Washing the 944: Products to use, how to do it?
02-24-2002, 01:21 PM
#16
Three Wheelin'
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: CT, USA
Posts: 1,440
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
wow, great tips guys, thanks. that carcareonline website seems to be good too, they actually have some details about each product.
see the thing is, i want my car to be clean, but i also think that if it is clean it will bring too much attention to itself because i park it at my campus parking lot.. and we all know what happens to cars at college campus lots, so im already risking stuff like that. but if i leave it grimey ill never get it clean again, so i should do something... but anyway thanks.
about the event, im not a member of pca yet, but.. i think i might like to go to an event like that, depends when and where and stuff
(Canton is 2 hours away from home, but only 40miles away from school.. hmm)
anyway thanks again. <img src="graemlins/a_smil17.gif" border="0" alt="[blabla]" />
see the thing is, i want my car to be clean, but i also think that if it is clean it will bring too much attention to itself because i park it at my campus parking lot.. and we all know what happens to cars at college campus lots, so im already risking stuff like that. but if i leave it grimey ill never get it clean again, so i should do something... but anyway thanks.
about the event, im not a member of pca yet, but.. i think i might like to go to an event like that, depends when and where and stuff
(Canton is 2 hours away from home, but only 40miles away from school.. hmm)anyway thanks again. <img src="graemlins/a_smil17.gif" border="0" alt="[blabla]" />
02-24-2002, 02:48 PM
#18
Nordschleife Master
Is there anything wrong with using the rear wiper as a squigee er whatever to take most of the water off??
Thats what I use...
that and a sponge and bucket and soap (car wash soap).
Turtle wax when I have time...so far twice in 8 months...make that 3...doing it again today.
I just washed it and I'm seeing a ridiculus amount (IMO) of tiny scratches on the front, hood, roof, and the bottoms of both doors. Most aggrivating thing Ever!!!
Thats what I use...
that and a sponge and bucket and soap (car wash soap).
Turtle wax when I have time...so far twice in 8 months...make that 3...doing it again today.
I just washed it and I'm seeing a ridiculus amount (IMO) of tiny scratches on the front, hood, roof, and the bottoms of both doors. Most aggrivating thing Ever!!!
02-24-2002, 05:41 PM
#19
Three Wheelin'
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: LA, Calif., USA
Posts: 1,887
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
well i can see that this has been disussed at length here..
but here goes:
- i don't use the dish soap (what about woolite?) cause it leaves white deposits around the '944' and corners of things, (plus for the obvious effects)- i'm using the armor all 'car wash' product (cheap and it works).
- about to go and pick up some car wax today. car looks like it hasn't been waxed in 39 years; was thinking about "zymol" becuase i've seen an advert for it in excellence mag (german product + german car = hmmmmm) so maybe i'll give it a go.
- afterwards for a touch up, i'll use leave-in conditioner with that a stying mousse, after doing a clay masque with cucumbers of course, - not! you guys crack me up, or maybe it's just skip's antics.
on tha serious-note tip:
best thing for tires?, and are cookie cutters 100% aluminum? which cleaner for these?
but here goes:
- i don't use the dish soap (what about woolite?) cause it leaves white deposits around the '944' and corners of things, (plus for the obvious effects)- i'm using the armor all 'car wash' product (cheap and it works).
- about to go and pick up some car wax today. car looks like it hasn't been waxed in 39 years; was thinking about "zymol" becuase i've seen an advert for it in excellence mag (german product + german car = hmmmmm) so maybe i'll give it a go.
- afterwards for a touch up, i'll use leave-in conditioner with that a stying mousse, after doing a clay masque with cucumbers of course, - not! you guys crack me up, or maybe it's just skip's antics.
on tha serious-note tip:
best thing for tires?, and are cookie cutters 100% aluminum? which cleaner for these?
02-25-2002, 02:04 AM
#20
Three Wheelin'
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: CT, USA
Posts: 1,440
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
hmm well.. what a mess i made today, but it was kinda fun..
i bought a buncha mguires products, the gold glass car wash stuff, the canuaba car wax, the rubber/vinyl cleaner, a green spraybottle of turtlewax wheel cleaner, 3 terry cloth 100% towels, and 2 applicator pad things for wax/rubber stuff...
well i guess starting at 5pm wasnt the best idea.. my hands were freezing from washing it with that mit.. and i had a super hard time drying up all the water with my 2 little terry cloths (saved one for rubbing in wax). finally i think its dry, and i rub the wax in, and then rub it out or whatever.. i get to the top of the car and i see all the beads of water that where there are frozen.. frozen with a mix of the carwash and have become these plasticy/skinlike clear slivers of .. i dunno.. saranwrap-like-junk. what a mess.i just left it.. ill wash the car again later when its warmer <img src="graemlins/c.gif" border="0" alt="[ouch]" />
hey i tried, and that rubber stuff was kinda good.. even tho it started freezing too so i quit that.
oh, but i wanted to say that the green spray stuff for the wheels is awesome
you just spray it in all the crevices and let it soak and drip off, then you hose it down and the wheels are pretty damned clean. neat.
