- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
Advice wanted on car wash/car products at home
Posted on 6/10/25 at 8:36 am
Posted on 6/10/25 at 8:36 am
The last 13 years I've been driving a 2011 mailbu and it's treated me just fine. Since it's old I have no issues just running it through the local car wash when needed. A month ago I got a new (to me) 2023 vehicle and because it's still in such good shape I kinda wanted to avoid taking it to the car wash since that might be a tad more harsh than just washing at home. I haven't washed my own car in damn near 20 years so looking for input on what I need with an emphasis on not messing up the paint.
I assume all "car wash soaps" are the same from one to the next so my biggest question is about drying. Is there specific kind of towel I need to look for that avoids scratches? Any kind of material or brand?
I assume all "car wash soaps" are the same from one to the next so my biggest question is about drying. Is there specific kind of towel I need to look for that avoids scratches? Any kind of material or brand?
9
Posted on 6/10/25 at 8:48 am to WG_Dawg
People stress about ruining the clear coat on new cars. As long as you're not using "too much" dish soap, it'll be good enough. I wouldn't waste money on soap cannons and all that. Just buy some microfiber cloths and do all the washing and drying with that.
I'll spray the windshield with rain-x and use Meguiar's quick wax after washing.
I'll spray the windshield with rain-x and use Meguiar's quick wax after washing.
Posted on 6/10/25 at 8:52 am to WG_Dawg
I used the Chemical Guys wheel cleaner to supplement going through mechanical no touch washes, and they have tons of YouTube tutorials, maybe start there.
I think one of the biggest keys is to get a bucket that has a screen at the bottom so that you're not dragging crap you've gotten off your car back onto your car. But I've also been going through no-touch washes for years in multiple new vehicles with none of the after affects that occurred back in the 90s-2000s. You just have to be picky about which you hit.
I think one of the biggest keys is to get a bucket that has a screen at the bottom so that you're not dragging crap you've gotten off your car back onto your car. But I've also been going through no-touch washes for years in multiple new vehicles with none of the after affects that occurred back in the 90s-2000s. You just have to be picky about which you hit.
Posted on 6/10/25 at 8:55 am to LemmyLives
quote:
I used the Chemical Guys
I use them for a few different things and like them. I just checked the their website and they have towels too. Might just go with that!
Posted on 6/10/25 at 9:01 am to WG_Dawg
Depends on how far you want to go with this. Soap cannon is used as a non contact prewash to remove dirt before the contact wash is performed. This lessens the chances that scratches can occur. One of the main things to avoid scratches is to keep your wash mitts clean. As far as products, look at Adam's or superior products if you want an economical bulk supply
Posted on 6/10/25 at 9:10 am to Ricardo
quote:
I'll spray the windshield with rain-x
You know they sell bug wash Rain-X windshield wiper fluid, right? I only use the old school Rain X on my mirrors, cameras, and driver/passenger windows now.
Posted on 6/10/25 at 9:13 am to WG_Dawg
quote:
A month ago I got a new (to me) 2023 vehicle and because it's still in such good shape I kinda wanted to avoid taking it to the car wash since that might be a tad more harsh than just washing at home
congrats on your new car…I have been needing to get one since before Covid. My advice would be to not spend too much money on cleaning products…you’ll likely be taking your new car to the car wash before too long!
Posted on 6/10/25 at 10:26 am to WG_Dawg
you are at the very edge of a deep rabbit hole. Not all soaps are the same and not all products are the same. Best thing you can do is stay away from car washes with the brushes since they can scratch the paint. You can go crazy with ceramic coat or with a nice wax every few months. I prefer waxing myself but if you are busy ceramic last longer.
Posted on 6/10/25 at 10:31 am to Dolphinepride
quote:
You can go crazy with ceramic coat or with a nice wax every few months.
You can go crazy with anything. Anything can become a hobby if you care enough. That, ChrisFix! guy made a lot of money showing how to clean a car and do basic car maintenance.
If I ever notice I'm becoming too OCD about a certain particular topic, then I change to something more productive. There's a point of diminishing returns on most things.
Posted on 6/10/25 at 5:13 pm to Ricardo
MaxL 
Posted on 6/10/25 at 8:55 pm to WG_Dawg
Costco was running this for $50 the last few weeks:
The dirt trap for the bucket will help clean your wash mit between buckets. I don't think this included a second bucket but you would want another that is strictly for getting your wash mit clean with shampoo.
If you want to get more effective on the wash, get a garden hose foam sprayer attachment. It won't create the same suds you get from a pressure washer, but it does the job just fine. You will also want a large drying towel that is 2'x3' to ensure you dry. Amazon has plenty.
If you want tire shine, i would buy VRP from chemical guys. It works on interior but also makes tires and black plastic stand out, but it is slick so don't put it on something you want your free on. Get a cheap set of applicators and an applicator specific to tires.
I just happen to have CG products but i know Adam's does a fine job too. You can go wild and see some of the intense shite people use on YouTube. I don't think it's necessary. Only thing i can suggest that's extra you should consider down the road is a clay kit. It will pick up extra contaminents that don't wash off immediately. Soaps that have waxing properties are cool but have much less noticeable effects compared to a full wax job.
