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Washing the car

Old Jun 7, 2009 | 04:11 PM
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Default Washing the car

so, tomorrow seems it may be a good day to was my car, and i got a couple questions for the car washing pros


1) When my wheels were factory and un-painted, i used to used simple green to get off the break dust, it worked wonders, can i still use it on my painted wheels and not mess up the finish?

2) if i cant use simple green, whats a good alternative? one i can get at auto zone or walmart?

3) I want to claybar my car, what is a good brand of claybar? when is the best time of day to do it? and is there a certian temperature it should be outside before i do it?


please, if you can help me out, it will be greatly appreciated, thanks to all

=]

~~Troy
Old Jun 7, 2009 | 04:12 PM
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Default Re: Washing the car

Old Jun 7, 2009 | 07:27 PM
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Default Re: Washing the car

Simple Green eats paint. Don't use it. It's also a degreaser, which you don't want to use on any painted surface unless you're planning on waxing to re-add some protection.

Get a brand name, painted-wheel-safe wheel cleaner, apply to wet wheels, and don't let it sit on the wheels too long. Use a soft brush or rag to get the brake dust off, hose down the wheels really well when you're done, and wax them after they're dry. The wax will help protect the paint and also help keep new brake dust from sticking, the same way wax protects the rest of the paintwork on your car.
Old Jun 7, 2009 | 07:32 PM
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Default Re: Washing the car

keep in my wind when you clay bar it you have to go back and repolish it all...wont be a ten minute job...

do it in the shade...or if you can get the car in the house do it in the air conditioning
Old Jun 7, 2009 | 07:37 PM
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Default Re: Washing the car

Originally Posted by Fabrik8
Simple Green eats paint. Don't use it. It's also a degreaser, which you don't want to use on any painted surface unless you're planning on waxing to re-add some protection.

Get a brand name, painted-wheel-safe wheel cleaner, apply to wet wheels, and don't let it sit on the wheels too long. Use a soft brush or rag to get the brake dust off, hose down the wheels really well when you're done, and wax them after they're dry. The wax will help protect the paint and also help keep new brake dust from sticking, the same way wax protects the rest of the paintwork on your car.
thank you. thank you. i did not know this

Originally Posted by nftuatn
keep in my wind when you clay bar it you have to go back and repolish it all...wont be a ten minute job...

do it in the shade...or if you can get the car in the house do it in the air conditioning

hah, if only i could get my car in my house, i will claybar it in my garage =]

thanks
Old Jun 7, 2009 | 07:43 PM
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Default Re: Washing the car

wash and clay around 7:30-8:30am or pm if you do not own a personal garage. Finish it off, then next day, rewash it then put 2-3 layers of wax or decent sealant on paint. (try to avoid strong sun on surface while detailing)

Meguiars or mothers clay is great, afforable, very easy to use.
Good luck.
Old Jun 7, 2009 | 08:09 PM
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Default Re: Washing the car

Originally Posted by Imprtedcivic
so, tomorrow seems it may be a good day to was my car, and i got a couple questions for the car washing pros


1) When my wheels were factory and un-painted, i used to used simple green to get off the break dust, it worked wonders, can i still use it on my painted wheels and not mess up the finish?

2) if i cant use simple green, whats a good alternative? one i can get at auto zone or walmart?





3) I want to claybar my car, what is a good brand of claybar? when is the best time of day to do it? and is there a certian temperature it should be outside before i do it?


please, if you can help me out, it will be greatly appreciated, thanks to all

=]

~~Troy
Like said previously, no simple green. Its safest to use a PH neutral wheel cleaner. After they're clean, put a good coat of wax on them, and clean them regularly. You shouldn't need anything but soapy water to clean well cared-for wheels.

From what I've known, a clay bar is a clay bar. Meguiars, Mothers, or whatever is on the shelf. Make sure the car's surface is cool to the touch, and the paint is lubed with a detail spray (most clay bars kits come with it) or you can use soapy water.

I recently clay'd my car, and then used Zymol HD cleanse after. The difference between just using just the clay, and then using the HD cleanse after was very noticable. I was quite impressed.

You're welcome.

Last edited by IntensiFI; Jun 7, 2009 at 08:11 PM.
Old Jun 8, 2009 | 07:43 AM
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Default Re: Washing the car

Originally Posted by Fabrik8
Simple Green eats paint. Don't use it. It's also a degreaser, which you don't want to use on any painted surface unless you're planning on waxing to re-add some protection.

Get a brand name, painted-wheel-safe wheel cleaner, apply to wet wheels, and don't let it sit on the wheels too long. Use a soft brush or rag to get the brake dust off, hose down the wheels really well when you're done, and wax them after they're dry. The wax will help protect the paint and also help keep new brake dust from sticking, the same way wax protects the rest of the paintwork on your car.
Uwrong.

Simple green does NOT eat paint in my experiences.

That is, if you mix it right. My personal wheel cleaning 'mix' is Diluted simple green, brakleen, and a tad bit of window cleaner. The same mix works wonders on the engine bay aswell, and if anyone's ever seen my engine bay, heh.
Old Jun 8, 2009 | 08:27 AM
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Default Re: Washing the car

Good God there is some bad information in here....

If you don't want to spend the money for a quality (Not over the counter) wheel cleaner, just use a more highly concentrated solution of car wash soap.

Clay bar will work better if it's slightly warm, but never do it in direct sunlight and ALWAYS use a high quality detail spray as a lubricant. And remember, clay is an abrasive. It can and most likely will cause some paint haze. I would only clay bar your car if you intend on doing an extensive detail on your car (Strip, polish, wax)
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