What is the PROPER procedure to washing a car to give it that showroom shine?

GoldenGuppy

Diamond Member
Feb 4, 2000
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For those of you who treat your cars like your first borns :)

How do you wash your car? And how often do you do it? Is there a specific product you use? Or a specific type of water?

I always have washed my car with just regular old soap and simple old tap water, but when I've gone to some of these enthusiast boards--some people really go all out!

Recommended products? Proper procedures?

Thanks!

><GG)
 

Squisher

Lifer
Aug 17, 2000
21,204
66
91
Zaino Bros.

Expensive and time consuming, but not labor intensive.

You have to put it on and wait for it to dry thoroughly(Z1), then put second coat(Z3 or Z5) over the top of the first and wait for it to dry thoroughly, then buff it out.

You can then use gloss enhancer(Z6) afterwords and for the next few times you wash the car all you have to use is the Z6.
 

dmurray14

Golden Member
Feb 21, 2003
1,780
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Originally posted by: Squisher
Zaino Bros.

Expensive and time consuming, but not labor intensive.

You have to put it on and wait for it to dry thoroughly(Z1), then put second coat(Z3 or Z5) over the top of the first and wait for it to dry thoroghly, then buff it out.

You can then use gloss enhancer(Z6) afterwards and for the next few times you wash the car all you have to use is the Z6.

WHAT HE SAID!

Zaino is the sh!t. Expensive, but works so well. You must really be dedicated to doing it though...it takes some work. As far as washing, I try to wash as little as possible, but I can do that because the car I Zaino is typically driven 20 miles or so a month.

Dan
 

GoldenGuppy

Diamond Member
Feb 4, 2000
3,494
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0
Squisher,

Has it lived up to the hype for you? Are you happy w/ the results? They have a huge line of products, and I am intimidated as to how to begin!!

Looks like a good simple formula though :)

Do you use regular soap to wash the car--the Zaino website says to use Dawn Liquid Detergent

Dmurray... how often would you say Zaino will allow me to not wash my car?? Pretty much how long will that showroom look remain? Doing a cost/analysis :)
 

Squisher

Lifer
Aug 17, 2000
21,204
66
91
I usually do the full treatment clay bar/Z1/Z3 then Z6 once at the beginning of the year.

I'll do the Z1/Z3 then Z6 once every month to 6 weeks.

I use the Z6 after every wash. It is very easy, spray and buff it right out.


In fact, all of the Zaino stuff is easy to apply and buff out. And, they don't leave any white remnants where you missed.

The only drawback is the expense and the time.
 

Lvis

Golden Member
Oct 10, 1999
1,747
0
76
I'll wash it myself at the car wash, and chamois it really well. I take it home and wax it, clean the wheels etc.

It works for me.
 

bernie48

Member
Apr 20, 2001
47
0
0
I've gotten good reponse from Super Suds in my city. But of course, the only good treatment and tender lovin care is at home!
 

Crappopotamus

Golden Member
Oct 1, 2002
1,920
0
0
Originally posted by: GoldenGuppy
For those of you who treat your cars like your first borns :)

How do you wash your car? And how often do you do it? Is there a specific product you use? Or a specific type of water?

I always have washed my car with just regular old soap and simple old tap water, but when I've gone to some of these enthusiast boards--some people really go all out!

Recommended products? Proper procedures?

Thanks!

><GG)

go out to a car store and pick up a nice carwash brush, a bucket, rim cleaner, a wheel brush, a sheepskin wash mitt if you like, and some carwash detergent stuff. i use eagle one detergent, but its not that big of a deal really. i do wheels first and then i do a quarter of the car at a time. i wash it whenever its dirty and its not gonna rain in the next few days.

for drying, i have a california water blade and i finish it off with a super absorbant blue dealie. then polish. then wax. meguiars is a good bet and easy to find. the deep cleaning crystal system #2 is a good polish and i use hi tech yellow wax.
 

BillGates

Diamond Member
Nov 30, 2001
7,388
2
81
Originally posted by: Crappopotamus
Originally posted by: GoldenGuppy
For those of you who treat your cars like your first borns :)

How do you wash your car? And how often do you do it? Is there a specific product you use? Or a specific type of water?

I always have washed my car with just regular old soap and simple old tap water, but when I've gone to some of these enthusiast boards--some people really go all out!

Recommended products? Proper procedures?

Thanks!

