keeping that ride clean

[shuya]

i've been meaning to post this for a while now but just now remembered while i was on here. . .

anyway, since most of you have black cars, like myself, i'm curious as to what steps you take to keep her looking good at all times. granted, most of us will only post pictures of our car looking super clean ( one exception not withstanding ). those of you with non-black cars, i'm curious as well.

with all the new detailing products out on the market it's a bit overwhelming to tackle something new. shit, i've been doing the same car wash routine since before i was driving. i always helped my best friend before i could drive to detail his ride. anyway, i'll throw down a brief synopsis of what i generally do, in hopes others will find some time to share what they know as well.


since i got my black mz3 in april every wash has been just about the same :

pressure wash @ a well-kept local coin-op. taking necessary precations from scratching & using the high pressure to get the wheels / wheel wells super super clean.

before i start i hit the front with some bug & tar remover and the wheels with some foaming teflon wheel cleaner.

after washing & using the spot free rinse, while the car is still wet, i squirt some 'NXT detailing spray' on a 1/4'd microfiber towel and give her a good once over. after everything has been hit with the detail spray she's almost completely dry, so i hit the whole car once more with a fresh microfiber towel to sop up the remaining water & to polish off the detail spray haze.

i ring out the towel with the detail spray and give the windows a good once over. then finsh them off with the other still clean & dry microfiber.

now i grab a wheel specific towel & clean off the remaining crap from the wheels & edges of the wheel well one at a time. after doing one wheel, while the tire is still wet, i use a tire sponge with some 'meguiars endurance gel' to shine the tires up. once all 4 wheels are done, i stretch out because my back usually hurts.

give the car another once over & i'm off.


every other wash, now that it's nicer out, i've been waxing. the 1st time, i used 'meguiars NXT wax' to some success, but wasn't totally pleased. lately, i've taken to using 'eagle one nanowax'. the shine is deep & there is NO white reside on plastic parts because of this shit has particles soo small it can't fill in the plastic ( or something equally vague ).

anyway, i'm happy with the results so far & have no swirl marks or marring of the paint other than a few dings ( thanks mom & you other assholes who don't watch your door ).


god damn that was long winded. i commend you for making it this far. again, i hope some of you will follow up with the finer points of your detailing. i'm curious to know what'ca think. . .

[Prince Nismo]

MONKEY SHINE!!!!!!!!!!!! it's the greatest stuff in the world. i'm friend with the guy who owns it, it's like better than, than, than....i don't know but it's the best. sometimes when i'm dirty i don't use soap i use monkey shine, sure it burns a lil but hey i know brake dust won't stay on me and i'll stay that way for 3 months!