[Jag32]

I drove my car in a lot of dirt/dust/mud this past weekend, it was fun as hell and I had the time of my life, but now my car is absolutely FILTHY. I cannot get it clean no matter what I do, i've washed it 5, count them FIVE times with the Mr. Clean autodry system and a microfiber wash mit and it's just NOT clean at all, the entire car still had lots of dust all over the outside which will not come off when I wash it or scrub it. It's REALLY difficult to clean because i'll soak the car, wash the car, etc. and then once it's dry all the dust is still there no matter what I do! It's not caked on or anything though because I can take my finger and run it across the car to easily take the dust off, but i'm not going to do that on my whole car and i'm sure if I do that it'll scratch.

What do you guys recommend I do? Obviously the Mr. Clean autodry system is not sufficient at all, so I need to buy some real car wash products.

I've spent the past 2 days trying to get my car clean and probably 12+ total hours and i'm really frustrated at this point. Could you guys please recommend some popular shampoo's and other products I can buy to get my car sparkling clean again?

THANKS!!!

[straightouttajersey]

here's where peleg chimes in with his expert opinion...

[Peleg]

Originally Posted by Jag32

I drove my car in a lot of dirt/dust/mud this past weekend, it was fun as hell and I had the time of my life, but now my car is absolutely FILTHY. I cannot get it clean no matter what I do, i've washed it 5, count them FIVE times with the Mr. Clean autodry system and a microfiber wash mit and it's just NOT clean at all, the entire car still had lots of dust all over the outside which will not come off when I wash it or scrub it. It's REALLY difficult to clean because i'll soak the car, wash the car, etc. and then once it's dry all the dust is still there no matter what I do! It's not caked on or anything though because I can take my finger and run it across the car to easily take the dust off, but i'm not going to do that on my whole car and i'm sure if I do that it'll scratch.

What do you guys recommend I do? Obviously the Mr. Clean autodry system is not sufficient at all, so I need to buy some real car wash products.

I've spent the past 2 days trying to get my car clean and probably 12+ total hours and i'm really frustrated at this point. Could you guys please recommend some popular shampoo's and other products I can buy to get my car sparkling clean again?

THANKS!!!

Yes, please get rid of the Mr. Clean AutoDry, no offense, but that stuff is worthless IMO.

Use a hose or a pressure washer with strong mist settings.

Invest in a good washing mitt, like a sheep skin mitt by Meguire's is great. This will not leave any swirl marks in the paint.

Shampoo: P21S, Sonus, Meguire's, Pinnacle are all great choices.

As far as drying, I like the Chemi (excuse the spelling) called the Obsorber, works great.

Checkout this thread, the first page should help.

Peleg's Guide to Detailing

[Jag32]

Originally Posted by Peleg

Yes, please get rid of the Mr. Clean AutoDry, no offense, but that stuff is worthless IMO.

Use a hose or a pressure washer with strong mist settings.

Invest in a good washing mitt, like a sheep skin mitt by Meguire's is great. This will not leave any swirl marks in the paint.

Shampoo: P21S, Sonus, Meguire's, Pinnacle are all great choices.

As far as drying, I like the Chemi (excuse the spelling) called the Obsorber, works great.

Thank you very much!

So basically, the dirt and dust on my car really isn't a problem to clean, it's just the Mr. Clean stuff is garbage but a traditional wash will clean her right up?

How do you feel about microfiber wash mits?

[DARKSTI]

+1 to what Peleg said.
Also, start from the top and work your way down,work in the shade, and make sure your car has cooled down for at least 15 minutes. I would recommend a Waffle Weave Microfiber like the Big Blue, my favorite. I also like Meguairs car wash's for OTC. My favorite of all though is Top of the Lines Bubble Bath. I also like to use 2 buckets, one for the soap+water and a rinse bucket. I use 3+ mitts and when I am done with one(like doing the hood and roof)it goes in the rinse bucket, when I go back for a new mitt, I put the one in the rinse bucket back in the soapy mix for next time.

edit:Here is my routine

[Peleg]

Originally Posted by Jag32

Thank you very much!

So basically, the dirt and dust on my car really isn't a problem to clean, it's just the Mr. Clean stuff is garbage but a traditional wash will clean her right up?

How do you feel about microfiber wash mits?

The Mr. Clean is a nice gimmick, but to get the dirt off the paint you need to use a mitt, so yes.

Any good quality mitt will do, microfiber or sheep skin.

* Some mitts need to be washed (laundry) before using them the first time, so keep an eye for the small print when you buy it.

[DARKSTI]

I can make this:



Look like this:



It does take a bit of effort, but shows what you can do with a good quality mitt,soap and technique

[b00st3d]

pressure wash ftw!

[dailydriversti]

^^^will you come wash my car

Looks good.

[Zmann18]

Dark, I've got some of those before/afters too(just not with the STi....yet) :

[DARKSTI]

Originally Posted by Zmann18

Dark, I've got some of those before/afters too(just not with the STi....yet) :
[/IMG]http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h160/Zacmannes/556a289d.jpg[/IMG]
[/IMG]http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h160/Zacmannes/cleanmachine.jpg[/IMG]

[Jag32]

I washed her today with Meguires Gold Class shampoo and scrubbed her down with a microfiber mit using the two bucket method, I dried her using waffle pattern microfiber cloths, then waxed her using Pinnacle wax, then put Rain-X on the windows, then used Meguires foaming tire cleaner. The windows are like mirrors, the car is now gorgeous again and super shiny, the tires look great, and i'm very happy with the results of this traditional wash.

I also bought some Meguires spray wheel cleaner (can't remember the exact model, but it's purple), the front of the bottle says it can be used on any "factory finished wheels" so I thought great. Then I got home and read the back of the bottle and it said not to use it on anodized or powdercoated wheels. Is it safe to use on my silver BBS wheels?

Also, i've still got a lot of white dust in the back of my grill and in various little crevices which are tough to get to, but other than that she's perfect now.

[STiRiDaZ]

Originally Posted by Jag32

I washed her today with Meguires Gold Class shampoo and scrubbed her down with a microfiber mit using the two bucket method, I then waxed her using Pinnacle wax, then put Rain-X on the windows, then used Meguires foaming tire cleaner. The windows are like mirrors, the car is now gorgeous again and super shiny, the tires look great, and i'm very happy with the results of this traditional wash.

I also bought some Meguires spray wheel cleaner (can't remember the exact model, but it's purple), the front of the bottle says it can be used on any "factory finished wheels" so I thought great. Then I got home and read the back of the bottle and it said not to use it on anodized or powdercoated wheels. Is it safe to use on my silver BBS wheels?

Also, i've still got a lot of white dust in the back of my grill and in various little crevices which are tough to get to.

What's the two bucket method?

[reeksti]

Originally Posted by STiRiDaZ

What's the two bucket method?

it helps not make swirl marks

[STiSchucky]

what ever you do, dont put any degreaser on your paint