i bought a buncha mguires products, the gold glass car wash stuff, the canuaba car wax, the rubber/vinyl cleaner, a green spraybottle of turtlewax wheel cleaner, 3 terry cloth 100% towels, and 2 applicator pad things for wax/rubber stuff...
well i guess starting at 5pm wasnt the best idea.. my hands were freezing from washing it with that mit.. and i had a super hard time drying up all the water with my 2 little terry cloths (saved one for rubbing in wax). finally i think its dry, and i rub the wax in, and then rub it out or whatever.. i get to the top of the car and i see all the beads of water that where there are frozen.. frozen with a mix of the carwash and have become these plasticy/skinlike clear slivers of .. i dunno.. saranwrap-like-junk. what a mess.i just left it.. ill wash the car again later when its warmer <img src="graemlins/c.gif" border="0" alt="[ouch]" />
hey i tried, and that rubber stuff was kinda good.. even tho it started freezing too so i quit that.
oh, but i wanted to say that the green spray stuff for the wheels is awesome
you just spray it in all the crevices and let it soak and drip off, then you hose it down and the wheels are pretty damned clean. neat.
02-25-2002, 02:36 AM
#21
Racer
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Rockland/Nyack New York
Posts: 286
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Since some people mentioned ArmorAll, I thought I would offer my two cents.
Ever since I started using ArmorAll I loved the shine and the rejuvenating gleam during the first day, but after that I found my dashboard collected more dust than my television screen. So all of my friends and I use this new product by those great guys at 3M that is made for vinyl AND LEATHER that works GREAT AND doesn’t attract dust! It comes in three scents, including lemon (some other one), and my favorite: mountain berry.
Other notes:
-Dish soap bad
-Car wash soap good
-WetMagic for rubber spoiler and bumpers
-Waxing your car at freezing temperatures bad
-It’s not “****” it’s being particular
<img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />
Ever since I started using ArmorAll I loved the shine and the rejuvenating gleam during the first day, but after that I found my dashboard collected more dust than my television screen. So all of my friends and I use this new product by those great guys at 3M that is made for vinyl AND LEATHER that works GREAT AND doesn’t attract dust! It comes in three scents, including lemon (some other one), and my favorite: mountain berry.
Other notes:
-Dish soap bad
-Car wash soap good
-WetMagic for rubber spoiler and bumpers
-Waxing your car at freezing temperatures bad
-It’s not “****” it’s being particular
<img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />
02-25-2002, 06:05 AM
#22
Burning Brakes
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Vancouver BC, Canada
Posts: 970
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I only use a minimal amount of dish soap (just a couple drops to dissolve the dirt and road grease crap). I noticed after a couple times that the car was getting TOO clean, as in squeeky dry clean so I cut down on the amount. I just got a 5hp pressure washer, but I figured its powerful enough to strip the friggin paint (who knows? maybe it is, I sure as crap dont wana try). Anywho, I want to take the car to a detailer now as the weather is getting quite nice. We'll see. Off to bed (zzzzzzz <img src="graemlins/sleep.gif" border="0" alt="[sleep]" /> )
02-25-2002, 02:06 PM
#23
Three Wheelin'
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Pasadena, CA
Posts: 1,476
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Auto wash products are better for your finish, but I use dishwash soap. Why? Because I wax a panel on my car EVERY time I wash it. Always have with all my cars. I do the hood and top most often. Again, why? Because wax is NOT optional. It is a sacrifical coating. The sun is going to eat something...you'd better give it the wax or it will be eating your paint.
My car is totally clean via 3M Machine polish and Finesse-It I used when I first got it. Periodically, 3-6 mo? I clay bar it and I always use Mother's or Mequire's carnuba wax. It's silky smooth. NOTHING can be kept from sliding off my car. I use the California blade squeegee and the Absorber too. I was a diehard convert from towels. Still ove them but washing/drying is a drag.
My car is totally clean via 3M Machine polish and Finesse-It I used when I first got it. Periodically, 3-6 mo? I clay bar it and I always use Mother's or Mequire's carnuba wax. It's silky smooth. NOTHING can be kept from sliding off my car. I use the California blade squeegee and the Absorber too. I was a diehard convert from towels. Still ove them but washing/drying is a drag.
02-25-2002, 04:38 PM
#24
Three Wheelin'
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: LA, Calif., USA
Posts: 1,887
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
not clear on the concept, but what about the phosphate content in dish soap? or is this a water thing? or how can i explain the white gunk around the rear '944' that i gotta use a toothbrush or tooth pick to get out? any info on that? tia..
