[caden_stargate]

The thing that sucks about living in Missouri is that during the winter I can't keep a regular cleaning schedule because it's usually freezing or snowing outside.

[w00st3r]

^^ i know how you feel, during the summer in AZ its all i can do to speed wash the car before i pass out from the heat and have a stroke. good thing my garage is air conditioned.

[Padanky]

I have to find time to wash mine today for Import Face-Off tomarrow. And it's in the 50's and nasty around here right now. I have to go though since I won best xB last year in the same weather conditions, and the Drifting will be sweet.

[caden_stargate]

I'm going to world of wheels next month and I have to find time to clean up Toaster for it.

[ScottyTuned]

Originally Posted by caden_stargate

I'm going to world of wheels next month and I have to find time to clean up Toaster for it.

You speak the truth. I need to get around to cleaning up the VIP whip. Luckily Im doing Omaha though, and not KC, so I have another month.

[timfiredog]

what, man, everyone has it wrong.

1: drain engine oil
2: add 2 handfuls of playground sand to oil
3: remove shoes
4: useing removed shoes, rub oil mixture all over car
5: do not rinse, allow oil to set for 2 hours in hot sun
6: Your done


You have seccessifully screwed up your paint job, now you no longer need to worry about cleaning the car

Have fun.

[Short_Bus_8]

Just Get It Repainted Lololol

[TerribleTed]

Originally Posted by Short_Bus_8

Just Get It Repainted Lololol

I know someone who paints!!! There is a MAACO near my shop

[ntwrkguru]

New to this forum, so I'll just post up my routine...I realize everyone has their own!

First, my rules...

1) Microfiber, microfiber, microfiber!
2) The Absorber ROCKS!
3) Dish soap is for dishes, not cars...mmmm-KKKK?

Now, I keep my box pretty clean most of the time, so shows are fairly easy to prepare for. But, show prep actually begins the day (or week) before the show for me. What I mean by this is that if it needs waxes, clay barred, whatever, I do it a few days before.

1. Clean the engine bay with Simple Green. Wash everywhere. Use an old toothbrush for tight spots.
2. Wash with a good car shampoo.
3. Dry with The Absorber.
4. Clay bar if needed. (Put your hand in a sandwich bag and run your hands over the paint. If it's rough, clay bar.)
5. For stubborn spots, use the 3M polishing compound.
6. Meguiar's Deep Crystal polish. Layer this if needed. Apply with a sponge or microfiber applicator, and buff off with a microfiber towel.
7. Meguiar's Deep Crystal pure carnuba wax.

Now show morning...

1. I like to take it to the powerwash bay and rinse, soapy brush, rinse. Be sure to rinse the brush BEFORE you use it on your car. Done with the wash!
2. Dry with The Absorber.
3. Vacuum the interior.

At the show...

1. Spray down the entire car with Quik Detailer. Do this one section at a time and don't let the Quik Detailer dry on the car. Wipe this off with a microfiber towel.
2. Use Quik Detailer to hit the door jambs and painted surfaces under the hood.
3. For the final wax, I use Stoner's Speed Bead.
4. Wipe down the plastics on the interior with Stoner's Trim Shine.
5. Clean the windows, inside and out, with Invisible Glass.
6. Clean the wheels with Invisible Glass.
7. Dress the tires with Stoner's More Shine.
8. Final wipedown with Quik Detailer...I also use this throughout the day as people inevitably will touch the car.

Don't use the same microfiber (duh). I typically use about 8 microfiber towels for a show detail.

That's just my routine...maybe it will help.

[surfcitylocal]

Originally Posted by ntwrkguru

New to this forum, so I'll just post up my routine...I realize everyone has their own!

First, my rules...

1) Microfiber, microfiber, microfiber!
2) The Absorber ROCKS!
3) Dish soap is for dishes, not cars...mmmm-KKKK?

