cleaning car...

[lasvegas69charg]

just wondering how you clean your car after you have driven it a few times and gets dusty. I have always washed it but how does the California duster do instead of washing every few times I drive it. 

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

Thats all I do....dust it off & a good detail spray.  haven't "washed" the car in 8+ years!

[y3chargerrt]

The only time my Charger gets "washed' is if it rains in Carlisle!

[Dino]

Dust I leave but once it gets grimy I run it through the no touch car wash.  When I have a better paint job I'll use the California duster. 

I enjoy cleaning the car in the driveway but the outside water is real hard and full of calcium, I need to find some filtering system for it as it loeaves a ton of white spots everywhere.

[resq302]

One thing I have found out is to blow off all the water after I wash the car / truck with either the air compressor or my back pack leaf blower.  Gets 90% of the water off and makes drying time with the Absorber that much faster.  Hardly any water spots also.  Now that I moved into my house 4+ years ago, the well water has a softener system for it which leaves no water spots at all. 

However, for the charger, if it gets really dusty, I just use the compressed air to blow off the car.  Exterior wise, I use the california duster on it.

[lasvegas69charg]

does the California duster leave behind spider webs(very fine scratches)

[Cooter]

The only time my Charger gets "washed' is if it rains in Carlisle!

Exactly. I can never understand why someone will not let it sit outside in the rain, but will pump the same water up out the ground with a 220 volt pump right back on the car.  I clean my junk with a spray bottle of distilled water and a micro cloth. Then, I use good old fashioned hand paste wax. Whether it needs it or not. It sits inside, so I wax it just to protect it when and IF it gets a soaker at a car show.

[resq302]

I agree Cooter.  My charger only sees water IF it rains at a show or on the way to or home from a show.  The only exception would be if there is road dirt on the rocker panels or quarter panel and wheel wells from driving it home or to a show is when I will put running water on it just to get the majority of the dirt off and then I will follow it up with the microfiber towel and Meguiar's quick detailer.

Like you, my charger gets waxed AT LEAST once a year with the full clay bar, polish, wax treatment.  Car is kept inside my garage and under a cover.

[twodko]

One thing I have found out is to blow off all the water after I wash the car / truck with either the air compressor or my back pack leaf blower.  Gets 90% of the water off and makes drying time with the Absorber that much faster.  Hardly any water spots also.  Now that I moved into my house 4+ years ago, the well water has a softener system for it which leaves no water spots at all. 

However, for the charger, if it gets really dusty, I just use the compressed air to blow off the car.  Exterior wise, I use the california duster on it.

My routine also. Cali Duster and Mothers Fast Detail spray most lf the time. I do lightly wash the car 1-2 year but always use soap meant for auto finishes and use comp air as well especially on/under the trim. Dish soap is really bad for a car's finish....it has grease cutters in it that removes the cars wax. 

[68X426]

My routine also. Cali Duster and Mothers Fast Detail spray most lf the time. I do lightly wash the car 1-2 year but always use soap meant for auto finishes and use comp air as well especially on/under the trim. Dish soap is really bad for a car's finish....it has grease cutters in it that removes the cars wax. 

And Tom's Charger looks magnificent, I can vouch for it. 

I'll add that the only water I use is distilled, straight, no ordinary cleaners. The chemicals can ruin a finish, I take no chances, and tap water destroys over time, so only distilled water is used (soft cotton towels, and Mothers). Yeah I'm picky. 

[Ghoste]

Another detail spray and duster fan here.  It maybe sees an actual wash once a year.

[bill440rt]

This topic has been covered here quite a bit.
My '68 has been painted since the late '80's. I can count on one hand how many times I've washed it with a hose. Same with the other cars. They would have to get REAL dirty to break out a hose, to me it makes more of a mess than anything else.

Short story about what sold me on the California Duster. I was at a weekend car show at the Jersey shore, the cars were displayed up on the boardwalk. Very cool show. It was very windy the first day, and at the end of the day the car was literally covered with sand from the beach. No way could I wipe it off, no access to a hose either. My friend offered me to use his Cal duster, I thought no way. The paint job is doomed.
Reluctantly, I tried it. It removed every grain of sand without one single scratch. When I got home, I ordered one for each car. Been using them ever since.

Best detailer I've tried to date is Griot's Garage Speed Shine, Adam's Detailer is also very good.
After dusting sometimes I'll use a soft cotton washcloth and water, & dry it with a soft cotton towel.
If the underside is detailed either more detailer or a bucket with a rag & some cleaner is all it takes.
Foam paint brushes & detailers/cleaners are another great trick for hard to reach areas or underhood & to save time. Just gotta be creative.

[lasvegas69charg]

cool.  thanks guys for the info.  it looks like cali duster and detail spray for me for now on.

[marshallfry01]

What is a California duster? I don't guess I have ever heard of one.

