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Car Wash...

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Old Sep 14, 2009 | 04:08 AM
  #1  
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Car Wash...

I am wondering how often do you guys wash and clean your car. I have friends that tell me I am crazy for washing my car too much. I wash my car every weekend on Sunday right when the sun sets, and when I park my car outdoors, I spend 2 minutes putting on my OEM Car Cover.
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Old Sep 14, 2009 | 07:44 AM
  #2  
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Nope not crazy IMO! I wash every weekend ( weather permitting) and use leather conditioner every other week.
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Old Sep 14, 2009 | 11:44 AM
  #3  
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No your not crazy cause im doing that every sat. afternoon before I take my girl out.

Andy
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Old Sep 14, 2009 | 12:45 PM
  #4  
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Every weekend... why wait so long?????

I also wash my care every weekend, but just about every night I will wipe the interior, wash the windows and wipe down my rims.
I am a fanatic abour having a clean car.

I just like to enjoy my ride.
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Old Sep 14, 2009 | 01:45 PM
  #5  
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04 CLK 500
I'd say on average I was my car 3 times every 2 weeks. I used to wipe my rims down almost daily when I had the stock AMGs, but with C63 wheel color the brake dust is less noticeable.
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Old Sep 14, 2009 | 03:41 PM
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once to twice a week with the daily california duster, detail interior when needed. im sure your friend that say you wash your car to much is just jelous, personally when i buy the car i "interview" the seller also, if he is as **** as i am then i can say the car has been well taken care of.
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Old Sep 14, 2009 | 03:54 PM
  #7  
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Bro...you aren't crazy at all...here is my yearly gameplan:

1. Once a week wash

2. Quarterly partial detail
One step wax/polish (usu. Menzerna)
Interior detail

3. Every 6 to 9 months full paint restoration (http://www.tamparacing.com/forums/pr...-sl65-amg.html)

4. I don't drive either the E55 or SL65 during lovebug season (you southeastern US guys/gals know what I'm talking about).

THESE are biatch to get off if you wait any length of time...the acid from these babies literally can eat the paint off your ride.


For my daily driver, I just get it washed every 2 weeks and get a detail every 6 months.

Last edited by AMGfan; Sep 14, 2009 at 04:14 PM.
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Old Sep 14, 2009 | 04:05 PM
  #8  
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AMGfan,
those are two beautiful cars you have there, very nice work and great taste you have there.. congrats on the cars and financial success
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Old Sep 14, 2009 | 06:54 PM
  #9  
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Originally Posted by AzCamel
AMGfan,
those are two beautiful cars you have there

+1 angry looking.
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Old Sep 14, 2009 | 08:19 PM
  #10  
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+2 Mean!
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Old Sep 14, 2009 | 11:34 PM
  #11  
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Thanks guys for the kind words...
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Old Sep 15, 2009 | 02:39 AM
  #12  
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yeah those are hot cars.
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Old Sep 15, 2009 | 02:40 AM
  #13  
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I hate parking my car outdoors. Even with the car cover on.. I get swirl marks. Anyways.. yeah I wash my car every weekend. And clean interior every other week as well. And probably wax the car once in a month or two.
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Old Sep 15, 2009 | 04:21 AM
  #14  
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waoo... damn i guess i'm the lazy one here, I wash my car every 2-3 weeks. interior cleaning every 1-2 weeks
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Old Sep 15, 2009 | 06:33 AM
  #15  
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Originally Posted by AMGfan
Bro...you aren't crazy at all...here is my yearly gameplan:

1. Once a week wash

2. Quarterly partial detail
One step wax/polish (usu. Menzerna)
Interior detail

3. Every 6 to 9 months full paint restoration (http://www.tamparacing.com/forums/pr...-sl65-amg.html)

4. I don't drive either the E55 or SL65 during lovebug season (you southeastern US guys/gals know what I'm talking about).

