How to properly wash your 370 w/o damaging paint? Help

Good_Tymes

Here's a picture of the the options the self car wash offers by my house. I was just wondering how is the best way to go....curious to how yal wash yours or if theres a way w/o scratching/damaging paint. (Also, after I do a rinse later on I see like spots that look like dirt.... Am I supposed to dry it with a towel right after?) This is my first nice car so I want to keep it looking good. Give me some info and some things yal recommend for the inside or outside of my car, Thank you


online photo sharing

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JungleZ

2 bucket method, good soap, micro fiber towel

Boost_lee

I agree; Junkman is always helpful:

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My TT Z

chrischhorn

People at the DIY car wash here hate me lol. I go there and pre-soak my car and fill a bucket of water. Then I hand wash it lol. I live in an apartment so no water hose at home or anything. DO NOT USE THEIR BRUSHES AT THOSE PLACES! They are old and crappy and don't do much other then swirl your paint. Hand wash and spot free rinse with the pressure washer, hand dry right after.

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R.I.P. 8/01/13 1SlowZ
One day I'll have another....

1st

I have been to these places when I had no house and lived in an apartment. There ok but dangerous because of contractors. My process was as follows 1. Use rinse function to get all the dirt off your car 2. Use the soap through the hose function hose down the car 3. Use my own mitt with my own soap and soap up the car 4. rinse it. Never used the wax through the hose or that nasty brush. Also when I say dangerous because of contractors is because I have noticed that at these places even though its posted not to rinse off muddy cars/trucks. Contractors tend to go here after a job and rinse causing nails that where loose in their beds to go on the ground. So yes I have picked up nails in my tires here and there. So what I used to do is before going in the bay is get out and inspect for screws, nails, debris then enter at my own risk.

RyanWest

First and foremost. never use chemicals from any car wash. 98% of them are very harsh and cause heavy water spots to form. Invest in som high quality stuff like Mequires or Stay Fresh car care products.**** sometimes i even use a 3 bucket wash if the car is very dirty. Home depot sell 5 gallon buckets for like $3. Always presoak the car and use a microfiber towel when washing.

Junkmans videos are very educational!

nmjaxx9

This is the process I use with Meguiars Wash and Wax for a basic wash:

1) Rinse car thoroughly
2) Dip in soap and use a sponge to hand wash the whole body
3) Pressure wash (high pressure) using up/down method
4) One more time wash/wax to get everything off
5) Dry with terry towels
6) Apply window cleaner and wipe/tire foam and wheel cleaner wipe
7) Air dry

sparky

Select stop button.
Go home and follow videos above.

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2012 370Z GM 7AT/JWM LEDs / 3M clear bra / 35% tint / GTR start button / FI CBE SS 18" RES / Momo shift knob / K & N Typhoon / Z1 hood struts / H&R 20mm f/r / illuminated kickplates

Coon-azz

Agreed! Who knows what harsh water issues this has (probably city water). I don't recommend using these at all. Consider investing $ into some simple tools from the video above.Will make all the difference.

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NissanGuy23

This is what i do. Fill a bucket with water, snap a top on it. Sometimes i even use 2 buckets. And i sit there for hours hand washing it/detailing it. Then dry with 2 or 3 waffle weave microfibre towels

I usually do this very late, like 11PM on weekends so I'm usually the only one there and not holding anyone up.

Z-Girl 12

Pay my mobile detail dude! $15 cause I'm too lazy to wash it myself...5yrs using him and he has been great!

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2012 Z-SOLD
2014 Nismo #565 Fast Intentions CBE/HFC/Swift/SPC/RJM/H&R-15/20mm/Z1 CAI/Headers/Intake Manifold w/Uprev Tune 328.31whp/263.64tq

Good_Tymes

Very helpful thank you people. I can always count on y'alls help

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SgtGoldy

haha love this guys videos. Hes a forum member too (Nissan 370Z Forum - View Profile: Junkman2008)

Pretty much what everyone else has said. I go by everything the junkman says in his videos for the most part. Invest in a Rotary Buffer as well if you feel like getting really into detailing. I did it but can't ever find the time to actually sit down and use it haha. It takes practice, and lots of it.

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Junkman2008

Ding, ding, ding, ding, ding! We have a winnaaaaaaaaah!

You know, you could always go to your parent's house and wash your car. You could do theirs too for allowing you to use their garage. If not, find a friend who has a garage and you could both do your cars on the same day. Surely there's ONE person in your life with access to a garage.

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SgtGoldy

I use a sunshade for mine outdoors. Still drys the paint faster than in a garage, but my garage doesn't have a drain and would just become soaking wet.

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