Quick question: I'm washing the car for the first time (I have a 04 WRX silver) and was wondering how "abrasive" can you be when washing your car? I've always used a sponge but can you use the coarse part of the sponge (usually on the back side). Its a very coarse sponge with more of a plastic feel. I'm just trying to get all the road dirt and grime off without hurting the paint.

Or is there a better way to get the harder grim off (special solutions and such).

I have a silver car and am considering not waxing as silver cars don't take well to waxes meaning it doesnt make much of a difference. Any thoughts on this as well would be appreciated.

Thanks


Using:
Meg's car wash solution
Meg's NXT wax (if any)
Eagle One tire solution
Armorall (sp) interior

My advice is not to use anything that's abrasive for washing your car or you'll be left with nasty swirls/scratches on your finish. Check out this Autopia link that gives you a few basic "how-to's": http://www.autopia-carcare.com/how-to.html. You can also find some tips here: http://www.carcareonline.com/howto.aspx, and here: http://www.bettercarcare.com/topics.php?topicId=17. Although waxing may not give you the same "visual" results on a silver car as it would on black, both will still benefit from the protection. In fact, my experience has been that colors such as silver & red are more apt to fade (more of a reason to keep them protected with a coat of wax/polish).

On a side note: I personally wouldn't "armor all" your interior. It typically leaves a greasy feeling and reflects sunlight. I simply use a slightly damp cloth to remove dust and minor residue. There are some better alternatives out there (recommendations from others) if you really want to use a "protectant" on the interior plastic/rubber.

- Kean

Appreciate the help. Those links, especially the autopia one, were really informative.

Originally posted by shk_1010
Appreciate the help. Those links, especially the autopia one, were really informative. No problem, I'm sure others will be able to give you more tips on how to get off stubborn grime. ......I live in CA so I don't have that sort of problem. ;)

Make sure to exlore the Autopia site (i.e. links, etc). Although it's only one source of information, there's a lot of good stuff in there. The "Interact!" icon on top will send you to a page where you can access their forum. AaronWRX pointed out yesterday (in another thread) that you can also get to this page by using this address: www.autopia.org. You may want to bookmark one or both.

- Kean

I just used regular 99 cent sponges with/ Meguires pink car wash soap. Then applied the Meguires NXT by hand, and covered that with Meguires goldclass wax also by hand with/ the applicator pads.

I think it turned out well on my 04 black wrx paint. It should do well for you too. Here are a few pictures.


http://www.techordie.com/subaru/P4070002.jpg

http://www.techordie.com/subaru/P4070005.jpg

http://www.techordie.com/subaru/P4070011.jpg

http://www.techordie.com/subaru/P4070017.JPG

http://www.techordie.com/subaru/P4070019.JPG

I've been using Zaino Brothers' stuff for a while now, check out their site (www.zainostore.com); they've got some pretty good tips about what to wash your car with.

Personally, I go to Toys R Us and pick up about 10 100% cotton baby diapers; not the ones you throw away, but the old school ones that you wrap up and close with a safety pin; they have the best cotton IMO and really help to avoid swirl marks.

Make sure you choose a sponge that holds a lot of soapy water. It is recommended that you change out your water once or twice when washing your car. On a good day I will spend about 8 hours on my car
http://home.nc.rr.com/sy/klasse.JPG

I love Rex's......this is why I bought this car


Beautiful cars guys....

Originally posted by elixirvtec
Make sure you choose a sponge that holds a lot of soapy water. It is recommended that you change out your water once or twice when washing your car. On a good day I will spend about 8 hours on my car

8 hours?? :eek:
Wow, I admire your patience! The first picture looks great, and it definitely shows you put a lot of work into it. Two things I would hate is rain and people in front of you who keep on using the windshield wiper fluid that gets all over your car!

i dont mean to hijack this thread but has anyone used microfiber towels to wash or wax their car?

I spent 5 hours on mine yesterday, and today...it's raining. :(

HERE'S (http://www.autopia.org/forums/showthread.php?threadid=34515&highlight=WRX) a LINK (http://www.autopia.org/forums/showthread.php?threadid=34515&highlight=WRX) of a Silver WRX on autopia that use NXT

Originally posted by kedrin
i dont mean to hijack this thread but has anyone used microfiber towels to wash or wax their car?

i only use micro fiber, they do not leave swrill marks like cotton. i have a micro fiber wash mit and 20 or so micro fiber towels. nerver use a dirty towel on your car and use a new towel for each new product u use. here is my process

1. wash, i use megures gold class car wash
2. clay with clay magic this removes all the tree sap and other stuff that makes the paint ruff. after claying your car will be ultra smooth. this needs to be done around ever 6 months.
3. wash again to remove all the lubercant from the claying process.
4. polish with autoglym polish cleaner this stuff is the best. i apply it with a micro fiber wax aplicator and take it off with a micro fiber towel
5. wax with autoglym liquid hard wax and let it sit for 1 hr

hope this helps

Robert

http://img49.photobucket.com/albums/v151/grndc2gsr/P3300004.jpg

Yup, I only use microfiber towels when polishing, glazing and waxing my ride. My black pearl gets only the best.

Zaino:devil:

for those tough PITA bug spots scrub with a handful of steelwool
http://oinkzwurgl.org/stuff/microwavefun/stahlwolle-klein.png

So do you guys reuse those microfiber towels after washing them in the washing machine or do you just throw the towels away EVER time??

i wash mine and reuse them

Originally posted by Flat4inRC
for those tough PITA bug spots scrub with a handful of steelwool
http://oinkzwurgl.org/stuff/microwavefun/stahlwolle-klein.png

You're joking, right?

Question for you guys then... Do you have to order that stuff listed above like the micro fiber clothes, the sheep skin hand mitten..etc from the sites above or can you get it at Advanced auto parts or AutoZone? Reason I ask is if I can get it there it would save on shipping... I just don't want ****ty stuff..lol Right now I use a synthic sponge and a towel to wash and dry it.. then an old t-shirt to put on nufinish car polish....

I want something better but I don't want to spend hundreds and hundreds of dollars... I want my car to be nice but it's not a show car... it's my DAILY driver :-p

Thanks,
-Nigel

I am pretty sure I have seen Microfiber at Pepboys before.

how about just take it to the local gas station and buy a wash for like 7 dollars? or is the wax their cheap?

Nobody washes my car but me and a few trusted friends/family :p

I'm quite partial to the Meguiar's Gold Class wash, and their cheaper wax (in the red bottle). Then dry it with a microfiber towel I picked up at Walmart (it's got an STi on the packaging ;) )

I use gliptone for everything. Start to finish. :)

Originally posted by NewShockerGuy
Question for you guys then... Do you have to order that stuff listed above like the micro fiber clothes, the sheep skin hand mitten..etc from the sites above or can you get it at Advanced auto parts or AutoZone? Reason I ask is if I can get it there it would save on shipping... I just don't want ****ty stuff..lol Right now I use a synthic sponge and a towel to wash and dry it.. then an old t-shirt to put on nufinish car polish....

I want something better but I don't want to spend hundreds and hundreds of dollars... I want my car to be nice but it's not a show car... it's my DAILY driver :-p

Thanks,
-Nigel
I haven't seen any mircofiber towel at my auto store. If there is any car detailing shop where you live then they should sale mircofiber towels. They run about 2 a piece and aren't very large.