How Do YOU wash your Mazdaspeed?
- Thread starter jonnydoe48
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jophus14 said:
Towels will indeed scratch the surface (swirls, etc...). So; you must be careful with the kind of towels you use. These Micro Fiber Towels will not even scratch the surface of a compact disc. They are quite good. There are others available as well. From Meguiar's, Premium Auto Care (www.premiumautocare.com), etc... The Vapor Product line is less money, and apparently the same towel. Great product, and a great price!
Some people, for washing, prefer a sponge, some prefer a mit. You just need to see what works best for you. I currently use a sponge; but, I am always keeping it soaked with water.
Something else; very important!! 'Never' dry your car cleaning / polishing towels with a fabric softener, or dryer sheets. This will cause scratches. I wash with a mild detergent, and I wash all of my car towels alone. I dry them on very low heat, and you can remove them even a bit damp to air dry.
Remember: What can't be seen on other color cars, sure as hell can be seen on BLACK!! You may get away with using a plain old towel on a white, silver, etc... colored car; but try it on a Black car, and your screwed. Everything shows!
READ BELOW! In reference to last weekend's detailing of my car.
I washed my car on Friday evening to prepare for yesterday's application, and yes; I did have some damn swirls. These swirls first appeared, I think, a few weeks ago when I washed my car, then decided to Meguiar's Quik Detail the entire car using my 100% Cotton Flannel towels that I bought at Wal-Mart when I first applied the Meguiar's 3 Step System. In my garage, it looked awesome; then when I got it in the sunlight - oh s***!
I'm not sure, but Joe seems to think it was possibly caused because I had used dryer sheets when I washed these yellow flannel towels (learn something new everyday). So now; I never use dryer sheets with any of my car towels, etc...
Obviously using the Porter Cable Dual Action Polisher was a Godsend. Using the products previously mentioned (Meguiar's Dual-Action #83 Cleaner/Polish, followed by the Meguiar's #9 Swirl Remover), we were able to get a glass smooth surface, plus eleviate 99.9% of the swirls. You have to look really close to detect anything now. Virtually non-existent. Of course; these steps were followed by the application for the Platinum Pre-Cleaner, then the Platinum Ultimate Paint Protection.
I can honestly say; I have never seen a black car than looked like this. The Mica flakes, alone, are amazing now. To give some idea of what I mean; if you look at the top of the rear bumper from behind the car (in the sunlight); It appears almost silver! The Mica just comes through. It is beautiful. I am very impressed with the results.
With this said; I will no longer use the yellow flannel towels on my car - only Micro Fiber. They are fantastic. Here is the best deal I have found for those. I purchased the $24.95 sampler pack.
http://vaporcleanproducts.com/magic.htm (I actually received 12 towels, not the 10 mentioned).
I am going to buy the Porter Cable polisher, soon. I will 'Platinum' my wife's ES in a couple of weeks.
So; there are a lot of good quality products out there. I guess; it's what works best for you - that is what's important.
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Question about the swirl remover Greg:
After you wash the car, dry clean it, wax and polishe, then apply with swirl remover (buffer?). Now, after you use the swirl remover, do you wash the car again then wax and polish it to get it glass looking? or you stop after applying the swirl remover?
Possible you could advise me with your steps in washing the car, waxing, and applying swirl remover?
Thanks alot!
After you wash the car, dry clean it, wax and polishe, then apply with swirl remover (buffer?). Now, after you use the swirl remover, do you wash the car again then wax and polish it to get it glass looking? or you stop after applying the swirl remover?
Possible you could advise me with your steps in washing the car, waxing, and applying swirl remover?
Thanks alot!
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Jliao said:
just like this.......I washed the car on Friday evening.....Then Saturday morning.....
Using Meguiar's Dual-Action #83 Cleaner/Polish, followed by the Meguiar's #9 Swirl Remover, we were able to get a glass smooth surface, plus eleviate 99.9% of the swirls. You have to look really close to detect anything now. Virtually non-existent.
These steps were followed by the application of the Platinum Pre-Cleaner, then the Platinum Ultimate Paint Protection.
The Meguiar's #83 and #9 were applied with the Porter Cable polisher. Since there were 2 of us doing this; as Joe applied the #83, I came behind him immediately removing that application with a Micro Fiber Towel. Then; he applied the #9 (Swirl Remover), and again; I followed him removing immediately with another Micro Fiber Towel.
Now; We applied the Platinum Paint Pre-Cleaner by hand using a Meguiar's application pad. Again; this was immediately removed with a Micro Fiber Towel. Then; We applied the Platinum Ultimate Paint Protection (very thin) with a Meguiar's application pad. You wait an hour before hand polishing that off. Again; using a Micro Fiber Towel. Another coat of the Platinum Ultimate Paint Protection may be applied after 24 hours. Additional coats may be applied every 24 hours. Premium Auto Care's site (below) can answer a lot of questions. They have great customer service!
www.premiumautocare.com
There are a lot of ways of caring for your car; and this is new to me, getting this far into it. But; if you really want your car looking great, and protected; it takes a little work. We started about 8:00 am, and were completely done around noon.
I would also look at REMiller's link above.....
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TURBO3WAGON
Member
Once a week with dawn dish soap. Carnuba wax once a month.
No spots even in the sun, it's simple.
I don't care for the Zip waz soap, it leaves spots.
No spots even in the sun, it's simple.
I don't care for the Zip waz soap, it leaves spots.
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505zoom said:
First: I only use Blue Coral Car Wash or Meguiar's Gold Class Car Wash. A bottle of either one will last a couple of years.
Dawn liquid, I understand, removes your car's wax (not good).
The Platinum Ultimate Paint Protection is a Polymer. You can add a Carnauba on top of it, if you want. Alone; the Platinum lasts much longer than just Carnauba. I'm understanding that I will only need to apply it about 4 times per year.
Now; if you decide you want to add a Meguiar's (or other) Carnauba on top of the Platinum; before you add the Platinum again, you must first; apply the Platinum Pre-Cleaner.
It's not expensive either. Platinum Ultimate Paint Protection is $14.95 And; the Pre-Cleaner is $9.95. Both bottles will last a very long time.
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Dexter said:hey Greg, do you know if you can buy microfiber towels at retail places like pep boys or autozone? i need to make my car nice for a meet tommorow
Dex: You might call around. Someone might have them in your area. These that I bought are from Korea, and are the same ones on Premium Auto Care's site - only cheaper. A test performed was to see if a CD could be scratched with one of them. Nope! They are nice!
Possibly; Wal-Mart
Also,,,,,,,dry Micro Fiber Towels using NO DRYER SHEETS or FABRIC SOFTENER
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TURBO3WAGON
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slenser said:
Yes; the towels do feel funny. I know what you mean.
Also,,,be sure to remove the tags from the towels.
Dexter........see this? Possibly; Wal-Mart
Also,,,,,,,dry Micro Fiber Towels using NO DRYER SHEETS or FABRIC SOFTENER
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TURBO3WAGON
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EBP said:Greg, I am so proud of you! You have come so far in such a short period of time!!!
Thanks Joe! I have a good teacher. (drinks)
TURBO3WAGON
Member
(direct)WAX ON, WAX OFF, WAX ON, WAX OFF!(blowup)
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TURBO3WAGON said:
I tell you now.... I lika the blowin' up smiley. The Hoot factor is really high with that one.
TURBO3WAGON
Member
Meagi knows Daniel son!
