458 Cloth and Spray choices of preference.

Check the blend of the micro fiber towel and 70/30 blend far better than 80/20. Candidly the Chemical Guys detail products work great and are easy to use


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My advice ..don't touch it until you are ready to do a proper wash ..you will add swirls no matter what you use

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Congrats on the car.

I like any micro fiber cloth I can purchase cheap in packs of 20 or more. Just make sure they are without stitched edges. Get some fine and medium ones.

As far "dry-clean" stray stuff? Oh dear, for the love of everything holy - DON'T!

When you hose down the car during a wash, you get rid of a lot of grit. Then when you foam the car, and later wash with lots of soapy water and a nice wash mitt, you trap the remaining grit in that fluffy mitt and lube well with all the soap and suds. With the dry cleaner? Not so much. Yes, it will take off the grit and the film, but that grit will also be run all over your paint. It absolutely ruins the paint and leaves both scratches and swirl marks. If you get full self healing ppf, sure, that's okay. The scratches will heal and the paint is protected.
You are much better off doing a quick "touchless" wash.
Prepare a foam lance for your power washer.
Take your power washer and give the car a good hose-down with clean water using the normal fan shaped nozzle.
Spray the front end, wind shield, side sills and rear diffuser with insect/tar remover.
Spray the wheels and exhaust tips with Sonax Wheel Cleaner Plus(CCM brake safe)
Foam the entire car with a thick heavy layer of foam, including the wheels.
Let sit for 5 min if you're in the shade, or 2-3 min in the sun.
Wash off the foam with the power washer using the same fan nozzle as earlier.

Whipe down car with clean dry micro fiber towells. Use plenty of towels to make sure they are clean and no circular wiping. Get all the large surfaces first. You can always spend time on wheels, mirrors, grills etc after. But get the water off the roof, sides, bonnet, boot, windows, and bumpers first. That's where it dries first and leave stains. Then you can focus on the details.

Once you have the procedure down, you can get through the entire washing process from hose-down to hosing soap off in less than 10 mins. Then all you have to do is the wipe down. Wipe is equally easy and quick once you get to know your car.

If you want to make life as easy for yourself as possible, get it ceramic coated. Then the described washing method will yield a great result.

As always, you will on occassion need to mitt wash and clay the car, and then "wax" it with something like Kamikaze Over Coat, say every 2 months or so. But normal care does not need to be difficult or hurt your paint. A complete "touchless" wash including drying, can be done in less than 30 mins, and will look a lot better than "dry cleaning".




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Great write up ..I would add a good leaf blower to help dry car ..touchless and if car is properly wax/ coated there will be little to wipe down



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A blower can be a good thing. I've used it a lot, but to be honest, even on a waxed and coated car, wiping is still needed. I think the blower is great for stuff such as grills, vents, door jams etc. though, but it does not replace a proper wipe down. If I were to replace my blower, I would probably use a more modern and dedicated tool such as this. https://www.esotericcarcare.com/bigboi-blowr-pro-car-dryer/

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I just PPF the whole car. Then you can wipe it with a napkin if you wanted to. (I use AMMO-NYC products for the most part. Seems to work well, but I'm not touching the paint, just the PPF)

 

Can’t really help you in that department, as I have mine cleaned at detailed at a specialist and don’t do it myself, but wanted to drop by just to say congratulations! Enjoy in good health and wish you many miles of happiness behind the wheel!

Kindest regards,

Nuno.

 

First, congrats. Beautiful car.
Second, not sure how "dirty" your car will get when you use it/drive it. Meaning driving in rain will kick up more flat out dirt than driving on sunny dry days when you get mostly dust/surface dirt, air pollutants (amount dependent on where you live) and maybe some bird droppings. So, if just surface contamination I find a spray hosing followed by letting just the open hose with no pressure to be the best solution. The "forceful" spray is most needed on the rockers which take the biggest beating and then the open hose allows the sheeting effects of the water to leave less water to wipe off. Even after a true 2 bucket wash, the open hose is a cheap trick to decrease amount of wiping you need to do.
Having said all that, I have to keep my car covered. I have 3 cats who love to explore the garage and do not want their claws on my hood. They have no trouble viewing my low hood as a ramp! So I have to rinse off between rides. No point in having cover scratch the finish by being dragged over the surface dirt that will scratch it.
Anyway, Griot's makes 2 good spray products. A spray on wax and just got their new ceramic spray. Stuff is $20 and can do about 30 Ferraris! Basically you just spray on and wipe off immediately. Kinda like Windex. No drying just wipe/buff with little effort. This stuff really minimizes the adherence of the aforementioned dirt so it allows a quick hose off with no soap, etc. Again, dried on dirt while less adherent with this or any professional coating should be soaped off.

Best

 

Nuno buddy, sending the Ferrari off to get washed and waxes, is like sending the wife off to be cuddled and rubbed by a "professional". You need to get your hands in the pie and connect with the car my man

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Hahaha now that’s a scary prospect! Haha.

You’re right, my friend. I’ve been so afraid to do something wrong, that I’ve chosen to hand the car off to a professional, but you’re absolutely right. I have to dedicate myself to learn more and take care of it myself. Friends who do, say it’s a great pleasure, even therapeutic. I’ll give it a try!

Kind regards and have a great Sunday!

Nuno.

 

Nice rig bro , let’s see some interior shots too. Safe travels and all the best, Kirk.

 

I use the Master Blaster Evolution 2 stage. It is the closest thing to no touch.

 

Anybody use a particular product on the dash / doors? It seems to be a different material than the seats. I have something for the seats that works great but it seems to leave a fine residue on the doors which wipes off just fine but that defeats the purpose. Also want to avoid high a gloss appearance on the dash which causes a reflection on the windshield. A very slight damp cloth is best but for preservation of the material over time I want to find an alternative. Thanks for any advice.

 

I like 303 protectant

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You can use microfiber towels from sources such as Griots, Chemical Guys etc. A good spray detail is Griots Speed Shine. As a final sealant I HIGHLY recommend CarPro ReLoad (can get it on Amazon). Amazing shine and results (and I have OCD so . Beautiful car. Enjoy it in good health!

 

THE VATICANS, do you have pictures of your beautiful 458’s interior?

For instance: My carbon fiber racing seats are leather and alcantara. There are all leather versions. I guess they require different cleaning techniques/products.

Kind regards,

Nuno.

 

You really should do it. It does not have to be difficult.

There are a bunch of basic rules, but nothing difficult. And I'm actually quite serious when I say you get to know your car. You normally don't get an excuse to run your hands all over it. You get an entirely new perspective of the car

Let me know if you want some detailed instructions and suggestions.

Just remember, what ever you do NO QUICK DETAILERS ON A CAR THAT HAS NOT BEEN WASHED!!!.you might as well pick up a handful of dirt and rub it into the paint.

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Gorgeous car! Congratulations!