[imaginos]

Okay, I'm no stranger to keeping an automobile clean. I've been pretty good about hand washing my vehicles at LEAST 2x a month during the warm weather months and DIY car washes (w/pressure wand) during the winter months when its just too cold to go outside. In other words, while I'm not anal retentive about a clean car, I don't exactly just let the rain wash the car either.

With that said, I've finally decided to treat myself and my wife and just ordered a 335i sedan and I need to know what kind of special treatment it may need. All the cars I've ever owned have been run-of-the-mill US domestics (Dodges, Chevy's, Pontiacs). Don't get me wrong, I'm not knocking the cars - they have been great - but I've never owned any vehicle this expensive and I do not want to screw up the paint job by using inferior products.

Currently, when I hand wash, I use what I think is a fairly good car wash purchased at the local AutoZone. For polishing, I use McGuire's carnuba wax for clear coats. For the inside I use Armour All. Now, these products are great for the vehicles I own now, but will these cut it for the 335i? Is there some specific wash/wax/interior products I should research? Can someone recommend some products (if that's allowed here)? Also, my workflow for cleaning my cars now is:

1) Park car in shade.
2) Spray off with garden hose to loosen dirt.
3) Use Gunk to get off tar, bugs.
4) Pour bucket of water with car wash soap over car. Let sit for a couple minutes.
5) Wash car with car wash sponge.
6) Hose off with garden hose.
7) Dry with towels.
8) Clean interior.

*** Wax 4x per year

I've seen on these detailing forums that other folks go to a WHOLE lot more trouble. Should I expect to do more than this to keep the 335i up to snuff, or are those folks just being anal? (Yes, I know this is a subjective question)

Sorry if I sound a bit ignorant, but I just want to learn more. Yes, I've done searches on this forum and many others, and while people talk about "I zaino'd my car today", and "here's how to wash the car", I can't seem to put together any of this into REAL recommendations. Perhaps I'm just not looking at the right threads.

Thanks in advance for any assistance.

imaginos

[BzsBimmer]

I would follow Picus's steps on how to prep your car.

I would wash, clay, and wax/polish.
Look at the sticky's on this forum

[tirana]

There are lots of professionals on this site and as pointed out, they've been very generous in their advice. To get to the quick of your question, there are several things you really should change in your procedure. Firstly, dump the sponge. It'll scratch. Replace with a couple of hand mitts (about $10 from a good hardware or motor product store). Use two buckets, one with soap the other with clean water dunk the mitt into the clean water after each "application" of the wash to the car (to remove the dirt associated with it). Move the mitt from front to back of the car in a straight motion and start at the top as its the least dirty. Don't "swirl or scrub" with the mitt. Buy a bunch of microfibre clothes (at least 10). Most damage is due to reapplication of dirt thats been moved from lone area to another.

The rest of the procedure is really up to you. Some people swear by a series of products and machines and, as with anything, it depends on what you pay and how much time you can dedicate. It's probably a good idea to do a thorough wash, glaze, seal and wax at the beginning of the nicer weather and then you can "get away" with wash and wax for a few months. Just stay away from railled car washes and contact car washes.

You'll certainly appreciate the lines of your car all the more if its lacking paint swirls but the degree to which you apply yourself to keeping the paint in tip-top shape is going to be influenced by the time you are willing to dedicate to the task. It's a lot of fun and a good work-out.

[jay10990]

here ya go check out the how to section for a nice straight forward guide, pics coming soon


E92 328i

[sinnet112]

Do what tirana said, and also read this -

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=41760

and lose the Armor All. I stand by a certain line of products (not Zaino, like most of the rest of the forum) and I'm quite satisfied with the results (You can click my garage to see it). It's all going to come down to how much you want to put into it. Treat it nicely, and it'll reward you in return. I typically wash my car once a week (hosing it down, adding a spray seal) and it looks stunning for the better part of the week but it really is going to be up to you.

[bmw0perat0r]

I in your general direction.

[imaginos]

Nice imocon touch!

Thanks to all that responded. I have been checking out the other threads and have been learning a lot. I'm still not sure about whether its best to seal or wax. Waxing I know, sealing I do not.

Also, I figured the Armour All should be left behind in favor of something better. I'll have to pull some specific products out of these threads.

Cool car pics too. I'll put some up as soon as I take delivery.

Thanks again for being so kind.

imaginos

[TahoeOG]

Regarding Armorall, NEVER EVER EVER has there product come near your car, specially interior.

