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

[tangcla]

Get a silver car... it doesn't show up dirt

My car in the pics here is actually dirty, and it was raining when we started to do my car

[Gir]

Get a silver car... it doesn't show up dirt

My car in the pics here is actually dirty, and it was raining when we started to do my car

I can vouch for that. The sti had been freshly cleaned and clarence's car was quite dirty.

[tangcla]

I can touch for that. The sti had been freshly cleaned and clarence's car was quite dirty.

err don't touch me... just vouch

[Gir]

lol... Posting from N95 can result in some odd things...

[Arith]

That's okay guys. What happened at the photo shoot should stay at the photo shoot.

[sooobi]

I reckon!!
\


Kinda on topic.. went to a ecoblue wash yesterday and got swirl marks all over my B4

[Resonate]

Do the elephants have anything to do with the photoshoot?

[Arith]

went to a ecoblue wash yesterday and got swirl marks all over my B4

There's a price to be paid trying to be eco friendly.

Hmm, I've actually never heard of an ecoblue wash. Is that where they try to be environmentally green by just running a damp towel through your dirty car to conserve water?

[sooobi]

Is that where they try to be environmentally green by just running a damp towel through your dirty car to conserve water?

Sort of thing yeah..

As annoying was the fact that I paid for an exterior only wash yet my AC had been turned on, my stereo had had the bass turned right up, the radio station changed and the sub amp has a blown fuse!

First and last time they get my $$.. ecoblue, if you're reading this, you suck.

[SkoobyGT]

I laugh at the fact that you leave your car with someone you don't trust.

I never leave my car when getting work done on my car unless I trust the person, and they have cars quicker than mine that they work on so mine would be nothing special.

[Gir]

Pay someone to wash then do mini detail to fix the swirls

[brendans225]

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!

Not sure how "keen" u are, but the subie's have one of the softest clearcoats around meaning they will scratch and swirl easily - and being a dark colour doesn't help - to minimise the swirling u impart whilst washing, i'd use a two bucket method - one filled with wash solution and other clean water for u to rinse the wash mitt of the crap u pick up as u wash the car.

i'd also get a quality wash mitt, meguiars lambswool is pretty good i find, or even the kenco or armour all wash mitts

with your wash solution, i'd highly recommend u getting some Bowdens Own Auto Body Wash - it has a "thick" and lubricating feel to it, so u are confident u are picking up the shit off your paint work without scratching it

drying towel, a chamois is a no no - they are harsh and will more often than not, contribute to swirls and scratches as they don't pick up any leftover dirt on your paint, but rather drag it across the surface - i'd get a waffle weave as Pete suggested, as they absorb water better than a chamois and being microfibre, are much gentler on the paint - also will not leave streaking marks afterwards

your water spots, are caused by water deposits, either from rain or not drying the car properly - u will need either a clay bar or polish/paint cleaner of somesort if u hope to remove them ......general washing alone will not get rid of them .............a good quality, long lasting sealant or wax will also aid in preventing water spots from appearing

hope that helps a bit

[invigrr8]

FIRST OFF!... THANKS FOR ALL THE TIPS EVERYONE!... EVERY MUCH APPRECIATED... WILL DEFINETY GET A WAFFLE WEAVE ON SUNDAY WHEN I GET SOME TIME TO DO WASH THE CAR.

SKOOBYGT... YOUR ALARM GUY WAS GREAT... CAN'T BE HAPPIER WITH MY ALARM!... AM GOING TO SEE HIM FOR REVERSE SENSORS SOON!

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!

Not sure how "keen" u are, but the subie's have one of the softest clearcoats around meaning they will scratch and swirl easily - and being a dark colour doesn't help - to minimise the swirling u impart whilst washing, i'd use a two bucket method - one filled with wash solution and other clean water for u to rinse the wash mitt of the crap u pick up as u wash the car.

i'd also get a quality wash mitt, meguiars lambswool is pretty good i find, or even the kenco or armour all wash mitts

with your wash solution, i'd highly recommend u getting some Bowdens Own Auto Body Wash - it has a "thick" and lubricating feel to it, so u are confident u are picking up the shit off your paint work without scratching it

drying towel, a chamois is a no no - they are harsh and will more often than not, contribute to swirls and scratches as they don't pick up any leftover dirt on your paint, but rather drag it across the surface - i'd get a waffle weave as Pete suggested, as they absorb water better than a chamois and being microfibre, are much gentler on the paint - also will not leave streaking marks afterwards

your water spots, are caused by water deposits, either from rain or not drying the car properly - u will need either a clay bar or polish/paint cleaner of somesort if u hope to remove them ......general washing alone will not get rid of them .............a good quality, long lasting sealant or wax will also aid in preventing water spots from appearing

hope that helps a bit

Thanks for the tip mate. My cars only had like 800 ticks on it. I heard a myth today that putting products on brand new car isn't exactly healthy for the cars surface as the coat hasn't still settled yet. Sounds like BS to me but anyone have anything to say about that?... Is it safe to start waxing my car as of yet?

I really want to get it gleaming and water spot free (yes! its probably from the rain because I park it outside at work and its a gravel carpark), i think all the swirls are from that Kenco chamious and sponge I bought. NOT HAPPY!

Where can i score some of these products from?...The best thing I can find at the local SuperCheapAuto is McGuires gold or something.

[brendans225]

Thanks for the tip mate. My cars only had like 800 ticks on it. I heard a myth today that putting products on brand new car isn't exactly healthy for the cars surface as the coat hasn't still settled yet. Sounds like BS to me but anyone have anything to say about that?... Is it safe to start waxing my car as of yet?

I really want to get it gleaming and water spot free (yes! its probably from the rain because I park it outside at work and its a gravel carpark), i think all the swirls are from that Kenco chamious and sponge I bought. NOT HAPPY!

Where can i score some of these products from?...The best thing I can find at the local SuperCheapAuto is McGuires gold or something.

No worries, thats absolutely bollocks, u can start waxing your car straight away - only time would be if u just got it resprayed, in which case i would wait a while first ...........i'd get the paint protected now while its still new, otherwise its only gonna be harder for u down the track ........and sounds like the weather has already started to "damage" your paint

i don't think u will find a waffle weave at your local auto shop - but i did just recieve a whole bunch if u want to get one of me

bowdens own is only available from bowdens themselves or through autobarn from my knowledge


Cheers,
Brendan

[adam]

If I owned a car wash place, I would put in a wind tunnel to 'blow dry' the cars after a wash.

the place i go to on victoria rd gladesville (awash, not that crap star wash) uses a compressed air gun.. works pretty well. still a couple of spots that need attention when i get home though.