Few questions for detailing gurus

[kc0716]

Hey fellas, I recently purchased a black car and I can already see how fast and easily it gets dirty. So in order to keep my car fresh and clean, I've registered here, looked and downloaded the autopia guide to detailing..and I just had few questions.

1) I don't have access to hose so I can't wash my car at home. I've tried looking for car wash places that does not use regular wiping towel (like the ones you use after showering) but I can't seem to find any. Now if I do just get a car wash at one of these places and let them dry it, will it mess up my paint bad? Do swirl marks come from drying with these towels? I'm also worried about the dust and contamination my car will have during I drive back home from car washes. I understand that this is what claying is for but I certainly shouldnt clay everytime I wash my car right?

2) So basically, it goes like this?
washing and drying your car
->claying the surface if it's really contaminated
->use pre-wax cleaners, letting it dry, then cleaning it off as I go around the car
->I assume waxing cleans off the scratches and swirl marks? Start with wax, then letting it dry, then cleaning it off as I go around the car.
Does this sound somewhat correct? How often does one has to use these clay/pre-wax/waxing products? I think claying maybe 3-4 times a year, and using wax (using pre-wax as well everytime I time I plan on waxing) maybe once every 1.5-2 months?

Thanks in advance!

[steveo3002]

most folks that cant wash at home find a coin operated wash bay and use that late at night when you can take your time....take your own bucket/soap/mitt etc

claying is nessesary on 99.9% of cars...you will almost certainly have contaminents on the flat surfaces

no , wax doesnt touch swirls or scratches....for that you need a polish, then once its looking how you want it, use a wax to seal it and protect

with proper care, maybe polish twice a year and wax montly

[EMazda3S]

Look into rinsless wash products. QEW= Protect All's Quick and Easy Wash or Optimum's No Rinse Wash and Shine (my favorite) and also Detailer's Pride 4 in 1 Rinsless wash. Use the two bucket method and proper tools and you should be fine. Very economical too. I have never induced a swirl/scratch with the above products and have used them exclusively for over 4 years, first QEW and recently the Optimim product. They can be used in all seasons even inside without making a mess. If the car is severely dirty in the Winter I use the wand at the local DIY was to loosen the heavy caked on stuff and go home and wash with the above.
Other products such as Poor Boy's Spray and Wipe are stronger Quick Detailers thtat some use as a waterless wash and they are great but I hesitate to use them on a really dirty car.
For slightly heavier dust and soil I haven't had a problem but as with the above method, you must be very careful.

Improper washing and drying can cause swirl marks, marring and scratching. Forget about the local carwash, especially on your black car.

Clay should never be used on a dirty car or a car that has been driven without first cleaning the surface again, at the very least with a QD but preferably with a wash.

Waxing is not for cleaning unless you use a cleaner-wax combo product. As you read here, you'll find that in a pinch some use this type of product but most use wax or sealant as an LSP=(Last step product) over other products that prep the surface. There are several combination cleaner/sealants-Cleaner/Waxes that are used as well but these are usually topped with a dedicated non-cleaning layer(s) of a sealant and/or a wax.

Read some and search a bit and review David B's free guide. You will quickly learn to distinguish between good tools and bad tools and the differences between polish, wax, all in one products, etc. etc.

Good luck!!!!!

Eric

[natebood]

You could go the coin-op route and wash it yourself using their facilities, but something like QEW or Optimum No Rinse would be right up your alley.