Regarding exterior, member above have gave some good info. Follow them well. As a member once told me when i asked this was "nothing is written in stone". You can try things out. What i've purchased and used from recommendations from the members and am 110% happy is:

Interior leather or leatherette (Zaino Z9 leather cleaner and Zaino Z10 Leather conditioner) Can be used on seats dashboards etc... It leaves everything in GREAT condition and smell is addictive

Outside. I litteraly just finished doing the twice a year full wash to my car and in looked BETTER than when it came out of the dealership. I used.

Zaino car wash
Maguiars Clay bar kit (clay bar, exterior detail spray, micro towel)
Zaino AIO
Zaino CS

My cars feels SMOOOOOOOTTTTHHHH... NEVER felt that smooth before. I actually took pics and will post today when get home... check them out. I'm actually leaving work in 30 minutes so i'll post them today. Good luck.

OH, one thing that helped me out ALOT! clean your rims first. not last. I use Maguiars ALL whell for that. If you ask me, Ziano i trust becouse of members suggestions, and after i used it, i believe. And maguiars never let me down as well. for glass i use maguiars glass cleaner.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=53039

Here's some pics of my regular wash without clay bar, without Zaino AIO, without Zaino CS....

i'll post up new pics later today, pics dont do it justice, and the feelings of the car is the BEST. not only does it look good, but it FEELS ohh sooo good.!

[darkcloud]

Originally Posted by imaginos

Thanks to all that responded. I have been checking out the other threads and have been learning a lot. I'm still not sure about whether its best to seal or wax. Waxing I know, sealing I do not.

There is no difference in the application and removal process from a sealant or a wax. The sealant is there for just that purpose, after you do all your prep work(wash, clay, polish) the sealant then creates an obvious protection layer. Sealants depending on brand last between 3-6 months. Wax's don't necessarily protect your paint as a sealant will.

With your choice of jet black you should definately read up on the new car prep, you picked a hard color to take care of. Depending on your budget for car care products you can do just about anything. You hear a lot of talk about Porter Cable Polishers(PC for short). The PC is used the apply polish waxes, which is usually a 2 step process. This step helps remove swirls, light oxidation and many other minor paint defects. I just got one and frankly the PC is a must! It also helps save your back and legs haha.

Here are the steps I took:

-Wash using Menzerma Auto Shampoo using a sheepskin mitt(you must have 2 different mitts at the least, 1 for the rims, 1 for the car)
-Dry; a good waffle weave MF towl or even "the absorber". Bloch dry, do not wipe dry. Wiping will cause swirling, even just after the wash.
-Clay the car. I used the Meguiars kit. Follow the steps on the box or on this forum. It's not as hard as you think it will be.
-Polish, step 1; Using the PC and a Orange pad(slightly abrasive pad to cut through swirls and such) and Menzerma Intensive Polish.
-Polish/buff, step 2; Using PC and a white pad(helps buff the paint and bring the shine back) and Menzerma Final Polish II.
-Sealant, this step seals in all the work you just did. I use Poorboys EX-P.
-Wax, this is just the icing on the cake. I use Poorboys Natty's Blue wax.
-Do the final touches. ie clean glass(I use Invisible Glass, amazing product), rainx if you like, clean plastic moldings(I use Aerospace 303), and I really suggest waxing your rims. You can use general wax or there are specific wheel waxes, I have Poorboys wheel sealant. Also clean the interior.

This can be all done in one day, just set aside an entire Saturday or Sunday. I bought all my products for just about $320 shipped to my door from Detailed Image, http://www.detailedimage.com/store/ , I contacted George(name on the forum is 'Detailed Image') told him what I wanted as for my car care and he suggested all my items and helped me in how to use them.

I'd def. contact George or Picus and they'll be more then happy to help you. Or feel free to send me a PM with any questions.

-Garrett


Edit: Oh and please buy some good MF towls. Either from detailed image, or get Cobra MF towls(you can get them at autogeek.net) or Pakshack towls, www.pakshack.com I learned not all MF towls are a like. Throw away the ones from autozone or use them as junk towls. A good MF towl will help keep your paint swirl free. I know you'll look at cobra or pakshack and think, "$40 for 10 MF towls!, This guy must be nuts." But think about it, you just spent all this time washing, claying and now polishing to help remove paint defects and swirls, and now your going to use a terry cloth towl thats been the all purpose towl used for everything but drying off after a shower or a cheap MF towl. All the work you just commited too will get ruined by not using a good MF towl to remove your waxes.

Plus you just dropped $40k on prolly one of the cars you always dreamt of owning, IMO only top tier products will be used on my car, and I think you feel the same since you started this thread.

[bmw0perat0r]

Bump for good advice.

