Winter's Coming: How Often Will You Wash Your Daily Driver?

How Often Will You Wash Your Daily Driver This Winter?

  • More Than Once a Week!

    Votes: 8 14.8%
  • Once a Week....

    Votes: 20 37.0%
  • Every Couple Weeks

    Votes: 15 27.8%
  • Once a Month!

    Votes: 9 16.7%
  • I'll Wait 'til Spring!!!

    Votes: 2 3.7%
  • It's a BEATER! I Never wash it anyway!

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Total voters
    54

drmcetta

New member
What product do you guys recommend to clean, reduce swirl, and protect german cars interior trim? would vinyl and leather protectant work on these trims?



thanks :)
 
All wood trim on newish cars today is coated with a urethane top coat. So, it acts just like the clear on your car!



I wax mine with either Souveran or Zymol Detail wax (I have to find a use for this stuff somewhere).



If I had swirls, I would use one of the really mild abrasives very gently by hand -- preferable one without fillers. Perfect It III Finishing Glaze comes to mind.
 
I've worked my way up to Perfect-It II Fine Cut RC on the wood trim inside on the blue car, can't make a dent in the swirls.



At this point, I've given up and just go over it with AIO or SG. At least it's shiny, and the swirls aren't visible unless you look exactly the right way at it.



Andy
 
Zymol Detail Wax works well for me also. I have used it on a bunch of different wood trims and all come out beautiful. Works well on chrome door handles also. Good luck.



T.C.
 
<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote' >

<em class='bbc'>Originally posted by Don2000g [/i]
<strong class='bbc'>So how did you all manage to get swirls on your wood trim? Any pics? [/b]</blockquote>
No idea, I bought the car pre-owned. My guess is that the trim was just wiped off with a dry towel. But in a way that doesn't make sense, since I can't get it out (I'm talking NO difference after 3M PI 2 RC in a controlled area). If the surface is that hard, how'd it get swirls? I should add I'm talking about the area around the gearshift, up to and including the ashtray.

No pics, if I get over to Tim's maybe we can take a couple with his digital camara. I'm still prehistoric with film & developing and never knowing if the pics are going to turn out.

Anyway, they're noticible to ppl like us, everyone else says "oh, what pretty wood trim."

any suggestions welcome.

Blue Skies,
Andy
 
My BMW (new) has some light swirls in the console area by the shifter. Don't know how swirls develop on the wood trim, but I havent seen a car (with coated REAL wood trim) that hasnt had swirls. I will try to take a picture but am not sure if I will be able to get the right angle to show them. These swirls are real light...
 
Yell00ITR-



Don't know if it's just the top coat that they put on the wood trim, but I also have the swirls on it. I am going to try z5 this weekend to see what it does to them.
 
Adjulian: We have identical cars...as I have the CD player too. Did you get a post March (or was it May?) build date to get the HK System? I didn't and was wondering if it was worth upgrading (I think it is $600 or so at my dealer).



Let me know if the Z5 works! I need to detail the BMW interior and may have to add this to the mix!
 
Yell00ITR -



My car was produced on July 13, 2001 so, yes, I do have the HK system.



I am happy with the HK system but don't know if it's worth $600 from the 'stealer', you may want to look into some aftermarket speakers. Check out e46fanatics.com and I think you may find some info on some aftermarket audio stuff.



I will let you know how the z5 works out. Already have z2'ed the trim and it's very smooth and shiny now. Don't know that I'm ready to use FI2 or PI2 just yet.
 
and it seems to help. The trim scratches VERY easily espeically around the shifter. I am pondering replacing my wood with titanium trim, but for now, Z2, Z5 and maintaining with Z6 keeps it looking good.
 
During the spring, summer and fall seasons, most of us keep our daily drivers pretty clean!

But here comes winter (Hey Florida guys, I'm not talking to you!!!)

You'll protect your car the best you can, but how often will you wash your car during the winter months?
 
About every three weeks, possibly a month, maybe just go the whole winter without washing it at all :clap: :out:
 
I've been so busy its been at least a month since I've washed the wifes 740. I'm thinking it could be another 3 weeks before I get to it. :(
 
I will try to do it once a week if possible. I will use ONR, but I still have to do it outside, so as I said, if possible.
 
Back
Top