><GG)

go out to a car store and pick up a nice carwash brush, a bucket, rim cleaner, a wheel brush, a sheepskin wash mitt if you like, and some carwash detergent stuff. i use eagle one detergent, but its not that big of a deal really. i do wheels first and then i do a quarter of the car at a time. i wash it whenever its dirty and its not gonna rain in the next few days.

for drying, i have a california water blade and i finish it off with a super absorbant blue dealie. then polish. then wax. meguiars is a good bet and easy to find. the deep cleaning crystal system #2 is a good polish and i use hi tech yellow wax.

Wheels first? Doesn't that make your soap water hella dirty before you even start on the rest of the car?
 

AgaBoogaBoo

Lifer
Feb 16, 2003
26,108
5
81
I wash it down, apply soap and scrub all around, wash that all off. When I use soap and wash it off, I do one side at a time so I can make sure to get all the spots.

After it dries a little, I wax it and buff it. I also apply rain-x. For interior, just use a vacuum to get everything sucked up, make sure mats are clean, etc. There are some armor all products you can use to get that finished shine.

Oh yeah, I use the Maguar's (sp?) Premium Wax or whatever they call it, not sure on exact name.
 

TwoBills

Senior member
Apr 11, 2004
734
0
76
I've used Murphy's Oil Soap for years. 1/2 cup to a gallon of water. Just starting to use a waxing product called Collinite Wax. Chamois the wax job down with ice water to cure the wax. Makes it last twice as long.
 

Crappopotamus

Golden Member
Oct 1, 2002
1,920
0
0
Originally posted by: BillGates
Originally posted by: Crappopotamus
Originally posted by: GoldenGuppy
For those of you who treat your cars like your first borns :)

How do you wash your car? And how often do you do it? Is there a specific product you use? Or a specific type of water?

I always have washed my car with just regular old soap and simple old tap water, but when I've gone to some of these enthusiast boards--some people really go all out!

Recommended products? Proper procedures?

Thanks!

><GG)

go out to a car store and pick up a nice carwash brush, a bucket, rim cleaner, a wheel brush, a sheepskin wash mitt if you like, and some carwash detergent stuff. i use eagle one detergent, but its not that big of a deal really. i do wheels first and then i do a quarter of the car at a time. i wash it whenever its dirty and its not gonna rain in the next few days.

for drying, i have a california water blade and i finish it off with a super absorbant blue dealie. then polish. then wax. meguiars is a good bet and easy to find. the deep cleaning crystal system #2 is a good polish and i use hi tech yellow wax.

Wheels first? Doesn't that make your soap water hella dirty before you even start on the rest of the car?

i use the rim cleaner for the wheels, and i dump out my rinse water before starting the rest of the car. if you do the wheels after the body, the water will dry and spot on your car.


autopia is an invaluable resource. highly recommended read.
 

fs5

Lifer
Jun 10, 2000
11,774
1
0
Originally posted by: Squisher
Zaino Bros.

Expensive and time consuming, but not labor intensive.

You have to put it on and wait for it to dry thoroughly(Z1), then put second coat(Z3 or Z5) over the top of the first and wait for it to dry thoroughly, then buff it out.

You can then use gloss enhancer(Z6) afterwords and for the next few times you wash the car all you have to use is the Z6.

yes, ZAINO
results 1
results 2
 

Descartes

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
13,968
2
0
Following is my procedure:

- Clay if necessary
- Polish if necessary using 3M's Perfect-It III Machine Glaze, or Menzerna Final Polish using my orbital buffer
- Apply Klasse All-In-One
- Apply Klasse Sealant Glaze

That's generally it, but of course I don't do this everytime I wash. My typical washing procedure is as follows:

- Rinse
- Wash using two buckets, two wool mitts, and high-quality soap
- Rinse
- Dry using California Water Blade and a huge drying microfiber towel.

This is the only picture I have of my car after I detailed it, and this was after owning it for about 7 months.
 

mrCide

Diamond Member
Nov 27, 1999
6,187
0
76
vwvortex has an excellent detailing forum. i recommend you go there and read up
 

bootymac

Diamond Member
Aug 20, 2001
9,597
0
76
Originally posted by: Descartes
Following is my procedure:

- Clay if necessary
- Polish if necessary using 3M's Perfect-It III Machine Glaze, or Menzerna Final Polish using my orbital buffer
- Apply Klasse All-In-One
- Apply Klasse Sealant Glaze

That's generally it, but of course I don't do this everytime I wash. My typical washing procedure is as follows:

- Rinse
- Wash using two buckets, two wool mitts, and high-quality soap
- Rinse
- Dry using California Water Blade and a huge drying microfiber towel.

This is the only picture I have of my car after I detailed it, and this was after owning it for about 7 months.
Very nice :beer: