Washing car

[LanceB]

What is the best material to use when washing your car? I have heard sponges leave swirl marks when they get a little dirty. What does everyone use?

[lov-n-life]

I just head down to the local pay and spray. Just use high pressure soapy water to knock the bugs and road grime off, rinse, dry in the shade with either an exrtremely clean (car drying only) towel or damp chamois. Of course I've only had the car a little over a week, washed it twice (road trips picked up bugs), and rinsed the dust off a couple times... and it has been sunny, so nothing to actually get the car dirty yet!

[DRTH VTR]

Many Corvette owners would advise against commercial car washes. Those sprays contain chemicals that can't be good for your car. They will remove wax. The drive through kind are worse. I can speak from experience on that one. I think that many people would suggest a microfiber towel, or at least a 100% cotton towel with some mild car wash. Never use dish soap. This link lists the commandments of Corvette ownership. Enjoy.

The Corvette Commandments

[lov-n-life]

Originally Posted by DRTH VTR

Many Corvette owners would advise against commercial car washes. Those sprays contain chemicals that can't be good for your car. They will remove wax. The drive through kind are worse. I can speak from experience on that one. I think that many people would suggest a microfiber towel, or at least a 100% cotton towel with some mild car wash. Never use dish soap. This link lists the commandments of Corvette ownership. Enjoy.

The Corvette Commandments

In theory I agree with you. I worked as a professional detailer many years ago. However, as frequently as I wax my car (and I imagine most Corvette owners are similiar) I don't worry about the wash stripping the wax off. If you just use the soap, there isn't really any problem. The other washes (tire, engine, etc) use harsh chemicals that will strip the wax. Usually I'm just using clear water to rinse off the dust anyways. There is more of a chance to scratch or leave swirl marks in the paint by hand washing it than there is a chance to leave the paint unprotected just rinsing the car off every other day or so.

[vetteboy86]

The detailingdude has a guide to wash your car. He is very good about providing info on every aspect of detailing your car. I follow his suggestions on washing not only my vette, but all of my cars.

I first spray the whole car down. I leave it wet while I prepare my two buckets. One bucket is for rinse, the other is for soap. I then use the hard spray to get any loose dirt off. I only use a 100% cotton towel to wash the car. Dont forget to use a PH balanced soap. I change surfaces for different areas of the car. I wash from the cleanest surface to the dirtiest surface. By switching the towel you dont expose dirt to other parts of the car. It is hard to explain the process, just check it out. I really enjoy drying my car with water. He has a DVD for around 10 bucks, and it is really good. The process is good, and it makes my car look good.

Craig

[wishuwerehere82]

Originally Posted by LanceB

What is the best material to use when washing your car? I have heard sponges leave swirl marks when they get a little dirty. What does everyone use?

I use a wool hand mitt that traps the dirt and doesn't smear it around with Meguiars classic gold car wash,shampoo and conditioner. It doesn't seem to remove the wax unless you mix it too "hot".Definitely wash the clean upper parts first with lots of rinse water for each step until you get to the rocker panels and wheels last.

[lov-n-life]

Originally Posted by vetteboy86

I really enjoy drying my car with water.
Craig

Now that is trick I wanna see!

One thing that has been mentioned a couple times is LOTS OF WATER!!!! *insert smiley with hose here* One of the most common, and probably the most dangerous, mistake people make when washing their car is not keeping the body wet enough. The soapy water not only loosens up the dirt and road grime, but also acts as a lubricant between your wash cloth of choice and the paint surface.

[wishuwerehere82]

I dry mine with water.

Take the spray nozzle off and turn the flow down real low and rinse the car off with a "sheet" of water. As it runs off, the water pulls away from the high spots first and leaves a dry area behind. Only small puddles are left on the car, instead of lots of drops that will dry fast and leave spots.

It really works! Really!

[lov-n-life]

Originally Posted by wishuwerehere82

I dry mine with water.

Take the spray nozzle off and turn the flow down real low and rinse the car off with a "sheet" of water. As it runs off, the water pulls away from the high spots first and leaves a dry area behind. Only small puddles are left on the car, instead of lots of drops that will dry fast and leave spots.

It really works! Really!

Now I understand. I've tried that trick before, but I always seem to get splash back from various protrusions (mirrors, windshield wipers, Targa top side trim, etc,) that end up leaving little spots all over the place. Of course, that was on my C4 and Boxster. Since I haven't hand washed the C5 yet, I'll have to try it again! Definately doing something wrong with the chamois on the windows right now . The outside looks like it was washed with a dirt towel, and all I did was rinse of the car and dry it... all in the shade too.

The Mr Clean machine is great.