Post first detailing questions

[Dreadnaught]

Since we are being hammered here in the NE with rain, which is going to last well into the weekend, I wasn't able to do as an exstensive job as I wanted to.

What I did do was use the NXT wash, the NXT tire cleaner and coating, and the NXT all metal polish - few questions.

1.) I used the Versa-Angle tire brush on the tires and it seemed to actually take some rubber off, as I noticed lots of black "dust" on the rims. The bristles of the brush are also blackened and the tires are now very smooth (due to probally taking some rubber off). Is this normal, or did I scrub too hard? Is this in anyway going to put my tires in danger of, for lack of better words, exploding? I have white lettering that I was trying to get cleaned so I did put some muscle behind it.
2.) The NXT all metal polish did seem to clean the aluminum grill in the front of my Jeep ('96 Jeep G.C.L.), however I didn't notice that big of a difference on my rims, which are also aluminum. Is this just because of the quality of the aluminum in combination with the car being 10+ years old?
3.) The Water Magnet towl (which was REALLY AMAZING), and the Ultra Plush Super Terry cloth (also savy), both say to wash in like colors. However the towl says to NOT wash in bleach and fabric softeners while the terry cloth says to wash with like colors, BLEACH and FABRIC softeners - opinions?
4.) The High Tech applicator pads are also machine washable. I'm assuming I can just wash with any type of color. Should I pretreat them in a type of solution (suggestions?) to clean them before washing them in the washing machine?

I was extremely pleased with the vangaurd of products I used on a 10+ year old jeep which is driven hard - it puts new Jeeps to shame. Soon as I get 2+ days of no rain, I intend to clay, paint clean, double wax, plasic trim coat, the WORKS.

[Guiser]

I don't have a definitive answer for you, but I can share some of my experiences.

1) When I used to use Endurance on my wheels after having washed the car it would only last a few days. I recently discovered this was because I wasn't cleaning my tires well enough and the Endurance was just sticking to the dirt. After I started using the tire brush the Endurance lasts 3-4 weeks. When I cleaned them for the first time with this method all kinds of yuck came off of them (the water in the bucket was almost black with all kinds of little floaties). I'm not sure you can hurt tires with the brush, I haven't ever heard of this, but maybe someone with more experience knows for sure.

2) Not sure, haven't had a chance to use the metal polysh yet.

3) I wouldn't use fabric softeners on anything you put on your car. They add "stuff" to the things you wash, then that "stuff" gets transferred to your paint which can use streaking.

4) I clean my applicators with terry towels then wash the towels. I find that sometimes the yellow comes off, but it has only happened once on an old well used pad.

- Ben

[Dreadnaught]

Thanks for your reply Guiser, hopefully we can get some more input for the both of us!

[Murr1525]

1. I am not the biggest fan of the Nxt tire cleaner. And I havent used the tire brush. I just use APC and a toothbrush. I have never had that kind of thing happen, more of a brown sludge washing off. But if it is the first time you have ever cleaned the tires, I would say it is ok. If it happens every time.. maybe you would want to try a different technique.

2. Are your wheels bare aluminum? Or clearcoated?

3. Wash your microfiber towels and your 100% cotton terry cloth towels seperately. No fabric softeners at all.

MF towels include Water Magnets, Supreme Shines and then other companies.

100% terry cloths include the Ultra Plush, older hand towels for the greasy spots, terry cloth applicators, etc.

4. I actualy dont wash them. I soak them overnight in a bucket with a little water and a little extra Dawn, then wring out and rinse a few times. Then let dry for a while on paper towels.

Keep asking away...

[Dreadnaught]

-I like the idea of just letting the towls soak overnight in a little dawn. I didn't like the idea of washing them with other clothes - even like colors can still bleed off some color onto my towls.

-My tires are bare aluminum, no way they can be clearcoated.

- If you don't use NXT metal polysh, what do you use to clean/protect your rims? The metal polysh did seem to be slightly abrasive, it could just be me - wonder if it would harm pure chrome rims?

[Murr1525]

I may not have been totally clear enough on a few of my answers...

3. I wash the towels. But not with other clothes of couse. I believe it was Richard Lin (OctaneGuy) that bought some As-Seen on TV counter-top washer for his towels.

4. I soak the Hi-Tec Applicators.

- If you are applying thin coats, which you should be, there shouldn't be caked on layers of wax/polish/cleaner on your towels.

- If it is bare aluminum, just give it another whirl with the polish. What did you apply it with last time? Maybe make sure it is a terry cloth. I have also clayed aluminum before polishing with good results. Someone also recommended Goo-Gone before polishing.

- My rims are clear coated/painted, so I use the Multi-Piece Wheel Cleaner and the wheel brushes/toothbrush. I occasionally wax them, but its a daily driver, just gets messed up too fast, so I just clean them.

I use the polish on my mufflers and exhaust tips, and have clayed them.

[Dreadnaught]

Sounds good Murr. I used a high tech applicator pad to swirl and polish the metal polysh into the rim last time, buffing it our with a terry cloth.

When I wash my towls I'll just wash them seperate from everything else, no biggy. The applicator pads I will soak in some Dawn, but do you also throw them in the washing machine?

[Murr1525]

Yeah, try applying with the terry this time. Just make sure it isnt one you plan to keep. And really work the product in till it is just about disappeared.

No, the Hi-Tecs, other foam things (Tire applicator, foam paint brush, etc) I just soak then rub in some dawn by hand, and rinse out a few times.

Just try and keep each pad dedicated to a certain product anyway in case it doesnt all come out.