Need advice on car wash for my first mini-van

kthan · 11-27-05, 05:59

I just got my new 06 Honda Oddysey mini van and have some questions about washing(detailing) the van. I have owned the sedans before and this is my first mini-van. I looked over this forum and am quite impressed how well other members care about their cars.

Regarding car wash, almost all here in this forum wash their cars themselves. Since I lived in a high-rise condo, there's no space I can do it myself. But, I found some bad stories about automatic car wash which I usually used for my previous cars and worried about things like, its size, rear wiper, roof rack,... and,most of all, it is brand new.

What would be the best option for me to keep car clean and shiny? Can I go a self car-wash place and do it of my own by using the car care products recommended here? I am wondering how bad to use (electric pressure) hose which would be the only option when washing the car at a self-car wash. Also, how about winter time (it lasts almost 4-5 months here in chicago)? Any particular type of auto car wash I can use (without damaging my car) during the winter? How the other members wash the cars in winter with no worries?

Other than washing the car, what other detailing I need to perform regularly (please let me know the brand/products and the place to buy)? I appreciate your help/advice in advance.

4830Deuce · 11-27-05, 06:10

Protect-All's QEW it allowes u to wash your car with just a bucket of water and some towels...no hose needed! Perfect for you! You can find it at your local RV/Camping store or at www.protectall.com....I would suggest u to claybar, Polish with Klasse AIO or Jeffs Werkstatt Prime then seal or wax your car...take a look around the Click and Brag and find a combo that you think looks good, and is close color match to your new car... I will admit the honda is a good lookin mini-van....coming from someone who isnt too keen on them....

-Justin

White95Max · 11-27-05, 06:45

I agree about washing it with QEW. I do it all year long, since I live in an apartment building. I have a detached garage, so I wash it in the garage. And I'm in WI, so it's every bit as cold as Chicago and then some.
Yeah I'm about to go wash some salt off my car after I'm done eating breakfast.

Good ol' QEW...

to Autopia!

kthan · 11-27-05, 07:23

Thank you very much for quick replies.

Protect-All's QEW seems to good to be true. Does it really work fine as good as regular style (hand) car wash? What do I need to use it with (sponge, cloth, etc.)? Do I really need a gallon water to wash the entire mini-van? All I need is their QEW, not the other products? So, for other detailing, can I use other (regular) products recommended in the forum, right?

4830Deuce, you seem to suggest a whole procedure (car wash -> clay -> polish -> seal or wax). How can I find a good combo and close color match to my car (can you explain what this <color match> means?)? It seems to be too many (good) choices out there to choose from.

gmblack3a · 11-27-05, 07:30

Welcome to autopia!

You will find some good reading about QEW here

White95Max · 11-27-05, 07:32

It sounds too good to be true, but once you try it you'll be very impressed with it.

I use MF (microfiber) towels with QEW. One for washing, one for initial drying, and one for picking up streaks left by the first drying towel. Some people use chenille sponges or wash mitts. You don't end up using the entire gallon of water on the vehicle. You need enough water to keep the grit at the bottom of the bucket, separated from the mitt when you dip it back in.

I use a 1gal bucket for washing, and a 5gal bucket (with 3.5gal of straight water) as a rinse bucket. Wash/dry a panel (or part of one if it's really dirty), swish it around in the rinse bucket, and then dip it back in the wash bucket. Wash/dry another panel.

Yes, all you would need is the QEW. I'd recommend that you buy some type of QD (quick detailer) though. ProtectAll doesn't manufacture any. I use Poorboy's Spray and Gloss http://www.poorboysworld.com

Deuce was suggesting that you go to the Click and Brag forum to find a vehicle with a similar color to yours. That would allow you to see what their process looks like on a color similar to yours. See it before you buy it.

4830Deuce · 11-27-05, 12:53

Paul is right...everybody likes different looks when it comes to the out come of a detail...What I would use on a yellow car is totally different then I would for a silver, moreover someone else would use something completely different all together on thsoe colors...Find cars of similar color in the click in brag and find which one you like best...there are a endless number of combos one can suggest on a car...but really it all comes down to what U want! I suggested Claybar because its a new car, and im sure there is a bunch of rail dust, and industrial fall out (saying youre in chi-town) that has worked its way into your paint, even tho its new...Then to polish and seal it is the autopian way!!!

-Justin

kthan · 11-28-05, 11:32

Thank you very much for all of your suggestion about QEW.

I have couple of more questions. After using QEW, what other processes (clay, polish, sealing or wax) would you recommend, especially for a true beginner, like myself. It seems to me that detailing a car involves different processes/materials/techniques with different level of expectation. Misuse/misapplication of the product can cause damaging the car. To me, I want to protect my car by detailing it. I don't want to see my car always shinny and glossy. I just don't want to see my car easily scratched and looked ugly. Can you recommend any necessary processes (as well as the materials--brand) that are easy to do withno almost no risk of damaging the car from the inexperience? I have Honda Odyssey silver pearl metallic color (it doesn't seem to be easy to find the exact same color in the other section. Furthermore, even if I found one, I cannot evaluate whether a specific combination is right for me or not. Probably because I am new and inexperienced).

Accumulator · 11-28-05, 02:11

kthan- Welcome to Autopia!

No way would I wash our minivan (Mazda MPV, silver) without a pair of THESE

I use the Klasse twins on our minivan. Four-six layers of KSG provide good protection. Another approach that's pretty user-friendly is to use Collinite brand wax.

White95Max · 11-28-05, 08:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by kthan

I don't want to see my car always shinny and glossy. I just don't want to see my car easily scratched and looked ugly.

Protection and beauty come together in detailing. With a proper polishing and paint cleaning, the paint will be beautiful and sealants/waxes will get their best durability on a clean, polished surface.