QEW tutorial (NOT 56k friendly) PART 1

[Intermezzo]

Originally posted by stevet
Luster,

Am I reading your post correctly? Are you not using QEW in the water and replacing it with Zaino Car Wash?

QEW is made to be used without a pre-rinse and doesn't need to be rinsed off the car, you can dry with a towel and it doesn't leave a residue. Regular car soaps are not made to be used this way. How do you manage not to swirl your paint and not leave soap residue all over the car?

stevet,

I've been using QEW for almost two years now and I've come to the conclusion that it's a great product, but there really isn't anything special or unique about it. I agree with BW when he says that the entire scratch-free cleaning we get are largely the result of the refined and careful procedures we follow as opposed to any special characteristics of the product (imagine that...it's not the product but the technique!).

With that said I've tried varying combinations of QEW, shampoo & QD mixed in a bucket and I've found that using shampoo (& QD)instead of QEW can be done successfully. In fact, I kinda like that combination better than QEW on a carnauba'd car because of the way it gives your car a "mercury-like" shine. Rd_volvo and his tireless experimenting with carnauba products (especially from One Grand!) told me about this effect which I've been using on my car for a while now. It's almost as if the trace amount of soap distorts the reflectivity and adds to the car's wet look.

[Pats300zx]

Hey Pat, how do you "bookmark" a post on this style of forums? (its so easy on tt.net). Or were you just referring to bookmarking the http: link to that post via your browser? Thx

Inzane...

Bookmarks are found in your User CP..

Just click on Add...

[stevet]

Intermezzo,

What you are saying about using a regular car soap instead of QEW is interesting. Prior to trying QEW I did regular car washes and would never have even considered for a minute to try applying a mitt to the car without a pre-rinse and then drying the residue off without a final rinse. Then I heard about QEW and gave it a try and it works great. I have been thinking that it is something different about the QEW that makes it possible to wash this way, that is how it is advertised, and now you say it's more the technique than it is the product. I wonder what some of the long time QEW users think about this?

[raymond_ho2002]

Originally posted by stevet
I have been thinking that it is something different about the QEW that makes it possible to wash this way, that is how it is advertised, and now you say it's more the technique than it is the product. I wonder what some of the long time QEW users think about this?

Anyone out there brave enough to do split their hood into three sections, using the no-rinse QEW method to test qew versus soap-water, versus plain water?

[Magellan498]

Great post Tom!! Very informative.

[VetteVert]

Getting ready to try it myself for the first time. Thanks for the writeup!

It isn't available locally, so I got some from the protect-all store; they are running a special: 2 16 oz. bottles plus sample of protect all cleaner/wax for $10. Shipping was a (somewhat) reasonable $5.00

http://www.protectall.com/qe.aspx

On a side note, anyone ever used their polish wax and treatment? Thinking of giving it a shot on the boat (gelcoated glass).

VV

[esbrown1]

Great write up! I plan to use your process when my QEW arrives, but I plan to have a seperate rinse bucket w/ no QEW in it. I guess it would be the 2 bucket method with QEW. Thanks again for the review.

Eric

[jchetty]

i love your write up. i use qew as well, i have one question. What is your process for doing your wheels, because i dont think using a micro would be good because it would get to dirty. But if did used a micro for the wheels then i will to. Also, what do you do about the tires, do u scrub them, or wipe them or leave them alone??thnx.

[thinksnow]

Originally posted by jchetty
i love your write up. i use qew as well, i have one question. What is your process for doing your wheels, because i dont think using a micro would be good because it would get to dirty. But if did used a micro for the wheels then i will to. Also, what do you do about the tires, do u scrub them, or wipe them or leave them alone??thnx.

I have become a student of Mosca's methods. As far as wheels and tires are concerned, prep is the key to QEW cleaning for me. When I do the hose and soap job, I clean the tires VERY thoroughly with something like A2Z (I'm testing APC+ next time) and the wheels receive a warm coat of #20 or EX after cleaning. Then the tires are treated to 303 applied with a tire swipe. Let sit and wipe off after @ 10 minutes with towel. The next day, repeat the 303 application. [If used properly, 303 almost acts like a sealant--it really is amazing.] When you do this, you will find that QEW is more than adequate to wash the wheels and tires.

After finishing the car, use one of the mitts used to clean the car to wipe off the tire. Then use one of the old Wal*Mart mf's and dip one end in the QEW mixture that is left over (I know it looks dirty). Do each wheel one at a time, first cleaning with your finger inside the wet end, then drying with the other end. I can do all four wheels with two old mf's. Dry the tires and re-dress with 303.

[Mosca]

First, I use one bucket with QEW, the other with warm water.

For wheels & tires, I use one of those fake wool mitts. Those are my winter wheels. For the summer wheels, I use a chenille mitt. I use dedicated mitts and towels for the wheels. I haven't used QEW on my summer wheels yet. I use cheap terry towels on the tires, good terry towels on the wheels, and I used Black Magic Tire Spray.


Tom

[Malachi]

I am thinking of mobile detailers that use QEW, do they apply it to wheel wells?