11-07-2022, 09:45 AM | #1 |
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Best bang for my buck methods? Don't need showroom, just decent
Some of you already read my background on this, but let me give the context again.
In the past, I've simply been a carwash (touchless, when I can find it) guy. Taking delivery of a new car next week, and maybe would like to do something a little bit better. But I simply cannot be handwashing my car obsessively... I don't care that much, and my schedule doesn't really permit. I'm looking for the best bang for minimal investment of dollars and hours. Somewhere there is an inflection point where the returns don't matter to me. The car will be Phytonic Blue, if that makes a difference. We intend to own it for 5-7 years, minimum--possibly 10. We are not showing it or taking it to the track. Nor do I really need anyone to ooh-and-aah over it. It lives in the garage, probably around 140 hours a week (we work from home). We are doing XPEL PPF on the hood, front fenders, front bumper, mirror caps, rocker panels, and rear bumper sill. This will be installed by the dealer before I take delivery. I live in a condo/HOA community in drought-stricken SoCal. Lots of water usage is not an option. Is there a single protective product that I could apply easily with minimal prepwork right after we take delivery? (For instance, I'm looking at Shine Armor QuickCoat.) Bonus points if I can use it on paint, PPF, wheels, tires, windows, etc. I really am looking for the most bang for my buck. If I could buy a stack of microfiber cloths and a single spray product... can I bring the car home, rinse it off, apply a spray, and simply rinse it for the next 6 months? Also, how about interior? Sensatec seats. Open pore wood trim. Leather steering wheel. Dusty/streaky glass interiors drive me nuts. Probably bothers me more than swirl marks on the paint. I have no carwash supplies at all... just a hose and spray nozzle. What bare minimum products would you buy for your new car? Last edited by SoCalJon; 11-07-2022 at 09:52 AM.. |
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11-07-2022, 11:32 AM | #2 |
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Since you are limited on your water usage you should look at using a rinseless wash product. You will not be able to get away with simply rinsing your car for the next 6 months unless you want your finish to be full of swirls and dull looking. The rinseless wash method can be completed fairly quickly once you've done it a few times. Check out the following video and product. I use it on my own vehicles and have no swirls in the finish.
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11-07-2022, 01:01 PM | #3 | |
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To clarify... I didn't mean to suggest that I'd go 6 months without doing anything... just wondering if there's a simple protectant that will last 6 months that I can just rinse or do a basic wash on an as-needed basis. |
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11-07-2022, 02:07 PM | #4 |
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There are some spray on ceramic sealants that you may be able to get 6 months out of such as Griot’s Garage Ceramic 3-in-1 Wax or The Last Coat. The Griot’s product is more difficult to apply if you use too much product but will take to rinsing off better as it tends to sheet water as opposed to beading it.
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11-07-2022, 04:02 PM | #5 | |
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How long does it take you to do a car? Does the 2-gallon solution do an entire car? How often do you do it? Any problem using it over PPF? How about the windows? You just throw the towels in the washing machine and run a separate load of them? I suppose I could get 20 towels and 2 drying towels so I could get a full load of towels instead of a half load. What else am I missing? |
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11-07-2022, 05:57 PM | #6 | |
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20 washing towels and 2 drying is plenty. Check out theragcompany.com for really quality microfiber towels. Just make sure that you use separate towels for the paint and your wheels. Also, don’t use dryer sheets when drying the towels as they will absorb the oils then streak your paint the next time you use them. If you can’t tell, I’m somewhat of a detailing fanatic, but I also like to make it as easy and efficient as possible. |
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11-07-2022, 06:42 PM | #7 |
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It’s super helpful, thanks. The whole thing can be overwhelming and paralyzing. What I really want is a simple process that I can setup and actually do. If I make it too complicated or time consuming, then I won’t do it.
