Washing/Detailing for Newbies

[yourWHAThurtz]

What products would you recommend from Adam's to start out? I've been losing a vicious battle to te AZ sun with water drying up too fast. Any suggestions?

[Dennis SS]

Originally Posted by yourWHAThurtz

What products would you recommend from Adam's to start out? I've been losing a vicious battle to te AZ sun with water drying up too fast. Any suggestions?

I recommend going to Adams and look at the wash video!!! He explains how to avoid that problem and he's washing a black Vette. Adams suggests that you rinse the car then start washing immediately and DONT rinse off until your done washing the whole car. This is where the mistake is made. The soap will rinse off and then your ready to dry right away. Check out the video.

[yourWHAThurtz]

Originally Posted by Dennis SS

I recommend going to Adams and look at the wash video!!! He explains how to avoid that problem and he's washing a black Vette. Adams suggests that you rinse the car then start washing immediately and DONT rinse off until your done washing the whole car. This is where the mistake is made. The soap will rinse off and then your ready to dry right away. Check out the video.

I'll definitely take a look at it!

[Rangore]

Good info!

[MusicmanBB]

Just thought I'd throw this out about getting bugs off the front of the car. I've been doing this for years..

Just take and spray the spot with bugs, then take a wet dryer sheet and lightly wipe. You don't even have to actually scrub.

It pretty much instantly takes off bugs.

Then wash it and BOOM.. no bugs.

[Cornflakes'Camaro]

Ok guys, i've got a problem and the worst part is it's getting worse, and I don't know how to solve it.


My black (first and last black car) has the following and I need them fixed asap so I can start sleeping at night.

1-minor scratches (i've tried waxing them out), I use a shammy that is somewhat rubber, and after reading some posts, I'm assuming that is what is putting those small scratches into my paint.

2-I recently moved to a neighborhood where there are ALOT of trees....every time it rains, i get the water spots from the rain, but when I wash it, some of them won't go away. It almost seems like it is eating away at my clear coat.

3-Does anyone know how to keep damn dragonflies away?! These little things "swoop" down and dip some orange crap on my car, which definetly seems to eat through my clear coat like nothing.


Can I have some advice on how to get rid of these things, and the best car wash as well as wax (I'll wax every week, idc) to use to get my baby looking brand new again? I haven't gotten 8 straight hours of sleep in weeks......

[ChadG]

Originally Posted by Cornflakes'Camaro

Ok guys, i've got a problem and the worst part is it's getting worse, and I don't know how to solve it.


My black (first and last black car) has the following and I need them fixed asap so I can start sleeping at night.

1-minor scratches (i've tried waxing them out), I use a shammy that is somewhat rubber, and after reading some posts, I'm assuming that is what is putting those small scratches into my paint.

2-I recently moved to a neighborhood where there are ALOT of trees....every time it rains, i get the water spots from the rain, but when I wash it, some of them won't go away. It almost seems like it is eating away at my clear coat.

3-Does anyone know how to keep damn dragonflies away?! These little things "swoop" down and dip some orange crap on my car, which definetly seems to eat through my clear coat like nothing.


Can I have some advice on how to get rid of these things, and the best car wash as well as wax (I'll wax every week, idc) to use to get my baby looking brand new again? I haven't gotten 8 straight hours of sleep in weeks......

1. Definitely ditch the chamois and get a good microfiber drying towel and a cheap electric leafblower to dry your car:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_07174899000P

2. Sounds like you might need to clay bar and polish your vehicle.

3. I would recommend a good sealant vs. a was. Sealants generally last longer and provide better protection against the elements.

[got adrenalin?]

Originally Posted by Cornflakes'Camaro

My black (first and last black car) has the following and I need them fixed asap so I can start sleeping at night.......

Ha Ha .. I say that every time I buy a Black vehicle ... but I still luvum when they are clean and shining!!

[Cornflakes'Camaro]

Thanks guys! all this will be taken and put to good use for sure. Any other input is still welcome!

[PalmerGA]

MRK III Z28: great write-up. Thanks so much. Two questions that I just want to be clear on.

1. Claying: Is it okay to clay the plastic/rubber bumpers. I assume it is since you are only actually surface cleaning the paint.

2. After Claying: Is immediately after claying the time to apply a coat of wax? Any special instructions or just apply as normal?

Thanks to any who can answer confidently.

[WiSSDiver]

Originally Posted by PalmerGA

MRK III Z28: great write-up. Thanks so much. Two questions that I just want to be clear on.

1. Claying: Is it okay to clay the plastic/rubber bumpers. I assume it is since you are only actually surface cleaning the paint.

2. After Claying: Is immediately after claying the time to apply a coat of wax? Any special instructions or just apply as normal?

Thanks to any who can answer confidently.

To #1, Yes, I tend to just not lean as hard because the rubber / composite is softer and gives more than the painted metal.

#2 Technically you could wax any time you want, but once you've properly clayed your car, it won't have anything protecting your surface. From a last step process, you should probably clean (wash) one more time to make sure all of the detail spray / clay lube has been removed, Polish if needed, use a sealant to protect and then Wax to further protect.

So to review Assuming you've properly striped any old waxes or seals off and your paint is perfect:
Clay, Wash, spot polish if needed, Seal, glaze (optional), Then Wax.

Hope that helps.

