Detailing 101: Common Question and Answers, What and Where to buy stuff + Technique

blackie · 04-17-2006, 04:30 PM

DavidN: just one more question. As I mentioned above, I'll be picking up my new car soon. I plan to clean it as follows:

1. Dawn
2. Clay
3. Zaino (times 3)

Question: will I need to wash again after the clay and before the Zaino? Or is wiping off excess QD (lube) with the towel the most I need to do?

Cheers

330i · 04-25-2006, 08:23 PM

Viking and Mcguiars have chantilly mitts and sponges are they any good they feel soft and are deep pile to pull the crud in. They also have microfiber mitts and towels with silk boarders anybody use these?

bimmernotbeamer · 04-26-2006, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackie

DavidN: just one more question. As I mentioned above, I'll be picking up my new car soon. I plan to clean it as follows:

1. Dawn
2. Clay
3. Zaino (times 3)

Question: will I need to wash again after the clay and before the Zaino? Or is wiping off excess QD (lube) with the towel the most I need to do?

Cheers

As you long as you wipe the clay lube off each section as you are going along then you will not need to rewash the car. However, if you wait until you are finished claying the whole car before drying the lube off then I would advise washing the car.

bimmernotbeamer · 04-26-2006, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 330i

Viking and Mcguiars have chantilly mitts and sponges are they any good they feel soft and are deep pile to pull the crud in. They also have microfiber mitts and towels with silk boarders anybody use these?

Go with the chenille wash mitts for washing. The MF towels are fine for QD'ing, removing wax, etc. I wouldn't use MF mitts for washing. The pile is not deep enough and can cause scratches if dirt gets trapped.

330i · 04-27-2006, 07:37 PM

thanks David

blackie · 04-29-2006, 02:59 AM

Thanks David

Tien · 04-30-2006, 03:35 PM

does Z7 good enough the clean the windows? to removes road film, stubbborn stains etc...

what window product do you recommand?

thank you

bimmernotbeamer · 04-30-2006, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tien

does Z7 good enough the clean the windows? to removes road film, stubbborn stains etc...

what window product do you recommand?

thank you

I like Z7. It is a good car wash. If you have a lot of grime, use a stronger concentration. But to answer your question, it is good enough to clean stubborn stains, etc.

For windows. I usually use a damp cloth to wipe them down, followed by a dry cloth to remove any excess moisture from the damp cloth. This works well for me. I find cleaner just streak and smear the dirt around not really cleaning anything.

Tien · 05-01-2006, 12:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidN

I like Z7. It is a good car wash. If you have a lot of grime, use a stronger concentration. But to answer your question, it is good enough to clean stubborn stains, etc.

For windows. I usually use a damp cloth to wipe them down, followed by a dry cloth to remove any excess moisture from the damp cloth. This works well for me. I find cleaner just streak and smear the dirt around not really cleaning anything.

thank you ~

NPinUK · 05-08-2006, 02:37 PM

What is the normal drying time for p21s wax before buffing it off??

bimmernotbeamer · 05-08-2006, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NPinUK

What is the normal drying time for p21s wax before buffing it off??

P21s is a wax on wax off type of wax. No drying or hazing is required. For expample, apply p21s to a section, (half the hood, half the roof, etc), then immediately wipe off with a quality towel.

DesiInCT · 05-08-2006, 10:53 PM

WOW, this is an amazing post. You should be charging people (not me

) for providing such information. I will try all steps you mentioned but if I do 50% of the those, I would be happy. Thank You DavidN.

bimmernotbeamer · 05-08-2006, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DesiInCT

WOW, this is an amazing post. You should be charging people (not me

) for providing such information. I will try all steps you mentioned but if I do 50% of the those, I would be happy. Thank You DavidN.

Not a problem! Glad to be of service to my fellow bimmer owners!

NPinUK · 05-09-2006, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidN

P21s is a wax on wax off type of wax. No drying or hazing is required. For expample, apply p21s to a section, (half the hood, half the roof, etc), then immediately wipe off with a quality towel.

Thanks David.

markrhall · 05-11-2006, 07:02 AM

So are the Viking microfiber drying towels okay to use to dry the car once all the dirt has been removed? I have been using terrycloth bath towels, but everyone here seems to recommend the MF towels.

bimmernotbeamer · 05-11-2006, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markrhall

So are the Viking microfiber drying towels okay to use to dry the car once all the dirt has been removed? I have been using terrycloth bath towels, but everyone here seems to recommend the MF towels.

Waffle Weave MF towels are great for drying. I used to use Terry towels but prefer MF. As long as your Terry towels are 100% cotton (including the backing - which can be polyester on some "100% cotton" towels sold) then you will be fine using those if you like them.

FlyingFinn · 05-12-2006, 01:43 AM

Is there something special I'd need to know when polishing small, narrow or very curved surfaces with PC? I mean when the polishing pad is not on the surface with its whole area. For example the top part of the front fender when hood is up or A pillars etc.

bimmernotbeamer · 05-12-2006, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlyingFinn

Is there something special I'd need to know when polishing small, narrow or very curved surfaces with PC? I mean when the polishing pad is not on the surface with its whole area. For example the top part of the front fender when hood is up or A pillars etc.

No, nothing special to know per say. You may encounter a bit of splatter when polishing areas smaller than the pad because some of the pad is not in contact with any of the paint.

