Washing Instruction

[CLKfanatic]

My problem is that when I go to wash my car there are no suds, I use Z7 and talked to Sal about this, he said he had another customer that had the same problem also using MF, he said that could also be my problem....where did u get your sea sponge from? TIA

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[Anthony Orosco]

clk,

I get my sea sponges from www.topoftheline.com

As for the "suds"....well we have sadly been brainwashed into thinking that suds mean cleaning but thats just not true. What you want in a car soap is lubrication first, cleaning secondary UNLESS you are seeking to remove wax and not maintain the wax.

In fact you could fill a 5 gallon bucket with water and add some coconut oil and have a wonderful car washing solution because it is the oils IN the soap and suds that lubricate the finish and encapsulate the harmful grit and grime and then easily rinse them away.

This is why I highly recommend Pinnacles Car Shampoo. It does suds up but the primary function is lubrication. As long as the Zaino wash you are using is not causing washing swirls or scratches then continue to use it. Also it may be that your tap water is very hard. Try using soft water.

Anthony

[ano0oj]

can someone explain this whole dryig technique in the first post? Sheet of the water?

[vraa]

You get the hose, and have it on super low so it just runs out and put it on the car so all the water just "sheets' off.

[Greg Elmassian]

hey, that picture is definitely out of control?

email me a hi res copy.... nah, my wife will kill me!

Greg

[luxury1]

I have a few questions as I am new to this...

How do you recommend cleaning the floor mats inside?
Is it bad if I use a converted bathroom towel for drying if it is 100% cotton? If so, why?
Are the full-service car washes really bad for the car?
Also, is there a link for directions about how to wax the car?

Thanks!

[monty]

great idea about leaf blower, will try it this weekend

[RJC]

Originally Posted by monty

great idea about leaf blower, will try it this weekend

The downside is it kicks up dirt and sand from the ground which could end up on the paint, so when you towel the rest dry it could cause scracthes.

[MB AMG]

Now i'm about to wash my car for the first time since winter... Will Palmolive dish dergent (green stuff) be good for stripping off wax? That's what i want to do before I wax it again.

[benzset]

Im a newbie here and I would like to know of any good products for washing our MB's ?

[MBE55AMG]

Originally Posted by benzset

Im a newbie here and I would like to know of any good products for washing our MB's ?

Many would say Meguiar's (http://www.meguiars.com/) or Zaino (http://zainostore.com/). Both are excellent and fine choices, so I hear from both users.

[bloflin]

Originally Posted by monty

great idea about leaf blower, will try it this weekend

My thoughts on leafblowers (in addition to statements already made about blowing sand/dust up from the ground):

Most (not all) leafblowers are somewhat unwieldy when trying to blow around the car, leaves opportunity for hitting the car (I know you say, just don't be a dork, but an OE is an OE (Opportunity for Error))

But more importantly:

• most (not all) leafblowers are 2 cycle, means they burn oil and gas
• most (not all) leafblowers are not tuned up each year
• most (not all) leafblowers exhaust thru the blowing airstream

Net is, who knows what you are blowing on the finish (unburned oil, etc.)

[Scruffyone]

I use a chepo Black and Decker battery powered leaf blower. I think I paid $49.00 for it. I only use it from the top to the upper sides. It's not that heavy and the air stream is only 140 MPH. The low speed air is perfect for geting water out of the grill and other areas that are a pain in the butt to blot/wipe.

[Scoop55]

Hey, leafblower!!! Good idea! Gunna have to try that.
Scruffy, I think I have the same cheapo....hope it works.

[MBE55AMG]

While all above listed methods work effectively, all I have in my washing arsenal are a wool mitt, Eagle One Bucket-Free Car Wash spray, and a bucket to lug the other tools around. I simply spray the product onto the body and scrub, frequently flushing the mitt clean with the hose. No more need for using a bucket to rinse in.

To top it off, the California Blade does most of the wiping for me, which means less time spent drying by hand.

[joe1388]

Scruffy: Good tip I will try it my next wash.

[M.J]

How frequently should I wax my car and is it true that wax hurt your paint with time !!!
And should I use liquid wax or after dry wax ??? does cleaning with leather better than micro fabrics ??? and last question which soap or shampoo is best to be used ??
Guys I am new over here and may car is coming next Feb CLS black deep black so I am preparing my self to protect my new baby :P

[MBE55AMG]

Originally Posted by M.J

How frequently should I wax my car and is it true that wax hurt your paint with time !!!
And should I use liquid wax or after dry wax ??? does cleaning with leather better than micro fabrics ??? and last question which soap or shampoo is best to be used ??
Guys I am new over here and may car is coming next Feb CLS black deep black so I am preparing my self to protect my new baby :P

Wax your car when water stops beading when you wash. Use synthetic polymer-based waxes over carnauba, as the synthetics are more durable. I doubt that wax does damage your paint over time. It's only a protective barrier between your paint and the environment. I would use microfiber rather than leather/chamois or some sort (I personally use Meguiar's MF towel). Regarding which soap to use, everyone has their favorites so I'll leave that to you.

[M.J]

so i have to wax my car everytime i wash it .

[M.J]

guys did any one try before to use the plastic cover that cover the whole car . it like a think transperant plastic sheet cover all the car that protect your car from all kind of stuff we have it over here i dunno if any one try it before i think with this layer you can evern clean your car without caring for all swir and all kind of this stuff ???!!

[Midnight Bullet]

I just got the new mercedes home, but ofcourse it HAD to rain when we picked it up. I've already washed it with my own techniques and I'm ready to wax. I just bought the new line of Mothers; Reflections, both the wax and the top coat..and I was just wondering if anyone has tried it or has any feedback on it...good? bad? so so? Thanks

[MBE55AMG]

Originally Posted by Midnight Bullet

I just got the new mercedes home, but ofcourse it HAD to rain when we picked it up. I've already washed it with my own techniques and I'm ready to wax. I just bought the new line of Mothers; Reflections, both the wax and the top coat..and I was just wondering if anyone has tried it or has any feedback on it...good? bad? so so? Thanks

Mothers? Blegh. Instead you should've gone the Meguiar's or even the Zaino route, which produce better results.

I use Meguiar's NXT Tech Wax and it's amazing.

[AMGBOY1]

Hey guys,

On both my cars there are what look to be spiderweb scratches all over the hood and elsewhere(both are black so very visible) what do i do to clean and fix this. Im using regular bath towels and i have never put my wash mitts in the washer to get clean-is this the problem( have never waxed car yet-been too busy will do soon.

[mguerrero]

that's why you have spider web scratches, never use bath towels especially on black car!

[BlackLiquorish8]

i've tried plenty of chamois and towels but i personally think the best thing to dry your car with is the absorber. it is washable, doesnt leave any lint, wont scratch your car and can be used forever as long as you store it back in its container damp. you can pick one up in walmart or most auto places will carry them.