Washing the car..

[M3 Dream's]

Who makes the best car wash mixes that can be used to soap down the car. I want to wash my bros car by my self instead of just taking it to the car wash do it yourself spray thingy.. I feel it doesnt clean it well..

Also, what are the best waxes or polished to make the car shine..
Do I whipe down the car with a 100% cotton terry cloth, or are other towels fine?

What are your strategies to clean the car ..

Ohh, how do I make the dash shine black ..

[///BMW]

i used to mix some turtle wax stuff in my dishwashing soap and water, i washed it every week and within a month or so it really shinned

[fuschnicken]

Check this out:

Car Care Online

[Alan]

Originally posted by ///BMW
i used to mix some turtle wax stuff in my dishwashing soap and water, i washed it every week and within a month or so it really shinned

I have heard this before, but I can't imagine that NOT buffing off wax residue can be good for the car. What about the black trim? Any effect?

Anyway, back to the topic, I am a big fan of Meguiar's Gold Class Car wash, gentle suds, great smell, seems very mild. I also use 3M Show Car Wax, Imperial Hand Glaze and Swirl Mark Remover as well as Meguiar's Final Inspection. Tires get Meguiar's Endurance Satin Tire Gel. Black Trim gets Mother's Back To Black, Chrome gets mother's chrome polish. Interior gets VINYLEX, best stuff on the planet.

YES, you must use 100% cotton. Anything else leaves fine swirl marks in the paint. Be carefull of "Cotton" rags that use Nylon in the stitching. Burn a corner of the stitching with a lighter, if it chars really quick, its nylon. You can get 100% cotton cloths or other appropriate stuff from Griot's, Zymol, Meguiars or Bavarian Auto (I think).

[neenja]

I like the Meguires Gold Class shampoo/wash as well.
In conjuction with a genuine sheepskin wash mitt(washed each time)
dry the car with california water blade and bath towels (freshly washed/dried each time i wash the car)--(100% cotton)
Next i use mother's preservatives on the black moldings/dash/etc
Meguires gold class leather cleaner/conditioner on leather.
A spray can of glass cleaner (Next Gen Glass Cleaner, or Stoner "Invisible Glass" on windows
For tires : Stoner More Shine Less Time is excellent (spray can)
Then meguires final inspection #34 (professional line) if needed
If i wax i use Meguires High tech Yellow wax
Everyone says my car is the closest thing to a showroom car you can get other than having a showroom car.

****Never use dishwashing soap --strips the wax clear off the paint and begins to work on the paint and clear coats itself****

I have detailed cars for years now and these products i listed have been what i've found to work best. I didn't list any of the other process products before you wax to remove swirls, enhance shine or establish a polymer base, but you get the idea.
Everything everyone else listed is also very good.

Happy washing!

[M3 Dream's]

thanks for the input guys.. this really helps..

[///M328i]

Go with Meguires Gold Class all the way!!

[Alan]

Originally posted by neenja
I like the Meguires Gold Class shampoo/wash as well.
In conjuction with a genuine sheepskin wash mitt(washed each time)
dry the car with california water blade and bath towels (freshly washed/dried each time i wash the car)--(100% cotton)
Next i use mother's preservatives on the black moldings/dash/etc
Meguires gold class leather cleaner/conditioner on leather.
A spray can of glass cleaner (Next Gen Glass Cleaner, or Stoner "Invisible Glass" on windows
For tires : Stoner More Shine Less Time is excellent (spray can)
Then meguires final inspection #34 (professional line) if needed
If i wax i use Meguires High tech Yellow wax
Everyone says my car is the closest thing to a showroom car you can get other than having a showroom car.

****Never use dishwashing soap --strips the wax clear off the paint and begins to work on the paint and clear coats itself****

I have detailed cars for years now and these products i listed have been what i've found to work best. I didn't list any of the other process products before you wax to remove swirls, enhance shine or establish a polymer base, but you get the idea.
Everything everyone else listed is also very good.

Happy washing!

Actually, dish soap can be benificial for stripping wax off a car if you are planning a thorough cleaning of paint and good waxing. Especially good for cars that have been neglected. Also a much cheaper method than Zymol HD-Cleanse.

Also, remember, many non-metallic BMWs up until the mid 90s didn't have a clear coat. I know mine didn't (Alpine White II). I think it started in 96 with all cars getting clear coated. Not exactly sure though.

Oh, and I agree on the Stoner Products. MSLT is decent (I like a satin look better) and Invisi Glass is just awesome, but it doesnt get DIRTY windows clean, only "spotted" windows perfect. Wouldn't know about the leather conditioner as I have cloth.