[Dleo]

+1 on never EVER using armorall on the interior

[sinnet112]

Originally Posted by darkcloud

-Sealant, this step seals in all the work you just did. I use Poorboys EX-P.
-Wax, this is just the icing on the cake. I use Poorboys Natty's Blue wax.
-Do the final touches. ie clean glass(I use Invisible Glass, amazing product), rainx if you like, clean plastic moldings(I use Aerospace 303), and I really suggest waxing your rims. You can use general wax or there are specific wheel waxes, I have Poorboys wheel sealant. Also clean the interior.

Excellent choice in products. Not enough people know about PoorBoy's unfortunately

OP - Zaino Z9/Z10 for the leather and interior. ArmorAll has been proven to dry out your leather rather than protect it

[vkk]

Originally Posted by darkcloud

-Dry; a good waffle weave MF towl or even "the absorber". Bloch dry, do not wipe dry. Wiping will cause swirling, even just after the wash.

Edit: Oh and please buy some good MF towls. Either from detailed image, or get Cobra MF towls(you can get them at autogeek.net) or Pakshack towls, www.pakshack.com I learned not all MF towls are a like. Throw away the ones from autozone or use them as junk towls. A good MF towl will help keep your paint swirl free. I know you'll look at cobra or pakshack and think, "$40 for 10 MF towls!, This guy must be nuts." But think about it, you just spent all this time washing, claying and now polishing to help remove paint defects and swirls, and now your going to use a terry cloth towl thats been the all purpose towl used for everything but drying off after a shower or a cheap MF towl. All the work you just commited too will get ruined by not using a good MF towl to remove your waxes.

Plus you just dropped $40k on prolly one of the cars you always dreamt of owning, IMO only top tier products will be used on my car, and I think you feel the same since you started this thread.

Great advice -- I just bought and used Cobra towels on my car and I was amazed. First time I've ever experienced them. The Waffle Weave especially took my breath away -- never thought you can dry like that -- One towel dried my whole car instantly.

My detailer recommended Prima Hydro as a wax as you dry product and that's also great -- quick waxing after washing and the car looks great. This isn't a long lasting wax like carnauba but is good if you've sealed the car using a sealant like Klasse or FMJ. I'm doing it after every wash.

[TahoeOG]

Originally Posted by etherbored

you've used leather conditioner on your plastic composite dash...?

Plasic conposite NO. for things like radio and center trim where my gears are, etc... i use Maguiars interior quick detail... I forgot to mention that. That is a great product as well. Smells pretty good, does not leave it greasy, and in some cases repels dust. I find less cleaning, and it makes it looks new, not artificial new.

As for my dash and stuff like that it's ok to use zaino z10 after all the sun will hit them as well, and you don't want your dash to get harmed. I will get the sun reflector from bmw oem and having tints also play a good role in protection against the uv raise.

quoted from zainostore.com z10
"Z-10 Leather in a Bottle™ leaves a non-sticky, greaseless, stain repelling, natural luster and restores the supple feel and smell of new leather. Does a great job on vinyl interiors and dashboards too"

<-- for their products

[Ninjaneer]

Originally Posted by darkcloud

Edit: Oh and please buy some good MF towls. Either from detailed image, or get Cobra MF towls(you can get them at autogeek.net) or Pakshack towls, www.pakshack.com

Minor correction: it's http://pakshak.com/

[darkcloud]

Originally Posted by Ninjaneer

Minor correction: it's http://pakshak.com/

Good catch

[TiAg335i]

Originally Posted by billmister

Regarding Armorall, NEVER EVER EVER has there product come near your car, specially interior.

Pretty ignorant statement. While I agree in part, Armor All Orginal Tire Shine (foam and spray) is some of the best stuff I've come across. I think it's somewhere around $2.50 for a can too. Great for wheel wells. Excellent cleaning ability and with a few swipes after application it looks even better. But for the rest, most of it is trash, especially the greasy dash protectants.

The only grip I have about the Armor All Tire Foam is that is stains driveways, streets, etc.

[darkcloud]

Originally Posted by TiAg335i

Pretty ignorant statement. While I agree in part, Armor All Orginal Tire Shine (foam and spray) is some of the best stuff I've come across. I think it's somewhere around $2.50 for a can too. Great for wheel wells. Excellent cleaning ability and with a few swipes after application it looks even better. But for the rest, most of it is trash, especially the greasy dash protectants.

The only grip I have about the Armor All Tire Foam is that is stains driveways, streets, etc.

I wouldn't say it's ignorant, he just has strong feelings about a generally bad product. You are saying the tire shine is a 'OK' product yet you don't seem to use it for its intended purpose. I say at $2.50 a can you can find a better product, even one that won't stain your driveway.