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I have not figured out a really good routine daily program to keep my daily driver looking immaculate. I would appreciate any ideas from any of you old pros or novices like me that work to deal with the everyday road dirt, tar, bugs, pollen,water spots,etc. Avoiding swirl marks is always a concern. I have had some success utilizing garden sprayers (pump type)with a very dilute solution of car shampoo followed by a plain water or distilled water spritz with a second garden sprayer then dry with cotton towels for a quick daily cleaning when putting car away for the day. Quick detailer spray as needed. I always use clean towels for drying and use seperate towels for wheels and lower parts of car. I am always worried about causing the hated swirl marks. Short of doing a complete proper wash what is a good daily routine or is it better to let to grime build up until I have time for a proper detail?
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Re: Everyday Maintenance
If it is a daily driver, and swirl marks are your main concern, I wouldnt do daily maintenance, unless a bird or hard water drop found the car. QD products are meant for light dirt, and who knows what kind of pollution is picked up on the roads. A good wash with properly measured car wash solution will always be safest.
Heck, right now my car is quite shiny, under a layer of pollen....2017 Subaru WRX Premium - WR Blue -
Re: Everyday Maintenance
this is the time of year i really dont bother with my car to much, wash and wax it now, and an hour layer its getting incredible hulk on me, covered in green pollen..
right now it looks like green leopard print, rain spots that have dried up with pollen..Comment
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Re: Everyday Maintenance
Have a look at http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23388
Keep in mind that only you can determine if the accumulated fallout is severe enough to warrant a complete wash as opposed to a mist & wipe process. Use caution and common sense and you can keep a finish looking great for a long time.Michael Stoops
Senior Global Product & Training Specialist | Meguiar's Inc.
Remember, this hobby is supposed to be your therapy, not the reason you need therapy.
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Re: Everyday Maintenance
Plain and simple.... daily drivers are just an ongoing up hill battle to keep immaculate. Just keep a good coat of wax and do a proper wash/detail once a week or so and your car will be better looking than most.
I agree with Murr, I wouldn’t do a daily wipe down, every time you wipe the car down the potential to scratch is there.
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Re: Everyday Maintenance
You could just QD it every other day.
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Re: Everyday Maintenance
Originally posted by rebelde33 View Post
This is my routine on my wifes car. On mine I usually go 3 days between uqd. This is of course weather permitting. Then your best bet is a complete wash.
quality creates its own demandComment
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Re: Everyday Maintenance
First off, welcome. Hope you enjoy your time here.
To give my two cents. Here is my routine for my climate and usage pattern, remeber what you do and how often you do it depends on your own climate and usage, so share that info if possible for more "tailored advice" . The only thing I've changed in the routine outlined here is that I no longer use the glass cleaner on the lenses, I just wax them when I wax and then QD them daily. I also don't "saturate" the panels any more.
Remember amatures built the ARK, proffesionals built the titanicComment
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Re: Everyday Maintenance
Originally posted by Murr1525 View Post
It would be much better to wash if its a daily driver.
SYDSTER
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Re: Everyday Maintenance
If you really feel the need to wash everyday, I suggest that you take a look at one of the no rinse products that are available. I have had very good luck with QEW (Quick and Easy Wash) on light dirt and dust. 1/3 cup of the stuff in 2 1/2 gallons of warm water is all it takes for my full-size Ram Quad Cab. It doesn't take a heck of a lot longer than a QD. No hoses, just a bucket, a high pile wash mitt and couple of good microfiber or terry towels. I *never* use QEW on caked on dirt.
TomComment
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Re: Everyday Maintenance
I agree. I can clean my moderately dirty black G35 coupe top to bottom, including wheels and tires in exactly 20 minutes with NO VISIBLE MARRING. I use a grout sponge instead of a wash mitt. If I was just removing dust on a daily basis, I could probably do a complete wash in 10 minutes.Originally posted by tguil View PostComment
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Re: Everyday Maintenance
I now use quick detailer only when necessary. (i.e. between washing it and driving to a cruisenight or car show).
This makes me think about my own little evolution of quick detailing.
Stage 1: First you never think about paint maintenence - you just wash and your done.
Stage 2: Then you get wise, and learn good detailing techniques, and you start to use quick detailer on your vehicle, so you don't have to work so hard the next time.
Stage 3: Then you get Quik Detailer happy, and feel that you'll never have to wash your car again if you wipe it down every chance you get.
Stage 4: Then, after you scratch the hell outta it from doing that, you start to quick detail with a little more caution.
After several weekends in March removing cobwebs and swirls, I am proud to say I am in Stage 4!Comment
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