Dry cleaning?

[li'lripper]

Washing, polishing, waxing... yes, but if you live in a very dusty environment and are flatout with job and life, and you want your car to look good every day... where's the time coming from? Is there a way to maintain the good finish of once-every-three-months detailing with a "dry cleaning" method - just using dry cloths, perhaps? I don't like to be always throwing water over the car, especially since the water I'd be using is hard. Once you wet the dust you have mud and you've got to get into the lengthy wash-with-soap process. So, is there something to dry-remove the dust daily and keep the surface clean and clear?

[BlueZero]

Re: Dry cleaning?

I hate to recommend a non-Meguiar's product here but, check out Optimum No Rinse. You mix 1 oz of product with 2 gallons of water. Wash your car with it and dry. No need for a rinse. Saves you from dragging out the hose.

[Murr1525]

Re: Dry cleaning?

Thats a really tough question, because there are so many variables.

There are products like body dusters, and quick detailer sprays that can be used daily for very light dirt.

But for instance, my car is a daily driver, parked outside. Even after 24 hours, I wouldnt want to wipe the dust off without actualy washing. I dont want to risk dragging stuff around on the paint. I mean, who knows what kind of junk flies up from the traffic and rosds.

The good news is that with regular washing, and a periodical clay/clean/polis/wax, your car will usualy look pretty darn good, and the shine will still come through, even with dust on.

[JG_Detailing]

Re: Dry cleaning?

Either way you look at it you still will take the chance of making swirl's marks or even scratch the paint. Because you need water to remove the dirt from the paint so it won't get marks while wiping the car down with a sponge or towel.

[li'lripper]

Re: Dry cleaning?

Thanks, guys. Yeah, it's a challenge! The body dusters are intriguing, Murr1525. Got any more info on something like that? I was thinking of simply a microfibre chenille towel, if such a thing exists. The dust probably has an electric charge, so something which carried an opposite charge should aid the process. Is this science fiction?!

[Murr1525]

Re: Dry cleaning?

Meguiars makes/made a body duster, if you can still find it anywhere. Might have to search online.

The other main one is the California Duster.

Never used one myself.

EDIT:

Check autodetailingsolutions.com. They still seem to have them advertised, maybe you can still get one before they are all gone.

[Tillmanator]

Re: Dry cleaning?

I find that if you want your car to look good.. nothing beats a nice wash. You have family? Make it a family fun time... "Let's all get out and wash the car!" I can do my car by myself in just over an hour... with hubby it's just over 30 mins.... with one more person who knows how little time it might take.

One person with a body brush... another couple with a mitt assigned to differnt parts and another on hose duty. Dad gets the top with the brush... kids get down low and do the wheels.... wife has hose to give a good spray. Then a few water mags to dry her off and you're done! Do have a garage to keep your supplies handy? I don't! That totally stinks. I have to get them out of a bag in the closet and then put them away afterwards. If you have a garage then it would be even quicker.

I know this isn't really what you wanted to know when you posed your original question. But it's something I just wanted to remind you of in case it had not occurred to you. Sometimes my neighbor a few houses down comes over and helps... then when he does his I help him also. We have the best looking cars on the street!

[STG]

Re: Dry cleaning?

Meguiar's sells a no-water cleaning kit in Australia. It's Quick Detailer and microfiber towels.

I've cleaned my cars with Last Touch dozens of times. Thgis morning, I cleaned up my Subaru Legacy GT after driving it through some slushy snow yesterday.

(I have a heated garage.)

First, I used a spray bottle filled with warm water on the dirtiest (lower parts) of the car.

Second, I used large amounts of Last Touch and many Costco microfiber towels to remove the dirt. (Be generous with the Last Touch and switch out towels often.)

Third, I applied Last Touch to the whole car normally.

Fourth, I washed down the wheels with the spray bottle (water) followed by lots of Last Touch and cheap terry towels.

If you use large amounts of quick detailer, wipe gently, switch out towels, and do multiple passes, you should be O.K. I use this technique during winter up here in Cody and started back in Southern California: I owned and lived in an apartment building where I didn't let the tenants wash their cars, so I'd go down to the parking area and QD-clean my car almost every night!

Just buy Last Touch by the gallon and don't worry about how much you use.