Car washing for the non-OC

[kenchan]

Originally Posted by homerwest

Another dumb question - for a 3 month old car, should I use dawn dish detergent prior to amigo/epic application? I seem to remember reading that the harshness takes off whatever the factory or dealer might have applied to make the new stuff grip better....

Thanks again!

I use PaintPrep from Griot's when changing waxes, but im sure dawn
will work just fine. How about you do a gentle mixture?

[OctaneGuy]

Yep, like mini_dreams said--the Meguiar's Quik Clay system includes two little cars of clay, Quik Detailer lubricant, and even a Supreme Shine Microfiber towel to wipe it all off with. It's not a bad deal. Most consumer clays are very similar, the difference being in consistency. The DP clay is very hard and takes too much muscle in my fingers to knead it. I don't like clay that hard--it makes me not want to knead the clay often which is important to always exposing clean clay and not scratch your paint. But because I bought so much 12+ bars, I'm trying to LIKE it. I find that pulling it like taffy and forcing it together, and then pulling and twisting is much easier than trying to knead it.

You'll want to get my DVD if you want to learn how to clay your paint plus learn 50+ other techniques. Most people who use clay for the first time don't use it right. They don't press hard enough, or use enough lube, or use it on a hot surface, etc...

Originally Posted by Sin MINI

Recommendations for clay? Do I need a spray lubricant to go with it? I plan to go by Pep Boys this week to pick up some.

That would be my recommendation as well. Available from places like Walmart, Target, Pep Boys, Kragen, AutoZone, etc...

But for me Slick is too expensive to use as a clay lubricant. While it may work well, I prefer to use the cheaper stuff like the Meguiar's Quik Detailer, and reserve my Slick for final paint care--this is of course my own opinion on taking care of my MINI.

Originally Posted by mini_dreams

the clay i've used and that I like (and I'm very much a newbie) came from this kit, which I got at a local auto parts store:

http://www.meguiars.com/?auto-detail...rface-Clay-Kit

it comes with Meguiar's Quik Detailer for lubricant, which I used for a while, but have since replaced with Prima Slick. Both work well, I just like the shine that Slick gives the paint a bit more. I found this clay pretty easy to use.

Everyone provided good advice here. One more thing to add. The Porter Cable polisher with a foam pad is going to physically take off any old wax on the paint. That's why we polish with a paint cleaner. It removes the swirls as well as anything in the paint.

We start with Clay Bar to remove anything bonded to the top of the paint, then proceed to polish the paint to remove physical defects like swirls, and etchings and things have seemed into the paint. Then we wax it to protect the paint and all the work we've done.

So while Dawn and other chemicals could be used for stripping Carnuba waxes or maybe sealents, there's always the old standby of using the PC polisher!

Richard

Originally Posted by homerwest

Another dumb question - for a 3 month old car, should I use dawn dish detergent prior to amigo/epic application? I seem to remember reading that the harshness takes off whatever the factory or dealer might have applied to make the new stuff grip better....

Thanks again!

[MiniMaybee]

I've talked with Heather about the Dawn wash and while it is good for getting all oils and natural waxes off the paint, if you are using it hoping to get any synthetic waxes off then keep hoping.
If you have Zaino or Prima applied and you want it stripped, you will have to go at it with either alcohol or vinegar. I asked Heather to get with her chemist to see if there was anything available to strip this synthetic stuff off that would be safe for the paint & vinyl. I'll probably try putting some vinegar in water and wiping down the paint when spring comes around. Then clay and the rest of the routine.

[UsCoops]

Originally Posted by MiniMaybee

I've talked with Heather about the Dawn wash and while it is good for getting all oils and natural waxes off the paint, if you are using it hoping to get any synthetic waxes off then keep hoping.
If you have Zaino or Prima applied and you want it stripped, you will have to go at it with either alcohol or vinegar. I asked Heather to get with her chemist to see if there was anything available to strip this synthetic stuff off that would be safe for the paint & vinyl. I'll probably try putting some vinegar in water and wiping down the paint when spring comes around. Then clay and the rest of the routine.

