Washing Car

[F1Venom]

Once every three or so weeks which is only ~300 miles between washes. Space Grey is a pretty low maintenance color, lol.

[dreamspeed]

I was it around once a month. Our carport is dusty as hell so after a week or so the trunk is covered with a dust layer.... But in too lazy to wash it more often

[GreenLantern]

Unless it's tree sap or bird poop, a dirty car's paint is more well protected than a clean car's paint.

[pkimM3r]

Originally Posted by 1MOREMOD

Good work.

I see what you did there.

[JoeKixxon]

Originally Posted by gblansten

I've been using ONR Wash for a while now and love. I'm about to go try ONR Wash and Wax for the first time right now. Anyone else use this stuff?

Optimum No-Rinse is so great. Love that stuff. Cheap, easy, fast, saves water, and great results.

I also use a rather nice drive thru gas station car wash. Rudy's on 620 for those of you in ATX.

Oh and for the original question: I wash it once a week.

[FVM3]

once or twice a month

[Techjunkie666]

Originally Posted by F1Venom

Once every three or so weeks which is only ~300 miles between washes. Space Grey is a pretty low maintenance color, lol.

+1 space grey is like aged wine, it looks better as it gets dirtier
I use zaino so I don't wash that often plus water restrictions in my area won't let me wash anymore.

[gblansten]

Originally Posted by Techjunkie666

+1 space grey is like aged wine, it looks better as it gets dirtier
I use zaino so I don't wash that often plus water restrictions in my area won't let me wash anymore.

ONR wash and wax and you don't have to worry about water restrictions. You can do your whole car with two gallons of water that can be purchased from the store if restrictions are that tight.

[Chowster]

Originally Posted by gblansten

I've been using ONR Wash for a while now and love. I'm about to go try ONR Wash and Wax for the first time right now. Anyone else use this stuff?

Yes! I recently switched from ONR wash and shine to wash and wax. A noticeable improvement in the shine and slickness of the surface after washing. I will still use my wash and shine as a detailing spray and clay lube.

1x/week for me.

[Techjunkie666]

Originally Posted by gblansten

ONR wash and wax and you don't have to worry about water restrictions. You can do your whole car with two gallons of water that can be purchased from the store if restrictions are that tight.

I might look into that. I have being using zaino for a while and I have at least 5-6 coats of it on there.
It doesn't make the color more deep and shiny but not being able to wash is a pain!

[Poppin Fresh]

Once a week using the two bucket method

[nullrouted]

So it sounds like what I'm hearing is that other than 1moremod and m-power, you guys really don't do a whole lot of detailing on your cars at all. How many of you apply sealant and/or paste wax? If so, how often do you do it? QD sounds like a great solution for bird shit, etc... but I can't see using it to 'wash' the whole car. My ZCP wheels alone get absolutely caked in brake dust in like 1.5 weeks, I'll admit I'm lazy with that because they're hard to clean. The rest of the AW exterior takes on a 'dull' look once dust/road grime start building up on it which also only takes about a week or so.

I'm about to pull the trigger on a $350 Amazon cart of detailing stuff (mostly CG stuff, mf towels, mf drying towel, clay bar, qd, mf mitts, mf applicators, leather cleaner/conditioner, interior qd, jetseal, 5050 wax, grit guards, soap, mf detergent, p21s wheel cleaner, rainx, wheel brushes, etc...) because I don't have a great setup at this point, just some wash mitts, buckets, meguiars stuff, cheap soap, etc.. but this thread seems be talking me out of all that. Are there no detail-junkies here?

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by nullrouted

So it sounds like what I'm hearing is that other than 1moremod and m-power, you guys really don't do a whole lot of detailing on your cars at all. How many of you apply sealant and/or paste wax? If so, how often do you do it? QD sounds like a great solution for bird shit, etc... but I can't see using it to 'wash' the whole car. My ZCP wheels alone get absolutely caked in brake dust in like 1.5 weeks, I'll admit I'm lazy with that because they're hard to clean. The rest of the AW exterior takes on a 'dull' look once dust/road grime start building up on it which also only takes about a week or so.

I'm about to pull the trigger on a $350 Amazon cart of detailing stuff (mostly CG stuff, mf towels, mf drying towel, clay bar, qd, mf mitts, mf applicators, leather cleaner/conditioner, interior qd, jetseal, 5050 wax, grit guards, soap, mf detergent, p21s wheel cleaner, rainx, wheel brushes, etc...) because I don't have a great setup at this point, just some wash mitts, buckets, meguiars stuff, cheap soap, etc.. but this thread seems be talking me out of all that. Are there no detail-junkies here?

For the Novillo leather treatment you need to try this >>>http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=768340
6-7 members have done this treatment,and all are very happy with the result of it

[1MOREMOD]

Originally Posted by nullrouted

So it sounds like what I'm hearing is that other than 1moremod and m-power, you guys really don't do a whole lot of detailing on your cars at all. How many of you apply sealant and/or paste wax? If so, how often do you do it? QD sounds like a great solution for bird shit, etc... but I can't see using it to 'wash' the whole car. My ZCP wheels alone get absolutely caked in brake dust in like 1.5 weeks, I'll admit I'm lazy with that because they're hard to clean. The rest of the AW exterior takes on a 'dull' look once dust/road grime start building up on it which also only takes about a week or so.

