I wash the coupe when the white doesn't look very white anymore. Then I dry it off with an old bath towel I stole from my wife. I try to put some wax on it once a year. I built it to drive, not wash and wax. Gene
Hey G, Your Pontiac is one cool car. Well, before I threw away the original size duster, I used it on the wheels. But, they just swirled the brake dust around. The little tiny duster was much better in actually taking the dust off of the wheels. It was a newer gift from years ago. The most recent usage was in 2000-2004 on two factory black, painted cars. The black was nice from the factory, but Colonite Wax made them much better, almost as good as my old 1958 black Impala. During those early days, the dust was hosed off in a fast wash/dry mode. Teenagers had the time and energy needed to showcase their cars, always. When we had two black cars from 2000-2004, they never got dirty over three days before the drive way wash took over. My neighbors thought I was a fanatic. But, the black paint needed to be clean. After a day in the garage, I used a new California Duster and the paint was ok. After several months, the duster got loaded up and started the swirl patterns. So, they were used elsewhere as noted above. What is the best way to avoid the swirls? and keep the car clean? The previously mentioned spray detailers from the different manufacturer usually does the trick. It is a mini wash and the liquid soaks the dust, so your clean cloth absorbs everything for a nice clean surface without swirls. We spend our free time walking past the cars in the garage. If the light shows a layer of dust, the top surfaces, hood, trunk, and roof get the detail spray cleaning. The lowers don't show as much dust. It takes a few minutes of spray and wipe to get the cars clean. Jnaki I am the car (caretaker) upkeep person, but the spray detailer is handy enough for my wife to get out there and spray off some of the bird ****/tree droppings. When she notices it or I gently mention or ask what is that stuff on the hood, it works...Ha... The paint looks good, we are happy and the detailing gallon of stuff lasts forever. These days of California water shortages, the detailing spray fits right into the whole pleasant scene. It is politically correct if that is important. The spray detailers are great for just about any surfaces. It is a true spray and wash with the added benefit of a small amount of wax. When we owned a sailboat, the marina suggested to all owners to cut down the water usage. So, at first, it was a bucket of water and a wet mop. Then they were replaced with the spray and wash detailers and the water usage dropped significantly. It was the same at home with the weekly spray and wash detailing. It is almost a true water-less cleaning of the valuable daily drivers.
Man, this an old thread. Here is what I do, a couple of ounces of your favorite liquid wax (liquid lustre works great for this) in a spray bottle and fill with water, shake well before using
I use a product from an auto detail supply in Newport Beach Ca. It’s pink and I get it by the gallon…. A good way to save..
Griots garage sells a blue detail spray that cleans chrome and gl*** as well as painted finishes without streaking (no silicone). Paint room safe is a plus.
My Chemist Neighbor formulates all of his products. Great stuff ! He’s a car guy. https://ppcbest.com/ Perfect Detail is great stuff / I use it.
I feel sorry for you "shiny paint guys". No $3K in paint cost, no color sanding, buffing or waxing. Just cheapo dish soap (not Dawn), bucket of water and a sponge.
Yeah, yeah. And if I shaved off all my hair I wouldn't need shampoo and conditioner. I prefer shiny paint and golden locks...well grey/gold/pewter?
bucket of clean water , a cleaning cloth,,,, ring out the water and wipe down the paint and gl***. Rinse rag in bucket of water, ring out , repeat Cost - $0.00
I use Griot’s Garage detailer for touch up cleaning, for washing I use Griot’s rinse less car wash, a few once's in a gallon of water, a micro fiber and an old time hand ringer that is mounted to my shop sink. I have also found and recommend this product for aluminum and chrome, I have never used anything that works better. https://dura-coating.com/collections/all/products/blue-premium-metal-polish-16oz
I had to go back and see what I wrote back in 2019. I'm happy to report not much has changed, other then I drive the truck more then the coupe now. Truck left the paint shop with really shiny paint (not what any of us expected), fortunately, the color hides the dirt pretty well, so I wash it when it looks real bad.
All these 'miracle sprays' most claiming to be silicone or better yet, silica based are pretty much snake oil. Saw an ad on the net for a miracle paint scratch healer. Video showed spraying it on a gray primer based scratch on a red car, a squirt, one wipe and a perfect paint job. I knew it was a scam but was just too curious what they were peddling so ponied up $19 for a 1 oz bottle. I was shocked. They actually listed honest ingredients; distilled water and surfactant. I have no clue why they distilled the water (really doubt they did) but surfactant is soap. They were selling nothing but soap water. Hot rods shouldn't be covered in bog mud so a wipe down with a California duster and a microfiber cloth wet with water or a mix like recommenced by Mark should be all that is needed. Keep it waxed with liquid Turtle wax. Great wax and enuf mild abrasive to keep the surface slick.
Show cars use duster and detailer. Hot rods need washed. I've never polished a car with wax. They are just cars shiny or not.
A friend from Tulsa who owned a chemical company, had a name brand spray ****yzed. Just mix 2 oz. of ArmorAll with a gallon of distilled water. Works great!
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