I live in a city centre with underground parking so its tricky to wash with a bucket and sponge! On the plus side there are a few garages with pressure washers, where you have the option of a pressure wash thing and a brush. I wouldn't dare use the brush, but wonder if the pressure wash with a sponge inbetween cycles might be quite effective - how do other memebers without a driveway clean theirs? (its a roadster so car wash out of the question!)
How best to clean a sappire black Z4?
- Thread starter alexman
- Start date
Pressure wash it then drive it back home, dry it and stick some Meguiars Gold Class polish on it. Brilliant for black cars.
Smokin said:
just found the article (in a mag browse at lunchtime) - unfortunately it isnt on the web site yet (Performance Car) and I just put the mag out for recycling this morning
They used Ultimate Detail... sounds good... there is actually a quote from the magazine on the home page
Same problem here.
Yes, the pressure washer at the garage is fine. As you say just don't use the brush under any circumstances! Also forget the wax as it's useless, just rinse and dry, polish / wax at home. IMO garage jet washes taking paint off is a myth unless the car is badly painted; it could if you use the high powered type designed for washing patios, masonary, etc but if you put your hand in the stream one of those, it bloody hurts so you would definitely know not to use it on the car. The garage ones are fine.
Alternatively a decent hand car wash can do a good job as long as they use the right gear. A soft wool mitt type cloth and NOT sponges is what you want to see, as well as them rinsing them regularly. If they use that rubber blade to sweep off water prior to drying, don't go back! Clean drying cloths - real chamoix, terry towels, whatever - are also good. I've tried four hand washes in Central London and one (strangely the cheapest) does it right. My car is black so needs doing twice a week...
Yes, the pressure washer at the garage is fine. As you say just don't use the brush under any circumstances! Also forget the wax as it's useless, just rinse and dry, polish / wax at home. IMO garage jet washes taking paint off is a myth unless the car is badly painted; it could if you use the high powered type designed for washing patios, masonary, etc but if you put your hand in the stream one of those, it bloody hurts so you would definitely know not to use it on the car. The garage ones are fine.
Alternatively a decent hand car wash can do a good job as long as they use the right gear. A soft wool mitt type cloth and NOT sponges is what you want to see, as well as them rinsing them regularly. If they use that rubber blade to sweep off water prior to drying, don't go back! Clean drying cloths - real chamoix, terry towels, whatever - are also good. I've tried four hand washes in Central London and one (strangely the cheapest) does it right. My car is black so needs doing twice a week...
Thanks for all of your comments. I washed it last night by hand for the first time. Used garage pressure washer on a cycle of hot shampoo then rinse (pressure spray only). Technique was:
1) Rinse Car and clean wheels with sheepskin wheel cleaner (softer than hard brushes and seems to wipe away dirt more effectively)
2) Shampoo car with spray
3) Wipe down with turtle mitt (very effective deep nap variety)
4) Rinse
5) Dry with Aqua Dry pad (chamois leather with holes in to dry).
This seems to work well, albeit with some water marks which seems to be impossible to get off without waxing, which I didn't have time to do last night. I was tempted to then dry further with a microfibre cloth but thought this might end up scratching the paint - what type of wax and waxing technique do you recommend?
Also, I can't help noticing now there are faint swirl marks on the car, most likely from cleaning by a previous owner or from a waxing.. surely most black Z4s have this if you look close up?! It looks stunning from a foot away, its just when you start to be really picky you notice these things!! :roll:
1) Rinse Car and clean wheels with sheepskin wheel cleaner (softer than hard brushes and seems to wipe away dirt more effectively)
2) Shampoo car with spray
3) Wipe down with turtle mitt (very effective deep nap variety)
4) Rinse
5) Dry with Aqua Dry pad (chamois leather with holes in to dry).
This seems to work well, albeit with some water marks which seems to be impossible to get off without waxing, which I didn't have time to do last night. I was tempted to then dry further with a microfibre cloth but thought this might end up scratching the paint - what type of wax and waxing technique do you recommend?
Also, I can't help noticing now there are faint swirl marks on the car, most likely from cleaning by a previous owner or from a waxing.. surely most black Z4s have this if you look close up?! It looks stunning from a foot away, its just when you start to be really picky you notice these things!! :roll:
I think we all have swirls a bit, unless you've just had it corrected. I use Megs Gold Class on my sapphire black and she's stunning. There are other high quality waxes out there and there have been a few threads.
I'm hoping for a nice warm, dry day (we're into spring rains now) so I can wash, clay bar and wax my coupe.
I'm hoping for a nice warm, dry day (we're into spring rains now) so I can wash, clay bar and wax my coupe.