Just want to make sure I am using QEW correctly

n2_space

n2_space

New member
I finally bought some QEW today. I did the wife's car first. It was a bit soiled, so I took it to the car wash to RINSE only (hose was completely frozen, only getting to the 20's today). I sprayed it off to get teh major grunge off the car. I drove home, and mix 1/2 oz of QEW with 1 gallon of nice warm water, and filled up my second rinse bucket. I mixed up a bottle of QEW (same proportions) to spray each panel before washing. I used a sheep skin mitt, and squeezed it out (so as not to drip too much). It got pretty dirty each panel. The rinse bucket was kinda dirty, but th wash bucket looked okay. The only other thing that bothered me is after washing a panel and drying with a MF, the MF was kinda dirty too. The paint looks ok. Is this normal, or am I doing anything wrong?
 
I used a full ounce (2 Capfuls) in a gallon as opposed to a half ounce. Thats what the instructions said on the bottle. I also threw in half an ounce of Megs Quick Detailer just for fun. The mitt got real dirty, but not the towel.



One great thing about QEW is it doesnt allow the dirt to dissolve into the wash water it collects at the bottom instead. Next time I'll use 2 gallons in the wash bucket and 4 capfuls (2 ounces) because I found that 1 gallon in my bucket wasn't enough to keep from dragging the bottom of the bucket where the dirt was and if I tried to avoid that I couldnt fully submerse the mitt.



Another interesting tidbit, I'm thinking about maybe putting QEW in the rinse bucket as well, or just not using a rinse bucket next time because of its cleaning properties. If I scrubbed the mitt out in the rinse bucket it would get the water filthy, but if I did it in the wash water it would not only clean the mitt much better and quicker, but the dirt would just ball up and float to the bottom.



Really an excellent product.
 
I did put 1 oz in for a gallon, sorry about that :) I used maybe half the bucket (?) for a smaller mid size car.
 
I definately could have done the entire car with the gallon of solution (and the Lexus is pretty big) but I think 2 gallons would give me more "swishing" room lol
 
I got the product today and I thought it was great. Not as quick as washing with soap and a hose but great for cold days when the water freezes. I notice after washing a panel that the water will not dry completely off the panel allowing me to start teh next few panels before I go back to dry. The dirty mf can be caused by not using enough water or energy when washing. You need 4 capfulls per gallon since there are 4 quarts in a gallon. Don't be worried about pressing the mitt to meet the surface as long as you rinse it often, I normally start with the poainted surfaces at the top and work my way down to the bumpers, rockers, valences and wheels last. By the time I work my way to the last pieces the water is almost gone and very dirty. Try using a rinse bucket with only water in it. I remember this was a recomendation when I first started using this forum.
 
I use yellow waffle weaves and they never get dirty when drying.







Ryan said:
Not as quick as washing with soap and a hose but great for cold days when the water freezes.

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What's your technique with soap and hose or QEW? I can do my SUV in almost half the time with QEW than regular soap and hose. :nixweiss
 
Ryan,



The directions on the QEW bottle say to use a half ounce per 2 quarts of water. One capful = half an ounce. This means 2 capfuls per gallon not 4.
 
I just use one bucket, no spray solution. One gallon of water, two capfuls of QEW. Wash a section, wipe with a terry cloth towel, making sure some water is still on the paint and then a final pass with a microfiber towel. Unless a car is completely trashed, the one bucket method works fine. No swirls, no drying streaks, etc.



I guess 11 years of experience with QEW makes me more comfortable using it as instructed on the bottle.
 
Scottwax said:
I just use one bucket, no spray solution. One gallon of water, two capfuls of QEW. Wash a section, wipe with a terry cloth towel, making sure some water is still on the paint and then a final pass with a microfiber towel. Unless a car is completely trashed, the one bucket method works fine. No swirls, no drying streaks, etc.



I guess 11 years of experience with QEW makes me more comfortable using it as instructed on the bottle.
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I did my car today, and didn't squeeze out as much water before I washed. I dried with a MF and followed with another to make sure it was good and dry. I just need some practice with it I guess :nixweiss I felt the finish, and it was squeaky, and left marks from my fingers, so I sprayed it with QEW mix from a squirt bottle, and dried with a MF, felt ok after that. I guess I need to work with it some more???? :o
 
It just takes a few times using QEW to really nail it down. I can wash the average sized car in 15-20 minutes (unless it is cold and damp, making it harder to dry), and another 5-15 to do the door jams, wheels and wheel wells.
 
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