Washing my car, what should I use?
 

Hey, I just got a new silver RX-8 and I was just wondering what you'd suggest to get to wash/wax. Where and how much would I be able to pick it up at? Thanks.

Wow, that's a really broad question. You're going to get three likely responses on this forum: 1) NXT Tech, 2) Zaino, 3) Do a search. The best answer I can give you is that it's not necessarily the products you get but the technique you use to apply them. Your car is brand new, so the paint isn't going to look significantly better after detailing (except to make it shinier with wax). So whatever you use, make sure you: 1) don't use a sponge but a chenille pad when applying soap; 2) clay bar the paint if it feels gritty to remove any contaminants embedded in the paint; 3) apply wax in straight lines, not circles; 4) don't be aggressive with the wax removal. While quality microfiber towels should technically be the safest towels for preventing scratches on your paint, a number of people here seem to be just as content with 100% cotton towels.

For more detailed info, I'd visit Bettercarcare.com. Also subscribe to Autopia and download their free detailing guide after registration.

great advice markd! I couldn't have said it better myself .

The only thing I could add is that there is a whole spectrum of how compulsive people are in washing, waxing and detailing their cars. I am not particularly compulsive--I only wash and wax; I don't detail, and I don't do anything else unusual. I just wash weekly (during the good weather) or less often (during the bad weather) with Meguiar's Gold Class, and I wax once a month or less (depending on weather) with Eagle One Nanowax. It keeps my car shiny, with water beading on the paint. A lot of people do much more, and I'm sure a lot of people do essentially nothing.

Thanks Tigger! It's nice to know that I do some good here every once and a while :)

S2k: Have you had the chance to compare Gold Class and NXT? I e-mailed Meguiar's helpline a long time ago, and the rep who responded gave me the impression that they're not even promoting the use of Gold Class anymore because NXT is allegedly that much better. I've never used Gold Class before, and I didn't save that guy's e-mail, though I often wonder why he would have said such a thing--if that was the case, why continue to market and produce Gold Class??

Heres an old thread with good info....


https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-show-shine-26/whats-your-poison-7216/



I am a converted 303 fan since that thread was started... so disregard my comments about "nothing on the dash" :D

I used gold class before I heard of NXT. I was happy with the gold but the NXT is far superior imo. Richer color, comes off with ease.

The Gold Class I use is the soap, not the wax. For wax, I chose to use Eagle One Nanowax, because I heard that NXT was an abrasive, while Nanowax fills in the microscratches. Also, of course, once I started using that combination, I find that I'm very happy with it; since I'm only interested in taking care of my car, not in making it a showpiece, "good enough" is good enough for me. ;)

Don't forget washing the wheels. Get something you can spray on and hose off. It's quick and keeps brake dust from building up.

Good point, No More. I guess I should add two points to that:

1) Wash your wheels first and separately, with different water, soap and applicators (I just use an old rag for the wheels, as opposed to a chenille pad for the car) than you use on anything else--meaning once you've soaped down your wheels, dump the bucket and rinse it out before you soap the rest of the car. Otherwise, the road grime and brake dust that you accumulate will scratch your paint surface.

2) Use synthetic wax on your rims. They're painted. The wax makes them shiny and helps repel brake dust. Synthetic is recommended b/c it's better able to tolerate high temperatures.

124Spider--Sorry, I guess I should have read your posting a little more closely to see that you were talking about the Gold Class soap. Now that I see what you're saying, your explanation is "good enough" for me ;)

bmcc49er: Thanks for your comparison. I've run out of NXT and was considering experimenting with Gold Class (the packaging makes it seem like it produces such a wet look), but based on your input, I'll stick with the usual for now. I might actually give this Nano stuff a try but continue to be concerned/confused about the mixed reviews on its durability...

So I am about to go out a wash my car, but first I need to buy a chenille pad and then what kind of soap and stuff should I use? On my blazer I used dish washer detergent I think, is that fine or what kind of soap should I use? Also, I have turtle wax right now, is that fine to use or what should I get? I'm going to probably go to the store first and pick some things up, where can I get these products that I need? Also, for drying the car, am I able to use just a regular like bathroom towel or what?

