I must not know how to clean my car, I either have streaks on it, water spots, a mix of both and birds. I've tried the clay bar and it left streaks of crap.

Can some of you enlighten me on your cleaning methods?

 

every time i wash it my self it almost looks worse than before i started...so i just take it to the hand car wash place down the street..they seem to do a pretty good job...

 

I use the Mr. Clean auto-dry system along with a bunch of microfiber cloths to finish the job. I wash it about three times a week and for reference the more you wash it the easier it is to clean.

Also, if you wax your car after it will keep the coating over your paint smooth and stay clean through sprinklers and water splashing throughout daily driving.

Just make sure when washing you do sections at a time and keep the car from drying, a problem you may have is you are doing it in the sun which makes a big difference. I actually have been washing my car at night time and am about to go wash it right now.

Anyway give it a try it's easy! [sm=burnout.gif]


-Jeff

 

Wash & dry in the shade, use a quality automotive grade soap(preferably the brand as the wax you use) with new clean foam sponge or wash mitt(use two of each to allow a clean stroke with each pass) and dry car immediately with a soft non-abrasive towel(cloth or synthetic). I use The Absorber, a synthetic, rubber-like towel and make sure to re-wet surfaces that have dried(to help get rid of spots). Never wash the car in the direct sunlight(on a day above 70 degrees), you're just asking for spots. If your water source is heavy in calcium(which would leave ugly stains if not dried quickly) you should think about installing a water softener to your hose to condition the water. Need to wash car when cool to the touch, works best for me. Hope this helps

 

if clay bar is streaking,your not useing enough liquid with it!

 

+1

 

+1. I'm assuming you are washing a car that has a decent wax job already. One thing that will really help you: After you feel you are done washing and rinsing, remove the nozzle and sheet rinse starting from the roof, down the windshield, over the hood, down along each side then the deck lid. Hopefully you have a garage; if so driver the car into the garage, close the door and dry in there.

I use BlackMagic Pro-Dry Absorbing cloth, like a chamois but says: Soft and thristier than chamois; Lint and spot free with every swipe. I will tell you, I get no spots, streaks upon drying. ...and that's on a no orange peel aftermarket clearcoat surface on black.

If you take away one thing here it's sheet rinse, soooo much less water to dry off and you're not drying a 'water drop' surface.

 

Great advise.

I am posting some links to detail sites that have tons of info on learning proper car care. It is not as easy as some think but not as hard as some believe. If you get the car in pristine condition it is much easier to maintain. We tend to spend thousand of dollars on mods for our cars and then most spend very little on the detailing equipment that is needed to keep your car looking it's best. I am a firm believer in spending the sam amount of money on detailing supplies than i spend on mods. High quality detailing supplies are a must no cheap towles and no cheap wash mitts. You can find good products at very reasonable prices you simply need to buy from reputable suppliers. I have alos posted some of those for you. For washing i prefer Sheepskin mitts two or more, Waffle Weave Drying Towels the large 24x36 i use two on the Mustang and that would be a great start. I use only high quality Microfiber towles to remove wax,polsih detail spray etc..

http://ocdetails.com/html/detailing_guide.html

http://www.bettercarcare.com/cardetailing.html

http://www.detailcity.com/detailing-how-to.html

http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acatalog/guides.html


Detail Supplies

http://www.autogeek.net/

http://www.detailcity.com/

http://www.pakshak.com/

http://www.sheepskin.com/viewItem.as...Desc=&Search=N

 

+1 always use clean waxing applicators and polishing cloth.


AUTOMAGIC!!!!!!!

My brother in law used to be a distributor and this stuff is awesome (Banana Magic). Even after he left the business we still use it!!!!! Check out this link!

http://www.automagic.biz/waxes.htm

 

So I can avoid water spots by: Washing in sections and drying off with micofiber cloths.