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Cleaning a new car

EightySix Four

EightySix Four

Diamond Member
All my life I've owned high mileage cars and I've just recently purchased a brand new, black car. This is my first new car, and my first black one as well.

What is the best way to clean (not detail) the car without scratching the clear coat in any way? Should I use a specific type of (soft) cloth instead of the microfiber stuff I have been using (I hear that can scratch)? There is already a small scratch from an idiot laying their wristwatch on the car, what's the best way to buff it out? Finally, what's the best way to keep a cloth top in tip-top condition?

Thanks in advance
 
I'm having a pro detail my dad's '00 Expedition for this b-day right now actually. Did my research and found him over at Autopia.org.

Great site...I'm sure you would definitely be able to find answers from pro's there.

Chuck
 
Originally posted by: chucky2
I'm having a pro detail my dad's '00 Expedition for this b-day right now actually. Did my research and found him over at Autopia.org.

Great site...I'm sure you would definitely be able to find answers from pro's there.

Chuck
Click to expand...

Awesome, never been there before. Their guide was what I was looking to, other than the rag top question.
 
There's a great thread from that sv_cobra or some dude on how to wash a car properly. There are some other folks here who posted some great info on how to clean, shine nad cover up scratches.
 
Depends on what you mean by the good stuff.

There is stuff found locally that is good, but it probably won't be referred to as the "good stuff." I use wolfgang for the outside and their vinyl/plastic protectant. I use lexol for leather, stoners for glass and clay magic claybars. Personally, when I want to do it well, I:

Wash car with dawn if I want to strip everything else off, otherwise with wolfgang autobath
Clay with claymagic
Wash again
wolfgang prewax polish
1 coat wolfgang deep gloss sealant
wait until next day for curing
another coat of sealant
 
Can someone tell me where to get a super powerful vacuum for the car?
I have a lot of sand and dirt in it from mountain bike being in the back, going to beach, etc, my vac just doesn't suck enough to pick it up.
 
Originally posted by: senseamp
Can someone tell me where to get a super powerful vacuum for the car?
I have a lot of sand and dirt in it from mountain bike being in the back, going to beach, etc, my vac just doesn't suck enough to pick it up.
Click to expand...

I use the turbo-vac at the local car wash, costs a buck but the suction is far better
than my shop-vac..
 
Pre-rinse car to get the largest loosest debris off.
When washing use a sheepskin mitt with the densest wool. Some are thicker than others. Frequently hose off your mitt during the washing process.
 
Originally posted by: Elstupido
http://poorboysworld.com/

This is what a lot of pro detailers use, and I can vouch for the quality of their products. Go ahead and call the guy who owns it, he is very nice and gets the product out quickly.
Click to expand...

Another vote for poorboy's, quality stuff without the boutique prices!
 
Originally posted by: crazySOB297
Originally posted by: chucky2
I'm having a pro detail my dad's '00 Expedition for this b-day right now actually. Did my research and found him over at Autopia.org.

Great site...I'm sure you would definitely be able to find answers from pro's there.

Chuck
Click to expand...

Awesome, never been there before. Their guide was what I was looking to, other than the rag top question.
Click to expand...

Answer to soft top question
 
Originally posted by: NaOH
polish and a nice coat of wax
Click to expand...

No need to polish if he's not trying to correct imperfections.

1. Wash
2. Clay
3. Wax

Clay every 6 months or as needed (when your paint becomes rough to the touch).

There are a variety of good OTC products that you can use if you don't want to both with getting the "best". Mother's California Gold wash is a very good wash soap and is readily available.

The Mother's or Meguair's clay kit are both good and readily available.

Wax...I know a lot of people like Meg's NXT wax. I've honestly never used an OTC wax though.

For wash MEDIUM...go with a two bucket method. Get two 5-gallon buckets (or equivalent...at least buckets big enough to allow enough space between where you're dipping your wash medium and the bottom of the bucket (remember, dirt and sediment sinks to the bottom). Fill up one with the appropriate amount of soap and water and fill up the other with just water. Wash from top to bottom rinsing your wash medium frequently in the rinse bucket...so, wash, rinse, dip the medium back in the suds, and continue washing.

To rinse- remove the nozzle from your hose, turn down the water pressure, and let a steady stream of water go over the car. This will sheet the water off the vehicle leaving much less water to get to with your drying medium.

Wash medium- 100% Sheepskin Mitt. This is all I've ever used. Although, I guess Grout Sponges are becoming a hit over @ Autopia. You can get these at Home Depot or Lowes. The Sheepskin mitt can PROBABLY be found at an autoparts store. Just be sure to get 100% sheepskin.

Drying Medium- WaffleWeave drying towel. I've only ordered these online so I can't say if they are available locally. However, I guess Walmart has something called the "Big Blue Drying Towel" or something like that that works quite well (surprisingly).

Good luck!
 
Cleaning is detailing 🙂

Check out autopia.org, autogeek.net and meguiarsonline.com

lots of good advice and where to buy what works for less.

Microfiber is hands down one of the best materials for not scratching. You don't have to spend a lot to get them, but not all are created equal (some can scratch).

The important thing with microfiber is cleaning them properly and not destroying the fibers. You want to wash them separately from anything else as they will attract lint like crazy. I use cold water, regular detergent and a low heat dry. No fabric softeners (ruins absorption of any cloth anyway) or dryer sheets.

A good wash mitt/sponge and proper car wash/bucket goes a long way too. Lowes has one of the best sponges for a car (Grout sponge)...I prefer a microfiber mitt.

Get a couple 5 gallon buckets from a hardware store for cheap and use one for the wash and the other to rinse the mitt/sponge prior to redipping into the soap each time...squeegee with an absorber type product and then do a final buff with a microfiber towel if needed.

For the top find out if it's cloth based or actually vinyl. Ragtops makes a great product. For cloth tops 303 is one of the best. My buddy thought his S2000 was a cloth top, but it's vinyl.

Small scratch if it's just in the clear, use ScratchX by hand. Go side to side not in circles.

The S2000 forums have a lot of write ups...these guys seem very focused on this.

http://thedetailinghandbook.com/default.aspx

Probably one of the best PDF's out there!
 
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