I have heard repeatedly that dish soap is a no-no for car finishes. I use Meguiar's Gold Class; it's cheap and works. What more could you want?

FWIW, I use a chamois for getting most of the water off, and then get the last of it off with the microfiber towels they sell at car parts places, the same ones I use to apply and remove the wax. So far, after 10 months, there is no sign of any scratching.

You can get all these products at any car parts place.

I agree with 124Spider. Dawn is a no-no, although there is no absolute consensus and many people here may tell you it's okay b/c Sal Zaino said to do it. I did it when I first started detailing my car b/c I've heard that some people do it to start over completely--it's a degreaser, so the misconception is that it can remove all existing layers of wax/polish on your paint. I've read that that is not true, though, as most synthetics are at least somewhat resistant to Dawn. Also, it can severely dry your paint surface. You can imagine the consequences of that.

I'm not sure where you are located, HardHitter, but to conserve on the budget, if these stores are near you, I'd hit Big Lots for the chenille pad (about $2-3 cheaper than walmart) and some wax applicators ($.99!). Head to Wal-Mart for your car soap (for some reason, I've been told to use soap without carnauba wax) and a bucket, as well as The Absorber (a synthetic chamois, a method of drying 124 and I seem to agree on). For wiping off wax and additional drying, if you have a Target nearby, I'd head there for the MF towels. They're cheaper and better quality than Wal-Mart's. If you decide to go cotton (use WHITE towels!), stay away from those really cheap cotton towels they sell in the automotive sections--they absolutely don't absorb or dry anything (I know; I've made that purchasing mistake twice). If you want a clay bar system, you're going to have to go to K-Mart ($10) or Pep Boys ($20).

If you would like an easy-to-follow polishing/waxing system, I would recommend either Meguiar's or Mother's 3-step products (paint cleaner, polish, wax). The paint cleaner probably isn't necessary right now, though.

Hopefully all that will save you some money. Have fun and pamper that baby of yours!

PS. The Turtle Wax should be fine. Again, proper paint prep (i.e., pre-waxing steps) and techniques will allow you to make the most of your products. As far as the towels go, just remember that your goal of preventing scratches, at all costs, is your determining factor. Whatever you choose, choose something that is not abrasive-feeling and is plush enough such that when you run the towel across your paint and it collects dirt, the dirt will embed itself into the towel and not grind itself into the surface of your paint.

Good luck!! :)

just a quick note about rims. I bought a small auto duster to use on the rims once their waxed.

Once they are waxed,use the small duster to remove any brake dust or dirt to keep your rims shiny and new looking. I got one that has the baked on wax on it. It works great! After I get home from work I run the duster over the rims. Some of these duster pads can be removed and machine washed. The ones with longer handles are the best. The smaller the better, so you can get in all those corners and crevises.
Remember to try to get ones that have the baked-on wax on them so it lifts the dirt
and dust and not grind it into the paint. If you wax your rims regularly this isn't a problem.

Bathroom towels aren't recommended because they have stitching that can scratch the surface. (I know, that's probably extra cautious, but it's an RX-8!) I use microfiber towels. Those Bettercarcare.com and Autopia links have lots of good advice and explanations on why certain stuff is preferred.

With my old daily driver, I was pretty much a take-it-to-the-carwash guy. Since getting the 8, I've purchased:
A sheepskin washing mitt.
Several bundles of microfiber towels.
A Mr. Clean carwash kit (verdict still out)
Meguiar's soap
A big bucket
Detailing brush
A clay bar with detailing spray
Wheel cleaner
Soft nylon brush for wheels (primarily for the daily driver, whose wheels never got cleaned before)
Wax pads.
And probably some other stuff I'm forgetting.

And now I just read markd's tip on synthetic wax for the rims. So the bad news is that I have to go back to the auto store and spend more money on my car.

But the good news is, I get to go back to the auto store and spend more money on my car.