THESE are biatch to get off if you wait any length of time...the acid from these babies literally can eat the paint off your ride.


For my daily driver, I just get it washed every 2 weeks and get a detail every 6 months.

My god!!!

What the hell are those things?!?!

If those buggers were flying around, I wouldn't go out side, let alone my car!! haha Man, they look nasty!

As the others say, you have awesome, awesome cars. Well done.

I am lucky enough to own a CLK63. And I treat her like gold.

I am somewhat of an extremist when it comes to car care.

I spend around 5 hrs when I clean and wax the car. I don't mean for it to take that long, it just does.
This will also include thorough cleaning & waxing of the wheels.

I treat the leathers every 2 months with some really good Meguiars stuff. This normally take 2 hrs alone.

I also detail the engine bay once a week. Now that I clean the engine bay regularly, it only takes about 30mins each time. Just to wipe doen all surfaces, then treat plastics, hoses etc.

I also treat all rubbers, plastics. Perhaps once a month.

Detailing the interior (not the leathers) can take up to an hour.

I only drive it on weekends, so during the week, it may get 2 coats of wax while it's in the garage. This takes 2 hrs each time.

I also clayed my car for the first time the other day. It's awesome stuff!
I could not believe how smooth the paint came out. As Meguiars say, It really is like glass! Then I hit it with wax! haha

During good weather, I find that I don't really need to wash it. Just some good microfibre cloths to gently wipe down the body work, then hit it with a hot chamois.

Then more wax. haha
Admittedly, it does become abit of an obsession. But I don't ever over-clean or over-apply.

As for the wax - multiple layers is always good to help give a deep shine.
So I go crazy with the wax! haha

Couple of pics.
One picture is a weird one. But I tried to show how shiney the paint surface is by taking a shot down the rear wing.
You can't even tell where the paint surace meets the sky. I was properly impressed with the Clay bar.

Sorry for rambling.



Last edited by Rashman; Oct 3, 2009 at 02:25 PM.
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Old Sep 16, 2009 | 05:01 PM
  #16  
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GLE 450 2021, SLK 350 2013, Honda Civc Type R 2019, Suzuki GSXR 750 2014, Ducati Diavel 2018
Originally Posted by Rashman
My god!!!

What the hell are those things?!?!

If those buggers were flying around, I wouldn't go out side, let alone my car!! haha Man, they look nasty!

As the others say, you have awesome, awesome cars. Well done.

I am lucky enough to own a CLK63. And I treat her like gold.

I am somewhat of an extremist when it comes to car care.

I spend around 5 hrs when I clean and wax the car. I don't mean for it to take that long, it just does.
This will also include thorough cleaning & waxing of the wheels.

I treat the leathers every 2 months with some really good Meguiars stuff. This normally take 2 hrs alone.

I also detail the engine bay once a week. Now that I clean the engine bay regularly, it only takes about 30mins each time. Just to wipe doen all surfaces, then treat plastics, hoses etc.

I also treat all rubbers, plastics. Perhaps once a month.

Detailing the interior (not the leathers) can take up to an hour.

I only drive it on weekends, so during the week, it may get 2 coats of wax while it's in the garage. This takes 2 hrs each time.

I also clayed my car for the first time the other day. It's awesome stuff!
I could not believe how smooth the paint came out. As Meguiars say, It really is like glass! Then I hit it with wax! haha

During good weather, I find that I don't really need to wash it. Just some good microfibre cloths to gently wipe down the body work, then hit it with a hot chamois.

Then more wax. haha
Admittedly, it does become abit of an obsession. But I don't ever over-clean or over-apply.

As for the wax - multiple layers is always good to help give a deep shine.
So I go crazy with the wax! haha

Couple of pics.
One picture is a weird one. But I tried to show how shiney the paint surface is by taking a shot down the rear wing.
You can't even tell where the paint surace meets the sky. I was properly impressed with the Clay bar.

Sorry for rambling.


