Shininess for the Lazy
7/28/10, 12:26 PM
#21
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I have used the local Car wash on my last vert for 3 years and it even has those strap thing's that clean the car. 
No issues at all. In fact when I returned the car all I got was compliments on how good it looked. The car wash will not hurt your car.
My 2011 has already been there 3 times. I have a great guy who practically details the car everytime I go.
Enjoy the car.
No issues at all. In fact when I returned the car all I got was compliments on how good it looked. The car wash will not hurt your car.My 2011 has already been there 3 times. I have a great guy who practically details the car everytime I go.
Enjoy the car.
7/28/10, 01:29 PM
#22
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My car wash buying guide for the lazy
1. Costco micro fiber towels
2. Meguiars gold class car wash
3. Meguiars NXT Tech Wax
4. Wax applicator pads
5. Vinylex for Plastic/Rubber/Leather
What I use:
Wash: Optimum No Rinse Wash & Shine
Polish / Sealant: Wolfgang Deep Gloss Paint Sealant 3.0
Quick Detailer: Wolfgang Deep Gloss Spritz Sealant
Tires: Optimum Opti-Bond Tire Gel
Leather Cleaning: Damp Microfiber Towel
Plastic/Rubber/Vinyl/Leather Protectant: 303 Aerospace Protectant
Leather Conditioner: Pinnacle Leather Conditioner
Clear Plastic (Headlights/Fogs/Tail Lights/Side Markers): Plexus Plastic
Cleaner/Protectant/Polish
Windows: Stoner Invisible Glass
Bug/Tar: Stoner XENIT
Towels / Applicators:
Wash / QD: Cobra Super Plush Deluxe 600 Towel
Drying Body Panels: Cobra Guzzler HD Waffle Weave Towel
Drying Windows: Cobra Waffle Weave Glass Towel
Applying Wax / Polish: Pinnacle Foam Wax Applicator
Removing Wax / Polish: Cobra Indigo Microfiber Polishing Cloth
Even when my car is dirty, it shines. I only spend about two hours once a month. It's all about technique and product selection.
1. Costco micro fiber towels
2. Meguiars gold class car wash
3. Meguiars NXT Tech Wax
4. Wax applicator pads
5. Vinylex for Plastic/Rubber/Leather
What I use:
Wash: Optimum No Rinse Wash & Shine
Polish / Sealant: Wolfgang Deep Gloss Paint Sealant 3.0
Quick Detailer: Wolfgang Deep Gloss Spritz Sealant
Tires: Optimum Opti-Bond Tire Gel
Leather Cleaning: Damp Microfiber Towel
Plastic/Rubber/Vinyl/Leather Protectant: 303 Aerospace Protectant
Leather Conditioner: Pinnacle Leather Conditioner
Clear Plastic (Headlights/Fogs/Tail Lights/Side Markers): Plexus Plastic
Cleaner/Protectant/Polish
Windows: Stoner Invisible Glass
Bug/Tar: Stoner XENIT
Towels / Applicators:
Wash / QD: Cobra Super Plush Deluxe 600 Towel
Drying Body Panels: Cobra Guzzler HD Waffle Weave Towel
Drying Windows: Cobra Waffle Weave Glass Towel
Applying Wax / Polish: Pinnacle Foam Wax Applicator
Removing Wax / Polish: Cobra Indigo Microfiber Polishing Cloth
Even when my car is dirty, it shines. I only spend about two hours once a month. It's all about technique and product selection.
7/28/10, 01:53 PM
#23
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In my experience using Zaino, I don't think it would matter what color the car because when you put it on the right way and use the right methods the car looks like its wet, the shine is so deep and clear. I just put a couple of coats on my FX35 this weekend and everbody was starring at it on the parkway when going to work all this week, probably because the sun was reflecting of the car and blinding them
7/28/10, 07:38 PM
#24
GTR Member
You can buy a pretty big jug of car wash soap pretty cheap, can't imagine that a bottle of hair shampoo could be anywhere near as cheap for the amount of washes per ounce used that the car wash soap is.
7/28/10, 08:48 PM
#25
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I have used the local Car wash on my last vert for 3 years and it even has those strap thing's that clean the car. No issues at all. In fact when I returned the car all I got was compliments on how good it looked. The car wash will not hurt your car.
My 2011 has already been there 3 times. I have a great guy who practically details the car everytime I go.
Enjoy the car.
No issues at all. In fact when I returned the car all I got was compliments on how good it looked. The car wash will not hurt your car.My 2011 has already been there 3 times. I have a great guy who practically details the car everytime I go.
Enjoy the car.
7/29/10, 06:20 AM
#27
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I dont disagree that that is probably true. But the Title of the thread is "Shininess for the Lazy"
Not everyone has the time or desire to keep up with their car cleaning. With 2 kids, crazy work hours and a house to upkeep. I find that I have very little time or more important energy to keep up with the car. And for people in those situations they should know that a good car wash place is not going to damage there paint and will keep it looking very good in fact.
Just my.02
probably not worth that much anyway.
7/29/10, 07:05 AM
#28
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I have changed my mind on this. First of all, the suave shampoo that the car wash soap is based off of was made 20 years ago. Im gonna go ahead and spend the extra few bucks on real car wash soap.
7/29/10, 10:48 AM
#29
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You could always go for a 80mph run on the freeway, that will get rid of most of the water
Last edited by Adam; 7/29/10 at 10:54 AM.
7/29/10, 11:03 AM
#30
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The question is who is drying your car after going through the car wash? Is it the establishment that's paying their workers minimum wage and they use the cheapest towels they can buy in bulk? Or are you driving it home then drying it yourself? In either scenario, you'll probably end up with scratches. By the time you get home additional contaminants will be on your paint that can cause micro marring. This doesn't bother a lot of people though.