Okay, that stinks, cuz I spent part of Saturday stripping my car (I thought!) of Zaino with Dawn, and then part of Sunday putting down all of my great new Prima... It needed it but I didn't clay because I was short on time and really wanted to try my new stuff! So now I'll have to try to make time again soon for a wash and clay. That's really hard to do because my hubby already thinks I'm nutty spending so much time shining up my MINI... so far the only way I can convice him is by offering to do all of the cars, so now I've got four to do. Good news though, he says I can invest in a PC. So OG's video is on the way and will order the PC in the next few days!

Oh yeah, forgot to tell Sin MINI... the clearbra has no UV in it so there won't be any issues with paint discoloration when it comes off. As others have said, when washing/waxing, treat it as you would any other area of the car. Just a warning tho... I used Amigo this weekend also, and I'd keep it away from the edges of the bra... it's grey, and wants to stick on those edges.

[WannaMini_]

Originally Posted by UsCoops

That's really hard to do because my hubby already thinks I'm nutty spending so much time shining up my MINI... so far the only way I can convice him is by offering to do all of the cars

[hijack]
Hooray! Another female OC!!! And I can empathize with the statement above. I've offered to do his car for him, too, which he is excited about. Then I will practice on family cars for a little bit of $$$. Then hopefully, depending on the level of skill I achieve, maybe I could expand out a little, even if just one car a week...

We now return to your regularly scheduled post...
[/hijack]

[homerwest]

Originally Posted by MiniMaybee

I've talked with Heather about the Dawn wash and while it is good for getting all oils and natural waxes off the paint, if you are using it hoping to get any synthetic waxes off then keep hoping.
If you have Zaino or Prima applied and you want it stripped, you will have to go at it with either alcohol or vinegar. I asked Heather to get with her chemist to see if there was anything available to strip this synthetic stuff off that would be safe for the paint & vinyl. I'll probably try putting some vinegar in water and wiping down the paint when spring comes around. Then clay and the rest of the routine.

I don't know what is on it now - the car is only 3 months old, and I have only washed it so far. Does anyone know what comes from the factory on the paint? Synthetic or old school wax?

[kenchan]

paintprep

[MiniMaybee]

Yeah, I got some P21S paint prep stuff. I'll probably give that a go. But vinegar is so cheep and it works so well on my pads and towels.

[kenchan]

but vinegar smells like crap.

[MiniMaybee]

True, but if it works it would smell like money (saved).

[kenchan]

i too use that crapola Meguiar's maroon bottle QuikDetailer for clay barring.

[mcdbrendan]

i use %50 Slick, %50 properly diluted Mystique water. The Slick is expensive, but watering it down takes the bite out of the wallet. Plus i absolutly love the stuff, so I don't mind.

[bamatt]

Another vote for Mequiar's clay & QD. It works quite well & is available locally so I see no reason to change

[MiniMaybee]

From the factory it has Cosmoline on it until the port. There they hot wash it to remove all the Cosmoline crap (though if you have yellow goo coming out from under your washer jets and staining your paint you know what kind of a job they did). Once it gets to the dealer it gets prep'd and there is where they would apply the wax. I would guess it's some cheapo Carnauba but you could call them to find out for sure.
For a new car I think the Dawn wash or Paint Prep (Groits or P21S), then clay and the rest.
I'm sure OctaneGuy or Heather will jump in here if I'm leading you off a cliff or lying too badly to you.

[OctaneGuy]

Yes, you are being watched.

I don't dawn wash or P21 either--just clay and paint clean with polisher. If I want to remove any existing wax, it'll happen during the polishing/cleaning step, so why worry?

Originally Posted by MiniMaybee

I'm sure OctaneGuy or Heather will jump in here if I'm leading you off a cliff or lying too badly to you.

