Washing my car... - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

groundzero · 09-25-2001, 07:39 PM

I wash my car every two days because I have a dark colored car and it gets dirty really fast and I don't like driving while it is dirty, so I wash my car every two days...Is it bad to wash your car the way Im doing it by washing it every two days? is it bad for my paint?

96SEChick · 09-25-2001, 07:55 PM

If you're washing your car that often, I would definitely make sure you keep a VERY good wax-job on it.  Do you wash it by hand or take it to an automatic carwash w/ brushes?  If you use the ones w/ brushes, yes--that is bad for your paint (scratches it all to ####).  I have a red car, and I try to wash it once a week (w/ weather permitting of course).  Which reminds me--I need to wax my car this weekend!

09-25-2001, 08:02 PM

my car was already all scratched (swirled) when i got it so i just take it to the car wash bout 1 / 2 weeks

groundzero · 09-25-2001, 08:29 PM

I don't go to the car wash at the gas station or the ones you have to get timed on... I wash my car at home with a sponge and with car soap...I don't wax it afterwards because the soap Im using already provides wax...So is that bad or good for my car?

*LanceS13* · 09-25-2001, 09:06 PM

I wish I had time to wash my car once a week.  I hadn't been able to wash it since.......since.......hmmmm......>>counts in head<<.....3 or 4 weeks ago.  It's looking pretty grimey.  Maybe I can give her bath Saturday.

*transient* · 09-25-2001, 11:52 PM

what about those touchfree washes? I've heard good things about those. I usually go to the timed wash because when i wash it at home there's always kindof a residue left from me not being able to wash the suds off fast enough.

09-26-2001, 07:26 AM

I would suggest you do it at home and take your time. I don't trust big funky brushes and machines. My paint is not that great, but still...
I haven't washed my car in about 3-4 weeks, just like you Lance. It's been raining like #### here, so I didn't see a purpose in making my car all nice and clean.

09-26-2001, 07:26 AM

P.S. I usually wash it every week or every other week-depending on my free time.

*drifterx* · 09-26-2001, 08:03 AM

wait till winter, none of us would wanna wash our cars....
i wish i had time to wash my car, my last wash was this sunday but then it rained 2 hrs later... and the time before that was hmmmm 6 weeks ago

Rcs476 · 09-26-2001, 08:53 AM

####, I usually wash my car like 2 times a week. Wax it every two or three times I wash it, polish once a month, clay bar once a month, and use a swirl mark remover every now and then.

"groundzero"... As for the soap with wax thing, I am sure it's not bad for your car, it will only give you minimal protection though, but at least it gives you some. You should buy a good quality wax and wax it with that like once a month. Try Meguair's Yellow #26 High tech wax. It is in a beige bottle, it works great.

groundzero · 09-26-2001, 11:11 AM

Thanks Rcs476, I'll make sure to check that out...As for transient you should defenitely take your time like s13grl is saying...The best thing you can do is buy that leather cloth they sell at Kragen...11-20 dollars...It's worth it...Its a dry off towel.

09-27-2001, 07:48 AM

Quality over quantity <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'> That's why I'm broke. #### silvia.

Irena

Chokudori · 09-27-2001, 11:47 AM

I don't know how you guys/girls are able to wash your cars so often... It takes about 3 hours to wash/wax my car and there's no way I'm going to do that twice a week.
I just wash my car about once in three weeks. But it feels really nice after washing the car because it makes a big difference. =)

Fuzzy Ewok · 09-27-2001, 12:19 PM

I would like to wash my car twice a week, but right now it's more like once a week.  When things are really busy I let it slip and go for two weeks, unless it's looking really bad.  Weather is also a problem here, so I have to work around that.

Meguiar's makes really nice stuff.  I think I have about $100 worth of their products, though I don't use all the products with each wash.  A lot of it is good for keeping oxidizing agents off your paint, and getting a deeper clean than just washing (which helps the wax protect it better).  It takes a long time to run through an entire series of it, but at least it doesn't need to be done often.

Rcs476 · 09-27-2001, 01:00 PM

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Quote: from Chokudori on 11:47 am on Sep. 27, 2001
I don't know how you guys/girls are able to wash your cars so often... It takes about 3 hours to wash/wax my car and there's no way I'm going to do that twice a week.
I just wash my car about once in three weeks. But it feels really nice after washing the car because it makes a big difference. =)
</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>

It takes me about that long too, I don't know, I just enjoy cleaning it. Time to myself and all, think about a bunch of shit while I am doing it, kind of like having a hobby. I guess.

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Quote: from Fuzzy Ewok on 12:19 pm on Sep. 27, 2001

Meguiar's makes really nice stuff.  I think I have about $100 worth of their products, though I don't use all the products with each wash. </td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>

Have you tried their Upolstery and carpet cleaner yet? It works amazingly, over all the cleaners for carpets I have tried, it is by far the best and easiest to use. It comes in a clear bottle with a pinkish liquid in it. If you have any stains in your carpet that you can't get out, try it.

