Quick Detail Process ???

[e320]

Don't get me wrong, I love to wash my car, but sometimes finding enough time to get to it every week is tough. I have read about quick detailers on this and other sites, and mostly hear them used for spot cleaning of finger prints, bird droppings, etc.

I have also read an article, by a gentleman over on the Autopia site, outlining a process where every other day he uses a MF and a bucket of water to brush the dust off his car (rinsing the MF in the bucket after each wipe), then uses a Quick Detail product to go over the entire car - presto, clean car. The whole process takes 10 minutes, and has reduced his complete washings to every-other-week.

I have looked at my car after one day of driving, and it has visible dust on the surface - it looks to me like it would scratch the surface to wipe it, even with a wet MF followed by QD (even though my car has been protected with the usual coats of wax). However, I like the idea of not washing my car every week, and the idea of a recently washed car look on a daily basis.

What are your thoughts? Do you QD your entire care daily or every other day?

[Mike Phillips]

Hi e320,

Excellent question.

I'm in the same position. My wife and I recently purchased a black, 04 Honda Pilot. Where we live it is quite windy, and quite dusty. So even though we park the Pilot inside our garage all of the time, normal day to day driving results in dust on our car.

I washed the Pilot Monday, parked her inside the garage. I then waxed the car Tuesday morning, and drove it here and there.

Today, argh!!!! light dust all over the surface. In a few moments, I will take a break from the computer to remove the light dust using a Meguiar's Ultimate Wipe together with Meguiar's Meguiar's Quik Detailer.

I am able to do this safely because the dust is light, and it is fresh. If I were to let it go for another day or two, it could build up to the point where washing may be safer.

If your car is parked outside overnight, this changes everything because moisture, in the form of dew will form on the car's finish and more or less turn light dust into a dust-film. A dust film will tend to be more firmly attached to your car's finish than will dust that has collected on the finish, but not mixed with moisture.

Remember this, if your car gets dirty, whether it is light dust like what I described in reference to our Pilot, or you drive in inclement weather and road film builds up on your car's finish, sooner or later you will have to touch your car's finish in order to remove the unwanted contaminants.

Your goal is to choose the best method for removing the dirt and cleaning the car while reducing the potential for instilling any marring, scratches or swirls.

Used correctly, a premium quality microfiber and a premium quality quick detailer will clean your car without instilling scratches. Same goes for washing a car, as long as your car's finish is not 4-wheel drive, in the mud bogs dirty, a premium quality car wash and wash mitt will clean your car without instilling serious scratches into the finish.

Use common sense when evaluating the condition of your car's finish and let your heart be your guide.

Mike

[e320]

Mike

Thanks for the excellent response. Like you, my car is black. I have two follow-up questions:

1. What is the correct process to follow when QD? Is it a spray of QD and then wipe with MF, or is it better to use the wet MF first and then QD the car?

2. You mentioned inclement weather. Suppose that I have been QD the car daily, and then drive home in a rain storm. At this point the dust has mingled with H2O, though not dried. Would it make sense to QD the car while wet? Or should I just stop the QD process, and wait until the next opportunity to fully wash?

Again, thanks for the response. I would like to say, though I have read countless other posts thanking you, you are doing a tremendous job. Your thoughtful responses, hurculean efforts to follow-up, and helpful hints and insights are amazing - your efforts are truly appreciated!

[Mike Phillips]

Hi e320,

Thank you for the kind words.


I need to take a break, I've been typing all day. How about I get back to you on this later?




Mike (slowly pushing away from the keyboard) Phillips