Hi all!!< I am curious on how you wash your neons and what you use? I do not have a hose hookup at my apartment to wash so I been taking it to a car wash, I dont like to use car washes since sometimes u feel rushed and I feel like it scratches the paint. Are there any good cleaners that you all can recomend that I dont need to spray off? I was thinking pouring buckets of water may work. What products do you use to clean and wax? Any detailers you use? I been using a turtle wax spray(cannot remember which one but it smells like coconut) and it seems to be doing a fair job. Also anyone have experience using touch up paint? Any brand recomendations? I been thinking of using dupli-color(i think it is called)

 

Hi pressure car washes are generally safe provided you DON'T use the big scrub brushes some of them have. I've read reports that the spray is far less abrasive than washing with a mitt or sponge. When my car is lightly soiled, I generally dump a bucket of water over it and use a chamois to dry it. The "wand" type dryers are good too. I have about 5 different brands of car polish and wax in my clean up kit.....what works best for you will depend to an extent on the color of your car and how often you want to wax/polish it.

Dusty

 

I am tryng to wash it every 2 weeks(weather permitting in ohio snow and freezing temperatures are the norm around here in the winter) Its color is great just a few scratches and knicks I want to fill in

 

I know it is a pain to keep a car clean without a hose but NEVER NEVER NEVER chamois or squeegee a car without a proper hand wash! A wand wash is better than no wash at all but hand washing is a must I believe at least once a month in the winter. This method requires alot of trips with the bucket or several buckets but your paint will thank you for it. First just soak the car down with COLD clear water to help loosen the dirt and get a film of water on the car. DO NOT RUB YET!. Splash water onto any surface the water doesn't reach. Then with COLD soapy water starting at the top of the car with a nice fluffy hand mitt begin washing the car working around the car in circles as you progress down the vehicle. Then get more COLD clear water and rinse. NOW you can chamois! The key through the whole process is to KEEP THE SURFACE WET so somewhere in the shade with little wind will help.3 buckets would be ideal for this process but most likely you will be making many trips for more water but shoes are alot less expensive than a repaint or a good buff job (depending on where you shop). ALWAYS BE SURE TO USE COLD WATER AND LOTS OF IT!! Hot and even warm water will make any wax you have on the car cloudy as it will reactivate the wax. Always work from top to bottom because most of the heavy dirt will be towards the bottom of the car so as you wash you are getting the dirt to sheet off as you progress. I was taught by an older gentleman who did this as a living. I use Blue Coral Car Wash because it is gentle on the paint and gives an excellent suds plus it has some waxes in it so you kinda are killing 2 birds with 1 stone. For actual waxing, any carnuba type wax and it doesn't have to be the most expensive is best as it will clean and protect. For glass I like plain old Windex (always haved loved the smell) and once clean I apply RainX to the exterior glass. This stuff is amazing! I don't like vinyl protectants or the film they leave so soapy water and rinse on interior surfaces seems to work just fine although if you leave the car in constant hot sunlight I would recommend some type of Armorall protectant. every couple of months I will treat the tires to a protectant to keep the sidewalls from cracking and splitting. NOW GET SCRUBBING!

 

Thanks for the advice deranged, I will def get to it once it reaches above freezing ( 4 degrees right now), tho would have no problem keeping the water cold haha, anyone recommend any touch up paint?

 

I normally use Duplicolor. Now they have the pen type applicator and it works pretty good for building up a deep rock chip. You'll have to apply several coats but that is normal. I think they do a good job with the color matching. I've also used their spray touch up in the past and the match was perfect. For some colors you will have to go to the dealer though as I've found that not all colors are carried aftermarket. I think they just produce the most commonly sold colors.

 

Luckily they have my color poplar red or something like that but I have seen it, I am glad to hear it works on chips cause when I bought this car has a small chick in the driverside rear door. Thanks for all the great info.

 

Glad to help!