Jay Wood · 09-27-2001, 02:25 PM

I wash my car when i cant see out of the windows anymore.  Probably once a month...

Zexel · 09-27-2001, 03:11 PM

I heard this tip from somewhere, dont' remember where exactly though.  if you want to dry your car, as in yourself, not "air drying".  you don't have to use a shamee, or however you spell it.  sometimes those things can scratch your car, SOMETIMES, but not much.  you can go to wal-mart and buy a 3 pack of undershirts, wash them once or twice, and put A LOT of softener in it.  then, you can dry your car with those.  it dries up since it's cotton, and you can see all of the dirt that the washing left on the wax.  and, you can still sport the shirt after you get done! haha, I just heard that tip, and just like to share that with ya'll.

my240likenoother · 09-27-2001, 04:56 PM

well i have a friend that pains cars and details them
he says to use the absorber when drying
and i wash my car every 2 days or arfter it rains
to wash it i use a soft glove type dont use sponges they hold the dirt witch make the small little scratches

96SEChick · 09-27-2001, 06:04 PM

Zaino is the absolute BEST stuff to use on your car.  I haven't used it on my car yet because it's rather expensive.  But, I've seen a few cars that had Zaino products used on them and the product brought out a shimmer and shine in the paint that no other wax I have seen could bring out.

09-27-2001, 06:07 PM

I use absorber each and every time I wash my car. After it rains, I usually wipe some areas off and it stays clean, but I don't have time to wash my car either. I usually wipe my dahsboard and clean my windows while driving (my passengers help) <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>, it's sad. But when I have time to wash my car, I take a WHILE. And I like to do that <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>.

Irena

*DSC* · 09-27-2001, 07:04 PM

I wash my car about once a week. I try to use good stuff so I don't get scratches but it dosn't really matter <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':('> I have cats so my hood, trunk and the top of my car are all scratched to ####. #### cats sliding all over my car with the nights dew. F****! anyway, I still wash it about once a week.

Oh, and to dry it, i use the "California water blade" it works pretty well.

(Edited by DSC at 7<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':0'>6 pm on Sep. 27, 2001)

09-25-2001, 07:39 PM	#1
groundzero Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 310 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I wash my car every two days because I have a dark colored car and it gets dirty really fast and I don't like driving while it is dirty, so I wash my car every two days...Is it bad to wash your car the way Im doing it by washing it every two days? is it bad for my paint?

09-25-2001, 07:55 PM	#2
96SEChick Nissanaholic! Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Broken Arrow, OK Age: 47 Posts: 1,814 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	If you're washing your car that often, I would definitely make sure you keep a VERY good wax-job on it.  Do you wash it by hand or take it to an automatic carwash w/ brushes?  If you use the ones w/ brushes, yes--that is bad for your paint (scratches it all to ####).  I have a red car, and I try to wash it once a week (w/ weather permitting of course).  Which reminds me--I need to wax my car this weekend!

09-25-2001, 08:02 PM	#3
Guest Posts: n/a	my car was already all scratched (swirled) when i got it so i just take it to the car wash bout 1 / 2 weeks

09-25-2001, 08:29 PM	#4
groundzero Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 310 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I don't go to the car wash at the gas station or the ones you have to get timed on... I wash my car at home with a sponge and with car soap...I don't wax it afterwards because the soap Im using already provides wax...So is that bad or good for my car?

09-25-2001, 09:06 PM	#5
LanceS13 AutoX Junkie Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: MS Age: 42 Posts: 2,044 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I wish I had time to wash my car once a week.  I hadn't been able to wash it since.......since.......hmmmm......>>counts in head<<.....3 or 4 weeks ago.  It's looking pretty grimey.  Maybe I can give her bath Saturday.

09-25-2001, 11:52 PM	#6
transient Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Los Angeles, California Age: 40 Posts: 2,947 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	what about those touchfree washes? I've heard good things about those. I usually go to the timed wash because when i wash it at home there's always kindof a residue left from me not being able to wash the suds off fast enough.

09-26-2001, 07:26 AM	#7
Guest Posts: n/a	I would suggest you do it at home and take your time. I don't trust big funky brushes and machines. My paint is not that great, but still... I haven't washed my car in about 3-4 weeks, just like you Lance. It's been raining like #### here, so I didn't see a purpose in making my car all nice and clean.

09-26-2001, 08:03 AM	#9
drifterx Premium Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: boston, ma Age: 43 Posts: 1,533 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	wait till winter, none of us would wanna wash our cars.... i wish i had time to wash my car, my last wash was this sunday but then it rained 2 hrs later... and the time before that was hmmmm 6 weeks ago

09-26-2001, 08:53 AM	#10
Rcs476 Leaky Injector Join Date: Jul 2001 Posts: 84 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	####, I usually wash my car like 2 times a week. Wax it every two or three times I wash it, polish once a month, clay bar once a month, and use a swirl mark remover every now and then. "groundzero"... As for the soap with wax thing, I am sure it's not bad for your car, it will only give you minimal protection though, but at least it gives you some. You should buy a good quality wax and wax it with that like once a month. Try Meguair's Yellow #26 High tech wax. It is in a beige bottle, it works great.