Now, I keep my box pretty clean most of the time, so shows are fairly easy to prepare for. But, show prep actually begins the day (or week) before the show for me. What I mean by this is that if it needs waxes, clay barred, whatever, I do it a few days before.

1. Clean the engine bay with Simple Green. Wash everywhere. Use an old toothbrush for tight spots.
2. Wash with a good car shampoo.
3. Dry with The Absorber.
4. Clay bar if needed. (Put your hand in a sandwich bag and run your hands over the paint. If it's rough, clay bar.)
5. For stubborn spots, use the 3M polishing compound.
6. Meguiar's Deep Crystal polish. Layer this if needed. Apply with a sponge or microfiber applicator, and buff off with a microfiber towel.
7. Meguiar's Deep Crystal pure carnuba wax.

Now show morning...

1. I like to take it to the powerwash bay and rinse, soapy brush, rinse. Be sure to rinse the brush BEFORE you use it on your car. Done with the wash!
2. Dry with The Absorber.
3. Vacuum the interior.

At the show...

1. Spray down the entire car with Quik Detailer. Do this one section at a time and don't let the Quik Detailer dry on the car. Wipe this off with a microfiber towel.
2. Use Quik Detailer to hit the door jambs and painted surfaces under the hood.
3. For the final wax, I use Stoner's Speed Bead.
4. Wipe down the plastics on the interior with Stoner's Trim Shine.
5. Clean the windows, inside and out, with Invisible Glass.
6. Clean the wheels with Invisible Glass.
7. Dress the tires with Stoner's More Shine.
8. Final wipedown with Quik Detailer...I also use this throughout the day as people inevitably will touch the car.

Don't use the same microfiber (duh). I typically use about 8 microfiber towels for a show detail.

That's just my routine...maybe it will help.

Welcome and thanks for the sugggestions. No powerwash for my ride though!

[bB2NER]

WOW, I read through all the posts and not one person made the point of NEVER washing in the sinlight. Shade only!
There is some good info and alot of mis info. If you keep it clean and waxed regularly.
For going to a show you just wash and dry the night before the show. Then drive there and after you get parked I simply drag a wet cloth over the paint and wipe dry with microfiber. Three years and many shows later my paint looks better than it did when new. Less orange peel from being rubbed out several times with Meguires 3 step and foam pad on rotory low speed buffer.

[shortbus_8]

I Grab A Can Of Primer And Pppssshhhhhh,pppssshhhh Oooo Yea Its All Choice ... Show Ready

Ooooo And Clean The Rims

[xbfemme]

since there are experts here,

what do i do about dead bugs that have been on the grill-area and hood for.. about 2 months--i drove thru the car wash and they didn't come off.

eeks!

-fxb

*one more thing*

--the dead bugs seem to 'scar' the paint, kind of leave tiny dents... what the heck? i wasn't driving that fast.

thoughts?

[surfcitylocal]

Originally Posted by xbfemme

since there are experts here,

what do i do about dead bugs that have been on the grill-area and hood for.. about 2 months--i drove thru the car wash and they didn't come off.

eeks!

-fxb

*one more thing*

--the dead bugs seem to 'scar' the paint, kind of leave tiny dents... what the heck? i wasn't driving that fast.

thoughts?

First thought is get the bugs off as soon as you can. Bugs, tar and tree sap will seep into your clear coat and paint if left on too long.

You can find bug and tar remover at your local auto parts store. There are special sponges that will help remove the bugs without harming your paint.

A clay bar may remove them after they have been on a few months but chances are good the paint has been damaged if you have "dents" where the bugs were. Worst case fix you can use some polishing compound and LIGHTLY rub your paint. Don't use too much pressure or you will go through the clear coat to the paint. Be sure to use several coats of wax after using any of the above mentioned cleaning solutions.

Good luck.

[dubeexb06]

I agree with surfcitylocal on the special sponges. Have lots of clean water and clean in circles and don't wait forever to clean the bug guts off. The longer you wait, the harder they are to get off!!