Hydro! I'm now a believer, BUT ...
 

... Does everyone use 3/4 of a bottle each time? Or am I doing it wrong? :confused:

I'm a Hydro believer too. :thumbsup:

3/4 of a bottle per wash.:eek2: Wow that is a lot! Are you drinking it?:wink: A bottle will last me maybe 10+ washes, if I don't drink some of it.

I get at least 12 washes out of a bottle.

At a single drying, I use maybe 6 full trigger-pull, fine-mist sprays on the roof and windscreen, four down each side, four each on the boot and bonnet, a couple on the front fascia, and a tiny dribble on the spokes of my wheels. That's it.

I've found that using any more that that doesn't seem to add to the quality of the final finish, and it's just that much sooner that I'm sending $$ to Heather or Richard for more... :impatient:

I use about 2-3 sprays per panel. Works great...

Buying by the gallon is the best bang for the buck. Spritz spritz... :grin:

As people said, you are using too much :). I find the best way is to rinse the car with the water on low directly out of the hose so its a very smooth stream of water. This allows the water to sheet off the paint and not leave beads of water leaving very little water actually remaining on the paint. Then just mist a couple trigger pulls of hydro per panel and the result is a nicely waxed car. I find buffing it out one more time after its fully dry really makes it shine.

But it smells so good! :wink:

Maybe I leave too much water on the car when I spray. I'll try some of the suggestions, and spray less. It does leave a great finish, though, doesn't it?

Oh, one more question - Do you use a drying microfiber cloth with it? Or do you use a plush microfiber?

I start with waffle weave microfiber drying towels and finish buffing with a monster fluffy. And I agree it does smell good, just finished both MINI's so its fresh on me hands!:razz:

I use ONE full trigger spray per panel... maybe 1.5 on the bonnet. You don't need any more than that, as the towel spreads it around and gives you coverage as you dry - you don't need to try to cover the whole surface with the mist. A bottle lasts me a LONG time.

i use a lot but not 3/4 bottle per wash! :lol: i go through QD very quickly but not Hydro. :no:

in reference, i use about 1/4~1/5 of a QD app...which is more than enough. :thumbsup:

OK, kenchan, tell me what you use your QD for. (I know it's "Quick Detail" but I have trouble knowing when & how to use it). I'm just learning here. :)

on the G i use Griot's SpeedShine for QD'ing my panels. Prima Slick for my wheels.

on my dd when i need to remove bird crappage, i use Prima Slick. :nod:

the reason why i use 2 types is because my G uses carnauba wax so i dont want polymers on top. (it makes it more difficult for carnauba to stick to the wax remaining on the paint due to Slick's polymer content).

on my dd i use polymer so polymer and polymer is fine.

Think of QD as:
1) dust remover
2) bug and bird poo remover
3) gloss/shine enhancer

It's NOT for cleaning a "dirty" car - but for getting off light dust, bugs, etc. between washes, if you want to keep the car looking "just washed" all the time. By using a duster and also Quick Detailing, I only have to wash my car after driving through the rain or after finding a mud puddle.

Got it. Thanks! I'm guessing the point between using QD and needing to re-wash is a judgment call. Right? I've always been told that moving dust around the panels is a no-no.

By the way, I have a bird (parrot), but he only craps on my shirt.

yah, i dont QD my dd's at all. QD only works well on a clean car as blimey mentioned above.

if you want to clean your dirty car you'll want to use something like Griot's SprayOn Car Wash. i use that pretty often when i hit puddles on one side of the car, or when my dd's not too dirty but have some water drain marks under the door handles, gas cap, etc. from rain. i use it in spots. :razz:

Yeah, you have to learn the difference between "dust" and "dirt". :lol:

You wouldn't want to push EITHER around on a painted surface while it's dry... but light dust can be "swept" off with a duster, or QD'd off by lubing it up with QD mist first and using a plush microfiber towel, with little or no swirling of the paint.

As ken says, "dirt" needs washing, or something like the Griot's SOC which I use also.

I *do* QD my daily driver (Blimey) - only when he *only* has light dust or some buggage...

is hydro okay to be use on the bonnet stripes or roof flags? I was told once that I shouldn't use wax over the stripes, but since hydro is an actual liquid sorta wax , do you think it'll be okay?

Yes of course. Whoever told you not to wax the stripes was probably concerned about buildup along the edges or maybe was concerned about you using a cleaner/wax that could affect the ink on the stripes. Regardless, waxing stripes and vinyl should be done to prolong them.

I have been using Hydro as the sole wax on the roof flag for almost 2 years now. It's holding up great. No Fading, it looks brand new.

After washing, I apply a thin coat to the dry car.

octane guy , (or anyone knowledgable for that matter)...could i use hydro with slick? if so what should i apply first? will there be benefits to this procedure or not really? or will actually defeats either application purpose? im sorta confused as to which one to use. im actually confused in general...

i have an 09 chilli red s...its not brand new...i purchased it with aboot 4 thou. miles in it....it has some imperfections as in chips and scratches but it looks very nice in general...however i'd like to do a bi weekly quick detailing...i have an orbital polisher.

i'd like to use some sort of polisher...and wax it...i think prima products look rather great.

my plan is to use mystique with either a mr clean dry system or just a bucket, washing mit and some sorta brush or sponges...then use a polisher like swirl or amigo( dont know which one would serve my purpose better)..then i guess i wash it again? and dry it with that fluffy microfiber towel...then use hydro and dry it again? would those steps work or im way off?

I used to take it to the hand carwash place all the time and spend about 25 bucks per time, which was fine, but i got pretty ticked off when i noticed that the boys outside drying it up with towels that were way dirty...i figured for the money i'd rather spend time doing it myself...i dont mind spend money on the products, but i wanna get stuff done within an hour or 2.

my innitial budget is about 150 bucks or so to buy the primary stuff...am i on the right track or should i go back to hand car washes for 25 bucks and have them use dirty bath towels to dry it up?...i guess i could always use the car wash place and just tell them not to dry it and do it myself? lol

thanks for any advice!

Why would you want to use both? To help unconfuse you, remember this:

You want to add protection? use Hydro

You don't care about protection but want a clean shiny surface? use Slick

If you're going to use them both...then sure by all means...spray Hydro on, let it cure for a day, then the next day use Slick to add additional gloss.

re: Hand Car Washes
Run from them! Why spend $25 to have someone scratch your paint?

re: Polisher??
It would do you VERY well to understand what you are up against before you start spending money. Please go read my two articles here:

Detailing Best Practices.."Think Before You Leap"

Choosing the Right System for You

http://www.motoringalliance.com/libr...g-articles-11/

Richard