09-26-2001, 11:11 AM	#11
groundzero Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 310 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Thanks Rcs476, I'll make sure to check that out...As for transient you should defenitely take your time like s13grl is saying...The best thing you can do is buy that leather cloth they sell at Kragen...11-20 dollars...It's worth it...Its a dry off towel.

09-27-2001, 07:48 AM	#12
Guest Posts: n/a	Quality over quantity <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'> That's why I'm broke. #### silvia. Irena

09-27-2001, 11:47 AM	#13
Chokudori Zilvia Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Colorado Posts: 249 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I don't know how you guys/girls are able to wash your cars so often... It takes about 3 hours to wash/wax my car and there's no way I'm going to do that twice a week. I just wash my car about once in three weeks. But it feels really nice after washing the car because it makes a big difference. =)

09-27-2001, 12:19 PM	#14
Fuzzy Ewok Leaky Injector Join Date: Jul 2001 Posts: 90 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I would like to wash my car twice a week, but right now it's more like once a week.  When things are really busy I let it slip and go for two weeks, unless it's looking really bad.  Weather is also a problem here, so I have to work around that. Meguiar's makes really nice stuff.  I think I have about $100 worth of their products, though I don't use all the products with each wash.  A lot of it is good for keeping oxidizing agents off your paint, and getting a deeper clean than just washing (which helps the wax protect it better).  It takes a long time to run through an entire series of it, but at least it doesn't need to be done often.

09-27-2001, 01:00 PM	#15
Rcs476 Leaky Injector Join Date: Jul 2001 Posts: 84 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Quote: from Chokudori on 11:47 am on Sep. 27, 2001 I don't know how you guys/girls are able to wash your cars so often... It takes about 3 hours to wash/wax my car and there's no way I'm going to do that twice a week. I just wash my car about once in three weeks. But it feels really nice after washing the car because it makes a big difference. =) </td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'> It takes me about that long too, I don't know, I just enjoy cleaning it. Time to myself and all, think about a bunch of shit while I am doing it, kind of like having a hobby. I guess. </span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Quote: from Fuzzy Ewok on 12:19 pm on Sep. 27, 2001 Meguiar's makes really nice stuff.  I think I have about $100 worth of their products, though I don't use all the products with each wash. </td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'> Have you tried their Upolstery and carpet cleaner yet? It works amazingly, over all the cleaners for carpets I have tried, it is by far the best and easiest to use. It comes in a clear bottle with a pinkish liquid in it. If you have any stains in your carpet that you can't get out, try it.

09-27-2001, 02:25 PM	#16
Jay Wood Leaky Injector Join Date: Jul 2001 Posts: 82 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I wash my car when i cant see out of the windows anymore.  Probably once a month...

09-27-2001, 03:11 PM	#17
Zexel Zilvia Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Posts: 262 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I heard this tip from somewhere, dont' remember where exactly though.  if you want to dry your car, as in yourself, not "air drying".  you don't have to use a shamee, or however you spell it.  sometimes those things can scratch your car, SOMETIMES, but not much.  you can go to wal-mart and buy a 3 pack of undershirts, wash them once or twice, and put A LOT of softener in it.  then, you can dry your car with those.  it dries up since it's cotton, and you can see all of the dirt that the washing left on the wax.  and, you can still sport the shirt after you get done! haha, I just heard that tip, and just like to share that with ya'll.

09-27-2001, 04:56 PM	#18
my240likenoother Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 1,261 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	well i have a friend that pains cars and details them he says to use the absorber when drying and i wash my car every 2 days or arfter it rains to wash it i use a soft glove type dont use sponges they hold the dirt witch make the small little scratches

09-27-2001, 06:04 PM	#19
96SEChick Nissanaholic! Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Broken Arrow, OK Age: 47 Posts: 1,814 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Zaino is the absolute BEST stuff to use on your car.  I haven't used it on my car yet because it's rather expensive.  But, I've seen a few cars that had Zaino products used on them and the product brought out a shimmer and shine in the paint that no other wax I have seen could bring out.

09-27-2001, 06:07 PM	#20
Guest Posts: n/a	I use absorber each and every time I wash my car. After it rains, I usually wipe some areas off and it stays clean, but I don't have time to wash my car either. I usually wipe my dahsboard and clean my windows while driving (my passengers help) <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>, it's sad. But when I have time to wash my car, I take a WHILE. And I like to do that <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>. Irena

09-27-2001, 07:04 PM	#21
DSC New Title Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: VA Posts: 3,454 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I wash my car about once a week. I try to use good stuff so I don't get scratches but it dosn't really matter <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':('> I have cats so my hood, trunk and the top of my car are all scratched to ####. #### cats sliding all over my car with the nights dew. F****! anyway, I still wash it about once a week. Oh, and to dry it, i use the "California water blade" it works pretty well. (Edited by DSC at 7<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':0'>6 pm on Sep. 27, 2001)