02-25-2002, 07:37 PM
#25
Addict
Rennlist
Lifetime Member
Rennlist
Lifetime Member
[quote]Originally posted by flyloki:
<strong>I'm still looking for a good wash but Zymol wax is excellent.</strong><hr></blockquote>The best car wash I've ever used is the one sold by <a href="http://www.zainobros.com/files/info.htm#anchor31143/" target="_blank">Zaino Bros</a>. From their website: "A concentrated blend of special cleaners, UV blockers and Show Car Polish that actually condition and enhance the gloss of painted vehicles each time it is used. Does not contain detergent, alkalines or acids. Special water-based lubricant, prevents dirt and soil from scratching the paint finish when washing. Unique foaming agents produce longer-lasting, dirt encapsulating suds. Rinses completely, leaving a non-spotting, non-filming, streak-free, just polished look. Z-7 Show Car Wash was designed to deep clean and increase the paint gloss every time it is used."
<strong>I'm still looking for a good wash but Zymol wax is excellent.</strong><hr></blockquote>The best car wash I've ever used is the one sold by <a href="http://www.zainobros.com/files/info.htm#anchor31143/" target="_blank">Zaino Bros</a>. From their website: "A concentrated blend of special cleaners, UV blockers and Show Car Polish that actually condition and enhance the gloss of painted vehicles each time it is used. Does not contain detergent, alkalines or acids. Special water-based lubricant, prevents dirt and soil from scratching the paint finish when washing. Unique foaming agents produce longer-lasting, dirt encapsulating suds. Rinses completely, leaving a non-spotting, non-filming, streak-free, just polished look. Z-7 Show Car Wash was designed to deep clean and increase the paint gloss every time it is used."
02-25-2002, 10:31 PM
#27
Rennlist Member
Personal favorites:
Zymol "Clear" for washing - very gentle (I use less than a teaspoon in a bucket of water)
Lexol "Vinlyex" for exterior rubber - wow, black again! A little greasy, but wow, black again is worth it.
Zymol "HD Cleanse" for pre-wax serious cleaning (works great on rubber marks, tar, light oxidation, bird poop, etc.).
Zymol "Carbon" wax - not the longest lasting, but looks great every time (my wife says it smells pretty, I can live with that).
Absorber synthetic chamois - use it, wash it, use it for a gazillion years.
Lexol Leather Cleaner and Leather Conditioner - I use the cleaner for all interior surfaces, conditioner on the leather parts.
Zymol "Vinyl" on interior dash and such - just started using this, very pleased so far.
I'm kinda hooked on the Zymol stuff, believe the best thing you can ever do is wash the car, go over it with HD Cleanse, and wax it (all in one session). Best finish I've ever gotten. I can wash and wax the car for a year on one starter kit. It really doesn't take much wax to do a 944.
Get one of those wash mitts too. Man, they are the hot set up. I was using sponges. Mitts forever now.
My jury is still out on wheel products, but I've heard nothing but great things about the P21 stuff.
Also, all you ArmorAll folks out there... Just walk out into the garage and find all those bottles... now march them over to the garbage can and throw it away! That is the nastiest stuff I've ever seen. Took me almost a year to get all of that crap out of my car. Just walk around a Porche concours with a bottle of that stuff. That crowd will string you up! Something about it drying out vinyl over time... not really sure. I say let's ban it from earth for a decade and clear out the residue.
And if you're a track/autocross participant, use the Lexol leather conditioner LIBERALLY on your seat and steering wheel. Never greasy, just soft and grippy.
Okay, that's my 2 cents. Feel free to adjust for inflation as needed.
Keep the shiny side up,
Zymol "Clear" for washing - very gentle (I use less than a teaspoon in a bucket of water)
Lexol "Vinlyex" for exterior rubber - wow, black again! A little greasy, but wow, black again is worth it.
Zymol "HD Cleanse" for pre-wax serious cleaning (works great on rubber marks, tar, light oxidation, bird poop, etc.).
Zymol "Carbon" wax - not the longest lasting, but looks great every time (my wife says it smells pretty, I can live with that).
Absorber synthetic chamois - use it, wash it, use it for a gazillion years.
Lexol Leather Cleaner and Leather Conditioner - I use the cleaner for all interior surfaces, conditioner on the leather parts.
Zymol "Vinyl" on interior dash and such - just started using this, very pleased so far.
I'm kinda hooked on the Zymol stuff, believe the best thing you can ever do is wash the car, go over it with HD Cleanse, and wax it (all in one session). Best finish I've ever gotten. I can wash and wax the car for a year on one starter kit. It really doesn't take much wax to do a 944.
Get one of those wash mitts too. Man, they are the hot set up. I was using sponges. Mitts forever now.
My jury is still out on wheel products, but I've heard nothing but great things about the P21 stuff.
Also, all you ArmorAll folks out there... Just walk out into the garage and find all those bottles... now march them over to the garbage can and throw it away! That is the nastiest stuff I've ever seen. Took me almost a year to get all of that crap out of my car. Just walk around a Porche concours with a bottle of that stuff. That crowd will string you up! Something about it drying out vinyl over time... not really sure. I say let's ban it from earth for a decade and clear out the residue.
And if you're a track/autocross participant, use the Lexol leather conditioner LIBERALLY on your seat and steering wheel. Never greasy, just soft and grippy.
Okay, that's my 2 cents. Feel free to adjust for inflation as needed.
Keep the shiny side up,
