Haven't posted here in a while... I just got a new car (Mazda 6, will make thread later) and I'm determined to keep this car in excellent condition. Keeping my last car clean was kinda my weak point. I cleaned it like once every 2-3 months (if that). I had dust on my dash, stains on the paint that I didn't tend to right away (bird poop) How often do you guys clean your car? Tips on waxing? I hear different methods need to be used depending on the car. Product recommendations for the interior? Random question, does waxing provide any protection against constant sun exposure? My old 2000 galant seemed to have the paint wash out slightly over the years from always being parked in the sun. I can't help that though, I live in Miami
Car wash soap + soft wash rag. Non-scratching soft towel to dry. Wax once a year. Considering it's 3 degrees outside now, that bitch can stay dirty. It's in winter mode anyways. And I'm not sure but I think you're pretty much screwed as far as paint fade, kind of like how unless you store your car in winter up here, the shit will rust no matter how hard you try.
I only worry about it when it's extremely dirty. I might have it detailed one of these days, but I've been afraid of doing that ever since I saw what they did to my dad's car when he took it to our local detail shop. Right now, the inside of my car smells like sweaty balls....
I copy/pasted this from OT. There's one guy who's a detailing expert and this was his EDU. More for everyone in general.
I never wash my car. The only time it gets washed is a few times a year when I get those free car wash vouchers to use at the local gas station from my car dealer when I go in for an oil change. I just focus on maintenance, I don't care about cosmetics anymore.
Buy an electric leaf blower to dry the car after washing. Also never let bird shit or tree sap etc. sit on the paint for any considerable amount of time.
I've only washed my car once. I'll wipe off bird shit, but I have to park under a tree, so washing my car is an effort in futility.
Yes. Also works with shop air if you have the right filters and driers inline. The elecrtic leaf blower method works well because you getmost of the water off the car quickly without any compressor oil contaminating the surface as with un treated air compressors. The best adice I can give is to wash it when needed, wax once in awhile and clay bar twice a year. Most importantly, park the car in a garage whenever possible. Paints are getting better and better but paint oxidation is still a problem with mass amounts of elemental exposure.
