Brand new car.......need to clean. How?

S

sapperstang

New member
Just picked up a 04 Mach 1. Car is azure blue. I didnt let the dealer clean it for obvious reasons. I am not new to this but am still a novice. My last car was black so hopefully this will be better. The car is fairly dirty from sitting on the lot. I would like to get her really clean and then seal up the finish. I used the Mothers products step by step last time. I still have these left over so I would lke to use em again. What is the best way to initially clean this car? It is garaged and will only be driven in nice weather. Thanks
 
:welcome to Autopia



As you will see it’s a ‘very user friendly’ place, the people on this forum are very knowledgeable, and are more than willing to share their knowledge. The one thing that seems to stand out here compared to other special interest forums is a spirit of "open mindedness�, it’s not marque specific and no opinion expressed is ‘wrong’ just different.



I’ve put this together to help you ‘find your way around’, it’s a lot of reading but worthwhile.



After reading the House Rules (upper left of the home page) that will tell you a bit about our operating procedures (and then Acronyms) Suggest you start at David’s guide (Learn icon – Car Care Topics) and/or (Forum – University) you could also research FAQ (go to Interact-Features-FAQ) or Interact (Search) and then ask your questions on (Forums - University) there are also tips on products under Shop (How-To) plus be sure to check on the discounts available to forum members. And there’s the (Reviews) section that includes the Hall of Fame, where contributing members have posted their evaluation of products.



The Autopia “Guide to detailing eBook� (eBook Subscription) covers most facets of vehicle detailing, it only costs $9.95, and that money helps to support this forum. If Autopia solves just one of your detailing problems it’s worth the price of admission



"Learn the prep b4 using good products, it will save you $$$ in the long run." hondaguy2582



~Hope this helps~





Experience unshared; is knowledge wasted…/



justadumbarchitect *so I question everything*
 
You can get the Autopia Guide To Detailing on CD right here: http://www.autopia-carcare.com/tps-accgtd-cd.html



Obtaining online or download copies can be done by going to the Autopia home page and clicking on "ebook subscriptions" in the left hand margin.



The how-to series of articles can be seen for free if you click on the "Learn!" pic icon at the top of the page.



Caring for a brand new car is very easy as you have no flaws or damage to correct. All it takes is a basic foundation of knowledge, some good products, and regular care to keep your car looking like new.
 
I like the Mother three step process, have used it several times over the years. I now use Zaino and have been very happy with it. Seems to last longer than the Carnuba here in NC heat. If the paint is in good shape, the mother's cleaner should do a good job of cleaning it up, then a Dawn wash, then a few layers of Zaino with ZFX. I brought my 2003 Highlander home from the dealer and gave it a wash, (didn't need the clay) and right to six layers of Zaino on the first weekend. It looks great!
 
I use zaino.. as I fine it gives me the "wettest" looking car.. and sure makes it easier to re-wash the next time with a dash of detail spray
 
tomstin said:
I like the Mother three step process, have used it several times over the years. I now use Zaino and have been very happy with it. Seems to last longer than the Carnuba here in NC heat. If the paint is in good shape, the mother's cleaner should do a good job of cleaning it up, then a Dawn wash, then a few layers of Zaino with ZFX. I brought my 2003 Highlander home from the dealer and gave it a wash, (didn't need the clay) and right to six layers of Zaino on the first weekend. It looks great!
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Notice you live right near me. I live in N Raleigh. I have the mothers right now. Just need to know the steps. Your saying the cleaner and then the dawn? I thought you should use the dawn first to get everything off the car?
 
sapperstang,



Zaino recommends using Dawn just prior to applying Zaino. If you are using Mothers, go from the #1 paint cleaner to #2 glaze. You wont need to wash with Dawn if you are using the Mothers. The paint cleaner will do just that, clean the paint and strip anything like wax or oils off.
 
sapperstang, I live in Wake Forest and as noted in one of the previous post you can go from the cleaner and glaze to Zaino, the dawn wash won't hurt but is not required. Send me a PM if you want to see and or try the Zaino.
 
Hi and Welcome to Autopia :welcome



Two things that you should look into to go with your Mothers products are:



1) Good wash technique and safe materials. This is critical to keeping your car's paint swirl-free and looking good.



2) Claying. :xyxthumbs



Don't forget to utilize the search engine - that's tons of great info there at your fingertips.
 
I am familiar with the clay but I dont think it will be needed on a new car. I am going to try to find a way to dry the car without using a towel. I really do not want the swirl marks.
 
sapperstang said:
I am familiar with the clay but I dont think it will be needed on a new car. I am going to try to find a way to dry the car without using a towel. I really do not want the swirl marks.
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Welcome to Autopia! You'll find lots of good info here.



I *ALWAYS* clay my new cars. They invariably have ferrous contaminants ("rail dust") and other crap imbedded in the paint. These can lead to unsightly "rust blooms" that are often permanent. Actually, I use both clay and AutoInt's ABC system. No more rust blooms.



You'd be surprised what clay will pull out/off of new paint! Heh heh, as you can probably tell, I'm one of Autopia's greatest proponents of clay :D



You can dry a car with towels without swirling it. Just use the right towels (such as soft waffle-weave MFs) and the right techniques (like blotting). Some of my vehicles, go YEARS without getting any swirlmarks, I'm just VERY careful about how I wash and dry them. Any towel-free drying methods will be less than totally effective. I use compressed air a lot when drying cars, for instance, but you don't want to be blowing every little drop around, you'll go nuts.
 
Now if they would only open the car wash in my complex! :down :rolleyes: Dont know when I will get to wash this thing. Where can i get these "waffle" towels?
 
sapperstang said:
Where can i get these "waffle" towels?
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Ranney's soon to be famous WW towels:



25x36_waffle_2.jpg




link
 
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