Car washing

[FreeSpirit]

+1 Amen. Ditto.

[motordean]

Maguiars Quick Detail and a good cloth every week is all you need....
When it does not feel smooth anymore, just add a coat of carnuba wax and your good to go.

[Mr Jody]

Originally Posted by Rjscharer

.....does anyone have some tips on a system they might have devised on how not to get water inside the car?....

Although NOT using water seems to be the preferred method here, if there are occasions where water IS needed, get a pump up sprayer as you would use for spraying insecticide or herbicide. These come in various sizes, usually one and two gallons. There is also a backpack version, which would make it even more portable. These usually hold four gallons. Just be careful with the handle that will be sticking out on this one. This will also allow you to get into some hard to reach areas such as fender wells, or other areas where wiping is not a real good option and water intrusion is not a big concern, or anywhere you need a smaller, more well directed stream.

If you do want to use water on the body, this will give you much greater control around the cockpit than your typical garden hose, with anything from a small stream to a fine mist. The amount of pressure is dependent upon how much you pump it up, and you won’t have to be concerned about having a hose rub up against the body as you move around the car.

Another advantage here is that if you are concerned about what the chlorine and fluorides that are added to most public water will do to your finish, or hard water spotting, you can pick up a few gallons of demineralized water on the cheap (heck, even use some Evian if you want to….well, let’s not get carried away), or filter your public water through a coffee filter in a funnel as you pour it in the sprayer, or use a filtering pitcher.

Just an option for where water usage is desired. Also a good option if you live in an area where outside water usage is somewhat restricted, and washing ones vehicle is considered wasteful.

[calSRQ]

Originally Posted by IMLost

This is kind of a funny thread. You live in Florida it's going to get wet. You are going to drive in the rain at some point. Why are you going to wash it when you get? Go drive the damn thing, when you get home let it cool off and wipe it down. Micro fiber and Speed Wax from Garage One (online from Tampa) is all I use, I can't imagine washing it, just clean it when necessary. Do you clean your best suit every time you where it? I just got back from a 1500 mile trip, drove 3 hours in the rain getting home, buy a wet vac and enjoy your car!!

Yep. A great memory from my first year of ownership was getting caught in a Florida gusher late last summer. Wet vac and park it in the sun for a day and no worse for wear. Also depending on how close to the coast there will be salt residue collecting everywhere on the car and just wiping the top surface won't clean that....though I use micro fiber and detail spray weekly it does get a (careful) bath occasionally.

[CBattaglia]

Originally Posted by GregAgrest

There's a product called "Wet Paint" that is a cleaner and a wax all in one. I heard great things about it and finally tried some. It's everything they claim it is. Just spray it on, rub it in like you are waxing it, let it dry and buff it off. Cleans and shines at the same time. You will not be disappointed. Look it up on the net, they have a video etc.

Stay away from wet paint. It has silicone in it. No good....

[CBattaglia]

Spray-On Car Wash Kit - Cleaners - Car Washing - Car Care - Griot's Garage

This stuff works great.