Washing and Waxing

[John Greenstreet <jgreenst@motown.ge.com>]

> 
> 2)  When I picked up the car from the dealer, he gave me some washing hints.
> Strangely enough he told me not to use SOAP for washing the car, as it would
> build up a film on the car (he suggested just water), I find this a bit odd 
> - my 5000 endured several
> auto. car washes and looks brand new.  Maybe this is because the 90 has a 
> pearlescent finish?  At any rate, what do the majority of you suggest for
> keeping the p/w finish looking great?  How about the wheels?
> 
 
Surely, washing with bar soap would leave a film,  but otherwise I
don't know what they're talking about.  However, it is generally a good
idea not to use detergent of any kind as it removes wax and other
protectants.  About 3 years ago I got a Karcher pressure washer, and
this is definitely the key to keeping a car looking young.  The
high-pressure spray removes any dirt that would scratch the finish,
then I just dry with clean cotton towels.  It's also a great way to
wash wheels, engines, and the undercarriage.  The 1250 psi model
I have is far more powerful than the wands at car washes.

Since it's easier to do, one can wash vehicles more often.
Surprisingly, each wax job actually lasts longer since standing water
and dirt remove wax even better than soap does.  Better still, 
this washer uses only 1.75 gallons per minute, compared with 8-20 gpm
for a garden hose nozzle!

As for maintaining the finish, I've found Sonax waxes to be the best,
but I haven't tried Zymol.  For dark finishes I like Sonax Hard Wax or
Sonax Metallic High Gloss.  The former is for cars with like-new paint;
the latter for metallic finishes over one year old.  Either produce a
very slippery, Rain-X type finish on the paint and are sinfully easy
to apply and remove.  Either are available from Sebring Automotive
at 800-248-1133.

Pearlescent paint though, tends to get stained by road grime, and
NuFinish works great as a cleaner/wax.

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John Greenstreet, Senior Engineer           (jgreenst@motown.ge.com)
Martin Marietta Government Electronic Systems    Moorestown NJ 08057
WPI Class of '75, Temple Class of '94

My new car history:
  1975    1978    1982       1986        1989      1992      1995
   VW ->  Audi -> Audi  -> Mercedes -> Mercedes -> Audi -> Mercedes
Scirocco Fox GTI  4000S    190E 2.3    190E 2.6    100CS     S320

POSSLQ's* new car history:
         1978       1981       1985      1988        1990     1993
       Triumph ->  Toyota ->  Toyota  ->  VW    ->   Audi  -> Audi
       Spitfire    Tercel     Corolla   Jetta GL      80      90S

*POSSLQ = Person of Opposite Sex Sharing Living Quarters
Note: All Audis and Mercedes above were sold to friends or family.
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