I'm about to pull the trigger on a $350 Amazon cart of detailing stuff (mostly CG stuff, mf towels, mf drying towel, clay bar, qd, mf mitts, mf applicators, leather cleaner/conditioner, interior qd, jetseal, 5050 wax, grit guards, soap, mf detergent, p21s wheel cleaner, rainx, wheel brushes, etc...) because I don't have a great setup at this point, just some wash mitts, buckets, meguiars stuff, cheap soap, etc.. but this thread seems be talking me out of all that. Are there no detail-junkies here?

shouldnt lump me in the detail junky group. my car mainly sits so when im bored i go out and find something to do with it. i do have a coat of wax on it so its easier to clean up after the track and same thing with application of rejex now and again in critical areas. as far as taking the wheels off every time and cleaning the barrels, i find that a necessary evil because they get so covered in rubber pick up each time im out. the calipers is a new thing since i got a light colored set and want them to match. i do get shit at the track and here at times for having too clean of a track car. i do have my share of nicks and such thats just part of the deal.

[Hyperjack]

Originally Posted by nullrouted

I'm about to pull the trigger on a $350 Amazon cart of detailing stuff ....

before you do, i'd check out LarThaL's thread on detailing, especially post #5..
http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=876366

i was about to spend a similar amount of money until i read what he had to say.

just tried these products on my cars with gloss coats and dig the results. a fast and effective way to maintain clean vehicles.

[1MOREMOD]

Originally Posted by Hyperjack

before you do, i'd check out LarThaL's thread on detailing, especially post #5..
http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=876366

i was about to spend a similar amount of money until i read what he had to say.

just tried these products on my cars with gloss coats and dig the results. a fast and effective way to maintain clean vehicles.

+1, i know you have a different car than mine so it matters more but i have a cabinet full of random stuff and just use whatever im not that picky. meguiars quik detailer, mothers r3, smartwax smart dressing, random tire foam, p21s, gold class wash, simple green, rubbing compound, black and wet(pornstar style), bavarian random orbital, some MF and cloth diapers. all works.

[cambit]

get one of these babies





connect it to this






Next, hook up a pressure washer to your setup.






hook up a foam lance.





foam your car, rinse it down with RO/DI water, let it dry under the sun, no towels needed. takes like 10 minutes of work, and no scratches or swirls.

[nullrouted]

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

For the Novillo leather treatment you need to try this >>>http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=768340
6-7 members have done this treatment,and all are very happy with the result of it

I've read that before, great thread -- but that stuff is pretty expensive, and I'm not sure I'd need that much power for a car that is only 1800 miles old, do you think? How often do you treat your car with it? The only issue with the application I see is the 48hours thing. My car is a DD and I just sold my Honda, so leaving leather goop on it for 2 days would be tough for me -- maybe over a weekend or something. The heat wouldn't be an issue here in FL 3/4th of the year, could do it almost anytime. Your results on the 2008 look absolutely amazing.

[nullrouted]

Originally Posted by cambit

get one of these babies

What is that? a purifier?

[Hyperjack]

Originally Posted by nullrouted

I've read that before, great thread -- but that stuff is pretty expensive, and I'm not sure I'd need that much power for a car that is only 1800 miles old, do you think? How often do you treat your car with it? The only issue with the application I see is the 48hours thing. My car is a DD and I just sold my Honda, so leaving leather goop on it for 2 days would be tough for me -- maybe over a weekend or something. The heat wouldn't be an issue here in FL 3/4th of the year, could do it almost anytime. Your results on the 2008 look absolutely amazing.

i believe you're supposed to do a treatment like that 1-2 a year. so, taking 2 days out for that type of treatment is doable. even for a daily driver.

IMO, especially for leather, it doesn't matter how new your car is.....if you keep it clean from the start, you'll save yourself a lot of heart and back ache in the future.

[1MOREMOD]

when you guys get done bitching about cleaning leather have a go at recaros after you fill your car with dirt.

[Hyperjack]

Originally Posted by 1MOREMOD

+1, i know you have a different car than mine....

if you're referring to my frozen M3...yeah, that requires me to have a different line of products. but i still hate having a bunch of useless products cluttering the garage. there's a lot of stuff out there that works and doesn't have to cost an arm or a leg but i like keeping it as simple as possible.

i have two other cars. one my Volt, the other a minivan. that's a lot to keep clean. that's why i appreciate a approach like [LarThaL's[/b]. the whole idea of keeping your hands off you car as much as possible, not only makes sense...but is a great time saver.

pressure washer plus foam cannon once a month, plus Griot's spray on car wash every week is such a simple quick way to keep your car clean.

lastly, i have to point out opticoat. if you can afford it....do it. if my Volt wasn't a lease, i'd have done it to that car too. having that on my van has probably kept 5 years on my lifespan.