I have been washing my car weekly with some car soap that my sister had in the garage that has been neglected since she got her is300 (she takes it through a car wash where they also vacuum inside and stuff). I dont like the idea of letting someone else drive my car for one thing (6mt), and i really dont like the idea of the g going through one of the machine car washes and then being dried by hand for speed (not quality) by people who dont even speak english (nothing against that.... but its just something about not even being able to understand someone and then putting them in charge of a 35k peiece of equipment) I also dont like how when they are sitting in the car cleaning the inside they sit on the sides of the seat with legs outside the car (IM TRYING TO PREVENT THOSE CREASES NOT MAKE THEM WORSE)....

well anyways what im geting at is.. what should i do every week to make my BLACK g coupe look like it came from the car wash? What kind of soap/sponges/rags/ towels should i use? I know that i want the microfiber towels or something that doesnt leave behind tons of little fuzz on my car (i have this problem currently). What exactly should i buy and what should i do rutinely to keep my g lookings great. Should i invest in a clear bra? Would that keep it looking new from the outside for a longer pieriod of time/prevent scratching? I doubt it would show yellowing on a black car.... i think they apply clear bras at my dealerhsip too, so this wouldnt be a problem. How often/with what should i wax my car? Any other care tips? I also would lik to know what leather products everyone uses on their cars? Remember i live in houston texas and so when its light out enough for me to see what im doing, its so hot that water dries VERY fast... and i always wash my car alone. I tryed washing at night once, but i dont have enough light outside from the lights out there to be able to see water spots/spots that i miss or anything. I wash my car about once a week (lately its been raining everyday in houston so i havent washed it in about 2 weeks cause there is no point) I would like to be able to go buy this stuff at walmart, Orileys (sp) or autozone or something like that instead of having to order it online... but i guess i do have a credit card and could wait on stuff ordered online if it is worth it.... i just saw a link to a huge towel that is 35 dllars for a set of two and it looks like the same material that my mom has a towel that drys her hair with and its like special and holds insane amounts of water because of the weaving of it or something. I was thinking about this.... should i use sponges or rags? I have these really soft microfiber cloths that ive been using to clean it and they seem to be working well. Last washing i did i used dawn soap because my car had a film building up from this crappy turtle wax car wash stuff that ive been using (soap with turtle wax in it or something). The dawn got my car spotless, but i was wondering if maybe this isnt so great for the paint.... any feedback is wanted plz

2004 Black on Black g coupe 6spd.... <3 aluminum pedals, clear corners, z tube, and pop charger. From down south, houston tejas

 

first of all finding high quality stuff at a retail store is very difficult. I would strongly recommend buying stuff on the net. The quality is just so much better. Here are my recommendations. Also if you need help on specifics they will be able to help you.

Car Shampoo - Meguires Gold Class (from Walmart)

Stuff to buy from PoorboysWorld.com/
Sealent - EX-P (lasts 3 times longer than wax)
Wax - Nattys Wax (if you want the look of a wax)
Polish - SSR1/SSR2 (remove scratches/imperfections)
Leather Care products, vinyl and plastic care
Waffle Weave Microfiber (to dry car)
Assorted Microfibers (to dry windows/jams/plastic/ect)

Sheepskin Wash Mitt (properAutocare.com) - to wash car.

You should wash your car weekly. Especially since its black(i have a black sedan). If you are going to wax, you need to wax at least 6 times a year. For my part I use a sealent (ex-p from poorboysworld) which lasts 3-4 months.

You will need to polish twice a year. Use SSR1. Also clay the car once a year. Use SSR2 for deeper scratches and problem areas.

 

wash your car with dawn to strip any waxes. i use a sponge and rinse it clean between panels. afterwards, claybar (mother's claybar kit from autozone) it. dry with microfiber (or leafblower or cali water blade). be sure to wash your new microfibers before using them so you don't leave little fibers all over your car. and also, wash the towels separate from everything and don't use fabric softener. for "waxing," i use crystal guard, which protects for months and doesn't take long to apply. even after a rainstorm, CG keeps my car shiny (i posted pics of it somewhere in the detailing forum). but, if you have noticeable swirls and spiderwebs, i'd go with zaino. wash the car every week (if you can), but do not use dawn. after i apply a few coats of CG, i use car soap that does not strip wax. or sometimes i just use a spray bottle of water and a microfiber to "clean" my CGed car (one of the perks of CG). big tip: do not use circular motions when washing, waxing, or drying.

for the leather, i use lexol. for the wheels, i also use CG. and for the dust that settles on a clean car, i use a cali duster for the exterior and interior. oh, and rain-x for the windows is awesome. happy cleaning.

<font color=purple>.g35girl.</font color=purple>

 

"One time, I took my G to one and the stupid workers revved my G a couple times to hear the exhaust..."

mr E... eek. what is it with your G and stupid workers? i think it was you who told us about the parking attendant who drove your G like a race car.

i'd also invest in some stoner's invisible glass for cleaning the windows. i have yet to try it, but some people on this forum highly recommended it.

<font color=purple>.g35girl.</font color=purple>

 

All the Stoner products work great. Invisible glass is very easy. I do recoment investing in a couple of microfiber towels. Makes the work so much easier. The Tire shine and Trim shine are fantastic. Each application last through several washes. and NEVER browns.

 

i used to hand wash every week, then eventually, every month, then, when it rains ;p. but it does look beautiful when i do finally wash it

 

Invisible Glass works great. I use it on the windows, headlights, and grill....

Like someone else mentioned, get a 2nd mit/sponge for the lower half of the car, since that is where most of the bad stuff accumulates. I also love the Absorber shammy (much better than any other shammy I've tried and it doesn't dry out or need to be aired out), followed by a dry 100% cotton or microfiber cloth to get it perfectly dry. Sometimes I take a quick drive down the road and back to let the wind get most of the water off, but be careful when drying the lower half as you could potentially pick up some road grime (a leaf blower is a better idea, if you can afford one)... As for waxing, I clay-bar/polish/wax ('been using Clay Magic clay bar kit, Meguire's Polish, and Pinnacle Souveran wax and I'm very pleased with the results) every 3 months and use Meguire's Quick Detailer in-between weekly washes for touch-ups (even use it right after washing sometimes--helps keep the shine strong and it smells good!).

2004 6MT (Silver/Willow), premium & aero packages

My old ride (I still miss her; put a lot of pride and joy into it): http://www.n-body.net/registry/john95ga/