Car Care Products
Friday, January 30th, 2009
I am not going to get into the process of the "How To" on washing and waxing but to only discuss a few items and some questions that I receive from many of my friends. They know how particular I am about my ride looking good!
There are many car care products out on the market today. From Miquiers, to Turtle Wax, and even exotic specialty polishes and waxes. It is really up to the end user on what they like as well as what they are trying to acheave. There are many different tyeps of polishes and waxes that do a variety of jobs for your cars paint serface. One question that I believe comes up alot is the difference between "Polishes" and "Waxes". This can be answered pretty easily. Polishes are made to do exactly what it says "Polish". Think about it this way, you use polish for your shoes and it makes them shine, well for a period of time. Same with your cars paint surface. On the other hand, waxes protect your cars paint surface. So, I recommend a "polish" inbetween your regular "wax" jobs. Another question that is asked is how long should I go between waxes. Well that is a good question and I can answer that by saying it depends on the climate that you live in and if the car is garaged or not. I always say at the least every 6 months. A good way to tell if your car needs a waxing, is how the water repells off of it or if it beads up or not. If it doesnt bead up, most likely you need a wax job. Athough, I have to say that there is a hand full of wax products that don’t bead water but rather the water runs off the car, like in sheets if you will.
If you have to get into a cleaning product and or rubbing compound for your paint serface, for instance, you have over spray on your finish, or heavy tar, sap, make sure you understand all there is to know about the product and the procedures in going about it. I mention this because you can do a lot of damage to your cars paint finish if you do not know what you are doing! Products like rubbing compounds are designed to be used with buffers and different types of buffing pads. If you are not a professional, don’t attempt it. You can take off a lot of paint in no time! There are Detail shops all over the country that can do this type of work for you at a reasonable price. So, if it’s your next-door neighbor that was spraying his house with a paint sprayer and it found its way onto your cars finish, I am sure he has insurance that would cover a professional detailer!
I want to touch on "Car Wash" products a little. When you do attempt to wash you car, a few tips are good to know. Do it in a shady area. Good practice is, if you can hold you hand on the cars paint finish, like the hood and it doesnt burn you, then its cool enough to move forward. I see so may people washing their cars in the direct sun and that just makes the job harder. Never use a "Dish Wash" detergent on your cars paint finish. It will only strip away what wax you may have on it. A good "Car Wash" product is the best way to go. Also, do not get carried away with how much product you use. Some people think if it does not suds up out of the bucket its not enough. Not true! Use what the product recommends. Typically a cap full for a gallon of clean water. It will actually make you wash job easier and will make your car look like you care! Another washing tip is to always start at the top of your car and work your way down to the sides and then the rims and tires last. Doing this eliminates any heavy road grim to be pulled up and into your wash mitt and onto the top finishes. Oh yea, wash mitt, very suggestive as it works well to pull small particles away from the paint surface due to the long strands of fabric it is made with. Sponges tend to hold more dirt particles. I actually use a second bucket with clear water to rinse my mitt out into every so often. And always make sure to rinse completely as you go. So take it one section at a time. It’s all logical. Top to bottom!
Tire dressing is a very important part of your cars clean look. Hey, how many cars to you see that have been washed but the tires and windows are still dirty, huh? This is the part of the "Detail" that needs to be done, and again the products out there make it very easy to do so. Very little time it takes to dress you tires, and OH, don’t forget to clean the brake dust off your rims as well. You should do that before dressing your tires.
As for the interior, a good vinyl and or leather protectant is good. Again there are so many different types on the market; you really have to find the one that works for you. NOW, as for protectants, they are not cleaners! So, if you smoke, or your cars interior is subject to harsh environments, then a good interior cleaner is recommended before applying the protectant. Protectants protect, cleaners clean! As for windows, I have tried all the ideas, using a window cleaner with newspaper, coffee filters, etc. I find the best way is a clean micro fiber towel, which is only used for cleaning windows! Dont use the one you just used for polishing. I always clean my windows last!
My last note: What is "Detail"? Detail is what makes your car look better than your neighbors, or the guys at the local drive-thru! When you clean your car and even if it is just washing it, clean you windows, clean your rims, and dress your tires. This will always set you apart from the average wash-n-go job! After waxing or polishing, clean the wax out form around the logos, and around the hood, door, and trunk panels. Clean off the wax you rubbed onto that black vinyl trim. (NOTE: I have been asked what is the best way to get that dry white wax off of the black rubber parts. Well one way is to use a small detail brush or old tooth brush. Once it is dry it should come off pretty good. Other wise, use some wax remover and that should take it off. There is a great product out by Turtle Wax. It is their ICE brand. This is a synthetic polish with silicone and hydrocarbon polymers that allow for it to be used on all of the cars surfaces. I use it on all of the exterior and it wipes right off the trim and leaves a great protection, such as Armorall does, but this cleans the surface, and thats a good thing! I am an Meguiars car guy myself, but this new ICE is a cool deal.) So remeber, It’s all in the "ATENTION TO DETAIL"!