FlyingFinn · 05-13-2006, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidN

No, nothing special to know per say. You may encounter a bit of splatter when polishing areas smaller than the pad because some of the pad is not in contact with any of the paint.

O.k. Thank you very much again David.

Neurorad · 05-31-2006, 12:18 PM

Quick tip - when ordering products online, use Google to search for coupon codes, e.g. autogeek + coupon.

just saved 10% at autogeek.

Fantastic write-up. Thanks a bunch.

Deathspank · 06-26-2006, 01:15 AM

Great Post... already washed my 330i with your rec'd products .. looks spiffy!

I went all over town looking for the Klasse stuff....is it online only? Once I find the AIO/SG... can you use the AIO by hand or only w/ the PC?

What do you rec' for the interior leather/plastics? I used Mother's protectant on the dash etc and Lexol on the leather... anything better?

Thx for the thread.. its great!
DC

Asiann · 06-26-2006, 02:33 AM

Nice post! I will have to look at this again when I get time to wax. Good stuff!

04-17-2006, 04:30 PM	#45
blackie Enlisted Member 1 Rep 46 Posts Drives: Sapphire Black 325i 06 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Vancouver, Canada iTrader: (0)	DavidN: just one more question. As I mentioned above, I'll be picking up my new car soon. I plan to clean it as follows: 1. Dawn 2. Clay 3. Zaino (times 3) Question: will I need to wash again after the clay and before the Zaino? Or is wiping off excess QD (lube) with the towel the most I need to do? Cheers __________________ Sapphire Black 325i '06 \| Lemon Dakota Leather \| 6 speed manual \| Standard Canadian Spec Last edited by blackie; 04-18-2006 at 11:06 AM.. Reason: Editorial
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04-25-2006, 08:23 PM	#46
330i Enlisted Member 3 Rep 40 Posts Drives: 2006 330i Premium and Cold Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Washingon iTrader: (0)	Viking and Mcguiars have chantilly mitts and sponges are they any good they feel soft and are deep pile to pull the crud in. They also have microfiber mitts and towels with silk boarders anybody use these?
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04-27-2006, 07:37 PM	#49
330i Enlisted Member 3 Rep 40 Posts Drives: 2006 330i Premium and Cold Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Washingon iTrader: (0)	thanks David
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04-29-2006, 02:59 AM	#50
blackie Enlisted Member 1 Rep 46 Posts Drives: Sapphire Black 325i 06 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Vancouver, Canada iTrader: (0)	Thanks David __________________ Sapphire Black 325i '06 \| Lemon Dakota Leather \| 6 speed manual \| Standard Canadian Spec
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04-30-2006, 03:35 PM	#51
Tien New Member 0 Rep 18 Posts Drives: 330i SG Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Vancouver iTrader: (0)	does Z7 good enough the clean the windows? to removes road film, stubbborn stains etc... what window product do you recommand? thank you
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05-08-2006, 02:37 PM	#54
NPinUK Private First Class 7 Rep 199 Posts Drives: E90 325i M Sport Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: UK Midlands iTrader: (0)	What is the normal drying time for p21s wax before buffing it off??
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05-08-2006, 10:53 PM	#56
DesiInCT Second Lieutenant 22 Rep 202 Posts Drives: 330i Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: CT iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 Lexus RX 400h [0.00] 2006 330i [0.00] 2005 Kettcar - SALZ ... [7.00]	WOW, this is an amazing post. You should be charging people (not me ) for providing such information. I will try all steps you mentioned but if I do 50% of the those, I would be happy. Thank You DavidN.
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05-11-2006, 07:02 AM	#59
markrhall New Member 0 Rep 5 Posts Drives: 2006 330i black sapphire Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Rogers, AR iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	So are the Viking microfiber drying towels okay to use to dry the car once all the dirt has been removed? I have been using terrycloth bath towels, but everyone here seems to recommend the MF towels.
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05-12-2006, 01:43 AM	#61
FlyingFinn Second Lieutenant 21 Rep 294 Posts Drives: M235i Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Finland iTrader: (0)	Is there something special I'd need to know when polishing small, narrow or very curved surfaces with PC? I mean when the polishing pad is not on the surface with its whole area. For example the top part of the front fender when hood is up or A pillars etc.
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05-31-2006, 12:18 PM	#64
Neurorad Major 89 Rep 1,224 Posts Drives: 2017 340xi Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Location, Location iTrader: (0)	Quick tip - when ordering products online, use Google to search for coupon codes, e.g. autogeek + coupon. just saved 10% at autogeek. Fantastic write-up. Thanks a bunch.
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06-26-2006, 01:15 AM	#65
Deathspank New Member 0 Rep 7 Posts Drives: 2006 330i Sparkling Graphite Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Austin Tx iTrader: (0)	Klasse AIO/SG Great Post... already washed my 330i with your rec'd products .. looks spiffy! I went all over town looking for the Klasse stuff....is it online only? Once I find the AIO/SG... can you use the AIO by hand or only w/ the PC? What do you rec' for the interior leather/plastics? I used Mother's protectant on the dash etc and Lexol on the leather... anything better? Thx for the thread.. its great! DC
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06-26-2006, 02:33 AM	#66
Asiann Got Seoul? 118 Rep 2,862 Posts Drives: 2012 535i MSport Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Honolulu iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 BMW 535i [0.00] 2008 750Li [0.00] 2006 BMW [0.00]	Nice post! I will have to look at this again when I get time to wax. Good stuff! __________________ Can you say Alooooha? [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
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