Yeah I clay barred my first time last month, Fun stuff right? I have a question for you. Do you use engine foam to clean your engine compartment? If you do, what parts do you cover up to avoid damage. I know you have to cover the battery and the alternator is that it? I bought the engine foam cleaner, but I'm always scared to use it. So I just use wipes to clean the engine cover.
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Old Sep 16, 2009 | 06:14 PM
  #17  
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Originally Posted by supacrazykev
Yeah I clay barred my first time last month, Fun stuff right? I have a question for you. Do you use engine foam to clean your engine compartment? If you do, what parts do you cover up to avoid damage. I know you have to cover the battery and the alternator is that it? I bought the engine foam cleaner, but I'm always scared to use it. So I just use wipes to clean the engine cover.
Hey buddy.

Well, when I first got the car, I went round the engine bay with a damp cloth. This was to remove all surface dust etc.

After that, I then go round the engine bay with Auto Glym rubber and vinyl care.

It's basically a silicone based protectant. I spray it onto a soft clean cloth until it's damp, and then wipe down all surfaces. Hoses, plastics, rubber seals.. everything basically.

I leave the top of the engine alone though. I'd wipe it down with a damp cloth to clean dust off etc, but due to the volcanic heat being thrown off the engine, I don't put any products on it.

I'm lucky because I've never had a car that had a really mucky engine bay. With my old 208 and this 63, all I've need to do is give it an initial wipe down and then detail it regularly.

I've not used the foam before so I won't be able to help with that I'm afraid.

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Old Sep 16, 2009 | 06:36 PM
  #18  
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From: Germany
M-B GLE, Porsche 911 Turbo, Porsche Boxster (spouse)
Exterior wash, interior wipe, vacuum, windows 1x/week

Wax & leather conditioner 1x/month

Engine compartment 1x/qtr
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Old Sep 16, 2009 | 09:42 PM
  #19  
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Hey Rashman, clk63 coupes (that arent black series') are one of my dream cars, sadly I think they are either extremely rare or nonexistant here in the states. Either way nice car man.
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Old Sep 17, 2009 | 08:52 AM
  #20  
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Originally Posted by Kirby
Hey Rashman, clk63 coupes (that arent black series') are one of my dream cars, sadly I think they are either extremely rare or nonexistant here in the states. Either way nice car man.
Hey buddy.

Thanks for your kind words.

Yeah, I'm starting to realise how few of these things there are around too..

I've never seen another one in person.
Only on you tube etc.

I haven't even seen anotehr one on the AMG forum.

You are probably even less likely to see one as I think only the Convertible was marketed in the states.

I've chatted to guys in the states on another forum who also were not happy about the lack of availability of the Coupe.

I never take this car for granted. I remind myself regularly how lucky I am to own one.

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Old Sep 17, 2009 | 10:37 AM
  #21  
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Originally Posted by Rashman
Hey buddy.

Thanks for your kind words.

Yeah, I'm starting to realise how few of these things there are around too..

I've never seen another one in person.
Only on you tube etc.

I haven't even seen anotehr one on the AMG forum.

You are probably even less likely to see one as I think only the Convertible was marketed in the states.

I've chatted to guys in the states on another forum who also were not happy about the lack of availability of the Coupe.

I never take this car for granted. I remind myself regularly how lucky I am to own one.

Nicely said Rashman. Its great to know there are individuals that enjoy and appriciate their cars as much as I do

I wash, wax, and clean interior once a week (you guys know how hard black is to keep clean).
5 - Step wash once a quarter (Wash-Clay-Prewax-Seal-Wax).

My GF says I wash too much (probably mad cuz I don't let her drive the car ) and I was beginning to think I she was right.......Until I saw this thread. I never consider cleaning my car work. Ha, Ha! If anything, it relaxes me
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Old Sep 18, 2009 | 07:48 PM
  #22  
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Originally Posted by 2MCHCAR
Nicely said Rashman. Its great to know there are individuals that enjoy and appriciate their cars as much as I do

I wash, wax, and clean interior once a week (you guys know how hard black is to keep clean).
5 - Step wash once a quarter (Wash-Clay-Prewax-Seal-Wax).

