Best car wash equipment?

I use windex and a towel to keep it clean between heavy washings. and the Duster too. Ocassionally I use car wash soap & hose with rag or sponge when it really needs spiffing up. Works good & did the same on my previous car (Avalon-what a difference) for 8 years & no paint problems.

 

I do similar, but I don't use windex. I use a damp cotton cloth to wipe down the car every day; rinsing out my cloth a couople times. Actually, I feel like I'm saving a ton of water by cleaning this way. Seems to do an excellent job of keeping it clean and shining. I will use hose and sponge every couple months especially if I've been on muddy roads.

As a quirky aside, if I've used hose and sponge, I will use my electric yard blower to dry the car. This really works well.

 

You CAN NOT use Windex on the paint of the vehicle. Windex is actually a pretty harsh chemical, in the very best scenario it will strip the wax, worst case scenario is it will cause paint etching over time.

As for using a damp rag, the issue there is marring. By doing that you are without a doubt causing marring of the paint, because there is nothing that is lubricating the friction between the towel, dirt & paint...

Bad idea.

 

Geez Mac, you get up at 6:30am; doesn't your back hurt laying in bed that long? lol

 

What's a good wash mitt that I can buy from Pep Boys, Kragen/O'Reilly, Walmart, (local establishment).?

 

This is the best wash mit I've used--not locally available, but order online and you'll have it in a few days (they've got a free shipping special, and no sales tax):
Sheepskin Dust/Wash Mitt - Cleaning Tools - Car Washing - Car Care - Griot's Garage

 

^^ I'll check it out

I'm tempted to use the remainder of this car soap I have. Is Krystal Kleer a good brand?

There's a pack of microfiber towels at Costco that I want to pick up. I'm hoping it's better then these cheap ones that still leave a lot of lint. I use them to dry the car.

Windex isn't working too well on windows. Am I doing something wrong?

 

Well, with a good waxed finish, I use my leaf blower. Start at the top and work around.
What color is your Prius?

 

Right!

 

Anyone use the Mr Clean carwash system? That thing is great. No drying required and no water spots.

 

What do you think of applying the soap with the microfiber towels? If I replace them every so often it won't scratch the paint, I think. Or bad idea?

I have like 30 of them so I won't run out.

 

Thanks. I won't be throwing them out. I got these cheap like 30 for $8.00. I am still probably going to buy the Costco ones which are much softer & higher quality.

I will buy a proper wash mitt. Actually I prefer a sponge, but as long as it's the proper tool I won't care.

Ordering online will take a few days for the stuff to get here, especially from Amazon likes to take its sweet time sometimes.

It's just the birds got to my car and I want to wash it, but I don't have all the right stuff so I have to improvise.

 

The waffle weave towel that you posted is N/A at the moment.

Check out this synthetic shammy, it has great reviews:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/product/B0000AY69V?tag=priuschatcom-20 do you guys think of it? I hope one is enough if I wring it out constantly.

 

I understand that microfiber mitts with the bunches of fingers work quite well. I like my genuine sheepskin from Griot's Garage.

I'm going to tell you something that will save from marring your clear coat, so listen up... you can do the most damage marring the finish during wash process. Many think it is during drying, but typically not.

If is important how you wash the car. Lower door panels can get very dirty. A few swipes across the door and your mitt can be filled with dirt. You don't want to continue wiping this dirt around the paint. Look at your mitt very often to see dirt. If dirty, flip it over.

And .... you must keep another large bucket (5 gallon, I put in 3 or 4) of clean rinse water nearby. Rinse that mitt often. May need to change water once or twice while washing.

I never expect to get car completely dry even with fancy drying towels. I finish a section with a polishing cloth dampened with a bit of Quik Wax and maybe a bit of it sprayed onto paint, but not much.