The dirt trap for the bucket will help clean your wash mit between buckets. I don't think this included a second bucket but you would want another that is strictly for getting your wash mit clean with shampoo.
If you want to get more effective on the wash, get a garden hose foam sprayer attachment. It won't create the same suds you get from a pressure washer, but it does the job just fine. You will also want a large drying towel that is 2'x3' to ensure you dry. Amazon has plenty.
If you want tire shine, i would buy VRP from chemical guys. It works on interior but also makes tires and black plastic stand out, but it is slick so don't put it on something you want your free on. Get a cheap set of applicators and an applicator specific to tires.
I just happen to have CG products but i know Adam's does a fine job too. You can go wild and see some of the intense shite people use on YouTube. I don't think it's necessary. Only thing i can suggest that's extra you should consider down the road is a clay kit. It will pick up extra contaminents that don't wash off immediately. Soaps that have waxing properties are cool but have much less noticeable effects compared to a full wax job.
Posted on 6/10/25 at 9:35 pm to WG_Dawg
I use two mitts… one for the lower 1/3 and the bumper/grille, and the other for everything else.
2 buckets, one soapy and the other for rinsing the dirty mitts each pass (this bucket gets emptied and refilled repeatedly.
Sonax is great for wheels. I spray, wait, then go over the wheels with this brush, and then use the remaining soapy water, runoff of Sonax and a tire brush to scrub the tires. I’ll follow all of that up with a rinse and a misting/wipe of tire shine.
2 buckets, one soapy and the other for rinsing the dirty mitts each pass (this bucket gets emptied and refilled repeatedly.
Sonax is great for wheels. I spray, wait, then go over the wheels with this brush, and then use the remaining soapy water, runoff of Sonax and a tire brush to scrub the tires. I’ll follow all of that up with a rinse and a misting/wipe of tire shine.
Posted on 6/10/25 at 10:11 pm to LemmyLives
quote:
You know they sell bug wash Rain-X windshield wiper fluid, right? I only use the old school Rain X on my mirrors, cameras, and driver/passenger windows now.
The Rain-X wiper fluid is simply a Rain-X branded product, not the water repellant Rain-X everyone associates with it.
For a true water-repellant finish on your windshield, use Rain-X windshield treatment after polishing your windshield with a cutting compound. You can use the hardest cutting compound you can find since glass won't scratch. I typically use an orange pad and Meguiar's M105 on a dual-action polisher. Any hard cutting compound will work. Then wipe clean and apply the windshield repellant directly to your glass. This assures the repellant sticks directly to the glass and not to the dirt and grime embedded in the glass. Then you can enjoy not having to use your windshield wipers on the interstate if you so desire.
Project Farm had a good comparison recently.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9iRDsigK9E
Posted on 6/11/25 at 6:51 am to slinger1317
quote:
I love nerdy shite like this, but I could only make 17 seconds of that high pitched dude yelling at me
He’s very enthusiastic
but his comparisons have led to quite a few purchases. It’s also pretty impressive when something cheap as dirt outperforms the top dollar stuff. Posted on 6/11/25 at 7:25 am to bapple
quote:
For a true water-repellant finish on your windshield, use Rain-X windshield treatment after polishing your windshield with a cutting compound. You can use the hardest cutting compound you can find since glass won't scratch. I typically use an orange pad and Meguiar's M105 on a dual-action polisher. Any hard cutting compound will work. Then wipe clean and apply the windshield repellant directly to your glass. This assures the repellant sticks directly to the glass and not to the dirt and grime embedded in the glass. Then you can enjoy not having to use your windshield wipers on the interstate if you so desire.
How long would you say this typically lasts? 6 months? 1 year? More?
Thank you sir.
Posted on 6/11/25 at 7:35 am to Ziggy
quote:
How long would you say this typically lasts? 6 months? 1 year? More?
As long as you don’t wash the windshield with a strong degreaser like dawn or the purple stuff and keep it free from bug guts and dirt it should last indefinitely. The main thing is not letting stuff settle and adhere to the glass. Hard water spots also will prevent water from beading up.
So if you take a long drive and have a ton of bugs on the windshield just use the washers and clean up the rest of the windshield not too long after the guts are there. Same for if you wash the car with a hose - don’t let the water cook on the windshield and sit there for weeks.
Posted on 6/11/25 at 8:35 am to WG_Dawg
Best product for making tires pretty and shiny. Easy to apply and keeps them looking great for a while.
Posted on 6/11/25 at 10:58 am to Dolphinepride
quote:
You can go crazy with ceramic coat or with a nice wax every few months. I prefer waxing myself but if you are busy ceramic last longer.
Cerakote Paint Sealant
I put this on my truck last year and it still beads. It could not be easier to apply.
Spray it on and wipe it in. Let it dry and wipe off. Excess comes off easily without a bunch of rubbing like you have with wax or paste polish.
Posted on 6/11/25 at 3:50 pm to bbvdd
Not gonna lie I enjoy the process. Sometimes I don't want to rush getting done and instead take my time working alone on things. I do think ceramic coating is the way to go though.
Page 1 of 2
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News