You could always go for a 80mph run on the freeway, that will get rid of most of the water
You could always go for a 80mph run on the freeway, that will get rid of most of the water
7/31/10, 12:09 AM
#31
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Going to mustang show on monday...not entering or anything,but wanted it to look good non the less...already waxed a few times ect...so just wanted something fast...i tryed NuFinish cling this evening,and it turned out real nice...took no time at all,and gave my car a nice wet polished look...
7/31/10, 03:23 PM
#33
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7/31/10, 04:36 PM
#34
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Here you go: http://autogeek.net/contopcleanp.html
8/3/10, 07:09 AM
#35
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I know what you mean... it all starts running together.
I bought a cotton wash mitt, Costco had a jug of Turtle Wax Auto soap, some microfibers, a chamois, 1 wheel & 1 tire brushes, and 2 buckets. (And also some RainX bug & tar remover, glass cleaner. I get lots of bugs along a lake. And you'll probably want some tire shine.) WalMart & Costco.
Assuming you are starting with a still nice new factory finish, claybar & wax will come later.
It takes a full hour with me working pretty quick - especially quick during the drying portion to avoid water spots. (I have hard water and it leaves spots from hell if you let it set.) I wash at least once/week - but usually the next day after a trip along the lake to get the bugs off. I have 3M Clear Mask on the front and road rash areas, but I still want to get bugs and bird crap off pretty quick.
1) Park in shade. Hose car. Apply bug remover to front as needed, let set a bit and hose off per directions.
2) Soap car in sections starting top, working down. After using both sides of mitt on a section (say the roof or hood), plunge mitt into clear rinse bucket and squeeze 2 or 3 times (watch for excess dirt on mitt like from under rocker panels). Hose soap off car and wet the rest of the car again briefly (avoids water spots). Then plunge clean mitt into soap bucket and squeeze in some soap and go to the next section. (If your car was really dirty you might change the rinse water once during a wash.) Hose car frequently as you work.
3) Wet chamois and ring out. Dry section at a time starting with top portions where water is setting, then sides.
4) Brush wheels and tires with soapy water and brushes. Rinse avoiding any overspray on dry body panels. Using a damp micro (wet & ring out), dry wheels. (I mark my micro's with a sharpie so I don't mix wheel micro with door jamb micro, etc.)
5) Using a separate damp micro, wipe door, hood, trunk jams.
6) Using a separate damp micro, wipe the dust from engine bay.
7) Interior as needed. Tires as needed.
Mine is 2 yrs out now and it still has deep color and a nice shine. I do think I'm ready for claybar and wax about now though. Mine sits in a garage under cover for 5 mos of the year during winter.
Remember... cleanliness is next to Godliness...
I bought a cotton wash mitt, Costco had a jug of Turtle Wax Auto soap, some microfibers, a chamois, 1 wheel & 1 tire brushes, and 2 buckets. (And also some RainX bug & tar remover, glass cleaner. I get lots of bugs along a lake. And you'll probably want some tire shine.) WalMart & Costco.
Assuming you are starting with a still nice new factory finish, claybar & wax will come later.
It takes a full hour with me working pretty quick - especially quick during the drying portion to avoid water spots. (I have hard water and it leaves spots from hell if you let it set.) I wash at least once/week - but usually the next day after a trip along the lake to get the bugs off. I have 3M Clear Mask on the front and road rash areas, but I still want to get bugs and bird crap off pretty quick.
1) Park in shade. Hose car. Apply bug remover to front as needed, let set a bit and hose off per directions.
2) Soap car in sections starting top, working down. After using both sides of mitt on a section (say the roof or hood), plunge mitt into clear rinse bucket and squeeze 2 or 3 times (watch for excess dirt on mitt like from under rocker panels). Hose soap off car and wet the rest of the car again briefly (avoids water spots). Then plunge clean mitt into soap bucket and squeeze in some soap and go to the next section. (If your car was really dirty you might change the rinse water once during a wash.) Hose car frequently as you work.
3) Wet chamois and ring out. Dry section at a time starting with top portions where water is setting, then sides.
4) Brush wheels and tires with soapy water and brushes. Rinse avoiding any overspray on dry body panels. Using a damp micro (wet & ring out), dry wheels. (I mark my micro's with a sharpie so I don't mix wheel micro with door jamb micro, etc.)
5) Using a separate damp micro, wipe door, hood, trunk jams.
6) Using a separate damp micro, wipe the dust from engine bay.
7) Interior as needed. Tires as needed.
Mine is 2 yrs out now and it still has deep color and a nice shine. I do think I'm ready for claybar and wax about now though. Mine sits in a garage under cover for 5 mos of the year during winter.
Remember... cleanliness is next to Godliness...
8/3/10, 11:14 AM
#36
Legacy TMS Member
I started using a leaf blower on my Taurus because it seems to have jillion places that catch water that drips until the next day. 
Works so well I use it on the Mustang now also. Very good for getting water out from the taillight housing, behind the grille, license plate, side markers, etc. Excellent on the wheels. And you'll clear enough water that a quick swipe with a towel or damp chamois will 'finish' the job. I haven't wrung the chamois out in 6 months.
Works so well I use it on the Mustang now also. Very good for getting water out from the taillight housing, behind the grille, license plate, side markers, etc. Excellent on the wheels. And you'll clear enough water that a quick swipe with a towel or damp chamois will 'finish' the job. I haven't wrung the chamois out in 6 months.
