FTO AUSTRALIA

Hey guys, I just want to know what you guys do, and how committed you are to keeping your car clean & shiny. Don't be afraid to post!

It would be good if some of you post up your procedures, and maybe products that you guys use.

Personally, I use Meguiar's Stuff... I have a number of products, and I do a number of steps, depends how much time I have...

I use turtlex wax cut n shine when i need to remove scratches, tar, etc etc, or if i want to get a bit more shine - i find it way better then the stage 1 meguaires paint cleaner

i then follow that up with meguaires polish and then the carnuba wax...

the wax is awesome, i had it on my roof etc over winter and everytime it got wet, it just beads for weeks...

unfortunately, my car got pretty dirty over the last few weeks with the storms etc, so i did a polish and wax today over 80% of the panels...

spoke to a client today who took his car to porsche wanting it to be detailed. He was reffered to a guy in nunawading who is the only authorised porsche detailer in melb apparently.

It cost him $500 and took 2 days but the guy said some interesting thigns and I thought I would share it with all you guys who are pedantic about keeping your car clean.

a) never use a bucket to clean your car - he said all swirl marks on cars exterior are from people using a sponge etc, and that everytime they wipe a panel and then dump it in the bucket the bits of dirt etc go in the water and then get picked up again causing scratching - makes sense...

b) dont use any! detergent / car wash: if you have a polish or wax on your car then the car wash will act as a detergent and basically break down that protective coat you have put on - pretty annoying if you spent hours polishing your car!

He said just to use running water and a shammy, and thats all thats needed.

If you polish it etc, the water then will bead off the polish and not break it down like the car wash will...

makes sense!

I spent 3 days on her a while ago: polish - wax - paint-sealant. Now she's nice and shiney!

Now all i've gotta do is run a lambs wool mit over her every other day and looks as if i've just soaped her. Probably only wash her once a month now, instead of once a week.

Those Wool Mit things actually work?

I use mine instead of a sponge while washing, and much better. Actually grabs the dirt rather wiping it off.

And yup, run it over the car each morning to get the top layer of dust off that's accumilated in the night, and she looks as if she's just been washed.

Wasn't too sure about them before - but now i'm a follower of the mit!

Just a little tip if you want to get tar off the car and dont want to use a cutting polish, use margarine.... Seriously, rub a bit of marg into the tar and it will come off with a wipe...

Running water is all good and well for those who dont have water restrictions!

My tree-hunging neighbors would cut me a new poop hole

EURO wrote:never use a bucket to clean your car - he said all swirl marks on cars exterior are from people using a sponge etc, and that everytime they wipe a panel and then dump it in the bucket the bits of dirt etc go in the water and then get picked up again causing scratching - makes sense...

That is absolutely right. Instead, use TWO buckets with a wool mitt! One bucket with your car wash soap, one bucket clean water. Wool mitt is much better than sponge cause it traps the sand etc in the fibre and not scratch the paint. Dip mitt in car wash soap, wash car, rinse mitt in clean bucket of water, so the dirt and sand don't get transfer back on to the car. Then repeat the process.

As for waxing, I have the whole lot, scratch/swirl remover, paint cleaner, sealer and wax. But due to the previous owner not taking too good care of the washing technique, the above was good but still not good enough for the swirl marks. I was about to give up and send the car for full detailing but very reluctant as some parts of the paint are quite thin and its going to cost at least $200.

Then, I was in supercheap auto, standing there for half an hour holding a bottle of wax, thinking whether I should buy it - Meguiars NXT Generation Tech Wax. Its very expensive wax ($45 retail) and since I have so many waxes already..I was thinking hard whether I should really get it. The packaging says take the best wax in your garage and compare it and if you are not impressed, you can return the rest for a full refund. And it says it eliminates (not just remove) swirl marks.

Eventually I decided to give it a try mainly because there was a 20% discount on all meguiars products (still is I think, I bought it on thursday). I am impressed, definitely the best wax in my garage now. It clears up the clear coat to reveal the colour in the paint and it really does clear up a lot of the swirl marks. It makes the paint looks quite new again. The difference is quite apparent (depending on condition of paintwork) You can tell its not ordinary wax just by applying it.

Thanks mate, now i can buy that wax in peace, i have looked at it thiking the same thing... about 4 times now... $45.... god... i'l just have to wait till a 20% sale comes but... haha