Washin'

[lady80]

When I wash my car I just use clear water, does anyone use the carwash/wax products? and if so which one.
Thanks!:TALK

[sleepyhead]

I use a tiny bit (almost a half cap full) of Zaino brand car wash. I've also used the Armour All stuff - it's probably just as good, but Zaino smells better! :L

-J.

[lady80]

Thanks, I like your forum name. I will give Zaino a try, seems to get some pretty good reviews.

[jet4rs]

Hello Lady80,
The trick to washing cars is NOT to wash in the sun. If you can find a good shady spot, early morning or evening your better off. The problem with the sun in that it dries anything you us water with or without soap and that's when it leaves spots on your paint finish and windows. If you use a car soap from a car care place you'll be ok

[78SilvAnniv]

...however, I'd also recommend not washing a hot car. If it sits in the sun and gets hot, then you pull it into the shade and wash it, the hot car will dry the water/soap just as fast as if you washed it in the sunshine.
I usually wash from the top down, rinsing often as I wash each section and use towels or Hubby's chamois (if I can find it!) to dry it. As a last step, I windex the glass.

Silver

[Tom Bryant]

Right. Always wash a cool car (pun intended) in the shade. I also have a soft water spicket in the garage. Makes a difference in cleaning/sudsing/complete rinsing and water spotting. Use cool water and a quality car wash soap to get the contaminants off of the surface. If you wax or glaze your car often bugs ect almost rinse off.

Tom

[72 Bluz]

I prefer to wash in the morning as well - I smell better when I arrive at work:D (sorry folks, it's Friday!)

Seriously, I'm amazed at what I continue to learn on this board. Been washing with warm water in the sun for years.:(

[Eric]

I use good old fashioned Turtle Wash in the big white plastic bottle. I keep the entire car wet until finished then squeegee with a really cool neoprene wedge thang I picked up at GM Carlisle. I think it was called Sham-eeze.

Like everyone else, the car is always cool.

[BBB454]

Originally posted by 71Shark
I keep the entire car wet until finished then squeegee with a really cool neoprene wedge thang I picked up at GM Carlisle. I think it was called Sham-eeze.

I've seen that gadget before and am wondering if it works better than a regular chamois? Or do you need to use the chamois after the wedge??

Barb :w

[Guy]

I use something similar called the California Squeege. It has a silicone edge about 8-10 inches long. Works great. Got it at Target or Wal-Mart for about $12. I no longer user the chamois. Also, I use a car wash soap. I read someplace that soap adds lubrication and helps avoid scratches from dirt that did not come loose during initial rinse.

-Guy

[lady80]

I have seen those squeeges and wondered if they work or not.... think I will give it a try since my chamois' are wearing out... thanks everyone!

[sleepyhead]

I just got the California Water Blade (sounds exactly like the other 2 products mentioned earlier) from Corvette Central a few weeks back and I can't decide if I like it or not.

On one hand, it does seem to work by getting most of the water off the car very easily before you actually dry it with a chamois or cotton towel.

However, on the other side of the coin, it makes these god awful noises at times that make me cringe and think that I'm taking the wax off the paint!

I really haven't decided if I'm gonna keep using it on the corvette. However, it's fabulous for when I'm washing the '92 Grand Marquis! :D

-J.

[lady80]

I know what you mean, I try everything out on the Grand Am before I use it on my "girl".

[Ken]

Originally posted by sleepyhead
However, on the other side of the coin, it makes these god awful noises at times that make me cringe and think that I'm taking the wax off the paint!

Hmmm... I've never experienced that problem J. I can't imagine what would cause that noise. :confused

[Eric]

Originally posted by 1987 Z51


Hmmm... I've never experienced that problem J. I can't imagine what would cause that noise. :confused

Maybe he's applying too much pressure. With the Sham-eeze I just let it glide across the surface and the water rolls off. The only times I apply any pressure is when I bend it around a body contour but it's neoprene so it just folds right over.

BTW - I'd never use any such thing on a car w/out a good wax job.

[Tanzanite3]

I always wash in the shade .. cold water and a bit of car wash soap (Guess what kind! lol ). I then dry the entire car with 100% pure cotton bath towels. Never will I use a chamois! I cannot get beyond the fact that if a small piece of dust (rock) is picked up from a wheel well, where can it go on a chamois? .. with the toweling, it can get lost in there. I do own a California Water Blade and use it on the Caddy and the Van but never the Vette. The blade saves a bit of time and about one bath towel per vehicle washing. Again though, if it were to pick up a bit of dirt or dust, no where to go and a scratch will likely be the result! I do not want ANY scratches on the Vette and in all honesty, can't remember when I put one on the other vehicles .. so, I guess it works very well! I'm thinking about investing in a leaf blower, cause I have heard that they work very well to dry off a car.... hmmmmm have to try that soon, now that I think of it!
After every wash, each vehicle gets a Gloss Enhancement treatment. They all look pretty good! The Vette is unreal!

[Yoda]

Tanzanite3

I use my shop vac blower feature, works great ;) also gets all that standing water around the rear window on the 81 out too. Then rub her down with a nice 100% cotton towel.

BudD
:w

[Eric]

Originally posted by Rare81
Tanzanite3
I use my shop vac blower feature...
Great idea, thanks for the tip!:)

[lady80]

Hey that is a great idea, I get so frustrated getting her all dried off then tah dah, the frame around the rear window pours water all over!

[Tanzanite3]

Yup BudD .. I got me one of them Shop Vacs.. just never thought about pluggin the hose in the other hole!! LOL Thanks, you saved me some sheckles!! I'll try it next time fer sure!!

Damn.... you deserve a pint for that one.. here ya go! :beer

[danl72]

I wash my car in my garage when it is cool. Also I make sure I use 100% white cotton towels only. If the towels are not 100% cotton it will sratch your finish and if the towels are any other color besides white, the dyes may leave marks in your paint. None of us want to hurt the paint on our gorgous machines.

[Tom Bryant]

I get those bundles of white cotton detail towels at Sam's Club for cheap. They are just the right size to wipe off wax or use under the buffer pad.

Tom

[BBB454]

Last time I washed the Blue Beast, I tried using the leaf blower to get most of the water off before I used the chamois. Hubby drove up while I was doing it and I thought he was going to fall out of the truck cuz he was laughing so hard... :L

It works pretty good, but I think it takes longer than just chamoising (is that a word?).

Barb :w

[Eric]

Originally posted by BBB454
chamoising (is that a word?).
:L ROFLMAO

I'd use my leaf blower but I've used it as a vac before and I think that would just blow too much crap right back on the car. Perhaps a trip to Home Depot is in order :D.