Nov 29, 2007 3:33:18 PM
Quote:
silverrules said:Quote:
STRADALE said:Quote:
cannga said:
I use a leaf blower, $60 model from Toro called Super Blower. This was mentioned in the past as probably the best way to blow off excess water from the wheel and brake area so that rusty color water doesn't drip onto the inside of the rim. Of course it works perfectly for the rest of the car also. YMMV but one try with this and you might not use any other method again. Blow, then touch up with a dry towel and there won't be one spot on your car once the job is done.
I cover the tip with some duct tape so that even if I touch car, no harm is done.
Only issue is neighbors might look at you funny, going at your car with a leaf blower. Just don't do it early Sunday morning and things should be cool.
http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/601...gt_adv_XSG10001
Be real careful w/ leaf blower's. Unless it is filtered air there is a good chance you blowing dusty air onto the paint. The Vac & Blo is made so that the air goes through a filter first. Cann, you should try the Metro Vac & Blo it's designed to blo air off auto's.
Gregg, Did you order the Jumbo or the small Metro vac? Beside the longer hose any advantage for having the wall mount version over the portable one?
Quote:
cannga said:
Gregg,
I assume you have that Vac & Blo? It's powerful enough? It's hard to judge since there is no standard but for example if you put it againts the wheel, it will blow off the water inside the wheel well and brake? The leaf blower gives a "wind" speed of 200 mph; I wonder if the Vac & Blo has some similar rating??
I don't have any problem with dirt since the car is always washed in a clean area with cement floor and the intake is held high by necessity, but the Metro Vac & Blo looks very nice and easier to handle. If the blow speed is as powerful, it would be hard for me to resist. TIA.
Quote:
STRADALE said:
Be real careful w/ leaf blower's. Unless it is filtered air there is a good chance you blowing dusty air onto the paint. The Vac & Blo is made so that the air goes through a filter first. Cann, you should try the Metro Vac & Blo it's designed to blo air off auto's.
Nov 29, 2007 5:45:43 PM
Quote:
STRADALE said:
Also silver, just thought of another reason why I went wall mount vs portable - No electrical extension cords needed. If you go portable then you have to have an extension cord long enough to reach your car, much easier to have it wall mounted hooked into an outlet on the wall & have enough hose to reach.
Nov 29, 2007 5:52:14 PM
Quote:
STRADALE said: I wash my cars myself which means I'm washing one or another just about every weekend & I've been washing my own cars for the past 23 yrs, it's kind of a hobby/PASSION of mine that I take seriously, I happen to really enjoy it when I know most people despise it.
Nov 29, 2007 6:12:02 PM
Quote:
Dock (Atlanta) said:Quote:
STRADALE said: I wash my cars myself which means I'm washing one or another just about every weekend & I've been washing my own cars for the past 23 yrs, it's kind of a hobby/PASSION of mine that I take seriously, I happen to really enjoy it when I know most people despise it.
I understand your passion. Like you, I wash and detail my cars...for a few years more than you have...and can get as anal as anyone out there. My personal technique is to use a Big Blue for the entire "dry" job...and given the spanking clean condition of my car after washing it, I don't get scratches from any dirt particles when using the Big Blue.
Nov 29, 2007 6:22:49 PM
Quote:
silverrules said:Quote:
STRADALE said:
Also silver, just thought of another reason why I went wall mount vs portable - No electrical extension cords needed. If you go portable then you have to have an extension cord long enough to reach your car, much easier to have it wall mounted hooked into an outlet on the wall & have enough hose to reach.
I see. The portable one hits you and the car and all the loose extension cord getting stuck under the tire will justify spending few min to mount the jumbo in in a proper place in the garage. I am going jumbo
Appreciate all your help guys. Lots of great info here to take care of our toys.
Quote:
STRADALE said:
You shouldn't not as long as you're washing correctly. I'm not saying you shouldn't use a good micro fiber drying towel like the blue one of even better the one from Griots, just saying that's what I USE to do & found the water blade in combination w/ the drying towel is more effective & easier on wax. And before I used micro fiber drying towels I used , bite my lip, cotten bath towels, there just wasn't anything else around back then. Just trying to share tips from lots of OCD days of washing. Not sure what you use to wash your car. You do have an even greater chance of scratching the paint using towels while washing when the paint is dirty then drying when the paint should be clean. I've tried everything & found the Boars hair brush from Griots is the safest & easiest and most effective way of washing. Dirt comes off of the brush when dunked in the soapy bucket vs using a towel which dirt clings to. Plus I don't have dirty towels to launder afterwards because I use a smaller brush w/ a long handle for the wheels.
Some guys think we're nuts to take such pride in washing our own cars.
Quote:
cannga said:
Gregg,
>>>>>I use a smaller brush w/ a long handle for the wheels.
Which brush do you use for the wheels? URL if possible please. TIA.
LOL re. the cotton bath towels.
