Realized something today

[BigChevMan]

I was testing out all my new products I have purchased over the past few weeks because for the first time it was a bit over freezing, and the garage didn't seem half bad with 12 layers of clothes on. Anyway..the test subject was my mom's grand marquis which she rarely bothers to wash unless she runs it through the scratch-0-matic....which thankfully doesn't happen that often. So I QEW'd half the car as a test because I'm still rather leary about this product. I must say that I wasn't overly impressed with it. I absolutely had to poor water over the lower rocker panels to even begin to loosen the salt spray up. It still felt like it was dragging too much across the paint though. So needless to say I stopped after doing just half the car. I don't know that I'll use it on much more than dusty cars..definitely not salt sprays. After that I clayed using a mother's clay bar which I really didn't find too appealing. It's supposed to be almost 50 next weekend so hopefully my wolfgang clay will be here by then.



The only products I enjoyed using and saw results from were my vm, ex-p, and nattys. The whole garage smelled so goods after I busted out the nattys. They should make natty's scented car fresheners. Now if my pad order would show up, my lonely pc might get some use.



Sorry for the long pointless post, but I guess I was just really disappointed in the quality of the QEW and the Mother's clay bar. At least half of my mom's marquis looks good.

 

[MongooseGA]

What dilution of QEW:water did you use?



QEW is really not meant for cars with salt spray, so that might be why you felt the dragging. If the car is beyond a typical week's dirt in decent weather, then you will probably need a regular wash.



As for the clay, I've never had a problem with Mother's. Maybe it was the cold? :nixweiss

 

[BigChevMan]

What dilution of QEW:water did you use?



QEW is really not meant for cars with salt spray, so that might be why you felt the dragging. If the car is beyond a typical week's dirt in decent weather, then you will probably need a regular wash.



As for the clay, I've never had a problem with Mother's. Maybe it was the cold? :nixweiss

I followed the directions....2 capfuls per gallon of water. I guess I was just under the impression that it would replace regular washing and prevent the hassle of getting out the hose and all the associated stuff.

 

[Eliot Ness]

If you have a lot of caked on dirt, or especially salt, you should go to a coin-op (self-service) wash and spray as much of the crud off as possible. I'd say you could do the same thing with a hose at home, but once you bother to break out a hose you may as well do a regular two-bucket wash.



QEW is great, but as you found it does have some limitations.



Glad you had good results with VM, EX-P, and Nattyâ€â„¢sâ€Â¦Ãƒ¢Ã¢â€š¬Ã‚¦ they are great products.

 

[Scottwax]

I followed the directions....2 capfuls per gallon of water. I guess I was just under the impression that it would replace regular washing and prevent the hassle of getting out the hose and all the associated stuff.

It does, but if the vehicle is caked with road salt or mud, first spray it off at a coin op, then QEW wash in your semi-warm garage.



EDIT: Should have read John's post first.

 

[scottabir]

If you dont want to go to the coin-op and there is salt on the car use a small spray bottle ( I use a two gallon deck sprayer) with some QEW/water mix. Pre-spray the panel and let dwell for a little bit (time depends on how cold it is) use the pad/mitt VERY lightly go over the panel-barely touching the surface with it. rinse the mitt/pad and go over the panel again. This should be enough to prevent marring with some serious road salt buildup. It works on my black mazda paint...which you can look at and it will mar. It takes a few times to get the hang of it...at least it did me to not marr the paint, but it does work.

 

[White95Max]

As for the clay, I've never had a problem with Mother's. Maybe it was the cold? :nixweiss

I really like the Mothers clay. If it's cold outside, it helps to squeeze the clay in your hand for a while to warm it up. Also, use warm soapy water as the lube, in an attempt to keep the clay warm and pliable.



When I wash my car in winter without a hose, I try to wash the car before the salty/muddy water has a chance to dry on the paint. If the dirt/salt is still suspended in the water droplets, it just wipes off quickly with very little to worry about in terms of marring.