What do you guys use to clean your cars?

[keystroker]

I cleaned my car and everyone I know has been buying the absorber (to dry it off), I got it today. It worked great. Can anyone recommend anything for water spots? I have to wash my car at a coinop because I live in an appartment. Sucks.

 

[hoihtah]

i just usually go through... a shell gas station.
they give you a car wash for $1... if you purchase 8+ gal gas.

works for me.

 

[John]

Get high quality supplies from here

I use Meguiars Gold Class car wash first
Water sprite chamois to dry off
3M Imperial hand glaze to remove light swirls and water spots
Cherry Wet wax
Micro fiber hand towels to wipe polish off

 

[amnesiac]

Corporate card + hand wash.

 

powerwash with firestation hoses =)

 

[ander]

I just did a wash/wax today, 4 hours.

First a wash and California Waterblade/Real leather chamios to dry.
Then a coat of Meguiars Cleaner Wax, then a coat of Meguiars Swirl Remover, then a coat of Meguiars Carnauba Yellow Wax.

4 hours and lots of sore but now the black shines.

 

[ErmanC]

You wanna keep the shine... WAX is the key to keeping it looking good. Stay away from car wash brushes, harsh detergents, and any kind of drying rags that could cause swirl marks. To do a good job use car wash soap or dish washing liquid with a soft sponge and then a soft cloth rag for a second pass. Wax the thing twice a year and it'll shine for years. I had my last car 11 years and it shined like a new one. It's ok to use a spray wash, but just dry it with a chamois afterward and don't forget the wax....

my 2 cents, hope it helps

 

[SuperSix]

Cheap Mexican labor...

 

[notfred]

If oyu dry the car properly, it won't get water spots.

 

[Evadman]

To wash my truck I use a 5 horse power washer with a foaming attachment.( I use joy dish soap) Then I use a floor broom ( no joke ) to scrub it. It is a broom made for super smooth floors, and the bristles are relly soft. No scratches yet.

I finish it off with some wax applied by hand. I wash it once a week, or whenever it gets really dirty. Wax every other month or just before a off road excursion. Helps the mud slide off.

<edit>
spelling

 

[Kanalua]

for the inside...Filter Queen.
For the outside...never did that before...

 

[Thegonagle]

I usually give it an acetone bath at least once a week, and then I wipe the dash and upholstery with denatured alcohol.

 

[UDT89]

i use water

 

[sheselectric]

I just use water, soap, and a sponge. Today I washed my car and couldn't find anything better than Dawn to use to clean it.

It worked.

 

[yakko]

Rain and driving fast.

 

[xirtam]

Cheap Mexican labor...

Heh... no se que debo pensar de eso...

 

[StattlichPassat]

I go to the hand wash stalls to wash my car, and use Zaino car care polish products. Not sure if I'm going to be able to afford that when I detail/polish/wax next week, so I might have to use Meguiers.

'Everyday' use:

Eagle One all purpose wheel cleaner
Armor All window cleaner (the best!!)
Eagle One WET gloss enhancing spray
Eagle One WET tire shine w/ applicator

All can be had at AutoZone for 15 bucks or so and will last you a couple seasons- good stuff!

 

[StattlichPassat]

Originally posted by: sheselectric
I just use water, soap, and a sponge. Today I washed my car and couldn't find anything better than Dawn to use to clean it.

It worked.

Whoops! Using that stuff will strip your car of its wax. Good job- it's now naked and unprotected. I recommend you go wax immediately! :Q

 

[StattlichPassat]

Originally posted by: yakko
Rain and driving fast.

That's how I dry mine. 0-100-0mph on the outskirts of town.

 

[Muadib]

Originally posted by: sheselectric
I just use water, soap, and a sponge. Today I washed my car and couldn't find anything better than Dawn to use to clean it.

It worked.

Dawn is very good to use when you want to remove the old wax from your car. Just be sure to use wax afterwards, as you will be leaving your car's paint exposed if you don't.

 

[LongCoolMother]

Originally posted by: hoihtah
i just usually go through... a shell gas station.
they give you a car wash for $1... if you purchase 8+ gal gas.

works for me.

i second the gas station

shell offers FREE car wash if you fill up 12 gallons or more.

 

[FoBoT]

Originally posted by: yakko
Rain

it hasn't rained here in a while, i'll probably take them through the machine at the gas station

 

[T2T III]

or dish washing liquid with a soft sponge

Dishwashing liquid will eat the wax off your car. Use a car cleaner/shampoo designed for car care. Sponges are also a no-no. You need to purchase a chenile wash mitt. The chenile will not scratch your paint like a sponge will. The sponge will collect dirt and as you was your car, will add more scratches to the paint. The chenile mitt will collect the dirt, but keep it deep in the fibers and away from your car's paint surface - avoiding the possibility of adding scratches.

Also, I'd avoid those car washes at your local gas stations. They offer a great opportunity for adding more scratches to your vehicle with their dirty, over-used and under-maintained brushes. On a vehicle I had several years back, I took it through a car was at a gas station. My car received several vertical scratches on the rear window from the brushes that were being used to was the car. Never again will I use this type of car wash. Proper hand washing for your vehicle is the only way to go.

 

[Spac3d]

You can get everything you need at walmart actually. Everything they have is cheap, just avoid anything that says Armor All or Turtle Wax on it. When you are at Walmart, pick up anything that says meguiars, I know they have polish, wheel cleaner, tire dressing, and wax. All of these are fantastic products. If you cant find meguiars wax, try Zymol (it is a light blue color and is $12) and it gives the car an unbelivable shine.

There are also lots of drying products there, you can try a chamois if you want or they have towels made for drying cars, those work too.

Spac3d