My GF says I wash too much (probably mad cuz I don't let her drive the car ) and I was beginning to think I she was right.......Until I saw this thread. I never consider cleaning my car work. Ha, Ha! If anything, it relaxes me

Haha. Yeah, my ex hated my cleaning habits! (notice I said ex! LOL)

Man, my cleaning schedule just keeps growing everytime I wash/ clean it.

Rinse, wash & dry - 2hrs
Wash & dry wheels - 45mins
Pre-buff drying (using a soft tissue, go round all creases and water traps to remove all water before waxing) - 20mins
Pre wax buff - 30mins
Wax/ buff car & wheels - 2.5hrs
Post buff, buffing (with a different type of cloth, which also includes breathing on the paint and then buffing! I know, I'm a freak) - 45mins
Removal of wax residue around rubbers (using a childs toothbrush) - 15mins
Interior hoovering/ dusting, windows - 1.5hrs
Treat leathers - 2hrs
Treat all external plastics, rubbers seals, tyres - 30mins
Detail engine bay & treat hoses, rubbers etc - 30mins

I also recently clayed it for the first time (awesome stuff!) - 1hr

Apart from the treatment of the leathers, I will do this once a week.

On average, I usually wax it 2, sometimes 3 times a week.

I don't drive it during the week, so I am free to kill time applying more wax if I want to.

Don't get me wrong, it damn near kills me - but my god is it worth it.

I've always believed that every visible part of a car should be clean.
You should be able to touch any part of a car and not be dirtied.

Sorry for rambling.


Last edited by Rashman; Sep 18, 2009 at 07:51 PM.
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Old Sep 19, 2009 | 03:46 AM
  #23  
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Originally Posted by Rashman
Haha. Yeah, my ex hated my cleaning habits! (notice I said ex! LOL)

Man, my cleaning schedule just keeps growing everytime I wash/ clean it.

Rinse, wash & dry - 2hrs
Wash & dry wheels - 45mins
Pre-buff drying (using a soft tissue, go round all creases and water traps to remove all water before waxing) - 20mins
Pre wax buff - 30mins
Wax/ buff car & wheels - 2.5hrs
Post buff, buffing (with a different type of cloth, which also includes breathing on the paint and then buffing! I know, I'm a freak) - 45mins
Removal of wax residue around rubbers (using a childs toothbrush) - 15mins
Interior hoovering/ dusting, windows - 1.5hrs
Treat leathers - 2hrs
Treat all external plastics, rubbers seals, tyres - 30mins
Detail engine bay & treat hoses, rubbers etc - 30mins

I also recently clayed it for the first time (awesome stuff!) - 1hr

Apart from the treatment of the leathers, I will do this once a week.

On average, I usually wax it 2, sometimes 3 times a week.

I don't drive it during the week, so I am free to kill time applying more wax if I want to.

Don't get me wrong, it damn near kills me - but my god is it worth it.

I've always believed that every visible part of a car should be clean.
You should be able to touch any part of a car and not be dirtied.

Sorry for rambling.

you sir have a problem lol... feel free to clean my car when you want
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Old Sep 19, 2009 | 07:34 AM
  #24  
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Originally Posted by AzCamel
you sir have a problem lol... feel free to clean my car when you want

Haha.
Yeah, I hear ya.

I swear this car has made a slave of me!

Clean your car?... I hear that alot! haha

I've just had a double garage built, and funnily enough, I was giving thought to offering a car detailing service.

I was thinking I could spend a saturday detailing a car to then be collected at the end of the day?

mmm, I'll see.

As I said, cleaning my car like I do, damn near kills me! haha


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