Over-washing/waxing?

[Beavis]

I recently purchased an '08 Si. This being my first new car, I obviously want it to look it's best. However, I'm also concearned about the life of my clearcoat and "overwashing it away." So, when comes to washing and waxing, how much is too much?
Also, I've been using Mequire's Speed-Detailer between washes at home. Is this a product that's possible to "overuse?"

[P1ng]

hmmm im not too sure u will have a big problem on that unless u wash ur car everyday then maby in 5 years ull notice something lol

[jsnymeyer]

Hey man, I take it you have a NHBP too from the looks of your avatar. Here is what you should do with ANY black car:

1.) Garage it (if you can).
2.) Buy a car cover (this is a MUST. I can give you a link to the site I got mine from if you don't have one). If you don't have a garage, DO NOT let your car sit out in the sun for more than an hour without covering it.
3.) Any long trips you take, or ones where you're going to be on the freeway, tape up your bumper and hood. This will protect it from rock chips and bugs mostly.
4.) As for washing, once a week is a very good idea. Twice a week, if it actually gets somewhat dirty.
5.) I'd say wax every two to three months. Just rub the back of your hand over the paint, and if it's not silky smooth, then it's time to wax again!
6.) Claybar every six months.
7.) Using Meguiar's Quik Detailer spray is very handy, and don't worry about using this stuff too much! Every time it rains on my car, I use this to get the water spots off afterwards. Also, it's a really good idea to use this after the first wash that comes after a wax. Just go over the whole car with it and it will actually help reinforce the wax/give it more protection.



If you have any questions, man, don't be afraid to ask me or anyone else on here. We're all generally pretty nice people

[thatsnotstock]

I 'wash' my car on a biweekly basis. I don't think your going to harm it if you're washing it every week. I wouldnt go using abrasive cleaners that often, though!

However, I do an 'all out' wash/wax about once every six weeks.

Yesterday was the first day I brought a clay bar into the mix, it looks AMAZING!

[j-bo]

Basically, wash/wax as much as you want!

2.) Buy a car cover (this is a MUST. I can give you a link to the site I got mine from if you don't have one). If you don't have a garage, DO NOT let your car sit out in the sun for more than an hour without covering it.

I disagree with that statement. Most people would ruin their cars with car covers that will pull surface dirt/contaminants across the paint. To each their own though.

[NitrousG35]

I wash at least once a week, often more. I wax once a week as well. I also use quick detailer between washings/waxings. It is better to protect your paint that to let contaminants and the sun damage it. If you use the right products, you will be fine. Just remember to use a good shampoo, microfiber or sheepskin mitt and good mf drying towels.

[moosehead]

Originally Posted by jsnymeyer

Hey man, I take it you have a NHBP too from the looks of your avatar. Here is what you should do with ANY black car:

1.) Garage it (if you can).
2.) Buy a car cover (this is a MUST. I can give you a link to the site I got mine from if you don't have one). If you don't have a garage, DO NOT let your car sit out in the sun for more than an hour without covering it.
3.) Any long trips you take, or ones where you're going to be on the freeway, tape up your bumper and hood. This will protect it from rock chips and bugs mostly.
4.) As for washing, once a week is a very good idea. Twice a week, if it actually gets somewhat dirty.
5.) I'd say wax every two to three months. Just rub the back of your hand over the paint, and if it's not silky smooth, then it's time to wax again!
6.) Claybar every six months.
7.) Using Meguiar's Quik Detailer spray is very handy, and don't worry about using this stuff too much! Every time it rains on my car, I use this to get the water spots off afterwards. Also, it's a really good idea to use this after the first wash that comes after a wax. Just go over the whole car with it and it will actually help reinforce the wax/give it more protection.



If you have any questions, man, don't be afraid to ask me or anyone else on here. We're all generally pretty nice people

Hey jsnymeyer, what kind of tape do you use on long trips, just masking tape? That must take a while to apply, but sounds worth.

[thatsnotstock]

Originally Posted by moosehead

Hey jsnymeyer, what kind of tape do you use on long trips, just masking tape? That must take a while to apply, but sounds worth.

PAINTER'S TAPE!!!

[jsnymeyer]

Originally Posted by j-bo

I disagree with that statement. Most people would ruin their cars with car covers that will pull surface dirt/contaminants across the paint. To each their own though.

This does happen. However, if you're careful and take care of your car cover, you shouldn't have any contaminants on the inside of the cover. Just follow the directions on how to best put on and take off the cover, along with a monthly wash, and you should be fine

Originally Posted by moosehead

Hey jsnymeyer, what kind of tape do you use on long trips, just masking tape? That must take a while to apply, but sounds worth.

Originally Posted by thatsnotstock

PAINTER'S TAPE!!!

Yes, painter's tape is awesome, but if you can get your hands on it, get console tape. The adhesive residue left behind after you take it off is even less than painter's tape.

[maiku]

Originally Posted by jsnymeyer

This does happen. However, if you're careful and take care of your car cover, you shouldn't have any contaminants on the inside of the cover. Just follow the directions on how to best put on and take off the cover, along with a monthly wash, and you should be fine





Yes, painter's tape is awesome, but if you can get your hands on it, get console tape. The adhesive residue left behind after you take it off is even less than painter's tape.

How is it possible to not have any contaminants inside the cover if your covering a dirty car? That's where the contaminants come from that the other person tried to point out. The car has dirt on it, you put cover on and off and it will inevitably move the dirt across the paint in an abrasive way.
I'd rather have a clean, swirl-free ride than to bother with the hassles of covering it all the time.
It's great to have a garage. ^_^v
As others have said. It's not that you can wash/wax too much, it's that you need to make sure your doing it properly and with the right products and equipment. If you do it wrong, washing will put swirls in the paint every time you do it because of improper technique. There's some good threads here that can give you all the info you need.

