Wash your PT with water only

[santacruzr]

Well, I don't know about this wash with water or don't wash or what, but here is what happens with my PT:

It was washed with Dawn soap and water when we picked it up from the dealer 1 year ago. Since then, only Zaino spray each week, and polish every 3 months. No more soap and water. Here's what it looks like -

http://www.ptcruiserlinks.com/pt-cru...f/DSCN1101.jpg

I guess each person has to decide how much time to spend and what to use on their car, main thing seems to be that if you can keep the car from getting really dirty from the beginning, then it is easy to keep it clean. Does that make sense?

[DJ RickH10]

I have to agree, using a soap made for cars is the best route to go. I live in Seattle and I get rained on "all" the time. I get lots of dirt buildup frequently, even with all rain we get. My PT is a little over 2 yrs old now and still has it's original brilliance because I've taken good care of my finish. I wash with Mother's Car Wash and use S-100 wax when it needs it.

[Mark1]

Again we get into symantics---- wax / polish.... soap / detergent.
Dawn is not a soap it is a detergent. It will actualy break down the wax ( and grease ) to be able to clean the surface effectivly.

I used Dawn when i was painting cars. It did as good a job as the indsutrial degreasers at about a fifth of the price. Plus the "Lot Boy" could do it for me before he brought the car into the paint shop.

Car washes are a gentle soap that tries not to wash off the wax. It mainly lubercates as mentioned several times. But detergents will actualy work on a chemical level to clean. there fore stripping off allmost all the wax in one wash.

And as to all of the "Wel,l mine is still fine!!!" referances. The kind of dirt you get may be different then others. Beleave me if you only washed with water and lived down a gravel road you will end up with some scratches. But of you garage your car at home and in a parking structure at work you will probably will not get much harmful dust that can scratch. And most of us fall in the middle someware. The enviroment you are in will make a big difference.

[softride]

I wash my car with water only, if I go to one of those
car washes that use high preasure.I think the soap they
use in those things is to harsh. If I wash it at home, I use
a good safe brand of car wash soap.

[JOEM]

Originally Posted by Mark1

I used Dawn when i was painting cars. It did as good a job as the indsutrial degreasers at about a fifth of the price. Plus the "Lot Boy" could do it for me before he brought the car into the paint shop.

I thought your used Palmolive...easier on your hands.

[RallyDRock]

Mothers California Gold + soft wash brush. (weekly)
Mothers Clay Bar w/ Showtime lube (monthly)
Meguiars tan bottle glaze and wax (quarterly)

many other brushes for under hood, wheel wells, and brake dust

[Mark29]

Originally Posted by Frank's PT

Water only? Not the way to go. Talk about scratching a finish up. You need the lubrication that soap contains to reduce surface scratching as you wipe. Without it, your introducing fine scratching that water alone cannot prevent. The whole idea is to get the dirt up, so, with those suds and lubrication, your lifting the particles away from the surface. Just like it's designed to do. Also, use a good lambs wool mitt (no sponges, they scratch too), two buckets, one for suds and one for rinse, and finally, a microfiber drying towel (preferably the waffle weave type). Cotton towels can cause scratches. Yes, even 100% cotton can scratch the finish. Write to me if you need good links for supplies.

Agree 100%! I don't want to think about how many scratches I would create on my black PT with only water...yikes!

[Mark1]

Originally Posted by JOEM

I thought your used Palmolive...easier on your hands.

But dawn gets grease out of the way!!!

[softride]

OK OK ,I'll use soap.

[Chuckles]

Boo to wax! Wax is sticky and it attracts dirt.

Turtle Wax Finish 2000 is not a wax. It's a polymer based polish. It leaves the finish shiny and slick. Dirt doesn't stick to it like it sticks to wax. I love it. I find I don't need to wash the car as often as a result.

TW also makes a wash of the same name, which is the best thing for washing over the polymer.

Plus, it's a once-a-year polish. No need to bother with it every week.

Has anybody else out there tried it?