |
Whenever my wife orders me to. | ||
| Alberto (Aabreu)
Junior Member Username: Aabreu Post Number: 57 Registered: 9-2001 |
I wipe it down with detail spray after everytime I drive it (about three or four times a month). It's only been washed once in 5 months (professional detailed for my wedding). I intend to wash it shortly, but with the wipe downs, it really does not need it. I'm mostly washing it only because I'm afraid to wax it without washing it. | ||
| John Bicsak (Funshipone)
Junior Member Username: Funshipone Post Number: 72 Registered: 1-2002 |
I have owned car 10 months washed 4 times. | ||
| Ernie Bonilla (Ernie)
Member Username: Ernie Post Number: 290 Registered: 11-2001 |
wash it only when it needs it | ||
| Bob Campen (Bob308gts)
Junior Member Username: Bob308gts Post Number: 194 Registered: 9-2001 |
Rick, I have never driven it in the rain, really only on VERY nice days as a reward to myself so it really has never gotten dirty just a light dust cover that wipes off very easy. | ||
| Frederick Thomas (Fred)
Member Username: Fred Post Number: 491 Registered: 2-2001 |
I wash mine just about every week when I am driving it regularly. It is such a small car it only takes a few minutes to wash and dry. | ||
| Michael Yip (Mightyslash)
Junior Member Username: Mightyslash Post Number: 55 Registered: 4-2002 |
Every damn week. | ||
| Willis Huang (Willis360)
Member Username: Willis360 Post Number: 716 Registered: 8-2001 |
I have to wash my 360 every 2 to 3 weeks depending on weather and road conditions. If you're gonna drive a Ferrari in the Pacific Northwest, it'll get wet and dirty. | ||
| Ken (Allyn)
Member Username: Allyn Post Number: 429 Registered: 10-2001 |
Never unless its caught in rain, then a sponge bath; no hoses. I wax it every month or so but it stays clean since I wipe it down with a soft rag every day. | ||
| 89TCab (Jmg)
Junior Member Username: Jmg Post Number: 223 Registered: 9-2001 |
Since I drive most days, it is usually only 2 weeks between washes, sometimes as often as 1 week (winter). Full detail every 4 -6 months depending on how it was driven. - JMG | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 1618 Registered: 12-2000 |
nope, just wash it every 6 months, which is a detail job like Chris just did on it. In between I only California dust it, clean the wheels, and use a detail spray if mud or birds get on it. The car is always covered. | ||
| Ernesto (T88power)
Member Username: T88power Post Number: 406 Registered: 2-2001 |
I am curious as well: how many miles do you guys drive a year that require only a few washes a year? Ernesto | ||
| Najib Amanullah (Najib)
Junior Member Username: Najib Post Number: 144 Registered: 4-2001 |
I use a wet/damp cloth to wipe the dust off once every week but wash with car shampoo once a month and wax every 6 months. It dries pretty quickly in 45c. | ||
| RICK ROMERO (Tr90)
Junior Member Username: Tr90 Post Number: 131 Registered: 4-2001 |
Bob: Just curious why no water? | ||
| BobD (Bobd)
Member Username: Bobd Post Number: 435 Registered: 3-2001 |
I wash mine 2 -3 times per year. | ||
| Bob Campen (Bob308gts)
Junior Member Username: Bob308gts Post Number: 192 Registered: 9-2001 |
Detail spray, and wax No water | ||
| Martin (Miami348ts)
Intermediate Member Username: Miami348ts Post Number: 2097 Registered: 5-2001 |
what a car needs to be washed? I drive it through the rain  | ||
| Marcus Mayeux (Mmayeux73)
Junior Member Username: Mmayeux73 Post Number: 209 Registered: 4-2002 |
Rob, do you mean wax your car every six months? I hope you wash it more than that;) | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 1617 Registered: 12-2000 |
once every 6 months | ||
| RICK ROMERO (Tr90)
Junior Member Username: Tr90 Post Number: 130 Registered: 4-2001 |
How often do you wash your car? |