Wash or Detail?

SonicGerm · 04-23-2008, 09:12 PM

I just picked up my car from the dealer today. AWESOME! Anyway I drove on the highway for about 70miles on the way back hitting just about every bug in the state. Pretty upset. Does it have an initial coat of wax on it or do I need to do a full initial wash and wax on it? Or should I just get it detailed?

Thanks!

sinnet112 · 04-23-2008, 09:13 PM

You should do an initial clay, wash, and wax no matter what anyway. There is so much residue left from transport that you need to get rid of it or it's going to get trapped on there for a long time.

AJayE92 · 04-23-2008, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sinnet112

You should do an initial clay, wash, and wax no matter what anyway. There is so much residue left from transport that you need to get rid of it or it's going to get trapped on there for a long time.

+1

goody · 04-23-2008, 09:20 PM

+1 i got mine detailed the day after i picked it up and it looks amazing.

SonicGerm · 04-23-2008, 09:45 PM

so will the detail cover the clay and stuff? everything right?

demosthenes · 04-23-2008, 11:41 PM

I picked up my Black Sapphire 328 about 6 weeks and it was perfect! The paint was perfectly smooth and it had NO swirl marks. But it needed a layer of protection.

I used Zaino products and I'm VERY happy with the results.

SonicGerm · 04-24-2008, 06:21 AM

Yeah it looks really good I just got bugs all over the front I guess I'll just use the detailers guide to wash it and put a coat of wax on it. Also how do I clean bugs off the headlights I used a microfiber towel and some warm water but I still think I may have put a few light scratches in them... maybe it's my head. I'm pretty sure I have OCD right now. They should be fine right? damn it.

Thanks for all the advice.

demosthenes · 04-24-2008, 07:22 AM

Hopefully some professional detailers will chime in here. I'll tell you my views...

I've found that lots of water, a very soft wash mitt or cotton towel, constantly turning the wash mitt or towel , applying minimum pressure and constant rinsing are the keys. We have to avoid picking up grit and then using that same portion of wash mitt or towel over and over again and using pressure to rub that grit into the surface we are cleaning. For example, I had a bird dropping on my car. So what do I do? Do I wash the whole car to get rid of the dropping? Do I wet my sheepskin mitt and clean just the dropping? Do I wait until I my next car wash?

I soaked the wash mitt in a bucket with good quality car wash liquid, soaked the dropping with water, very gently rubbed the area by folding the wash mitt and leaving lots of padding between my hand and car, constantly rinsed the car and wash mitt and constantly changed the portion of the wash mitt I was using. It worked perfectly. It left no scratches or swirl marks in my black paint.

Hope that helps.

04-23-2008, 09:12 PM	#1
SonicGerm Master Shake 22 Rep 177 Posts Drives: 2016 BMW X1 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Colorado iTrader: (0)	Wash or Detail? I just picked up my car from the dealer today. AWESOME! Anyway I drove on the highway for about 70miles on the way back hitting just about every bug in the state. Pretty upset. Does it have an initial coat of wax on it or do I need to do a full initial wash and wax on it? Or should I just get it detailed? Thanks!
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04-23-2008, 09:13 PM	#2
sinnet112 Major 31 Rep 1,118 Posts Drives: 2009 E89 Z4 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: NJ iTrader: (1) Garage List 2007 335i Coupe [0.00] 2007 328xi Sedan [0.00]	You should do an initial clay, wash, and wax no matter what anyway. There is so much residue left from transport that you need to get rid of it or it's going to get trapped on there for a long time. __________________ Z4 sdrive30i \| Deep Sea Blue \| Ivory White Nappa Extended Leather \| ZSP
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04-23-2008, 09:20 PM	#4
goody Private 0 Rep 61 Posts Drives: 2008 E90 335 xi Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: N. VA iTrader: (0)	+1 i got mine detailed the day after i picked it up and it looks amazing. __________________ _____________________________________________ E90 335xi Jet Black \| Black Leather \| Sports Pkg w/18's \| Premium Package \| Cold Weather \| Auto \| Nav \| Sirius \| 6FL
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04-23-2008, 09:45 PM	#5
SonicGerm Master Shake 22 Rep 177 Posts Drives: 2016 BMW X1 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Colorado iTrader: (0)	so will the detail cover the clay and stuff? everything right?
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04-23-2008, 11:41 PM	#6
demosthenes Major 50 Rep 1,162 Posts Drives: E90 328i 6MT Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: SF Bay Area iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 328i sedan [0.00]	I picked up my Black Sapphire 328 about 6 weeks and it was perfect! The paint was perfectly smooth and it had NO swirl marks. But it needed a layer of protection. I used Zaino products and I'm VERY happy with the results.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-24-2008, 06:21 AM	#7
SonicGerm Master Shake 22 Rep 177 Posts Drives: 2016 BMW X1 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Colorado iTrader: (0)	Yeah it looks really good I just got bugs all over the front I guess I'll just use the detailers guide to wash it and put a coat of wax on it. Also how do I clean bugs off the headlights I used a microfiber towel and some warm water but I still think I may have put a few light scratches in them... maybe it's my head. I'm pretty sure I have OCD right now. They should be fine right? damn it. Thanks for all the advice.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-24-2008, 07:22 AM	#8
demosthenes Major 50 Rep 1,162 Posts Drives: E90 328i 6MT Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: SF Bay Area iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 328i sedan [0.00]	Hopefully some professional detailers will chime in here. I'll tell you my views... I've found that lots of water, a very soft wash mitt or cotton towel, constantly turning the wash mitt or towel , applying minimum pressure and constant rinsing are the keys. We have to avoid picking up grit and then using that same portion of wash mitt or towel over and over again and using pressure to rub that grit into the surface we are cleaning. For example, I had a bird dropping on my car. So what do I do? Do I wash the whole car to get rid of the dropping? Do I wet my sheepskin mitt and clean just the dropping? Do I wait until I my next car wash? I soaked the wash mitt in a bucket with good quality car wash liquid, soaked the dropping with water, very gently rubbed the area by folding the wash mitt and leaving lots of padding between my hand and car, constantly rinsed the car and wash mitt and constantly changed the portion of the wash mitt I was using. It worked perfectly. It left no scratches or swirl marks in my black paint. Hope that helps.
	Appreciate 0 Quote