A couple more questions: How many wash cycles (wash/dry car, then wash/dry towels) can I get out of the towels before I need to replace them? Looks like they make a “rinseless wash” and a “waterless wash” - you’re recommending the “rinseless wash,” right? |
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11-07-2022, 07:40 PM | #8 | |
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I’ve had my current towels for months. You want to wash them with a liquid detergent that is dye and perfume free or a dedicated microfiber detergent. Wash on warm/cold cycle then dry them on low heat. Anything above low heat will slowly destroy the fibers. |
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11-07-2022, 11:14 PM | #10 |
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HA! You would think but it's great to have a little more than not enough. Remember to never reuse a microfiber until washed, or if dropped on the ground, needs to be washed.
Oh, and the Rag Company is great stuff! Great choice. PS- P&S have a great microfiber detergent named "Rags to Riches"
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11-08-2022, 09:21 AM | #11 |
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Alright... the two of you have been helpful, thanks!
Part of what I'm trying to do is to simplify this to just a handful of products that I can use for preservation/protection and light cleaning without creating a complicated routine. How about interior? (Beige Sensatec) To continue the profile - two adults, no kids. We're pretty clean people with no really messy hobbies (except hiking), but we live in SoCal, so sunscreen is always a concern. While we don't habitually eat/drink in the car (meaning, that our daily routine does not include coffee/donuts or soda/burger), we don't have an outright prohibition against food, either. (However, eating cheetos while riding in a car with beige sensatec interior will be outright prohibited!) Additionally, while it will take a couple of weeks to get it scheduled and completed, we do intend to install llumar Air80 on all glass surfaces for UV & heat protection. I'm thinking of doing something like CarPro InnerQD on a regular (2 week? 4 week?) basis from the beginning -- using it on pretty much all of the interior surfaces (trim, screens, dash, handles, etc.). It's attractive to me because they suggest that it can be used on every interior surface, has a matte finish, and some antistatic properties to help repel dust. At some point down the road, a heavier cleaner (CarPro Inside?) may be needed for more heavily soiled components. Questions: 1) Does that plan seem reasonable? (or overkill/not-enough?) 2) Should I be doing a UV protectant first? If so, what? 3) Is InnerQD a good "best bang for my buck" product that will work on multi-surfaces? Additionally: A) How about the leather steering wheel -- InnerQD OK there, or should I use a different product? B) How about the llumar air 80 on my windows -- InnerQD? Or yet another product? |
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11-08-2022, 12:21 PM | #12 | |
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11-08-2022, 01:28 PM | #13 |
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Are these the leather products you're suggesting?
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...1VCSLB0K&psc=1 |
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11-09-2022, 10:04 PM | #14 |
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If you have the ability to rinse the car off. Why not do something like gyeon can coat ceramic coating and get an ego leaf blower. You can just spot clean the dirtier areas with normal soap and water and rinse the rest of the car off then air dry with the ego. It'll be fast and have minimal swirling risk on the car. This is what I used to do at my condo only difference is that I had a full ceramic coating.
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11-10-2022, 10:49 AM | #15 | |
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Also, I'm trying to avoid water waste...we're not really setup for hose washing/rinsing where I live. Thanks, though! |
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11-10-2022, 11:11 AM | #16 |
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Alright... after reading all the advice here and other places, watching YouTube videos., etc. - here's where I landed:
Inventory:
Initial Work upon purchase:
Every 2-3 weeks:
Every 2 washes:
Every 3-6 months or as needed:
How'd I do? Any comments or adjustments? I've probably spent about $250... which is probably a little more than I intended... however, it should cover me for almost a year of washing before I have to start replacing product. Last edited by SoCalJon; 11-10-2022 at 11:19 AM.. |
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11-11-2022, 05:32 PM | #17 | |
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11-11-2022, 05:58 PM | #18 | ||
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11-11-2022, 09:11 PM | #20 |
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11-11-2022, 09:58 PM | #22 | |
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Next I’ll have to upgrade my garage lighting. This is getting expensive ! |
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