Tell me about your first wash
 

It has now been one month since I picked up my new PW Z!! It's been a great first month, and I decided to celebrate it by giving her a wash and a bit of detailing.

Can you spray your all-weather Z floormats with water and use soap on them?
Is it possible to clean the brake disc to make it look brand new again?
How often do you wax?

I dont see why you couldnt use soap and water on them if you want to let them air dry.

What is wrong with your month old discs that they dont look brand new right now?

I only wax a couple to few times a year but keep a coat of detailer on it every wash.

First off, all female Z owners are required to post pictures of themselves (with the cars I guess if you really want)...

Floormats can get wet, no problem... just make sure they are relatively dry before putting them back in the car to avoid any mold/mildew of the carpet.

The rotors will unfortunately not look brand new after some initial usage because you will have brake pad deposits and some oxidation in them which will worsen over time but you can use brake cleaner to help a bit. Problem is that brake cleaner is VERY corrosive and if you get it on the paint it could do damage. Use some Mequiars Hot Rims (or Wheels can't remember) wheel cleaner... that will help shine up the wheels and calipers.

Also make sure if you wash the car that you prerinse it very well to get off all the loose dirt you can... also use a lot of soap and constantly rinse your sponge to avoid running dirt across the paint.

I have a foam gun that I bought off Amazon for somewhere around $40 that works wonders.

Lastly make sure you dry the car with a clean microfiber cloth or else you will end up with water spots/scratches which will ruin your finish over time.

Good luck and please wash it more than once a month like the rest of us maniacs... I do it every weekend.

First wash on the Z wasn't as all out as kenchan, although it was pretty close.

Didn't clay as the car had been in a warehouse for all of three days off a truck. Washed with Meguiar's Gold Class. Dried and waxed with Meguiar's Gold Class Liquid Wax. Did the tires with ArmorAll, and cleaned the wheels with a soft brush and Dawn. Wasn't much brake dust to speak of.

Interior was simple, I had carpeted mats and they were mostly clean. Slapped em a bit and vacuumed loose dirt. Used Meguiar's Interior detailer on all the plastic panels. Lexol leather cleaner and conditioner on the seats. Distilled water for the shift knob and steering wheel (don't make the mistake of using interior detailer on the wheel! bad idea). Interior and exterior glass cleaned with an ammonia free cleaner with microfiber (Invisible Glass).

Brakes get a bit rusty with all the water, but a quick brake into the garage cleans them off.

Nowadays I do a full wash every two weeks. Upkeep with some instant detailer, and wipe down the wheels with a paper towel and some dawn soap. Tires look a bit ugly but they're bald and slightly brown. Avoid using silicone based tire shine unless you do a lot of upkeep as they brown over time because they absorb brake dust.

I peed in a rusty bucket, dipped a large pinecone in it, and then went to work.

On a serious note i rinsed the car, then cleaned it with optimum car wash, clayed, rinsed again. I then put on wax and sealent. Looks good to me. I think some people go overboard at times, but I can understand it being your passion.

:iagree:

PS: My gf would probably punch me if she read this... but she doesn't visit 370z forums so I'm in the clear :D

First wash was the dealer prep and it was horrific.

:worthless:

:bowrofl:

:shakes head:

hey, i'm just voicing what every guy in this forum is thinking :p

How've you been, btw?! :icon17:

:tup:

Lol creepers much? And you wonder why not many girls are active :P

i'm gonna call it!!! ^ is a chick!!!... :excited:

Not I!! okay, maybe a little bit.. hahaha

Im hanging in there, couple more weeks and il be walking again! How about yourself?

most definitely

Whoa have i been away for THAT long?! What happened???? :eek:

PM me

My first wash..

I washed the 350Z before taking it in for the trade in...

Then when I brought the 370Z home on the same day, I washed it..

I could feel the different lines...The side windows, the roof lines, the hood lines, the sides of the car, ect...

Everything was different...Like I was massaging a super model..

The difference in the 350Z and the 370Z was quite obvious since i washed both on the same day...

^^^^^Yep...:iagree:

[QUOTE=sexZness;1813406]hey, i'm just voicing what every guy in this forum is thinking :p

Smart Girl...

I always wash mine in a white t shirt and daisy duke shorts.


And I'm a big fet man

:tup: bikini top + shorts... it's hella hot and i don't want no farmer's tan... especially cuz it takes me a couple of hours to wash it properly :bowrofl:

Hahaha nope

:ugh: Oh....

I remember my first wash,...i was about eight and the girl next door was 12 and she gave me a wash in the tub...That special soap really cleaned me...

No we don't... :nutswinger:

:wtf2:

Nothing's wrong with the brake discs; they are just really dirty and I want to see them shiny and new again. The dirt on the discs is much more stubborn to get off; any suggestions? What's the difference between a coat of wax and a coat of detailer?

Thanks for the tips and product recommendations! Pics will come soon, I keep promising the peeps, but I've been too lazy to resize my photos so that they're not HUGE. Washing every weekend....? Bravo, bro. I don't think I can be that dedicated. Took me 2 hours to wash last weekend, and I can see myself doing it once a month in the summer months and less often in the winter.

Thank you too! I also noticed that there are a tonne of different products to choose from. I chose a soap and wax in one. How do you think it compares to using soap and wax separately? I guess it's like shampoo + conditioner in one, isn't it? LOL

It's all good. I think if a gal is serious about her Z and keeping connections with the car community, she'll keep active. ;) I'm not weirded out by the creepers!

OH! HURT!

Walking again? Oh... what happened???

:shakes head:

I feel this way also, you can check my post history.

My first wash was at a car wash. I rinsed with the hose, felt the brush and said **** that and drove away.

Now I just wash at my house with an old fashioned hose and bucket. I do cheat on the drying though with the absorber towels.

I use mothers wheel and tire cleaner, seems to keep everything down there clean. Try that? I know some people use different products and have good results too, mothers just works for me so if it's not broke don't fix it.

Well unfortunately nothing will make your brake discs look brand new out of the box again after use as it is a wear item. The brake pads are going to keep them about as clean as they are going to get as they are basically scrubbing the disc. You can use brake cleaner but just be careful where you spray it.

Coat of wax vs Quick detailer: Quick detailer I use (Meguairs Ultimate Quick Detailer) after a wash for touch up of any water spots that form if I was unable to get all the water off in time with the blower. It adds some protection to the finish and repels water between washes. Wax is going to add much more protection and gloss than a Detail Spray. Basically you would wax your car a couple times a year for protection and shine. Then wash and use quick detailer or quick wax (spray) to keep it clean and protected on a weekly basis or whatever frequency you wash.

You can use a soap and wax in one but it will not be as good of protection as using a good wax after a wash.

I found every rock chip :(