Washing car before detailing

**PiL** · 01-10-2003, 08:35 PM

Is it a rule that you must do a true wash of the car before polishing/waxing, or is it OK to wipe it down with QD if there is light dust on the car?

**Detailing NY** · 01-10-2003, 08:37 PM

search i have answered this 1000x`s

thanks

**imported_Intel486** · 01-10-2003, 08:37 PM

Light dust you can quick detail.

If there is dirt on it though, then wash it. If it sat out overnight not garaged, then wash it. If you drove it, then it is probably a good idea to wash.

**Jngrbrdman** · 01-10-2003, 08:39 PM

Washing the car is the only way to be sure that the car is clean. A QD won`t clean it like a real wash will. QD is for upkeep on your wash job and shouldn`t be used to replace the washing step. You risk polishing or waxing over a dirty surface if you skip that step.

**offcenter** · 01-10-2003, 08:40 PM

Originally posted by PiL

Is it a rule that you must do a true wash of the car before polishing/waxing, or is it OK to wipe it down with QD if there is light dust on the car?

When you say light dust, what do you mean? If I wash my car and leave it in a closed garage overnight, the next morning there is light dust on the car. If that`s the case, you can QD then polish/wax, however, if you mean dust from driving the car for a few days, I would definitely wash first.

**PiL** · 01-10-2003, 09:21 PM

Thanks for confirming my assumtion regarding washing before waxing. But, this brings me to another question. When is the best time to use QD? And, is there a "best practice" in wiping your car down with QD? Should I wipe it down w/water first before QD?

For example: I washed my car late yestarday. It sat in the garage over night and my wife drove the car this morning. It is mostly clean, but there is some dust on the car, more so towards the rear of the car (rear fenders, bumper, hatch). Is this what QD spray is made for?

**offcenter** · 01-10-2003, 10:43 PM

Originally posted by PiL

Thanks for confirming my assumtion regarding washing before waxing. But, this brings me to another question. When is the best time to use QD? And, is there a "best practice" in wiping your car down with QD? Should I wipe it down w/water first before QD?

For example: I washed my car late yestarday. It sat in the garage over night and my wife drove the car this morning. It is mostly clean, but there is some dust on the car, more so towards the rear of the car (rear fenders, bumper, hatch). Is this what QD spray is made for?

Based on this scenario, I would use my California Car Duster first, then QD with a good quality microfiber cloth. Water is not needed before the QD. There are many QD`s, do a seach here on autopia. My current favorite is ClearKote Quik Shine.

**PiL** · 01-11-2003, 07:42 AM

Originally posted by rad21

Based on this scenario, I would use my California Car Duster first, then QD with a good quality microfiber cloth. Water is not needed before the QD. There are many QD`s, do a seach here on autopia. My current favorite is ClearKote Quik Shine.

What if I don`t have a Cali car Duster, and I don`t want to buy one. Any substitutes? Can`t I just wipe it down with QD? I thought this is what this product was for.

**offcenter** · 01-11-2003, 10:43 AM

Originally posted by PiL

What if I don`t have a Cali car Duster, and I don`t want to buy one. Any substitutes? Can`t I just wipe it down with QD? I thought this is what this product was for.

PiL,

I guess you can use a dry MF cloth and lightly dust, then apply QD and wipe off. I just wouldn`t spray a QD on my paint if I physically see a layer of dust, that`s just me, maybe I am weird.:bounce

**C. Charles Hahn** · 01-11-2003, 12:02 PM

honestly if you just want to come up with ways to cut corners, then detailing is not the hobby for you as you will never really be satisfied with the result as compaired to if you did it the right way.

**PiL** · 01-11-2003, 12:26 PM

Originally posted by Shiny Lil Detlr

honestly if you just want to come up with ways to cut corners, then detailing is not the hobby for you as you will never really be satisfied with the result as compaired to if you did it the right way.

Cutting corners is the LAST thing I want to do. I just wanted to make sure I have been using my Meguiar`s Quick Detailer correctly. From the replies, it seems that I haven`t. Good to know! I usually use it to clean the car when it`s dusty, after it has been driven - I guess like you would use a Cali Duster. I use QD to extend regular washes. It seems that the car should be pretty much clean when you use QD, and that QD is really not to clean, but to keep that just waxed look/feel between waxing.

The reason I posted the original message is because I was going to apply some galze and wax on my car in my semi-heated garage this weekend. And I wondered if I could get away with using detailer to clean it since I just washed it the day before and I knew it wold be too freakin` cold to wash it anytime this weekend. Thanks for the info guys. I will just leave the car alone this weekend and wait for a warmer day.

**CharlesW** · 01-11-2003, 01:17 PM

Originally posted by PiL

The reason I posted the original message is because I was going to apply some galze and wax on my car in my semi-heated garage this weekend. And I wondered if I could get away with using detailer to clean it since I just washed it the day before and I knew it wold be too freakin` cold to wash it anytime this weekend. Thanks for the info guys. I will just leave the car alone this weekend and wait for a warmer day.

Washed the day before and QD today doesn`t sound like it would be too tough on the finish. While I don`t have near the experience of some of the posters, If it were my car, I would probably go ahead and do it. You might want to try one panel and inspect it after using the QD. If it looks OK, do the rest of the car.

Like you, I thought the QD was good for removing light dust, with or without the use of the CCD first.

Charles

**Mindflux** · 01-11-2003, 01:21 PM

I too thought QD was to remove light dust. The lubricity helps the dust not marr the finish. I guess everone`s been using QD the wrong way? Shoot I dunno anymore.

**Knight** · 01-11-2003, 11:58 PM

I will try to sum up the only ways to use QD at a certain time. This might just help as some basic rules.

If you washed the vehicle the day before and let it SET in the GARAGE that night. QD it the next day BEFORE driving.
If you drive your car and the roads have gravel, snow, rain, mudd, or any other sloppy conditions besides almost perfect black roads, Don`t QD; wash.
If the roads are near perfect when you drive, then as soon as you get home QDing would be safe and what you ought to do.
That "just waxed look"comes every time you QD your car and you should try to QD every day until the roads are not near perfect and you DRIVE on them once.
Use QD with a microfiber to make sure you don`t scratch the car. Use back and forth motions on top of the car and up and down motions when wiping the sides of the car.
If it rains on the car or snows, wash the car not QD.
If you FORGET a day of QDing, and there is more dust on the car than normal on a one night sit in the garage, wash the car.
Lastly, any time you think the car is too soiled to QD and is border line wash/QD, don`t hesitate to just wash the car instead of QD.

This is for a garaged vehicle ONLY. If you park outside then you might need to wash more a week and QD less depending on the weather.

I hope this helps a little bit. I was trying to give you a base to go from.

:up