I'm the proud owner of a new Chilli Red R56 with a black roof and black bonnet stripes. Two simple questions: 1) If I just want to blast some dust and road dust off the car but don't have time for a wash, is it safe to take it to a touch free car wash? Should I avoid any of the touch free extras such as spot free dry or wax? Also, I have never buffed a car in my life. What is the most idiot proof electric buffer I can get so I don't screw up a beautiful car just to get off three light scratches that I recently noticed? Do I need an electric buffer to keep the car looking good? OK so maybe a few more than two questions.

 

1. No, No, No if you want to protect your paint never let anyone touch it besides you or a trained deatiler. If there is a small amount of road dust on it, you can use a QD such as Prima Slick http://www.detailersparadise.com/Vie...2-691513519625, or a waterless wash such as PoorBoys Spray and Wipe.http://www.driveit.com/pbsaw16.html
2. There really is no "idiot proof" buffer, but for a "safe" buffer the most popular choice is a Porter Cable (PC) 7336SP.http://www.detailersparadise.com/Vie...1-122521261403
3. If they are indeed light scratches chances are you can use a hand fine polish applied by hand such as Prima Amigo http://www.detailersparadise.com/Vie...20060727122351

 

Oh, come now... He said a "touch free" wash - aka "Laser Wash" or whatever - which is basically a powerwash, no brushes, no cloth, just water and soap...

Now, granted, you ARE always taking some chances even with these - because you don't have any way of knowing what the properties are of the concentrates they're using, and whether this will strip your existing wax/sealant, dry out your rubber trim, etc. But occasionally, if you have a nasty car and no time for a hand wash (and don't own a convertible) I don't think that's overy risky... An OCD detailing type would NEVER do it - but an OCD detailing type doesn't understand phrases like "no time for a hand wash"...

Personally, if you're car is pretty dirty, this would be MUCH better than just using QD or a "waterless wash" spray, IMHO... less likely to swirl or scratch... you could do the touch-free wash, then towel dry with Hydro and you'd be ahead of 98% of other car owners care regimens...

Otherwise, agreed on the Porter Cable - Buy OctaneGuy's DVD - well worth the money - and you'll be able to do wonderful things with no risk to your finish. And/Or call Heather at Detailer's Paradise and she can talk you through what you need and how you use it. She's done that for some of my friends.

 

I would say if you truly have no time, it's better than just letting the dirt sit on the car and swirl the paint up.

BUT someone once posted about some of these washes having crazy pH balances in the soaps, which will strip any wax/sealant off. This then leaves you with NO protection from the elements.

What about a Mr. Clean Auto-Dry fast rinse-wash-rinse-spot-free-dry instead? The whole system costs like $15 at Target/Wally World, and while they tell you to only use their soap, you can use others (I put Mystique in mine all the time, and use it when I just have a fine layer of dust and want an easy wash). The whole thing takes maybe 10 minutes and is super easy.

 

The Mr. Clean IS a good suggestion, if you have somewhere to use it.

The "crazy PH" syndrome is why I suggested Hydro after... though it ONLY lasts about 4 weeks

(inside joke)

 

Eh I still dont like the idea of dirt being ground into my paint via high pressure water

 

I didn't recommend that YOU do it you YOUR paint.

 

I have used brushless car washes for years. YES IT IS SAFE. Not every one needs a perfectly detailed car. Your MINI actually does have real auto paint and clear coat (It's not water color) . No, you won't get a great wash, but, yes it is safe. The idea that an occasional commercial wash will ruin your car is absurd. BTW, I do hand wash my MINI, but I do have extensive car wash experience.

 

here are my answers:

1) no issue with touchless wash, but make sure you dry using Hydro and waffle weave towel. www.detailersparadise.com

2) no need for electric buffers. make sure you wash your car and dry
using Hydro and waffle weave towel on a regular basis. www.detailersparadise.com

 

Pressure alone is not what washes your car.

Also note that most cars going in there are much dirtier and have their dirt stuck on for months.

Yet it comes off.

When I wash with my griot's soap and two bucket method, I use a lambswool mitt. That is a pretty effective cleaning system. If I have to wait more than 2 weeks (winter or it rains so much for a while that there isnt a day open to do it), the car's gunk takes more than one simple wash to get 100% clean. Now, this will change probably as I am going the synthetic route now as natural wax is stickier. However, I can't imagine the harshness of the liquids they use. They must be intense. To clean a car with baked on crap, it must be scary.

yeah sure, if you have no way to wash it and its a mess and its below 40 degrees, yeah, why not I guess. I would do what Kenchan says however after the wash is done. I would bring my drying towels and Hydro if the surface has been thoroughly cleaned. IF it hasnt, then I would bring something like Slick and spray it down to wipe off excesss missed crap, then hydro.

That is a good idea for the brutal parts of the winter. hm.

 

I bought a California Car Duster at Target. It works really well to remove dust, especially on black roof. It helps a lot in between washes if you live in a dry state.

 

I use a California Duster often, as there seems to be a lint tree nearby.

 

Need has little or nothing to do with most things.

 

It does if you're TRULY OCD...

 

Very true, which is kind of my point. The fact that some want their cars to be in car show shape at all times, doesn't mean the use of a car wash will render the car damaged.

 

Although Blimey already mentioned it.

Baloney.

I always let my wife wash our cars. She likes doing it and that's better than any detailer or me

 

Baloney. you let the rain clouds wash your Rav4.

 

People need to understand the difference between Need and Want.
I need water, but want beer. I need transportation, but want a MINI.
I don't need to keep my MINI spotless (though it would drive me to distraction otherwise), but I want a pristine MINI.
This distinction came again to light last night when my 14 yr old daughter said she needed to go to the movies with her pals. She hates having an engineer as a father!

 

Why? You always want to take the train?

 

no he just talks formulas all day long....

 

I know some TRULY OCD folks - their NEED surpasses WANT - I can assure you. It's not a hobby... they'll have an adverse physical and emotional reaction if their NEED isn't met... and I'm pretty confident at least a few of our Detailing 101 gurus fall in this end of the spectrum..

 

uhhhh... not me.





i can't stand dirty hobby car. i go crazy.