[MFDOOM44]

i have a 08 TW. i do a full wash/clay bar/wax about once a month. and every weekend i wash my car with a sheep skin glove and nu finish soap. then i use the meguiars speed detailer. i'm startin to think washing a car once a week is excessive too

[gjh07]

Hey guys. I have an 07 black sedan and it looks like I have real fine water spots stuck in the paint and some swirl marks. I want to use a clay bar but I thought that those took off a coat of clear coat. Can someone clarify for me. I am a big fan of the new ICE series from Turtle Wax. It does wonders and it is super easy to use.

[j-bo]

those took off a coat of clear coat

No. It takes off surface contaminants.

[Taffetawhitey]

If you're worried about rock chips on the highway, do it right the first time and get a clear bra kit. They are awesome and barely noticeable. Masking Tape Looks like complete Azz not to mention the possibilty of leaving tape residue due to the suns' heat and underhood temps leaving you having to remove with solvents and rags.

And for the car cover, any amount of dust will work away at the finish like sand paper in the wind. Just try to make an effort to move it out of the sun if possible. I detailed cars for quite a while years ago and I know as well as most of you do that Black, especially a metalic black, is a bear to take care of. So just take your time and you'll be fine

[borabora1989]

Originally Posted by jsnymeyer

Hey man, I take it you have a NHBP too from the looks of your avatar. Here is what you should do with ANY black car:

1.) Garage it (if you can).
2.) Buy a car cover (this is a MUST. I can give you a link to the site I got mine from if you don't have one). If you don't have a garage, DO NOT let your car sit out in the sun for more than an hour without covering it.
3.) Any long trips you take, or ones where you're going to be on the freeway, tape up your bumper and hood. This will protect it from rock chips and bugs mostly.
4.) As for washing, once a week is a very good idea. Twice a week, if it actually gets somewhat dirty.
5.) I'd say wax every two to three months. Just rub the back of your hand over the paint, and if it's not silky smooth, then it's time to wax again!
6.) Claybar every six months.
7.) Using Meguiar's Quik Detailer spray is very handy, and don't worry about using this stuff too much! Every time it rains on my car, I use this to get the water spots off afterwards. Also, it's a really good idea to use this after the first wash that comes after a wax. Just go over the whole car with it and it will actually help reinforce the wax/give it more protection.



If you have any questions, man, don't be afraid to ask me or anyone else on here. We're all generally pretty nice people

Is it really necessary to cover the car if it sits in the sun over an hour? What if we go to the mall, park, I don't know. I mean we drive civics and we love them but IMO thats alittle too much.
Everything sounds just about right! I have mad rock chips, living in Boston is the worse for cars.

[kenchan]

not too worried about over waxing but i would be worried if you keep washing it
so often that you're not giving all the parts time to completely dry. it will promote
corrosion.

if you wash often, drive it around the block to rid the water in the crevises
where your leaf blower/compressed air can not reach, especially if it's garaged
during the week. i run a dehumidifier in the garage for 8-9hrs after washing my
fun cars.

[boltuprite]

I clean my car almost daily.

sometimes it's a full wash, sometimes just some spot cleaning, and sometimes just a dusting with my California Car Duster.

a clean car runs so much better!

Paint hasn't come off yet

[thatsnotstock]

Originally Posted by boltuprite

I clean my car almost daily.

sometimes it's a full wash, sometimes just some spot cleaning, and sometimes just a dusting with my California Car Duster.

a clean car runs so much better!

Paint hasn't come off yet

you mean the California Car Scratcher, right?

[Trigon]

Originally Posted by jsnymeyer

3.) Any long trips you take, or ones where you're going to be on the freeway, tape up your bumper and hood. This will protect it from rock chips and bugs mostly.

Not even 3k miles and i have some good size pits in my bumper, and two areas where the paint is chipped off on the hood. I gotta stop at dealer somtime to get some touch up paint, I guess

[huanqi]

Heres some tips i picked up from when i got my Si till now

1. Wash using 2 bucket method (w/ grid guard if possible)
2. use fine lambwool washing mit and high quality waffle weave or lamb skin to dry car.
3. do not overuse carwash soap
4. when drying...DO NOT over do it...
this is the perfect example: ur drying a spot, n its not perfect..so u keep scrubbing it till its clean and u go to the next one and when ur done u see some more imperfections n u go over it and scrub n scrub..this is what a LOT of people do, and what i used to do too..this damages the paint and actually removes clear coat too.
5. Correct drying method "do once or twice passovers one area" (trust me its enough) or if u have the time (washing in a garage or in shade)...u can do the blob method..takin the waffle weave or ur dryin material...blob at each area to suck up the water..this might take a lil long so u can try this AFTER ur regular dryin methods (one-two passovers each area)..and any small wet spots u can just blob it out instead of goin back and scrubbin it.
6. use a detailing product inbetween waxes..i personally go with meguir's ultimate quick detailer (works like a charm).

Now regarding car cover...some guy said dont park ur car outside for over an hr in the sun....without usin car cover. Now i dont mean to attack ur idea...but that is not only redundant but ineffective.

A car cover is not effective if u use it everyday...its designed to store a car for a long period of time. If u take it off and put it on everyday it wont be effective, because once u take it off to drive the car or what not..pollent and dirt will get on the car or evne into the cover..and when u put it on the car next time...all the dirt and pollent gets trapped in there. So car cover is good, but if u have a garage its good enough. U dont need to hide ur car away from the elements LOL...especially if u wash/dry correctly..u should be fine, and to top it off..wax/polish once or twice a month, ur car will look brand new even after years :]]