Washing Car First Time! Help!

LakeShow · 11-11-2011, 08:39 PM

Hello, I just purchased my Z a couple weeks ago and haven't washed it since delivery. I have never washed a car myself ever before, always been lazy and went to the car wash. Ive done research and read that Meguiars is the popular brand of wash materials and also Mothers. Ok, I am a total noob to washing a car and I don't want to swirl up my car and damage it.
I need some advice on what exact materials I should get because I currently have nothing and don't really know the proper way to wash(like the two bucket method or whatever). Here's a list of things or if I'm missing anything please inform me.
-Specific towels to use for washing with soap then drying car without swirls or scratching
-Specific brands of soap that should be used to wash the car(Meguiars, mothers or whatever) maybe use a soap gun or something.
-Specific items to use to clean the rims
-Specific clay bar and wax(brands etc.) i have absolutely no experience or how to use
-Maybe detail spray or spray on wax or something
-Anything else I maybe missing
Thank You

Justin1686 · 11-14-2011, 12:25 AM

I use almost all meguiars products. If ur gonna get a clay bar, most will agree, it does not make much of a difference as it all comes from one company and brands just label it. Yes there r small coarse differences but to most, specially someone new, u wont notice it.

Some might disagree here, but you really only need to clay, polish and wax once a year, maybe two tops. Now thats assuming you take care of it in the meantime. As for polish and wax, outaide of meguairs, mothers, and adams, klasse makes good stuff too.

Make sure you use 2 buckets, one clean water, and the other ur wash.

When washing, go with the body if the car, never in circles. This will drastically help u in preventing swirls.

Do one section at a tike, u do not want the wash to dry on the car, and if possible work in the shade. Do not to wash the whole car at once. Section by section.

My phone battery is dying, but search around there r a lot of tips.

mtaxelson · 11-14-2011, 09:21 AM

bucket-water-soap-sponge-wash-rinse-dry-repeat.

nmjaxx9 · 11-14-2011, 10:04 PM

Heres two good guides you can use:

Finally Fully Detailed My 370Z with Porter Cable (AK370Z) 90+ pics inside

My Washing/waxing regimen!

LakeShow · 11-14-2011, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Justin1686

I use almost all meguiars products. If ur gonna get a clay bar, most will agree, it does not make much of a difference as it all comes from one company and brands just label it. Yes there r small coarse differences but to most, specially someone new, u wont notice it.

Some might disagree here, but you really only need to clay, polish and wax once a year, maybe two tops. Now thats assuming you take care of it in the meantime. As for polish and wax, outaide of meguairs, mothers, and adams, klasse makes good stuff too.

Make sure you use 2 buckets, one clean water, and the other ur wash.

When washing, go with the body if the car, never in circles. This will drastically help u in preventing swirls.

Do one section at a tike, u do not want the wash to dry on the car, and if possible work in the shade. Do not to wash the whole car at once. Section by section.

My phone battery is dying, but search around there r a lot of tips.

Meguiars seems to be the popular choice. I will be picking up the Meguiars New car kit which consists of the necessary towels and mits along with the ultimate soap, ultimate wax, and tire care. Thank you I will follow the steps.

LakeShow · 11-14-2011, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nmjaxx9

Heres two good guides you can use:

Finally Fully Detailed My 370Z with Porter Cable (AK370Z) 90+ pics inside

My Washing/waxing regimen!

Thank You, very useful information in those threads. Main thing I need is a grit guard after seeing the thread as I have everything else.

nmjaxx9 · 11-15-2011, 09:25 AM

Check this, they have em for like 8 bucks. ->Grit Guard? | U.S. Plastic Corp.

LakeShow · 11-17-2011, 01:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nmjaxx9

Check this, they have em for like 8 bucks. ->Grit Guard? | U.S. Plastic Corp.

Thanks, got lots of cheap plastic buckets and stuff.

LakeShow · 11-17-2011, 01:25 AM

I have a question, does anyone know a good interior cleaner that is non oil or wax based. I don't and hate when an interior becomes shiny if you know what I mean. Right now my car is new and the leather and wheel have that matte smooth leather feel and I don't want to lose that. Any suggestions?

G0TTA G0 · 11-17-2011, 06:24 AM

We have a sponsor for this. Check out the videos - very informative!

#***Adam's Daily Special***

anthonyy · 12-06-2011, 05:12 PM

303 Aerospace Protectant

Arnold · 12-13-2011, 03:42 AM

And is it really bad for the car to go to the automated car wash (yes, I'm lazy and washing takes a lot of time).
The one I usually go with never did bad things on my Volvo C30 but I just purchased the 370 and I'm kind of worried...

It is one with textile parts moving around the car to wash it, so it is not rolls, if you see what I mean...

ImageShack® - Online Photo and Video Hosting

haitech · 12-13-2011, 03:52 AM

I think it's better if you go to touch less car washes

Zeek · 01-06-2012, 09:23 AM

A little late checking in here but try the Meguiar's web page. Lots of videos and product advisers plus a forum with a few pro detail posters. I use nothing but Meguiar's stuff on my car and have been happy with the results.

