How do you wash your car?

[BlueIce]

I just got my first car last week, and since my dad always leases his cars and doesnt give a shit about them, he just takes it to the car wash. I want to do it all myself, but dont know the best methods of washing and waxing.

Now, I have a black car 8 years old, so the paint isnt as shiny as it probably was. There are also swirl marks in the paint. I tried washing as best I could but theres no way to get rid of them. What is the best regular car soap to use? Then once im done with that, which wax should I get and how do I apply that? Would that get my paint glossy and shiney?

What does polishing the car do? A friend said you can only polish your car 6 or so times before you need it repainted? Is that true? Would the polishing take out the swirl marks?

So basically, for the exterior, I want to know what the best soap and waxes are, how to use them, and how to get the white swirl marks out of the paint and make the car shine like a diamond.

Now inside, what products should I use for the leather and the dashboard? My leather isnt cracked, but it is reaaallly hard. The dash is in good shape but do I need some sort of cleaner/reconditioner/lubricant? WHat to use? Also, what cleaner should I use on the carpeting. The previous owner spilled something on the carpet too and it looks like it was spaghetti sauce or something. Its like hardened and nasty. Do you know how I could get this out?

Sorry for the ton of questions. I am a complete newbie when it comes to car care. So bear with me, and If you think I should separate this into different threads let me know.!

[Quadzilla]

Okay since I have a problem with washing and waxing (you should see the box of supplies!!!) Here we go:

1. Washing the car. Always avoid direct bright sun. Always use clean water. Luke warm is best. Always hose the car down first then soap and rinse. Work one section at a time.

A. Supplies. A clean bucket. Reputable car soap; not dish soap. A Washing mitten. A bucket of warm soapy water applied with the mitten to a hosed off car is the best way to work. Always work from the roof down to the rockers to avoid tracking dirt on to clean parts of the car.

2. Waxes and polishes. The big difference between waxes and polishes are polishes are designed to even out the texture of the paint while a wax's sole function is to glaze it like a donut.

A. Polishes. There are 3 types of polishes: Cutting compopund, rubbing compound and pollishing compound. Cutting is the most aggressive. Rubbing is like Turtle Wax Red and polishing is the lightest like Turtle Wax White. If your paint is in good shape then all you might need is polish but if you paint is factory and is looks it like mine you need to use all 3. Now this only hold for enamal or lacqour paints. If you have a base coat clear coat paint like the new cars you need a clear coat polish which is like plastic polish. When you are done compounding the car is should look even and not shinny but if you wet it down it should look like a mirror.

B. Waxes! Wax is a tricky area because everyone has a favorite and a hated brand. I despise the finish 2000 family becasue they are for the most part silicone and kerosene. They melt a small amount of the existing wax and flow it around. They look okay for a bit but heavy use leaves the paint looking like shi-ite. My favorites are the Zymol/Maguires carnuba waxes. Zymol is the cats ass but maguires is a little cheaper and works as well. You wax by buffing a small amount of wax into the area being worked and letting it dry to a haze then buff it out. To apply use a random orbit buffer or a applicator pad. To buff out use either a terry towel or a terry bonnet on the buffer. Do this a few times and it will look sweet. Now the next time you wash the car you don't need to compound but you do need to use a cleaner wax to clean the wax off. Then rewax. Simple, right? Now it gets better. Lets say the car is just dusty and what not... well you can wash it off with light soap and use a product like Eagle One Wax-as-you-Dry or you can not wash it and run it over with the Califonia Car Duster... every black car should come from the factory with one.

I'll let someone else go over the interior. Good luck and happy waxing!

[LowRydeR]

Get one of those high pressure water machines from Costco($150), Oil Eater, and Water Blade. Spray the oil eater on the rims first, you'll see the dirt coming off the rims. Wash the car with the high pressure water machine, use the water blade to get as much water on your car as possible. Dry your car with special towels designed for cars so it doesn't scratch your paint. Wax it if you like.

[Blazin325]

I'm gonna have to disagree with Lowryder and say that using a pressure washer to wash your car is a bad idea. This is one of the reasons why people do not go to the car wash. The more pressure that is involved, there more likely you are to scratch your car.

[Antonio]

1. I use 4 buckets and two wash mitts. Two buckets have water and the other two have my car shampoo(z-7). One set of clean water/car shampoo is used to just to clean the wheels. My wheel cleaner of choice is P21S Gel cleaner. For my tires I use Eimaan Fabrik Hi-Intensity cleaner. I let each of the products sit for 30 secs max, then I rinse the cleaner of with a spray of water. I then dry the wheel with a microfiber towel. Then I apply my tire dressing. I use Megauirs Tire Gel due to the ease of use, and the shine. Remember do one wheel at a time and CLEAN the wheels first.

2. Now on to the car. This is what you do. Sheet the car down with water. Use the second pair of buckets and start from the roof and work your way down. I was one section at a time then I sheet the section with water. For the lower side panels, and tough areas I use a light brush that is safe for your paint and clearcoat to loosen up then dirt. After your done the whole car wash the car over again, so you get the spots you missed the first time.

To clean rubber trim I use Eimann Fabrik Tar Remover+ to clean all my rubber trim. Then I apply Zaino Z-10 to protect them trim. You can also use 303 protectant, or Meguairs Rubber Protectant.

To clean chrome I use a brillo pad with some Zaino Z-7( any car shampoo will work) Then I apply mother chrome polish to keep my exhuast nice and shinny.

To dry I either use the "Absorber" or the "California Wiper Blade" they are both safe for your clearcoat, and won't scratch paint.

4.Wax... Now this is always a hot topic. I prefer to use Zaino just for the ease of and the shine. To me meguairs just does not cut it. Anyway, your first step after you wash your car is to inspect the paint. Is the service smooth, or is it rough?? If it is rough you really should use a clay bar and clay the car down. You can either use Meguairs clay bar or Mother's they are both good. Just follow the instructions on the box. After you clay the car down, wash the car again. Now on to the paint cleaner. I use 3M swirl remover, but you can use Meguairs Scratch-X, or Meguiars #9 2.0. Apply the product the product either using a buffer(PRO) or by lightly working the product by hand into the paint. I prefer the back and forth motion. On the hood,roof and truck. I apply from the hood back towards you. On the side I go from the window down the side panels to the ground. I then buff with either a Microfiber towel or a 100% cotton white towel.
After the cleaner apply your polish. For me I use Zaino Z-2, but Meguairs has there "Show Car Glaze" etc. Same steps as above. After that apply wax. With Zaino you would just Z-2,Z-5 all day, but with meguairs you have to apply a carnuba wax... Yellow Wax, or thier Gold Class wax, both products are okay and their shine is okay. Well I am done for now.