Idiots guide to Washing, Waxing, Interior Detailing, and Buffing (work in progress)

[AMGoff]

Originally Posted by Crown Vic Owner

the issue is, most of us that work on our own cars have hands that are not all soft and moisturized, aka, my hands WILL scratch paint.


Im sorry, considering the fact that most peoples hands are like sand paper, i will pass. A sheepskins mitt in my opinion is far superior. Most MINOR damage that would be caused my washing can be fixed.

I personally use a knockoff foam gun myself to transfer soap, i use a gilmour 2 that was rebranded for mane and tail.

I never once said mine nor anyone else's hands must be "soft and moisturized" for it to be effective, and it's silly to think so. If you were to actually read what I said, the purpose of the soap is for the benefit of the carnauba, nothing else. Besides that, rough hands will not blemish the surface of any paint job. It's not a matter of who can rub the hardest.. it's a matter of being able to properly detect and remove debris from the surface of one's vehicle. The fact remains, I don't trust any one or anything to clean and detail my car except my own two hands, and if you're looking for a true "idiot's guide," you can't get much more foolproof than that. You ask what I do differently, so instead of coming back with dismissive condescension because it's something you never thought of, it may be best to at least remember that I've washing my vehicles in this fashion to great success longer than you've been around... the proof my friend is in the pudding.

I suppose what I'm really saying is - don't knock it until you try it. I've tried numerous approaches over the years and it remains that I've not found a better alternative than the two hands the Good Lord gave us.

If you wanted this to be "Crown Vic's Guide to Washing a Car" (which I never really thought anyone needed an actual guide for such...), then you should have said so. Otherwise I merely putting out there the best solution I've found over the years for other's to actually try if they so choose, not for them to dismiss immediately for some unwarranted reason.

[Crown Vic Owner]

damnit, maybe we hould change the title to the car wash discussion

[Crown Vic Owner]

also, AMG, i dont trust my hands at all. I guess i may try it.

I was talking about washing also with a mitt, not waxing. Waxing i WILL use my hands for

[capt. dan]

http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...wcargarage.com

[adamh21]

I don't know anyone who washes their car and doesn't use their hands for something. I use a microfiber mit, and my free hand to feel along any suspicious dirt on my paint.

I think that using your hands for the whole car might be a bit of overkill. I don't find it is worth the time and effort as opposed to a mit, which, may cause some swirling, but the process I use has no problems with swirls that are that light.

I am also not sure that someones hands could do any damage to the paint, and if they could it would be as easily repairable as the damage caused by a mit.

I use Maguires because I get it at a discount, and I find they have a product for EVERYTHING, and in most cases multiple products for everything.

This discussion is gonna be a good one, haha we are still arguing about wash routines, we havent even gotten to arguing about products, much less wax, how to wax, interior products, interior routines....This should be interesting.

[Crown Vic Owner]

honestly, i think sub is doing overkill personally.


I think you have a superior position in this argument over him due to your experience.

[adamh21]

In my opinion, anyone can be the best car detailer in the world, and it will most likely not have anything to do with their skill, or they product they use. I can wash and dry a car with a regular old sponge and some towels and it will look better than some finished products of a complete detail from shops here in vegas. What it comes down to is your effort. If you really CARE about making a car look good, you will find a way to do it.

Don't get me wrong, having a good lineup of good products is essential, but you can have the best wax in the world, and if you don't apply it correctly or really work at it, then your car will look worse than it did when you started.

In this case I do feel using your hands for the whole car is a bit of overkill, but your thought process is in the right place. It is a good thing that you would take the time to wash your car by hand, but maybe it would be more beneficial for you to use that time and effort in a different part of your car...Maybe polishing your tailpipes, which few people do. Or removing the wheels and cleaning the interior of your rims, which few people do, and you would be absolutely AMAZED at how much better your car looks. Or maybe you can wash your car with a mitt, and clean your window jambs.

In my opinion all these things will make your car look much better than the improvement, if any, you will see from washing your car with your bare hands.