Meguiar's : Car Care Products

11-11-2011, 08:39 PM	#1 (permalink)
LakeShow A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: L.I., NY Posts: 5,307 Drives: Everything Rep Power: 25	Washing Car First Time! Help! Hello, I just purchased my Z a couple weeks ago and haven't washed it since delivery. I have never washed a car myself ever before, always been lazy and went to the car wash. Ive done research and read that Meguiars is the popular brand of wash materials and also Mothers. Ok, I am a total noob to washing a car and I don't want to swirl up my car and damage it. I need some advice on what exact materials I should get because I currently have nothing and don't really know the proper way to wash(like the two bucket method or whatever). Here's a list of things or if I'm missing anything please inform me. -Specific towels to use for washing with soap then drying car without swirls or scratching -Specific brands of soap that should be used to wash the car(Meguiars, mothers or whatever) maybe use a soap gun or something. -Specific items to use to clean the rims -Specific clay bar and wax(brands etc.) i have absolutely no experience or how to use -Maybe detail spray or spray on wax or something -Anything else I maybe missing Thank You __________________ \|2013 Audi S4\|Ibis White/Black\|S-Tronic P+\| \|2013 370z\|PearlWhite/Persimmon\|Touring/Sport/Nav\|F.I. CBE 18" CF\| \|Sold\|2011 370z\|Gun Metallic\|Touring/Sport/Nav\| Last edited by LakeShow; 11-11-2011 at 08:43 PM.

11-14-2011, 12:25 AM	#2 (permalink)
Justin1686 Track Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Nassau, NY Age: 37 Posts: 689 Drives: 09 370 PG AT Rep Power: 17	I use almost all meguiars products. If ur gonna get a clay bar, most will agree, it does not make much of a difference as it all comes from one company and brands just label it. Yes there r small coarse differences but to most, specially someone new, u wont notice it. Some might disagree here, but you really only need to clay, polish and wax once a year, maybe two tops. Now thats assuming you take care of it in the meantime. As for polish and wax, outaide of meguairs, mothers, and adams, klasse makes good stuff too. Make sure you use 2 buckets, one clean water, and the other ur wash. When washing, go with the body if the car, never in circles. This will drastically help u in preventing swirls. Do one section at a tike, u do not want the wash to dry on the car, and if possible work in the shade. Do not to wash the whole car at once. Section by section. My phone battery is dying, but search around there r a lot of tips. __________________ 2009 Touring & Sport Package \|\| Platinum Graphite \|\| 40% 3M Tint \|\| Xpel Clear Bra \|\| Berk CBE \|\| Berk HFC \|\| Stillen Sway Bar \|\| H&R Spacers \|\| Swift Springs \|\| SPC Rear Camber Kit \|\| Thanks to Savage Autosports, VTR, PM, and R.A.D.

11-14-2011, 09:21 AM	#3 (permalink)
mtaxelson Enthusiast Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: New Jersey Posts: 311 Drives: "Two Brake Pedals" Rep Power: 14	bucket-water-soap-sponge-wash-rinse-dry-repeat. __________________ Stillen CAI-Fast Intentions LTH & CBE-R/T Tuning UPREV-Kenwood DNX6960-180 Custom Headlights-Avant Garde M310-Tien Springs-LLUMAR 20%-Escort Passport 8500XI-H&R Spacers 15/20-JL AUDIO-Rear Fog-Color Matched Handles-Shaved Rear Hamburger-PJDM Knob-322 WHP 272 FT-LBS TQ

11-17-2011, 01:25 AM	#9 (permalink)
LakeShow A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: L.I., NY Posts: 5,307 Drives: Everything Rep Power: 25	I have a question, does anyone know a good interior cleaner that is non oil or wax based. I don't and hate when an interior becomes shiny if you know what I mean. Right now my car is new and the leather and wheel have that matte smooth leather feel and I don't want to lose that. Any suggestions? __________________ \|2013 Audi S4\|Ibis White/Black\|S-Tronic P+\| \|2013 370z\|PearlWhite/Persimmon\|Touring/Sport/Nav\|F.I. CBE 18" CF\| \|Sold\|2011 370z\|Gun Metallic\|Touring/Sport/Nav\|

11-17-2011, 06:24 AM	#10 (permalink)
G0TTA G0 Base Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: PA Posts: 3 Drives: 2011 Nismo MB M6 Rep Power: 14	We have a sponsor for this. Check out the videos - very informative! #*Adam's Daily Special* __________________ I'd rather have a bottle in front of then a frontal lobotomy.

11-14-2011, 10:04 PM	#4 (permalink)
nmjaxx9 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Middletown, Ct Posts: 5,853 Drives: 2011 Nissan 370z Rep Power: 25	Heres two good guides you can use: Finally Fully Detailed My 370Z with Porter Cable (AK370Z) 90+ pics inside My Washing/waxing regimen!

11-15-2011, 09:25 AM	#7 (permalink)
nmjaxx9 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Middletown, Ct Posts: 5,853 Drives: 2011 Nissan 370z Rep Power: 25	Check this, they have em for like 8 bucks. ->Grit Guard? \| U.S. Plastic Corp.

12-06-2011, 05:12 PM	#11 (permalink)
anthonyy A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Los Gatos, CA Posts: 1,027 Drives: Lexus CT Rep Power: 16	303 Aerospace Protectant

12-13-2011, 03:42 AM	#12 (permalink)
Arnold Base Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: London Posts: 89 Drives: '10 370Z Sport M6 Rep Power: 13	And is it really bad for the car to go to the automated car wash (yes, I'm lazy and washing takes a lot of time). The one I usually go with never did bad things on my Volvo C30 but I just purchased the 370 and I'm kind of worried... It is one with textile parts moving around the car to wash it, so it is not rolls, if you see what I mean... ImageShack® - Online Photo and Video Hosting

12-13-2011, 03:52 AM	#13 (permalink)
haitech Track Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Austin/Dallas Posts: 922 Drives: 11' 370z Magnetic M6 Rep Power: 14	I think it's better if you go to touch less car washes

01-06-2012, 09:23 AM	#14 (permalink)
Zeek Base Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Eastern Washington Posts: 26 Drives: 2011 Silver Touring Rep Power: 13	A little late checking in here but try the Meguiar's web page. Lots of videos and product advisers plus a forum with a few pro detail posters. I use nothing but Meguiar's stuff on my car and have been happy with the results. Meguiar's : Car Care Products

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