[camaroJD]

I have never been too serious about washing/detailing my vehicles, but obviously that needs to change!

What exactly do I need to properly wash and detail my 1LE? I'd appreciate any specific product recommendations.

I'm also interested in a DIY ceramic as well.

edit: I should add I have Xpel on all the problem areas

[ninetres]

I would spend hours watching the how-to videos on YouTube from Ammo NYC, Pan the Organizer, and Obsessed Garage. Seriously.

[Glen e]

Yup, the how tos vids on autogeek too

[Joe M 2012 2SS]

Both of the above posts are pointing you in the right direction, here are a couple videos to get you started.
The biggest mistake most people make is they use too much pressure when washing/drying/applying protection to their paint.
NEVER think "SCRUB or RUB HARD/FAST" when touching your paint with anything, think "WIPE GENTLY" instead.

[Gunkk]

The Museum Rule: The less you touch a thing, the longer it lasts.

Everything you do that results in less dirt on the car, less frequent washing, less touching and lower pressure when you wash, less agressive chemicals on the paint and wheels, and less touching and lower pressure when you dry... keeps the paint swirl and scratch free makes the paint, films, and coatings last longer.

Some will see this is as obvious at first glance, but if you take this to heart at every step in car appearance care, your beautiful satin steel paint will stay that way for many, many years.


My Do’s:

• PPF (top shelf self healing type, Xpel ultimate, Suntek ultra, etc.). Do the whole car if you can swing it, if not at least all the places bugs will splat and tires will throw rocks and sand.
• Durable Hydrophobic coatings on PPF (Feynlab topcoat, Gtechniq EXO, etc.)
• Powerstop z26 brake pad swap
• Ceramic coat and Hydrophobic coat the wheels when you do the pads.
• Dilute the silica sealants (Carpro Reload, etc.) with distilled water whenusing as a quick detailer on top of the Hydrophobic coatings. I go 5:1.
• electric pressure washer with foam cannon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DGS6FPB..._DjvNCbTH178MR
• microfiber wash mitt https://www.chemicalguys.com/chenill...wash-mitt.html
• pH neutral wash soap (Adams shampoo, Carpro Reset)
• two bucket method with grit guards
• plush MF wheel brush for wheels and the grille! https://www.chemicalguys.com/gerbil-...h/ACC_B01.html
• 500 g/sm plush edgeless microfiber towels https://www.theragcompany.com/eagle-...rofiber-towel/
• Guzzler waffle weave towels (two)
• use pooling rinse method
• blow dry the car with a leaf blower (200mph type with tapered nozzle is ideal)
• wash car care stuff separately from regular laundry without fabric softeners.
• nitrile gloves to keep chemicals away from your skin and vice versa
• spray coatings/sealants on the towel first not the paint first.
• use a slotted jack puck or lift points (zl1 addons type) to lift the car.
• use ac delco PF64 oil filters and dexos spec oil as per your manual.
• RTFM.

My Don’ts:

• Ceramic coatings on top of PPF.
• Waterless wash unless you have to (by law, etc.)
• rub dirt across the paint.
• wash the car in the sun if you can avoid it.
• let water dry on top of a ceramic coating. Water spots are a sunofab!tch to remove from ceramics.
• use pressure on the paint when you dry, hold the towel by the corners and let gravity do the work.
• wash the wheels last.
• let anything (or anyone) touch the car unless absolutely necessay and never when dirty or if it’s touched the ground first.
• let a dealer do oil changes
• jack the car anywhere else but at the pinch welds.

[indyz]

How do we maximize sheeting?

I know of beadmaker that beads water. Is there a "sheet-maker"??

[Joe M 2012 2SS]

Originally Posted by indyz

How do we maximize sheeting?

I know of beadmaker that beads water. Is there a "sheet-maker"??

Most all of your coatings, sealants, and waxes will bead/sheet water very well.

The trick to performing a sheeting/pooling rinse on a car is to start from the top and work your way down, and having the flow of water slow enough, so the water does not splash creating more beads, instead of sheeting/pooling the water off.

While you won't remove 100% of the water, removing 90-95% is definitely possible.

[indyz]

^^ thanks, yes I have seen the pooling rinse method. Its great when you can attend to the car.

I was looking for a sheeting coating/sealant/Quick-Detailer type product, for when the car is unattended..... something to counteract beading due to dew and light drizzles (rain).

[Joe M 2012 2SS]

Originally Posted by indyz

^^ thanks, yes I have seen the pooling rinse method. Its great when you can attend to the car.

I was looking for a sheeting coating/sealant/Quick-Detailer type product, for when the car is unattended..... something to counteract beading due to dew and light drizzles (rain).

No such product exists. Protection products make the surface hydrophobic, so the water beads. Sheeting occurs when water causes the beads to pool together.

[ninetres]

Originally Posted by Joe M 2012 2SS

No such product exists. Protection products make the surface hydrophobic, so the water beads. Sheeting occurs when water causes the beads to pool together.

THISSSSSSSS

I’ve had this discussion so many times with people the last couple months and for whatever reason they think certain products bead opposed to sheet. Nope! That’s entirely dependent on how water contracts the surface!

[Gunkk]

Originally Posted by indyz

How do we maximize sheeting?

I know of beadmaker that beads water. Is there a "sheet-maker"??

No there is no class of hydrophilic paint coatings that make water stick to the paint with complete wetting at zero contact angle.

Some detergeants used in dishwashers like Cascade and Finish Jet Dry do contain surfactants that behave this way to enhance wetting, incease “sheeting action” and reduce beading. This reduces water spotting on dishes and glassware.

While you could use Cascade to wash your car, I wouldn’t recommend it. It’s very harsh, very high pH and and generally nasty stuff for paint, plastic and rubber.

Jet Dry might be an option for rinsing. Give it a try and report back!

[indyz]

Thanks guys, I'll stick to Meguiar's hcw for now, since it makes washing my car easier, and give beadmaker a shot when I want to "feel slick"

I watched this waxmode video that was very helpful about sheeting, beading, rain water and spots..... Go to the 5 minute mark in the video:

https://youtu.be/5LoI-gE8Jgs

I just have to watch the pollen & and dust combined with dew, it causes most of the spotting on my uncovered cx-5

[Joe M 2012 2SS]

Originally Posted by indyz

Thanks guys, I'll stick to Meguiar's hcw for now, since it makes washing my car easier, and give beadmaker a shot when I want to "feel slick"

I watched this waxmode video that was very helpful about sheeting, beading, rain water and spots..... Go to the 5 minute mark in the video:

https://youtu.be/5LoI-gE8Jgs

I just have to watch the pollen & and dust combined with dew, it causes most of the spotting on my uncovered cx-5

Now if you want a detail spray that will reduce dust, try Kenotek Showroom Shine Detail Spray. It leaves an anti-static surface so the dust wont cling.

The pollen will still settle on, but most, not all of it, will blow off when you go for a drive. Only use the Kenotek after a wash when the surface is clean.

Pollen looks like a "porcupine ball" under a microscope, so it's just going to cling harder than dust. The best way to remove it is to do a 2 bucket wash on the car. The only problem is in the Spring, it will be back on the next day.

https://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=402883

[SSport16]

A good detailing item to have is a leaf blower...I use mine after every drive, gets off dust and any loose debris. They also work well after a wash, especially in the small areas and the front grill.