[kenchan]

Originally Posted by OctaneGuy

Yes, you are being watched.

are you going to offer classes when you get your shop rolling?

have like a Octaneguy-Approved diploma's for successfully completing
yada yada training course. kinda cool.

[OctaneGuy]

Classes are beginning next month. School is in!

We're working on a schedule right now for AMVIV classes--sign up will be starting by the end of the week I hope. My partner will be attending AMVIV with me to help run the vendor booth. I've had a lot of requests for details on individual cars, but last year, I could only hit so many cars--so this year, I'd much rather help more people out by doing like a 1 hour class or so where we can address specific issues and how to solve them.

We're scheduling our road tour classes as well for next month--looking at Boston and Orlando possibly next month and Canada.

I've got different people working out logistics and such. As for diplomas--haha again something we've thought about but haven't really decided.

I'm also working on rolling out a new television site at ShowCarGarage.TV, a membership driven online video site.

I'm also introducing a line of accessories for making the Porter Cable polisher safer and more effective. Starting with the launch of the PC Guard. Price is $9.95 + shipping, and will be available in my store later this week. There will be a vendor announcement on it soon, so keep an eye out for it.



Richard

Originally Posted by kenchan

are you going to offer classes when you get your shop rolling?

have like a Octaneguy-Approved diploma's for successfully completing
yada yada training course. kinda cool.

[mini_dreams]

Originally Posted by OctaneGuy

Classes are beginning next month. School is in!

We're working on a schedule right now for AMVIV classes--sign up will be starting by the end of the week I hope.
Richard

cool... i'm still hoping to get to LA at some point, but I hadn't thought about AMVIV... hmmmm... looks like i might have to plan a roadtrip from Memphis to Vegas to LA to Berkeley. Please keep us informed on the class sign up.

I wonder if there are still rooms in Vegas....

[Sin MINI]

Originally Posted by OctaneGuy

Classes are beginning next month. School is in!

We're working on a schedule right now for AMVIV classes--sign up will be starting by the end of the week I hope. My partner will be attending AMVIV with me to help run the vendor booth. I've had a lot of requests for details on individual cars, but last year, I could only hit so many cars--so this year, I'd much rather help more people out by doing like a 1 hour class or so where we can address specific issues and how to solve them.

I am SO in!

[UsCoops]

Originally Posted by OctaneGuy

Classes are beginning next month. School is in!

We're working on a schedule right now for AMVIV classes--sign up will be starting by the end of the week I hope.

We're scheduling our road tour classes as well for next month--looking at Boston and Orlando possibly next month and Canada.

I'm also introducing a line of accessories for making the Porter Cable polisher safer and more effective. Starting with the launch of the PC Guard. Price is $9.95 + shipping, and will be available in my store later this week.

Wow, I haven't even received my PC yet and I can already buy accessories? Just my style! I'll be looking for the announcement for that, and for the AMVIV classes - I'm already registered and have a room, so I'll need to get in on that. And just one OC's opinion, but I think you should start your winter tours in a nice warm place... (like Phoenix maybe ?) where we can actually wash in the winter!

[Ords]

Originally Posted by OctaneGuy

Classes are beginning next month. School is in!

We're scheduling our road tour classes as well for next month--looking at Boston and Orlando possibly next month and Canada.


Richard

Hope Chi-town will be on that list come summer!

[mcdbrendan]

Originally Posted by Ords

Hope Chi-town will be on that list come summer!

I'll second that. I am in Ohio and i would gladly make a day trip up there for a seminar.

[WannaMini_]

Originally Posted by mcdbrendan

I'll second that. I am in Ohio and i would gladly make a day trip up there for a seminar.

Yep, me, too. I'd go to Chi town, too...

[mcdbrendan]

oooo sign me up!

[mcdbrendan]

PC guard. Grit guard.

I need to buy some of these guards you speak of.