Quote:
STRADALE said:
You shouldn't not as long as you're washing correctly. I'm not saying you shouldn't use a good micro fiber drying towel like the blue one of even better the one from Griots, just saying that's what I USE to do & found the water blade in combination w/ the drying towel is more effective & easier on wax. And before I used micro fiber drying towels I used , bite my lip, cotten bath towels, there just wasn't anything else around back then. Just trying to share tips from lots of OCD days of washing. Not sure what you use to wash your car. You do have an even greater chance of scratching the paint using towels while washing when the paint is dirty then drying when the paint should be clean. I've tried everything & found the Boars hair brush from Griots is the safest & easiest and most effective way of washing. Dirt comes off of the brush when dunked in the soapy bucket vs using a towel which dirt clings to. Plus I don't have dirty towels to launder afterwards because I use a smaller brush w/ a long handle for the wheels.
Some guys think we're nuts to take such pride in washing our own cars.
Nov 29, 2007 7:14:14 PM
Quote:
STRADALE said:Not sure what you use to wash your car. You do have an even greater chance of scratching the paint using towels while washing when the paint is dirty then drying when the paint should be clean. I've tried everything & found the Boars hair brush from Griots is the safest & easiest and most effective way of washing.
Nov 29, 2007 7:23:47 PM
Quote:
Dock (Atlanta) said:Quote:
STRADALE said:Not sure what you use to wash your car. You do have an even greater chance of scratching the paint using towels while washing when the paint is dirty then drying when the paint should be clean. I've tried everything & found the Boars hair brush from Griots is the safest & easiest and most effective way of washing.
I use Detailer's Choice wash mitts for washing the car, and for soap, wheel cleaner, polish, wax, and metal polish I use P21S products. Windows get Stoner glass cleaner. Tires/ engine compartment hoses/inside & outside black plastic parts get Vynilex or Meguires #40, and the headlights/tail lights get Plexus. I also use Meguires Final Inspection quick detail spray between washings.
Nov 29, 2007 8:56:15 PM
Quote:
MMD said:
Unless you want to have a museum piece, take reasonable care of your car when you wash it, wax it nicely, do not use suspected gritty brushes, mitts and cloths.
Wash the bottom half separately from the top and upper sides because that's where the worst dirt is; etc., etc., etc. .
Stuff like that.
Why? Because it's a car and it gets used in the elements. Reasonable care means only microscopic look at your paint will reveal wear and tear.
When you decide to sell, or feel really ambitious: machine polish the car, that will take care of any "abuse" you delivered to the car on the Obsessive-Compulsive-Nanometer scale.
BTW, I'd only machine polish it two or three times during the life of the clear coat. The CC isn't an inch thick you know.
Quote:
MMD said:
Unless you want to have a museum piece, take reasonable care of your car when you wash it, wax it nicely, do not use suspected gritty brushes, mitts and cloths.
Wash the bottom half separately from the top and upper sides because that's where the worst dirt is; etc., etc., etc. .
Stuff like that.
Why? Because it's a car and it gets used in the elements. Reasonable care means only microscopic look at your paint will reveal wear and tear.
When you decide to sell, or feel really ambitious: machine polish the car, that will take care of any "abuse" you delivered to the car on the Obsessive-Compulsive-Nanometer scale.
BTW, I'd only machine polish it two or three times during the life of the clear coat. The CC isn't an inch thick you know.
Nov 29, 2007 9:27:44 PM
Nov 29, 2007 9:36:51 PM
Quote:
silverrules said:
Gregg, Is the Griot's wall mount VACNBLO at $199 the same vacumme that sells for $299 at Autogeek? The griots shows 30' hose compared to 24' at AutoGeek.
Nov 29, 2007 10:02:33 PM
Nov 29, 2007 11:30:30 PM
Quote:
STRADALE said:
RE: Not using gritty cloths - That's a lot different then the tactic you were proposing a few months ago not to even bother washing w/ soap & water but to use damp towels to remove dirt.
Quote:
MMD said:Quote:
STRADALE said:
RE: Not using gritty cloths - That's a lot different then the tactic you were proposing a few months ago not to even bother washing w/ soap & water but to use damp towels to remove dirt.
Lemme explain.
The use of stuff like Speed Shine is problematic.
My car was not dirty (was washed waxed recently) and people are saying just use california duster and the wipe on Speed Shine.
My solution was to C Dust, and use damp terry towels to lift remaining dirt BEFORE speed shining.
IOW, I use a dozen or more damp terry towels and _TURNING_FREQUENTLY_ a _huge_ number of times to "lift" dirt off. Stay away from lower dirty areas.
It's gotta be done with "lifting" not rubbing the grit in mind.
Speed Shine: weird concept to wax between washes without washing.
So how else _would_ one use products like Speed Shine without washing/drying the car first?
Nov 30, 2007 2:29:21 PM
Quote:
silverrules said:
OK thanks. Here is the link that says 30'
http://www.griotsgarage.com/catalog.jsp?&SKU=77818
Quote:
atomic80 said:
Gregg, you're a sick man! Sick I say! Just kidding...you got me to buy the half gallon foam gun and soap too. I don't think I'd need to get the bucket though. I have so many different ones already!
I've been silent throughout this thread because for the most part I'm happy with just lurking here.