Pampering Your Smart - Washing

[saronian]

Here are some of my favorite car care products. They are both easy to use and provide outstanding protection for new car materials. If your smart isn't already attracting enough attention, using these products will keep it looking new for many years. Note - I do not work for or make money from any of the following companies

Please add your own recommendations to the list.

Exterior - Paint/Clearcoat
Washing
You want to avoid fine scratches and swirl marks as much as possible. I use a Grit Guard at the bottom of my wash/rinse bucket as well a real Wool Mitt. The mitt is high quality and has lasted 3+ years.




Add your favorite car wash liquid to the bucket and fill it with water. Three that I like are Zaino Z-7, it is very mild, with medium suds. Ultima Paint Guard Wash, also mild and a bit less astringent than Z-7. Gold Class Car Wash Shampoo & Conditioner, not as strong a cleaning action as the others but can't be beat for the low cost and easy availability.

After using a hose to rinse the car with water, soak the wool mitt and lightly rub off the car from the top down. The cleaning liquid will do most of the work so the process is easy. Do not use the mitt on areas with heavy road grime like tires. For these areas use a micro-fiber cloth. I buy the yellow ones at Costco.




Rinse with a hose and you're ready to dry.

Note - For the first wash of a new car I use Dawn dishwashing liquid instead of the liquids listed above. This removes any low quality silicone based coatings added by the dealer during preparation. This is only required for the very first wash.


Drying
Using the correct micro-fiber towel makes drying very easy, and helps prevent fine swirl marks. The Sonus Der Wunder Drying Towel is excellent and lasts a long time. I've been using the same four towels for 5 years.


Next up is waxing/sealing

[kinschan]

Thank you for the great tips.

[prpsrv]

Anybody try the Mr. Clean car wash kit yet?

[SmartShanna]

Any environmentally friendly options? Dawn scares me Miette needs her first bath so I look forward to any suggestions (Dr. Bronner's?)

thanks!

[Steven79]

wow thanks for your time in creating this wonderful post. It's surprising how many people don't know how to properly was a car.

[DavidV]

Originally Posted by SmartShanna

Any environmentally friendly options? Dawn scares me Miette needs her first bath so I look forward to any suggestions (Dr. Bronner's?)

thanks!

Yep: http://optimumcarcare.com/norinse.html

** DavidV

[stevenvillatoro]

Originally Posted by Steven79

It's surprising how many people don't know how to properly was a car.

If you've spent any time observing personal grooming, hygiene, and dress of the average person, you'd never be surprised that they don't know how to properly wash a car! (Kidding.)

[saronian]

Originally Posted by SmartShanna

Any environmentally friendly options? Dawn scares me Miette needs her first bath so I look forward to any suggestions (Dr. Bronner's?)

thanks!

The idea is to use only a small amount of Dawn once, and only to strip off any wax or silicone coatings from the paint. From then on you should use a very mild cleaner. The Ultima Paint Guard Wash suggested above is not a detergent and very mild. That's what I use.

Skipping the first wash with Dawn is OK and the other products will still work.

[SmartAzz]

Nice post! I have also used Ultima wash, very nice stuff.

Personally I skip the dish soap thing, it can dry the rubber seals and I just don't find I need it, products seem to work fine without that step (if needed there are lots of specific paint prep products that do a good job).

I was going to get Grit Guards but then was advised to go for Dirt Guards which have a filter instead, they have been great:

http://www.dirtguard.com/

[SmartAzz]

Oh, and I bought my Dirt Guards from Richard (aka OctaneGuy if you are a NAMer ;)

http://www.showcardetailing.com/eshop/