ok this may sound dumb but..
what are the best products to use when washing a car?
on the old paint i used to just use some car soap in a bucket of hot water and a big sponge that everyone in the family uses and then a shamee to dry it off......anything i should do different so i dont hurt or scratch my new paint?
bub

 

100% cotton cloth, anything else will scratch leave swirl marks.

 

what about those lambskin or green fuzzy cloth type shamees

 

I use a nice washmitt and an Absorber to dry. The Absorber was the best $10 I ever spent... Now I want a squeegee that I seen at the parts store. You use it to get off most of the water, then his the missed spots with the absorber.

One thing is once you get it clean protect it with some good wax.

 

Hey IROC, Man don't waste your time with that squeegee. Dude I got one myself. I hate the thing. It's ok with the flat surfaces like hood and windows,....but you can forget getting the sides with that blasted thing. BUT, if you've used one before, and like it,...more power to ya. Personally, I'm gonna stick to my absorber.

 

Ahh, come on. The squeege is great. It cut down on my drying time by at least 10-15 minutes, not to mention cutting down on all the wringing out of the Absorber. I wash my car at least once a week (in Arizona, hehe) and it really helps. It might not be great on the curved surfaces, but most of the standing water is on the hood and roof. I picked one up at Wal-Mart for about $10.00. Give it a shot and if you dont like it, you are only out 10. About washing, I use some good soap, like Meguiars (sp?) car wash and a wool wash mitt. Works really well together.

 

Just don't use any dish washing soap....get something they sell secifically for cars (you said you used that before)...I use a Maguire's brand car soap and I've heard a big natural sponge is good, I've used one on our other cars and i works great.

 

Natural sponge has sand still in it and will scratch your paint, or so I've heard. I used to have one of those Absorber things, pos would stink like hell and dust would collect in streaks a day or two after I washed. Went back to using the regular old chamois and all was fine

 

sounds like your absorber was greasy. For washing the car itself, a cood NEW sponge (they are so cheap that you can use a new one every couple of months) and Autoglym Shampoo Conditioner. then for a light colourd car, use a synthetic chamouis (like the absorber) or for dark colours only a real chamouis will do. no matter how good the absorber, it will leave some streaks on dark colours.

My 86 s/c just took "Best 80's Car" at the American Auto Club northampton area awards. It's only a small award, but i was happy!

 

Like i've said anything that isn't 100% cotton will leave swirl marks.

I like the water blade myself, works very nice. Though some spots I need a cloth to get some places.

 

water blades are an aquired taste, although i really rate them. I can thoroughly wash my car (including leathering window cleaner and tyre black) in less than half an hour!

 

haha usaully i just take it for a spin around the block and it drys off pretty quick. Everytime i try to use something to dry it off it leaves water spots.

 

Mark is 100% correct as for the cotton mit, anything else WILL scratch the paint, as for the california water blade things. Be very carefull with those things..they too can scratch the crap out of your paint. They collect the dirt and it sticks to the blade, all and all putting scratches all over your car. One more tip about washing your car bubba...wash the entire top half of the car first. Then wash the bottom last. THis way you don't bring any of the tar, or stones or all in all bad stuff from the bottom of the car up to the top. If you follow this simple step you will keep your paint looking wonderfull. Back to the water blades. They do work, you just should have a chamois there with you to clean it off after every swipe you make. Therefore it is easier to just use the chamois and build up you forearm muscles.

HTH
Keiran

 

ok thanks guys.......i was thinking about a squigee for the windows because whatever i try it always leaves markes on the windows. ive use paper towels, cotton cloth, newspaper, chamios....ive also used both windew and glass plus......are the squigees good for both the outside and inside for the glass?
thanks
bub

 

for windows there is no secret, standard kitchen paper, and windolene. most people use too much, just one squirt per window and rub like fluck, hey presto, no smears!

or try a real chamois for the windows.

 

I'm not sure if they are sold in the states but. I use a blue paper towel called Torq's. They work great and are sold at most automotive body shop suppliers here in Canada. These are the best I have found after 13 years of looking for the best window wipe. The best window cleaner I have found is made by Pro Form. It is streek proof and is body shop safe too. I'll find out the part # for the window cleaner, as for the wipes look at you rlocal auto supplier and see if they have them. Crap maybe I should start selling this stuff over the net to make a Small profit and to help out my fellow F body inthusiaists. The paper towels arent' cheap mind you. For 2 big roles, it cost about $60 cdn,, mind you it will last for years if you own only 1 car. As for the window cleaner it is about $7 cdn per can. But having really clean windows in and out is priceless in my eyes. Dirty windows mean dirty car.
HTH
Keiran

 

ok, thanks, ill check on the new for those products

 

Gonna have you agree with IROC5.7.......Ive been using a wash mit for over a year now......best thing i ever bought to wash my baby with. I usually dry her off with either a 100% shamai...or use a terry cloth. Then obviously apply my wax.

 

always wash your car in the same direction also. doing go in circles if you aren't 100% that your rag/clothe that you are using to clean is completely clean.

 

standard methelated spirit is also good for windows, in fact all good window cleaners are based on it.

 

hey what do u guys think about the california car duster?
http://www.calcarduster.com/originalDuster.asp

or the stoner products glass cleaner?
http://www.invisibleglass.com/

thanks
bub

 

I love the duster, I got the one for the dash, though it's big enough for the car as well. Works great if you live in dusty/pollen areas, and can't wash it everyday.