How do I? Wash my car so that it shines like everyone elses?

[invigrr8]

Hi Guys,

First time I've owned a dark colored car so after I wash it, it doesnt really shine because it still has shreak marks and water marks on it.

I usually give it a wash with Polyglaze Wash and Wax then Chamoise dry, but the Chamois doesn't pick up all the water so when it really does dry I see light traces of water on it.

Also the glass, I use glass cleaner but I can still see shreak marks on the glass and dust and fibres on the glass.

Just would like so tips on how I can wash my car to get it nice and shiny like some of the cars seen on this forum? Should I invest in better products or clothes?

Thanks in advance for any advice!

[Arith]

Where do you live? Just shout your location and see if anyone lives near you.

Because I find it extremely helpful to get together with one of the clean freaks on the forum who lives close by, and wash your car with them during their next car wash.

That way they can give you pointers while you wash (products and techniques). I find writing stuff down or being told what do use or how do it tends to get lost during recollection.

[Resonate]

Yeah what Arith said.

Nothing beats some first hand knowledge. Also, those cheap wash & wax in one products from the supermarkets is just a marketing gimmick and will never compare with the real thing. I'm sure the other members will give you an idea on what products they use but ideally you would want to do the wash/polish/wax stages separately.

[sooobi]

Most of these guys are chinese.. so to get comparable results, your best bet is to pay a chinese person to do it!

jet wash = $2 + 3 mins
car wash = $10 + 5 mins
d-lux carwash = $18 + 8 mins
handwash = $25 + 20 mins
dLux handwash = $50 + 40 mins

Professional detail $200.. + 4 hours

See any pattern forming?

[Spec B Wgn]

Most of these guys are chinese.. so to get comparable results, your best bet is to pay a chinese person to do it!

jet wash = $2 + 3 mins
car wash = $10 + 5 mins
d-lux carwash = $18 + 8 mins
handwash = $25 + 20 mins
dLux handwash = $50 + 40 mins

Professional detail $200.. + 4 hours

See any pattern forming?

lol..

they wear rubber gloves with the dlux hand wash ...??

[blacknwhite]

Ditch the chamois and buy a waffle weave towel for drying, that will solve the streaking.
As for the glass and cleaning in general microfibre towels are the go as they retain dust and dont shed fibres like paper towel or household towels
Having said this a solid technique is required with a dark car, swirls and light sratching is normally caused by washing with a poor tecqnique and cheap mitts and sponges. not driving
What Arith said watch somebody near you and you will learn heaps or go to webites such as detailparadise.com.au or autopia.com
Pete

[overl0ad]

Most of these guys are chinese.. so to get comparable results, your best bet is to pay a chinese person to do it!

chinese style for glass: windex + newspaper.

from an actual standpoint, there's something in the ink which they use in the newspaper which reacts with windex and gives a better clean. my old man owned a printing press...

[EJ25]

Most of these guys are chinese.. so to get comparable results, your best bet is to pay a chinese person to do it!

lol, when my brother told me to wash his car for 10 bux, i agreed. i ended up just driving to a mates house doing nothing. gg!

[Spec B Wgn]

Most of these guys are chinese.. so to get comparable results, your best bet is to pay a chinese person to do it!

chinese style for glass: windex + newspaper.

from an actual standpoint, there's something in the ink which they use in the newspaper which reacts with windex and gives a better clean. my old man owned a printing press...

it works ...believe me

[OzSTi]

Local DIY car-wash with pressure spray. = $4-.

Start with 30sec of pre-wash for wheels and lower body parts.

About 1 min high pressure soap. Another min high pressure rinse and then final 30 sec spot free rinse.

If you have to use the brush briefly wash it first with the high pressure gun and then only use on lower surfaces.

Then I use a "wiper blade" type thing I got from one of those car shops to remove excess water and then a Meguires chamois (starting with it dry - you can do this with proper chamois) and do windows first then from roof down.

Use an old chamois for you wheels and lower rocker panels.

[Arith]

If I owned a car wash place, I would put in a wind tunnel to 'blow dry' the cars after a wash. The main reason for a lot of the water spots and streaks even after you give your car a thorough dry is because there are countless crevices that the water resides in that you simply can't reach. And unless you bring a aerosol duster with you to blow them out, they only come out when you start driving.

So I always dry the car, drive it for half a kilometer, then pull over and give it another dry. You'll always find streaking water from the side mirrors, the top of the rear bumper, and the bottom front bar.

[invigrr8]

Where do you live? Just shout your location and see if anyone lives near you.

Because I find it extremely helpful to get together with one of the clean freaks on the forum who lives close by, and wash your car with them during their next car wash.

That way they can give you pointers while you wash (products and techniques). I find writing stuff down or being told what do use or how do it tends to get lost during recollection.

Good idea Arith, anybody mind letting me in on their car wash?... I Live in Guildford, Near Parramatta in Sydney NSW.

Cheers

[invigrr8]

Ditch the chamois and buy a waffle weave towel for drying, that will solve the streaking.
As for the glass and cleaning in general microfibre towels are the go as they retain dust and dont shed fibres like paper towel or household towels
Having said this a solid technique is required with a dark car, swirls and light sratching is normally caused by washing with a poor tecqnique and cheap mitts and sponges. not driving
What Arith said watch somebody near you and you will learn heaps or go to webites such as detailparadise.com.au or autopia.com
Pete

Thanks, will consider getting those towels next time I wash the car. Hope they help because its such a bitch doing the insides of the glass!

Thanks for the tips mate

[invigrr8]

Local DIY car-wash with pressure spray. = $4-.

Start with 30sec of pre-wash for wheels and lower body parts.

About 1 min high pressure soap. Another min high pressure rinse and then final 30 sec spot free rinse.

If you have to use the brush briefly wash it first with the high pressure gun and then only use on lower surfaces.

Then I use a "wiper blade" type thing I got from one of those car shops to remove excess water and then a Meguires chamois (starting with it dry - you can do this with proper chamois) and do windows first then from roof down.

Use an old chamois for you wheels and lower rocker panels.

Is this the Meguires chamois in the tube? or the one thats sold dry as a towel?

[OzSTi]

Local DIY car-wash with pressure spray. = $4-.

Start with 30sec of pre-wash for wheels and lower body parts.

About 1 min high pressure soap. Another min high pressure rinse and then final 30 sec spot free rinse.

If you have to use the brush briefly wash it first with the high pressure gun and then only use on lower surfaces.

Then I use a "wiper blade" type thing I got from one of those car shops to remove excess water and then a Meguires chamois (starting with it dry - you can do this with proper chamois) and do windows first then from roof down.

Use an old chamois for you wheels and lower rocker panels.

Is this the Meguires chamois in the tube? or the one thats sold dry as a towel?

The dry towel. Probably took three washes to get to its best.