Q: Why Does It Take 2 Hours to Wash... - Page 2

stevenvillatoro · 05-19-2008, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saskdiesel

Do you need to use a special wash mitt for the plastic or roof panel?
Special detergent?
Or wil my regular car washing stuff work just fine?

I use a mitt, but really the secret to washing is rinse, rinse, rinse. No matter what you use, don't grind surface grit into your paint finish. I pre-rinse and soak the entire car (to soften bugs). Next, I clean the areas that border on dirt-accumulating areas first, including door jambs, wheel wells, etc., with a separate sponge. Then I do a very light rub-down, top-to-bottom, rinsing out my mitt literally every couple of seconds to take dust off the mitt surface. I keep my hose constantly rinsing where I'm working to further wash away grit. A light-handed approach is always key. Finally, I do one last pass with the mitt and soap. I'm a proponent of technique over product, having seen many disasters by people using the right products but monkey-like washing techniques! (Ever see the look on someone's face when washing a new Porsche, and scratching the color coat of paint becuase a small pebble got onto the mitt???) Abrasion is the enemy... "First do no harm!"

nprsmart · 05-19-2008, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeepster55

... but they're most real old people, over 50, so i doubt they would be interested unless it's a new Buick or Caddy......

Easy there. I resemble that remark, but wouldn't be caught dead in a new Buick or Caddy. (Maybe dead in a Caddy as that is what the local funeral homes use...)

I did have to deal with four different folks asking about my fortwo at the Post Office today though. I'm pretty sure at least two of the four were older than me.

angel · 05-19-2008, 07:04 PM

Ah heck. I was doing the edging and weed eating when some fella stopped and asked me if I'd take him for a ride in the smart car. Awfully inconvenient time and I was covered in grass, mud and dirt ... not to mention BUSY. I don't mind answering questions. I don't even mind letting people get a looksie. I don't mind giving friends a test ride. But don't think I'm real comfortable giving rides to complete strangers.

smartxs · 05-19-2008, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeepster55

Thank God when i get MY smart i'll be washing it in my own driveway! of course that won't keep the neighbors from coming around and asking about it, but they're most real old people, over 50, so i doubt they would be interested unless it's a new Buick or Caddy......

I know you were just agitating, but I couldn't pass it up!

NorCal is in water restriction period so we have to use car washes that recycle the water, or go dirty!

Then there is that "Old people" and "over 50" comment.

Just wanted to say, "Thanks!"

Not sure for what. . .

MSOEMiller · 05-19-2008, 09:38 PM

Excellent money making opportunity.

Pay 50 cents for 2 minutes of washing the exotic Smart car. Come one come all.

25 cents to wax for 2 minutes.

Broken Kid · 05-20-2008, 05:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MSOEMiller

Excellent money making opportunity.

Pay 50 cents for 2 minutes of washing the exotic Smart car. Come one come all.

25 cents to wax for 2 minutes.

And after that, you can whitewash my fence! It's really really fun!

SuperGeek · 05-20-2008, 04:26 PM

Today a crew came to my office parking lot to wash some cars. I parked about 50 feet from where they were at 8am, using a powerwasher on my friend's truck... I'm thinking that maybe a powerwasher was too harsh to use on a new car, especially mine with a few scratches down the side. I'll call the pro detailer that charges $40 instead of $20.

So I came out at noon, and there's one guy washing another car near mine, and he stops and asks "What kind of car is that?" During the discussion he said there were people standing around it while he was washing cars... he could have racked up some business just from my car being nearby. It gets a lot of attention. The attention won't last more than a couple years but it's fascinating now to see people's responses.