First QEW Experience

Z

ZaneO

New member
I bought some QEW today and decided to give it a try. My first mistake was picking the biggest, blackest thing I could find to try it on, the Hummer. It was extremely dirty from the recent snow, so I ran it down to the coin-op for a pre-soak and high pressure rinse.



After I got home, I filled two buckets with approx. 1 gallon each (warm water). I then added 2-3 capfuls of QEW solution to one bucket. It was very interesting to see no suds; just a slight oily appearance to the water. I used a Eurow sheepskin mitt, a Charisma cotton towel, and a Pak Shak waffle weave.



I was very cautious at first, but I think everything worked as it was supposed to. The paint and glass was not too much of a problem, but the trim, wheels/tires, and wheel wells were harder.



How do you guys do those areas?



Here are a few pictures of the process and finished product:



Door Before

Hummer_QEW001.jpg




Door After

Hummer_QEW002.jpg




Finished Product

Hummer_QEW003.jpg




Hummer_QEW004.jpg




Hummer_QEW006.jpg




Sorry for all the pictures and not enough writing. I need lots more practice to feel comfortable with the QEW process.



I may practice again tomorrow on the 4Runner.
 
It looks excellent to me. What do you use on tires? I like the modest shine they have, just enough.



So when do we get to see pics of that GN in the garage???
 
Oh man, that is just awesome. That car signifies the birth of the modern day *affordable* sports car even though that particular car is probably worth a LOT more than what was paid!



I can remember in high school a buddy of mine had a T-type which was basically a GN but in white and it was so much fun. I've never ridden in a GNX but I'll bet it's a kick in the butt!
 
JDookie said:
That car signifies the birth of the modern day *affordable* sports car...
Click to expand...



Wow, that's an odd statement. I would have picked the '70 240Z or the '79 RX-7, if you're talking sports cars, and certainly something different if you're talking muscle cars. I used to dig Buick T-Types, but looking back, they were really an anachronism, and Lloyd Reuss's insistence on having a T-Type of every model, while great for enthusiasts, probably is what cost him the CEO position of GM.
 
Zane-I have a few different sized brushes I use for the wheels and fenderwells.



After you use QEW a few times, it really becomes very easy to use. Oh yeah, nice GNX!
 
Zane: That more or less replicates the QEW process I use on the teg. The Coin-Op spray down is a must for excessive soilage.



Did you notice any marring? I usually put a capful in the rinse bucket as well and in the wash bucket add an ounce of my fav QD (PB S+W).
 
Do you guys wipe down the fender wells after scrubbing with the QEW solution?



I forgot to add some QD today, but I will definitely try that next time. I didn't notice any marring, but my lighting wasn't the best today. I tried to use light pressure when washing and drying.
 
I do wipe down as much of the fenderwell as possible with terry cloth towels. If you do it regularly, it is a piece of cake.
 
For wells, rims, and tires...



I use an APC diluted 10:1 - 6:1 agitated with the appropriate brushes. After I do the ENTIRE vehicle, I use the remaining QEW solution and an older chenille pad (holds a lot of solution) to rinse those areas.
 
wow, 2 or 3 capfuls per gallon of water? I stick with the reccommended 1 capful per gallon (2 caps in my 2 gallon bucket) on my Black Audi.



This stuff can "Cloud" up the finish or leave streaks.



Good job though.
 
MorBid said:
wow, 2 or 3 capfuls per gallon of water? I stick with the reccommended 1 capful per gallon (2 caps in my 2 gallon bucket) on my Black Audi.



This stuff can "Cloud" up the finish or leave streaks.



Good job though.
Click to expand...



Actually, the directions say 1/2 oz. (1 capful) to 2 quarts of water. A gallon is 4 quarts, so 2 capfuls would be the correct amount.



"Use ½ ounce (1 capful) of Quick & Easy Wash in a bucket with two quarts water for an average size car. Use one ounce per gallon for larger vehicles."
 
ZaneO said:
Actually, the directions say 1/2 oz. (1 capful) to 2 quarts of water. A gallon is 4 quarts, so 2 capfuls would be the correct amount.
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Absolutely correct, I place 4 capfuls in 2 gal. of water. I've used QEW about 4 or 5 times now and like you still need to use it more to become comfortable with it.



I have been just sticking to the basics, one bucket of QEW, one bucket w/ plain rinse water. After each panel/section I rinse the mitt in the rinse bucket then dunk it in the QEW bucket for the next section. I plan on trying it QD as GSRstilez mentioned.
 
MorBid said:
wow, 2 or 3 capfuls per gallon of water? I stick with the reccommended 1 capful per gallon (2 caps in my 2 gallon bucket) on my Black Audi.
Click to expand...



The recommended amount of QEW is 1 oz per gallon. One capful is half an ounce. So you need 2 capfuls per gallon. You are using half the recommended amount. This is clearly printed in the bottle.



Zaneo is using the proper amount.
 
Burlyq said:
Zaneo do you like this stuff? Can you go to lsp after this or does it leave the surface too slick? where did you get it?
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I haven't decided if I like it or not. It will take many more uses before I can really make a decision like that. It seems to be relatively user friendly, as far as the paint is concerned. I do like its convenience for winter use.



I am sure that you can use most any carnauba after QEW, but it would depend on the sealant.



I picked mine up from a local RV dealer. I wish I would have taken advantage of the online offer, but I wouldn't have had it quickly enough.
 
Setec Astronomy said:
Wow, that's an odd statement. I would have picked the '70 240Z or the '79 RX-7, if you're talking sports cars, and certainly something different if you're talking muscle cars. I used to dig Buick T-Types, but looking back, they were really an anachronism, and Lloyd Reuss's insistence on having a T-Type of every model, while great for enthusiasts, probably is what cost him the CEO position of GM.
Click to expand...



Zane,



Sorry for hijacking your thread, but I just wanted to reply to this right quick.



Setec,

When I say "the birth of the modern sports car" I am actually referring to the *re-birth* of the sports car since it's death in the late 70's and early 80's. The Buick GN was the first car in it's class to have a turbocharged engine and was the first time an american manufacturer took the leap to forced induction. Even though Buick's glamour didn't last long, it gave us the modern Mustang, Camaro, Firebird, and Corvette (to name a few). If it weren't for this spark in competition from Buick who knows where we'd be, since most critics at that time thought the muscle car was dead forever.
 
Buick definatly got the ball rolling with the GN in 1984 when they threw the fuel injection and turbo in it. I'm kind of partial to the 84's ;) even though they are much slower. If it wasn't for GM forcing Buick to stop production of the GN then who knows what would have come of it (GM's golden rule is no vehicle is allowed to be quicker than the vette and the GN and GNX just blew it's doors off). The GNX is one of the baddest most significant machines ever built and that guy is damn lucky to have such a nice example of one!



Back on topic: Great job on the QEW by the way, the stuff truley is a god-send in the winter time and you are even lucky enough to have a garage to work in!! When I do the fenderwells and wheels I do what GSRstiles does and use whatever is left over and any old sponge I have laying around. Good luck with it!
 
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