[SCA]

Originally Posted by db17k

i was first using turtle wax

Turtle Wax? That stuff is total shit!

[diesel007]

Originally Posted by db17k

i was first using turtle wax, which i quit using after about 3 months because when buffing off the wax it'd tend to flake off then scatter all over the rest of the car. So i'd then have to buff/wipe all the flakes off in addition! Also it seemed a little abraisive

Since then i've been using Meguiars gold class wax liquid i just use an old t-shirt to apply it and terry clothes to wipe it off.



that's been working fine and it smells great.

You may want to take a look at the detailing section of this forum. Applying wax with a t-shirt is not good. You are going to miss a lot of paint and the chemicals in the wax are not going to bond to your paint. This may be the problem with your RSX. I also have a feeling that you are not properly prepping your paint before you start your detailing process. You thought your clear coat was fading, but you probably were getting a hazing effect from layering wax on top of wax. This can make the clear look dull.

[db17k]

Originally Posted by diesel007

You may want to take a look at the detailing section of this forum. Applying wax with a t-shirt is not good. You are going to miss a lot of paint and the chemicals in the wax are not going to bond to your paint. This may be the problem with your RSX. I also have a feeling that you are not properly prepping your paint before you start your detailing process. You thought your clear coat was fading, but you probably were getting a hazing effect from layering wax on top of wax. This can make the clear look dull.

that could have been it!, i put a coat of wax on every other week for a while there. hmmm thanks for the heads up. i'll read up on the prep process for sure (claybar?).

oh and Touche there good fellow.

[diesel007]

Originally Posted by db17k

that could have been it!, i put a coat of wax on every other week for a while there. hmmm thanks for the heads up. i'll read up on the prep process for sure (claybar?).

oh and Touche there good fellow.

If you have any questions drop me a PM.

[db17k]

So i think this was the problem,

Q: What is the purpose of claying?
A: The purpose of claying is to remove any imbedded contamination from the surface of your paint, contamination that washing alone cannot remove.

Q: How do I know if I have any imbedded contamination in my paint?
A: You’ll know if your paint feels sandy/gritty when you run you fingers across it.

so i was wondering if you use a claybar very often?

and then there was this being said about removing swirls

Q: You recommend polishing with a finer polish to remove the haze caused by the more abrasive polish. Why does the more abrasive polish haze to begin with? Is this a defect?
A: No. The more abrasive polishes are supposed to work this way. They will remove the bigger swirls with diminishing abrasives that will level some clear off your car. The abrasives won’t break down enough to leave a totally uniform finish, thus producing a hazy look. To remove the haze you will need to step up to a finer polish and pad combination.

using polish kind of sounds sketchy unless you know exactly what your doing. Do you ever use polish, well not on your E90 yet, but in the past?

it gives detailed instructions for all of these procedures, but i'm kind of wondering how many people actually do it themselves i guess

jeez maybe i should enroll in a class

[poldim]

Klasse is some pimp sheeeeeeiiit.

http://www.google.com/search?q=klass...en-US:official

[Lost Rider]

I take mine to get washed every 4 to 8 days, depending on the weather. Mostly because of the wheels.
Handwash with freshly cleaned mitts, and pH balanced soap.
If you're in chicago, and want a great place to bring your BMW, PM me for the info.

[db17k]

oooooohhhhhh!, alright i've been reading this detailing 101 thread for about an hour now and i just wanted to say i found this toward the end of the lesson, and it sort of justifies my logic, even though Diesel pointed out what i was doing wrong. so here we have both.

Originally Posted by DavidN

"I’m also not a fan of the quick detail in between washing, or worse yet, as a replacement for washing. No amount of qd can replace the thick suds of good car wash soap. No qd can lubricate and safely lift winter dirt and salt off your car safely. I guarantee you will create swirls using this method. Remember, friction is the enemy. The less you touch your car, the less micro marring you put in the clear coat. This goes not only for winter washing and drying, but also for year round washing and drying."

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9145

so there, i'm not "completely" ignorant when it comes to washing a car

[NaTuReB0Y]

who cares.........i just wanna a clean car to drive!

[Collanrf]

Yup, you're right. I have jet black and i need to wash it everyweek. It's better to have silver. You don't see the dust that much.

[diesel007]

Originally Posted by db17k

oooooohhhhhh!, alright i've been reading this detailing 101 thread for about an hour now and i just wanted to say i found this toward the end of the lesson, and it sort of justifies my logic, even though Diesel pointed out what i was doing wrong. so here we have both.



http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9145

so there, i'm not "completely" ignorant when it comes to washing a car

Your right in a sense. He is explaining that using quick detailer as a replacement for washing is not recommended, (something I agree with). The only point I am trying to make is this:

Swirl marks are inevitable. They can be dramatically reduced with the use of a double bucket system and micro fiber mitts and towels. So whether you are washing your car once a week or once every year your going to get swirls. The great thing is that there are products out there that we can use to detail our cars with, that if used correctly (no old college t-shirt applicators) can eliminate the swirls.


Better to wash more often then less. Swirls can be removed, things like baked on brake dust, bird poop, sap, and water spots can leave permanent damage on you cars finish if not removed with frequent washes.

And I don't think you are ignorant.

[findtom]

I've given up trying to keep my car clean at this point. Anyone in a similar climate with a black car will understand. Washing your car in Montreal in January is like a surgeon performing miracle surgery on a patient... and then seeing them run over by a bus the moment they leave the hospital.

[EVO_S4]

atleast once a week

[scottz5]

whenever its warm!

[shragon]

once a week or once every two weeks, depending on how dirty it is. i haven't washed the e90 since i got it (early jan), due to the rain that's been off and on.