As I mentioned in another thread, baby has to stay outside because the wife's '07 x-type has domain over our 1 car garage. I cover her to protect her from the NJ elements. Problem: neighbors hate when I turn the street in front of our townhouse into a skating pond. Can't put the cover on a dirty car it's like sand paper. Saw an ad for "Spray On Car Wash" sold by Griots garage. This may be just what I need to keep the villagers from coming after me with torches and pitchforks. Anyone use this product? What do you think? Jack

 

I've used spray type car washes....and have been very unimpressed. They aren't the nicest to use and don't seem to get the car all that clean. I tried one last year in semi-cold weather and it quickly turned to slush on the car. I just used warm water. Tell them to use their torches to melt the ice

 

Nobody said it would be easy here in NJ.

FWIW, I use one of those wash-it-yourself places. It has nice hot water and a sunny (on occasion) area to dry things off. Gets me through the winter without much effort. No hose to put away either.

If they add a coffee machine, I'll buy a season pass.

 

I have a heater in my garage and have used Meguiar's Quik Detailer with a micro fiber cloth. It's a spray on/wipe off that works OK if you car is not to bad to start with. I don't think it would work outside in the cold, but is garage that is in the 60's its OK

 

dennis07, That's why I love these forums. Totally forgot about the wash yourself in a neighboring town. It's a seedy area and didn't like the looks I was getting when I went with the wifes first x-type 7 years ago. If I time it so I'm there before the crazies wake up and put the local SWAT on speed dial this can be a definite option. Jack

 

I've used the Kozak cloth to wipe down many of my cars for 50 years!

It's great to remove a coating of dust and light dirt. I don't recommend it for cars coated with mud or heavy crud. Use it in between your regular car washes.

 

Pophen,

Your car wash sounds like a really exciting place. It's way too rural here for anything that might compete.

FWIW, the best thing I ever found to use on the wheels when doing this kind of wash is something called BikeBrite, which is sold as an all-over motorcycle cleaner. Not caustic, works great. (Also not cheap but, hey, it's cold out there; speed is of the essence.)

 

dennis07 What town is your wash yourself in? I don't mind driving to make my girl look pretty. Jack

 

Jack,

Many miles away, I'm afraid. Google zip code = 07853 to see where we are.

 

I`ve very suprised nobody has suggested the superb Optimum No Rinse which is a perfect product for your needs.
Extremely well thought of in all detailing circles, I`ve used it for a couple of years without problem.
http://optimumforums.org/index.php?a...e&do=item&id=3

 

If your in the northern part of Monmouth Cty, there is one on Route 18S in East Brunswick - safe & clean

 

Baby got her bath today. Mother Nature gave us 40+ degrees for a couple of hours today. A good hosing to get rid of the heavy stuff including wheel wells. Then lots of suds on a soft long bristled brush. Don't like to use rags or wash mits. There too much of chance for hard stuff to be rubbed around on the finish. I use any car wash that's easy on wax. Every couple of washes I use Dawn dishwashing liquid. It's great for convertable tops. It's a degreaser so any area where the wax is thin it might take it off. I used to final rinse with the Mr.Clean tool. We have very hard water and the filter in the tool takes out all the calcium etc. No water spots!!!! Haven't been able to find the filters laterly so I keep the whole car wet until I'm finished with the suds. To dry I picked up some very plush bath towels at a walmart white sale. $5 a piece. I just lay them on the hood, trunk, and hold against sides of car. No rubbing. After a few minutes the car is 90% dry. Now I go over the whole car with some micro-fibre towels. She's looking pretty. Just in time for another round of snow. Jack

 

The house has hardwood floors so I use Murphy's soap. It does a great job, and leaves a very pleasing fragrance on the car that fills the garage for a day or so.

 

Any dish washing liquid will take the wax off!! Do not use it.

 

I'm using glass cleaner everyday for 6months now. does it give no good for the paint?

 

I use Turtle Wax Wax and Dry. It goes on after the rinse, gives a good shine and beads for months. The best and easiest wax I have used. Now I wax the car after every wash to eliminate the water marks.

 

Only use products made for automobile paints! Clearcoat paints tend to give false impressions of paint protection.

 

I tried the lazy route after our last bout of snow, I took the xj6 down to the no touch car wash, figured I get a quick wash and grab some dinner. Worked great till I pulled into the dinner and couldnt get out. Frozen solid, all the doors ... Drove back to the heated wash and ran it through again, this time opening the doors and taking the extra time to DRY the door jabs. If your in NJ, y'all have been getting some real snow!
I have used Meguiars motorcycle ez clean spray. Nearly zero suds but higher pressure was needed for the wheels and front grille area.