Since others are posting "how I wash cars" threads, here is mine

[boniomario]

what an amazing post with all the info you need

[cptzippy]

Gonna bump this back up to ask ya a question Scottwax. Any changes to what you do?



This is one of the threads I looked at when I was posted this thread: http://www.autopia.org/forum/car-det...best-tips.html



Since I know you use ONR and I`ve been using it about a year, wanted to get your input on how to keep things going the longest.



TIA,

Tony

[fingermark]

Scottwax, this was exactly what I was looking for. Thanks. Can you tell me why you use the 1 bucket system instead of 2 buckets? I keep hearing people use ONR with 2 buckets and grit guards?



I just got a new car and want to keep do some easy washing every two weeks or so. I`ll probably get it professionally detailed once a year. Based on this thread and several of Scottwax`s other posts (and from posts of others), I`ll be adding the following to my shopping cart. I just need to know if I should buy one or two buckets. Having only 1 makes this even easier to tote around and store, plus cheaper (when considering the extra grid guard). I`m also going with Scottwax`s suggestion of plush MF towels instead of the waffle weave and then a plush towel. Any strong differing opinions on the towels? I`d prefer a sponge or something else with some grip over the mitt. That blue sponge in the videos looks like it is something you can easily hold onto. Don`t know what brand or where to get it. Also, is there anything else I should be concerned with? I`m pretty excited with the idea of having a clean car again (and knowing it`s not getting ruined by some machine or myself).



*2 x 2 gallon capacity bucket / 1 bucket system

*2 x Grit Guard

Cobra Blue Micro-Chenille Wash Mit

4 x Cobra Gold Plush Jr. Microfiber Towel, 16 x 16 inches

2-3 terry cloth or cotton towels

Mothers wheel brush

Armor All Original Shine

Meguiars NXT Glass Cleaner

Optimum No Rinse Wash and Shine

Optimum Car Wax

Woolite

Spray bottle

Optimum Protectant Plus

MIcrofiber covered foam pad

Small brush with nylon brissels

[Scottwax]

I`ve never found a real need to use two buckets with ONR. If I am washing an unusually dirty vehicle, I just change out the ONR bucket halfway through. If using two makes you feel better, by all means use two.



The microfiber covered sponges I use I cleaned Big Lots out of a couple years ago. They hold up so well I still have some still in the package. Target has some similar pads that are microfiber over foam.



I get some thick, 530 gram 16 x 16 towels from my local Optimum/Leather Masters distributor that I use for drying when washing with ONR.

[schiddy]

Awesome write up, didn`t know this existed. I`ve even watched your ONR youtubes for instruction before this too. Thanks for putting this out here for us newbs, definitely helps a ton. Sadly, ONR washes just don`t work out for me up here in CT. I don`t know if it`s just not frequent enough or that my paint is too soft. Swirls with plush materials and tough time getting some grime off.

[fingermark]

Holy crap, Scott forgot to mention that washing a car is a workout. I think I was out there for 1.5 hours. Here`s a recap of my experience:



1) I need to do a better job defining the panels. I think I washed the same place over multiple times.

2) Some of the small spots that looked like tiny clumps of dirt or sap were really hard to get off and I had to scrub those spots pretty hard. I`m sure this is a no-no. What am I supposed to do about those spots in the future?

3) I probably could have gotten away without the tire brush or the fender wall brush.

4) There are some black scuff marks in the interior, near the floor (probably from someone`s shoes). I used probably a 12:1 woolite mixture and could only lighten a few of these marks with hard scrubbing.

5) I did do the wax. I`m glad I did. It really was pretty quick to apply.

6) I was so exhausted at the end that I didn`t feel like messing with the windows and didn`t open the doors to wash the exterior off there. Really wish I would have washed the door jams.

7) The Meguiar`s X2050 Soft Buff Terry Towels left some white threads behind.

8) What the heck do I do with all these dirty terry towels, MF towels, and Bone sponge. I can probably research this one.



Overall, it was good workout and my car looks freaking great.

[Scottwax]

1. Start in the same place and move around the vehicle the same way each time.



2. Often you can use your fingernail to pop that stuff off although using clay is a better way to remove them.



3. You must have easy to clean wheels and enough clearance between your tires and fenderwells then. Must be nice.



4. A Mister Clean Magic Erasure works well on shoe scuff marks, just don`t use them too regularly because they are abrasive.



5. The Optimum Car Wax? Yes, it is very quick and easy.



6. Once you clean the door jambs really well, if you wipe them down each time you wash after that, they will be very easy to keep up.



7. Once they have been washed a few times they are usually lint free. Or just use microfiber towels.



8. Wash them in the washing machine using liquid soap (not powered) and make sure you don`t wash terry cloth with microfiber, they need to be washed separately. An alternative is to hand wash them in the sink, then toss them in the washing machine for the rinse cycle so the dirt that washes off doesn`t make a mess of the inside of your washing machine.

[C. Charles Hahn]

The microfiber covered sponges I use I cleaned Big Lots out of a couple years ago. They hold up so well I still have some still in the package. Target has some similar pads that are microfiber over foam.

Are they the Meguiar`s "Quick Detail Pads" or some other brand? I did the same thing with the Meg`s pads a few years ago and still have some in the package as well. I now use them not only for ONR, but when using IronX as well.

[Scottwax]

Some brand I`ve never heard of, they have a soft, plush blue MF covering. Really nice especially for $2 each.

[Driven Auto Detail]

The Vroom white MF covered wash pads at Target are really nice. That`s all I use for ONR washing.

[imported_Larry A]

Is it true that you can use ONR on vinyl and leather interiors, and also carpets. I read somewhere that it makes carpets look very good.

[MTFU]

awesome post, thanks man

[Scottwax]

Is it true that you can use ONR on vinyl and leather interiors, and also carpets. I read somewhere that it makes carpets look very good.

I`ve found on a lot of carpet stains that an ONR soaked (but not dripping wet) towel will get them out. Great for your weekly interior wipe downs (which you should do after you wash it) to keep the leather and vinyl clean.

[imported_tuffluck]

I`ve found on a lot of carpet stains that an ONR soaked (but not dripping wet) towel will get them out. Great for your weekly interior wipe downs (which you should do after you wash it) to keep the leather and vinyl clean.

what dilution and application method do you use with ONR for your interior vinyl/leather/glass?



do you use ONR as a substitute to the products you mentioned on the first post for vinyl? (303, etc.)

[CK_Autospa]

3-5 months protection on the ONW?



isn`t it just a quick wax? How can it last so long? My quickwaxes only last 2-3 washes/weeks