Bad car wash... BAD!
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 865
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From: Ex-pat f/Melbourne, Au. Now in
Honda Fan - the reason I do not recommend a Chenille or wool type wash mitt is because of the pile. Look at all the wet sheep out there when it rains. The pile makes it a perfect candidate to retain dirt. Wool is a very dense material and when saturated with water, becomes very packed and matted.
Sponges retain their shape and because of the pores, allow fine dirt particles to move inwards through the pores to a part of the sponge that won't contact the paint. The dirt particles also release easily when the sponge is rinsed. With the Wool mit, although it may look like there are no scratches that it has caused, you will find very, very fine scratches. Whilst these are virtually imperceptible to the eye, they manifest themselves in a dull finish to the paintwork.
However, if this technique has worked for you in the past, I hesitate to recommend that you change your regime! As washing a car with ANY device involves contact with the paintwork, these always exists the potential to cause some kind of scratch/blemish to the paint regardless of what you use. I would hate to recommend you change technique and then have the (new) sponge pick up a particle of dirt that would then scratch your car!
Prior to any of this though....thoroughly soak the car with a pressured water spray - from a jetted garden hose is fine, or an electric pressure washer if available (NOTE: make sure you know how to use it as they can easily strip paint if not careful). At the expense of wasting a little water, the longer you rinse a car, the better! Work from top to bottom of the car.
With regards to wash mitts, sponges or towels, the best thing to do with ANY type of wash device is to use the two bucket technique that I described earlier. With the clean water bucket, you only need dip the sponge or towel in the water. You want to loosen any dirt particles still trapped in the wash device. If you are really anal, hold the sponge/towell in one hand and rinse it off with the hose every time before it goes into the clean water bucket!
BnB-S2k - actually, you do not need to use any type of wax per se. The Zaino Z2 is so good as a polish/sealant that you are not required to use a wax on top of it. It seals/protects as good as a wax can. In fact, as Z2 is as close to optically perfect as you can get, a wax would actually dull the results Zaino provides you. A good thorough car care regimen is the best medicine for keeping your pride and joy in tip top shape. Of course, the more coats of Z2 that you place on the car, the better!
Craig - you're most welcome!
Don't get me wrong about Zaino......it does require more work to apply as there are more steps involved - it's not your 'Nu-Finish' once a year product!!!! But, the extra time you spend on the preparation and finish are really seen in the results. You really won't find a better shine and lustre than what you get with a properly applied Zaino finish.
Seriously, set aside the whole day for the Zaino process. You don't want to rush this.
Disclaimer: I am in no way connected to Zaino products. I do not receive any form of endorsement.
Hope this has helped everyone!
I'm off to bed!
Sponges retain their shape and because of the pores, allow fine dirt particles to move inwards through the pores to a part of the sponge that won't contact the paint. The dirt particles also release easily when the sponge is rinsed. With the Wool mit, although it may look like there are no scratches that it has caused, you will find very, very fine scratches. Whilst these are virtually imperceptible to the eye, they manifest themselves in a dull finish to the paintwork.
However, if this technique has worked for you in the past, I hesitate to recommend that you change your regime! As washing a car with ANY device involves contact with the paintwork, these always exists the potential to cause some kind of scratch/blemish to the paint regardless of what you use. I would hate to recommend you change technique and then have the (new) sponge pick up a particle of dirt that would then scratch your car!
Prior to any of this though....thoroughly soak the car with a pressured water spray - from a jetted garden hose is fine, or an electric pressure washer if available (NOTE: make sure you know how to use it as they can easily strip paint if not careful). At the expense of wasting a little water, the longer you rinse a car, the better! Work from top to bottom of the car.
With regards to wash mitts, sponges or towels, the best thing to do with ANY type of wash device is to use the two bucket technique that I described earlier. With the clean water bucket, you only need dip the sponge or towel in the water. You want to loosen any dirt particles still trapped in the wash device. If you are really anal, hold the sponge/towell in one hand and rinse it off with the hose every time before it goes into the clean water bucket!
BnB-S2k - actually, you do not need to use any type of wax per se. The Zaino Z2 is so good as a polish/sealant that you are not required to use a wax on top of it. It seals/protects as good as a wax can. In fact, as Z2 is as close to optically perfect as you can get, a wax would actually dull the results Zaino provides you. A good thorough car care regimen is the best medicine for keeping your pride and joy in tip top shape. Of course, the more coats of Z2 that you place on the car, the better!