[PalmerGA]

Originally Posted by rpomeroy

To #1, Yes, I tend to just not lean as hard because the rubber / composite is softer and gives more than the painted metal.

#2 Technically you could wax any time you want, but once you've properly clayed your car, it won't have anything protecting your surface. From a last step process, you should probably clean (wash) one more time to make sure all of the detail spray / clay lube has been removed, Polish if needed, use a sealant to protect and then Wax to further protect.

So to review Assuming you've properly striped any old waxes or seals off and your paint is perfect:
Clay, Wash, spot polish if needed, Seal, glaze (optional), Then Wax.

Hope that helps.

It certainly does help. Thanks very much!

[Jalberdi99]

Originally Posted by UMjman

Great Thread on detailing. I have one question. How does one go about cleaning the engine compartment?

yeah, how? im would like to know also

[jdogscam2013]

Don't ever waste your money on dealer add ons, they make like 300% profit on something you can easily do yourself.

[Dennis SS]

Originally Posted by Jalberdi99

yeah, how? im would like to know also

You really don't need to hose down an LS engine. They seal so well that all you really need to do is just wipe it down with a damp microfiber towel after every car wash and your good. I have 20,000 on my 10 SS and it still looks brand new. Just get a little OCD and spend a few hours whipping down shock towers, pulleys, hoses, sub frame, wiper cowl, under hood, finders along the inside ect... You can use some detail spray to help get some of the harder stuffs.

[tc Bosnian]

ok i just picked up my car and its was snowing snowing coming home.. by the time i brought it home its gotten dirty from the snow/salt. id like to wash, wax and then store it like the thread instructs. but my question is, with it being so cold what should i do?

[Dennis SS]

Really nothing you can do until it warms up enough so the water does not freeze on contact making things worse. Plus if you have to go to a car wash now it's not going to do you any good as you have to drive back in the nasty roads once again. Black is the hardest color to take care of as I know this very well with my black SS. If you want to keep it looking new and swirl free I would highly highly recommend looking at Adams Polishs and watch thier videos on how to wash a car. Watch all thier videos I leaned a lot of very good technics. Adams is very expensive but they do have good products and very good washing and drying technics to save the paint. I personally use every bit of their stuff and can say its worth every penny, 20000 miles and she still looks better then new!

[tc Bosnian]

Originally Posted by Dennis SS

Really nothing you can do until it warms up enough so the water does not freeze on contact making things worse. Plus if you have to go to a car wash now it's not going to do you any good as you have to drive back in the nasty roads once again. Black is the hardest color to take care of as I know this very well with my black SS. If you want to keep it looking new and swirl free I would highly highly recommend looking at Adams Polishs and watch thier videos on how to wash a car. Watch all thier videos I leaned a lot of very good technics. Adams is very expensive but they do have good products and very good washing and drying technics to save the paint. I personally use every bit of their stuff and can say its worth every penny, 20000 miles and she still looks better then new!

oh gotcha, im thinking about going to a car wash right now. the roads are cleaner so it wont be as dirty. i just dont like doing car washes bc of the water pressure to the paint. but one time isnt going to hurt it. and yes ive noticed when black gets dirty how noticeable it is.

[Dennis SS]

Car wash pressure washers are not very powerful. If you stand back a foot from the blast it's pretty delicate. I use a pressure washer on my car everytime. I have a Karcher 1800 PSI electric pressure washer and I use a foam cannon and rinse.

[tc Bosnian]

Originally Posted by Dennis SS

Car wash pressure washers are not very powerful. If you stand back a foot from the blast it's pretty delicate. I use a pressure washer on my car everytime. I have a Karcher 1800 PSI electric pressure washer and I use a foam cannon and rinse.

oh ok, i need to buy all this stuff not sure what all i need tho.

[Dennis SS]

Take a look at the Adams Polishes website. They have all kinds of stuff and ideas if you don't want to spend the money, they are pricey. Also check out Auto Geek website for thier cleaning supplies. They have e foam cannon that is a must for black cars. You have to go the extra mile to keep black looking good.

[DFWHD]

Originally Posted by Dennis SS

Take a look at the Adams Polishes website. They have all kinds of stuff and ideas if you don't want to spend the money, they are pricey. Also check out Auto Geek website for thier cleaning supplies. They have e foam cannon that is a must for black cars. You have to go the extra mile to keep black looking good.

Is there one of their foam cannons in particular you'd recommend? I've got a Carbon Flash Metallic finish which is just about black...

[ihaveacamaro]

Originally Posted by DFWHD

Is there one of their foam cannons in particular you'd recommend? I've got a Carbon Flash Metallic finish which is just about black...

Not an Adam's product, but I have the MTM hydro foam cannon which is ~60 dollars and I get great results

[stardok]

Originally Posted by Jalberdi99

yeah, how? im would like to know also

Autotopia has a "how to clean your engine" on their site

[Dennis SS]

Originally Posted by DFWHD

Is there one of their foam cannons in particular you'd recommend? I've got a Carbon Flash Metallic finish which is just about black...

If you go to Autogeek and do a foam cannon search, they have them. They also have a foam cannon if you don't have a pressure washer but they don't work as nearly as good as a pressure washer version. If you have a pressure washer and you get a foam gun from Autogeek, you can pick you pressure washer type, as all pressure washers have different fittings. They also have some good videos of the cannons in action like the one posted above.