It's about time that I earn my title around here....

[Flounder]

So if not Dawn (I usually use dollar store dish liquid myself), what do you recommend for regular washing (w/o waxing)? I've tried a few different car washing mixes over the years and nothing seems to soap up as well as dish liquid. Thanks for the help.

During a wash, I usually change my soapy water 3 or 4 times. Most washes do not give enough suds to last a full wash. But, even more importantly, changing the water keeps particulate matter from getting back onto the wash mitt and you rubbing it into the surface. Alternatively, you can use the two bucket method--dip in soapy water, wash, flush in clean water, dip, soap, flush, etc. It's another way to keep the wash mitt relatively pure.

As for a better soap, anything Meguiars makes in the gallon size is good for a quick wash (bulk is the way to go). I tend to use the wash by the maker of my sealant just because I know it will not remove the sealant.

 

[Patton]

AdamCKach - I got my car painted in July. I was wondering when it is safe to start washing and waxing like you are doing again.

 

[Bill Kemp]

So, why the switch from Zaino?
The finish looks really good and in pics I'm sure you cant tell the difference but can you in person? I have been so sold on Zaino, mainly because of its ability to last through the winter, that I would have a hard time changing.
Why did you?

 

[CDW6212R]

Good work Adam. I like the Turtle Wax car soap, the orange gallon jug is handy and lasts for years. It makes great suds, whereas the OReilly's crap soap makes almost no suds.

Use at least two wash mitts. Use one mitt solely for above the halfway mark, never use it below that. Another mitt should only be used for under the halfway mark, and for wheels/tires. Night,

 

[Flounder]

AdamCKach - I got my car painted in July. I was wondering when it is safe to start washing and waxing like you are doing again.

You should be good to go now. The usual recommendation is not to wash it for one month, and not to wax it for three months.

So, why the switch from Zaino?
The finish looks really good and in pics I'm sure you cant tell the difference but can you in person? I have been so sold on Zaino, mainly because of its ability to last through the winter, that I would have a hard time changing.
Why did you?

Bill--

Check out autopia.org's comments on Jeff's Werkstatt (e.g., http://autopia.org/forum/detailing-...f-werkstatt-products.html?highlight=werkstatt). At the end of the day, they're really similar products--durability lasts for months, easy on/off, base sealant then spray sealant, all in a synthetic acrylic form (though they also offer a carnuba-based line, too).

It basically came down to price and Zaino's seeming-to-be never-ending "next best thing." I was frustrated with Zaino's new sealant CS--6 ounces for thirty bucks? Come on.... Werkstatt comes in a 500 ml (about 17 ounces) for $16.00. Reading reviews, they're really comparable in all categories. I look at Werkstatt like I did Zaino five years ago--kicking the big boys by doing it as well, or better, for much less money.

And, I know opinions are like sphincters, but here's two from Autopia:

-----

(Yeah - I've used all of the products you've mentioned (Werkstatt, Duragloss, NXT, S100 and Collinite - as well as several others like Klasse and Zaino) - and out of all of those Werkstatt is my pick for the best combination of looks, durability and price.) and

(Zaino may be the best looking product out there and is incredibly durable, but is not as reasonably priced as Werkstatt.).

-----

Some believe that Zaino looks better on flats, while Werkstatt looks better on metallic-flake paints. I think Werkstatt came out quite well on the Trac, which is Ford's plain black clearcoat offering.

Just as an update to mine--I finished on 10/15. Through the last rainstorm, the water beaded perfectly on the sides (including body panels behind the wheel wells, where weak waxes traditionally wash off through spray).

 

[Flounder]

In honor of Al's long-term tests....

As noted in the previous posts, I washed, buffed, sealed, etc. this in August. I rewashed it once prior to returning to school in August. In that time, I've taken it off-road on flatlands along the Susquehanna River, driven in snow, rain, parked in the blinding sun, run it through wand and touchless car washes, etc.

How does Jeff's Werkstatt compare to Zaino in terms of longevity and durability? You tell me. Lower price, easier application (less steps, assuming you don't use pure sealant). I give it .

[Taken with my Blackberry Pearl today when it was snowing. The snow melted on the warm hood from when I drove to class. Some of the beads are missing because I drove a little bit before I decided to take a picture.]

 

[Glen4X4]

Still good lookin

 

[Exploderpilot]

wow. My old method was to come home from wheeling, spray the truck with a pressure washer, apply new coat of flat black rust-oleum, drink beer......

 

[CDW6212R]

wow. My old method was to come home from wheeling, spray the truck with a pressure washer, apply new coat of flat black rust-oleum, drink beer......

So Adam how do you fix that paint job, LOL?

 

[L4CX]

Makes me want it to not to be cold and snowy here. I really need to talk to someone with a heated garage/wash bay...... Your truck looks AWESOME! Good job.

 

[BF]

Kind of a late post, but damn what a shine! Definitely inspires me to try and make my black ST look that good!

 

[mchilese]

Thread Bump.

I love looking at these pictures. I get my truck back from the body shop tomorrow. I think I'm going to spend some time on her. I love it when she shines. That "Toreador Red" is a sick color when it's clean.

 

[Rockstarenergy]

a true master!!! every time i wash my car i wash rinse move onto another side reapeat 3 times maybe then Towel dry then use spray wax its much faster and my car always shines i dont have a claybar and am broke lol i havent used my truck in a week =P sucks that its spring though pollen collects on my truck daily so its basically a daily bath haha i clean her right