Craig - you're most welcome!
Don't get me wrong about Zaino......it does require more work to apply as there are more steps involved - it's not your 'Nu-Finish' once a year product!!!! But, the extra time you spend on the preparation and finish are really seen in the results. You really won't find a better shine and lustre than what you get with a properly applied Zaino finish.Seriously, set aside the whole day for the Zaino process. You don't want to rush this.
Disclaimer: I am in no way connected to Zaino products. I do not receive any form of endorsement.
Hope this has helped everyone!
I'm off to bed!
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 607
Likes: 0
From: Defiance
Sime
Hey man, nice yellow car...wanna traaade?
I have the infamous Black model.
Your post has been saved for future referance.
You're scaring me with the California water blade
warning..geez I have one.
I do wash as little as possible prefering to
use the car duster and my garage.
In your pic, is the Car parked at Fairmont...?
(testing my memory)
.
.
Hey man, nice yellow car...wanna traaade?
I have the infamous Black model.
Your post has been saved for future referance.
You're scaring me with the California water blade
warning..geez I have one.
I do wash as little as possible prefering to
use the car duster and my garage.
In your pic, is the Car parked at Fairmont...?
(testing my memory)
.
.
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 1,371
Likes: 0
From: newport beach
I've always been afraid to use a sea sponge on my car. Seems to me that they're bound to be contaminated with silicates because they are filter feeders.
They also contain siliceous structures which provide the structure for the sponge. Here are some micrographs of these structures
Always figured that the best place for a sponge was the bath tub. I keep them as far away from my cars as possible.
2x6spds
They also contain siliceous structures which provide the structure for the sponge. Here are some micrographs of these structures
Always figured that the best place for a sponge was the bath tub. I keep them as far away from my cars as possible.
2x6spds
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 865
Likes: 0
From: Ex-pat f/Melbourne, Au. Now in
Sorry 2x6spds.....I was implying that I use a synthetic sponge. I find that the $2.00 kidney shaped sponge available from Pep Boys works as good as any!
With regards to black, I also have owned four black cars. Black is a sensational color when clean, but the worst when dirty. I had enough of always trying to keep my black cars clean, and decided that I had enough of it! Sorry, I ain't swapping for black!
My yellow is a real pleasure to look after!
Cheers,
[Edited by Sime on 03-07-2001 at 05:57 AM]
With regards to black, I also have owned four black cars. Black is a sensational color when clean, but the worst when dirty. I had enough of always trying to keep my black cars clean, and decided that I had enough of it! Sorry, I ain't swapping for black!
My yellow is a real pleasure to look after!
Cheers,
[Edited by Sime on 03-07-2001 at 05:57 AM]
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 665
Likes: 13
From: San Diego
I don't give a rats ass about my civic, but the only person who bathes my stook is me. And I intend to keep it that way because no one cleans your car to your own satisfaction better than you.
David
David
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 138
Likes: 0
From: SF Bay Area
Sime,
Not to beat a dead Stook (so to speak), but as you are the resident expert here on this subject, what would be the correct steps be for best protecting the finish on a brand new S2K (at this moment mine has 42 miles on the odo and has not yet been washed). I've seen lots of posts here about chips and scratches and am anxious to be sure I avoid such if possible.
If I interpreted your first post above correctly:
1. Wash with synthetic sponge and Z-7
2. Apply Z-1 polish lok
3. Apply 1 or more coats of Z-2 polish (does S2K have clear coat paint?)
4. Apply Z-6 gloss enhancer spray
Is this your reccomended regimen? Also, IYO will this help prevent chips and scratches?
Not to beat a dead Stook (so to speak), but as you are the resident expert here on this subject, what would be the correct steps be for best protecting the finish on a brand new S2K (at this moment mine has 42 miles on the odo and has not yet been washed). I've seen lots of posts here about chips and scratches and am anxious to be sure I avoid such if possible.
If I interpreted your first post above correctly:
1. Wash with synthetic sponge and Z-7
2. Apply Z-1 polish lok
3. Apply 1 or more coats of Z-2 polish (does S2K have clear coat paint?)
4. Apply Z-6 gloss enhancer spray
Is this your reccomended regimen? Also, IYO will this help prevent chips and scratches?