Car Cleaning

[Robertm1212GST]

I can't do the automatic wases.. My car is way too low... and they don't do a good enough job with details... I like my rims spotless and everything shining...

Ha that was the 1st and last time i took mine to an automatic one ha.

 

[Bud92gsx]

I usually hand wash mine. I woked at a full service car wash for over a year, and sometimes I will take it to them if I'm feeling lazy. The touchless car was suck. I do like the spray it yourself car washes. I can take my time, and get all the crap off my car.

 

[viperlp01]

I have to have my rims spotless and I dont think i have every went through a carwash. I do the drive in and do it yourself spray deals in the winter because we dont have running water... I must say i have hand washed my car when it was 34 degrees(sunny).... I was in my coat

 

[mitsubishi9908]

I Usually hit up the local coin wash. There are some nice ones in the area, I like the uses of hot water, and engine cleaner. But I always take a mit with me to scrub some areas to get clean, and dry it there with a rag. Take it home and due the rest.

Tell me more about the "engine cleaner" pretty interested.

 

[chico904]

I always wash my own car in the summer. Winter however, I take it through this automatic touchless car washer to get the salt off once a week. It actually does a pretty good job.

 

[chico904]

Tell me more about the "engine cleaner" pretty interested.

Pretty much any kind will work, simple green, gunk....

 

[niles]

My car only saw one automatic car wash in its lifetime and this was at the dealer out of my control. It will never see one again, as long as I own it.

 

[mitsubishi9908]

Pretty much any kind will work, simple green, gunk....

but how do you use it?

 

[98GSXtreme07]

It comes in a spray bottle like Windex for example. You spray it and let it sit for a few seconds and wipe/wash it off. Like with any liquids/fluids, watch around electrical.

 

[chico904]

but how do you use it?

Basically cover all things electrical (especially the alternator) spray on, use a brush on especially tough spots, let sit for a while, and spray off. Read the directions on the back of the can of whatever you get. Some will say to leave the engine running throughout the whole process, while others will say to only spray on a cold engine. After you wash everything off, start the car and let it idle for a little bit to dry everything off, and Voila...a clean engine bay.

 

[the_illest_fool]

let it soak then spray it off, my parents got my first eclipse detailed for my 18th birthday it came back without an antenna...

 

[Bud92gsx]

but how do you use it?

Spray it on let sit for a bit, then use some elbow grease with a mit on or brush of some sort to scrub with. Then wash off and it should be cleaner than it was before..But If you do use the degreaser at the spray yourself car wash, try not to get it on any electricle parts, or your car will runn funny till its all off of there...

let it soak then spray it off, my parents got my first eclipse detailed for my 18th birthday it came back without an antenna...

Ya that sems to happen since the 1g's didn't come with a bendable antenna. That's why I took the motor out, and pushed the antenna ll the way down..

 

[mitsubishi9908]

Still a little confused? So are you spraying a liquid over the engine bay? That is the only way to me that is possible to get in the small hard to get spots, like the pipes on the firewall behind them.

 

[chico904]

Still a little confused? So are you spraying a liquid over the engine bay? That is the only way to me that is possible to get in the small hard to get spots, like the pipes on the firewall behind them.

Yes it is a liquid, and gunk as well as other companies also make a foam.

 

[bringtheheat87]

i definetly wash my own car. Once when i took it too a drive through wash, they didnt notice that the car was lowered and almost ripped off my front bumper before realizing that it was too low for the rollers duuhhh

 

[Dsm2Nv]

Usually do it at home meguires car shampo over the body.
Hand wash with a car washing mit. The carbon hood i just spray it down with water and the shampoo clean the leather and steam the rest of the interior usually gets it clean enough.
If going to a car show or meet will wax the hole car and use never dull on the rim lip and under engine bay.

 

[MIenKEi446]

My car is too low as well, But it saves like 6$ from a cheap automated wash, and a front bumper as mentioned before. Whats the best way to spray off the engine bay area? Would a pressure washer be too much?

 

[mitsubishi9908]

just curious to see what type of wax you guys use too?

 

[myeagleneedmods]

just curious to see what type of wax you guys use too?

Meguiars Tech Wax, I love using it, best one I've used so far.

 

[bringtheheat87]

I use mothers showtime spray detailer or the stage 2 sealer & glaze wax

 

[turbomatic]

Hand wash! The only bad thing is I get pissed off because I notice a new dent or scratch every time I wash it.

 

[mitsubishi9908]

Hand wash! The only bad thing is I get pissed off because I notice a new dent or scratch every time I wash it.

I couldn't agree more. My first dsm was mostly fiberglass and same thing every time i washed it i noticed a new scratch and flip out.

 

[GSXSixteenG]

I have always hand washed or coin washed with my Eclipse, but I always take my 97 Accord winter beater to the touchless or drive thru so it doesn't feel too neglected.

As for wax on a typical basis I use the Eagle One wax as you dry because its easy and a temporary wax, but if I have time I use Meguiars.

 

[mitsubishi9908]

Another thing that i do is i used a clay bar is what they call it. Use a special solution then rub the car just like wax but with clay and it picks up all the fine dirt on the top of the paint. works wonders comes out soo smooth.

 

[TRSblader]

I usually hand wash all my cars, but will go to touchless automatics if i really just need it cleaned up a little bit very quickly. Only problem i've had with the touchless ones, other than the fact it doesn't get any debris that is really stuck on, is that I just about scrape my car every time trying to pull into the wheel lock and then to get out when it's finished, because the wheel lock sensor thing doesn't drop down. Every time, i just feel my car slam down and pray nothing scrapes.

Nothing beats a good hand washing out in the driveway or front yard though. Like many others, I find a lot more scratches, dings, and dents to get mad about, but at least my car is clean and isn't more scratches from automatics