How do you clean your car?

[cureless]

Hi folks.

Not too long ago I moved. Now I have to park my car under some trees, and this has made my car cleanning a major chore.

How do you guys/gals keep your vehicle clean? What's the best wax? Do you use any paint protectors, if so, which? What's the best way to clean the windows? How about the rims/wheels? Interior?

I guess what I'm looking for is, what's the best way to clean sap (from a tree)? Yeah, I know, I should park my car someplace else or get a cover, but I would still like to know the answer.


Later,

cl

 

[Jerboy]

<<

I guess what I'm looking for is, what's the best way to clean sap (from a tree)? Yeah, I know, I should park my car someplace else or get a cover, but I would still like to know the answer.
cl >>




Turpentine

 

[Fatdog]

I use Turtle wax sap remover and a very soft cloth to remove sap and other tree residue. Meguiers car wash and waxes to keep my ride happy year round.

 

[Omegachi]

i get saps on my car alot, i don't konw where i get them from. Well, i use a soft kitchen scrub solution to clean the sap of, just apply a small amount and genally rub off the sap with a soft cloth, it shouldn't damage the paint. Just don't rub too hard. After the scrubbing, just rewax it. And don't wax your windows! I did that once, and it was stupid.

 

[John]

Zaino!!!

 

[Howard]

WD40 your tires before washing with a soap solution, followed by a power rinse.

 

[Fatdog]

jeeze, be careful with the softscrub in any solution. That stuff is rough on clear coat paint.

I tried the dupont #7 sap remover, but find the turtle wax stuff performs much better.

I use rainX on all my windows. It really helps with ice removal in cold weather.

 

[Cheesemoo]

pay someone else to do it

 

[Amused]

If you've got wax on your windows, or road grim on your windshield that makes the wipers streaky no matter how much you scrub it, use 0000 steal wool to scrub them next time you wash your car.

I know, "steel wool???" Sounds like it would scratch your glass, and it will if you use any other gauge other than 0000 (four zeros). 0000 steel wool feels like cotton, and will not scratch tempered glass, but do not use it on your side view mirrors, as the glass used there can be scratched by this stuff.

For cleaning I use Meguiers soap if I'm not going to polish and wax. If I'm going to wax or polish and wax, I'll use standard dish soap to strip the old wax.

For waxing I use Meguiers 3 step system. Once a year I use all three steps with the polish. Every three months I use just the wax.

I have a black VW Passat. So I'm using a polish and wax that is least likely to leave swirl marks.

 

[hans007]

i go to a carwash. that usually works. a self serve onetoo. i park outside all the time but luckily no sap. i was really crazy about keeping my car clean, for about the first week i got it. but now, its just like a shoe or something, it serves its purpose. i suppose if i had a ferrari or something i'd say something else.

 

[perry]

<< Zaino!!! >>



Werd.

 

[cureless]

Now if I only knew were to get Turtle wax sap remover near my place ...

cl

 

[Fatdog]

Any of the auto superstores, or wal/K marts should have it.

 

[cavemanmoron]

try a cheap car cover too,i need to buy one also

 

[RossMAN]

<< pay someone else to do it >>

 

[urameatball]

hmmm... I never knew I shouldn't put wax on the windshields and stuff.
thanks for the tip AmusedOne.

anyway, I found washing the car in the rain really guarantees the best outcome.

I don't know anything about which wax and which soap and stuff... so I just use that turtle wax stuff.

procedure:
wait till it rains (the harder the rain, the better). go outside, rinse with strong spray.
dump few ounces of turtle wax into big bucket, mix with water thoroughly. dip sponge/cloth into bucket and begin scrubbing.
repeat until entire car is all scrubbed and cleaned.
do another power rinse to get all that soapy bubbly stuff away.
put car in garage, use towel to dry.

here you are... REALLY SPARKLY CAR!!!


btw, I would also like more tips on windows and rims... well, rims especially cuz I could never get all that 'brake residue' to go away.

 

[Tarfin]

<< pay someone else to do it >>



Couldn't agree more, especially when its 10 degrees outside

 

[Fatdog]

My new Dakota really has a lot of disk brake dust on the wheels. I use either the Eagle1 or the Armour All wheel cleaner. Just spray it on and hose it off.

 

[perry]

<< btw, I would also like more tips on windows and rims... well, rims especially cuz I could never get all that 'brake residue' to go away. >>



If you have clearcoated wheels, use a coat of wax. Will make cleaning them the next time super easy. Just wet it down and wash it off with normal car wash soap and a sponge.

I never use any sort of wheel cleaner. The chemicals in them are usually too harsh and can eat away at the coatings on the wheel. Lots of wheels thesedays are finished similar to the paint on your car. If you wouldn't wash your car with the stuff, then don't use it on the wheels.

 

[Fatdog]

The chemicals in them are usually too harsh and can eat away at the coatings on the wheel

Very true. That's why I like Eagle1 stuff, they have a different cleaner for each wheel type. I had polished aluminum rims on my GMC and the polished wheel cleaner took off the brake dust with out stripping the finish. Polishing those kinds of wheels gets old very fast.

 

[perry]

<< The chemicals in them are usually too harsh and can eat away at the coatings on the wheel

Very true. That's why I like Eagle1 stuff, they have a different cleaner for each wheel type. I had polished aluminum rims on my GMC and the polished wheel cleaner took off the brake dust with out stripping the finish. Polishing those kinds of wheels gets old very fast. >>



Mother's Mag Polish.. I have a polished lip on my wheels, that stuff shines it right up! Also good on plastic headlight lenses, after sanding them w/ around 1500 grit sandpaper. Heh, that's actually the reason I bought it, then I decided to try it on my wheels. Never dawned on me to polish the polished lip until I actually had that stuff in my hands.

 

[Fatdog]

I drove big rigs for 15 years. Try keeping 8 wheels, 2 fuel tanks, battery boxes, tool boxes, deck plates, and other assorted pieces along with the wheels on your personal ride polished and it takes the fun right out of it. I agree, mothers is the best I've used, a little goes a long way. We would buy the stuff by the case. The local distributor loved us.