[resq302]

You can pretty much get them anywhere now.  It usually has either an off white plastic handle or earlier ones had a wooden handle.  The end of the duster looks like a red yarn that should be mopping a floor somewhere.  They generally have a black vinyl bag to put the yarn part into.

[bill440rt]

http://www.calcarduster.com/originalDuster.asp

You can buy it directly from the manufacturer, swap meets, even Pep Boys has them.
The plastic handled ones tend to be cheap knock-offs, get the ones with wooden handles if you can.

[Bob T]

I'm a big fan of Mothers "gold class'' wash, 3 caps in a bucket of water. First I hose the car off then use the Mothers applied with a lambs wool mitt then use a chamois to dry it off. Usually every 2 weeks or so in the summer, or if Im off to a car show.
I use foaming 'Armorall' on the tyres, I do it outside on the road so the stain doesn't stay on my driveway and I do it at least 2 days before the show so it will have time to cure off properly. I've used 3M ''Imperial Hand Glaze'' to hand cut and buff the whole car before a magazine shoot and that stuff is just magic, took hours though. I use baby oil on the seats and trim panels and buff it off after, again at least two days before a show or outing.

A mate with a 300F and I did a wedding yesterday and the bridesmaids loved it  

[HeavyFuel]

We have a lot of bugs up here, and I'm not looking forward to the day when I have to clean my grill after a long road trip.

Any tips for keeping the grill clean?  Does anyone use a bug screen of some type.

Our cars push air out of the way like nobodies business, maybe the bugs get deflected as well?   I'm sure the big hoppers will get through.

[Dino]

We have a lot of bugs up here, and I'm not looking forward to the day when I have to clean my grill after a long road trip.

Any tips for keeping the grill clean?  Does anyone use a bug screen of some type.

Our cars push air out of the way like nobodies business, maybe the bugs get deflected as well?   I'm sure the big hoppers will get through.

Everything gets through.  My grille doesn't look too bad but the radiator gets the brunt of it.  I don't use any screens, it'll just mean the screen is full of bugs, still blocking air.  After a long drive in summer make it a habit to rinse of the grille and radiator.

[bill440rt]

We have a lot of bugs up here, and I'm not looking forward to the day when I have to clean my grill after a long road trip.

Any tips for keeping the grill clean?  Does anyone use a bug screen of some type.

Our cars push air out of the way like nobodies business, maybe the bugs get deflected as well?   I'm sure the big hoppers will get through.

Everything gets through.  My grille doesn't look too bad but the radiator gets the brunt of it.  I don't use any screens, it'll just mean the screen is full of bugs, still blocking air.  After a long drive in summer make it a habit to rinse of the grille and radiator.

Trick is to get rid of them as soon as you can.
I bought a set of these, they work great for cleaning bugs off the grille, radiator, etc.
http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/two+boars+hair+detail+brushes.do?sortby=ourPicks&from=Search

The foam paint brush trick with cleaners/detailer also works well. The Cal mini-duster is good, too.

For stubborn critters, I have a set of these too:
http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/detailing+stick+system.do?sortby=ourPicks&from=Search
Comes with different size tips for hard to reach areas.

If that fails, I guess ya have to break out the hose.   

[bakerhillpins]

I live on a dirt road. Im lucky if the car stays clean 5min after cleaning.     She gets washed like once a week and driven almost right away. Of course that immedately makes her dusty. 

I would go crazy insane if I were to try to detail the car. 

[tan top]

 all i ever do is , use one of them california duster thingys now ,! use to just leather it off ,  but blow the car off with compressed air first ,  on the vinyl top , compressed air again with a paint shop tak rag  , lightly glide over roof ,  then  bucket of hot water & leather ,  the whole car off , ive  never washed the car     or even been wet or out  in the rain  since april 89  

[RIDELIKEHELL]

This is great information guys as some of you know I just got my car home in Novemeber of last year and have only put a few miles on it as winter is here I was wondering about washing it come spring but I see the majority is in favor of the duster. So I have a leaf blower & a duster so what else do I need?

[JB400]

This is great information guys as some of you know I just got my car home in Novemeber of last year and have only put a few miles on it as winter is here I was wondering about washing it come spring but I see the majority is in favor of the duster. So I have a leaf blower & a duster so what else do I need?

Time, ambition, and motivation

[resq302]

and gallons of quick detailer to keep cleaning it with microfiber towels!   

[RIDELIKEHELL]

and gallons of quick detailer to keep cleaning it with microfiber towels!   

Cheaper in the USA I bet....I do a lot of shopping in Michigan 

[bill440rt]

I'd be a little leery of aiming at my car with a leaf blower. With my luck it would shoot either a rock or more dirt on it. 

You can buy a bag of microfiber towels at Costco for cheap. In most cases I like the old fashioned cotton cloths still.
Once it's clean it's pretty easy to keep it that way as long as you don't let dirt & stuff build up. It's not too bad, really. I look at it as therapy, just some alone time in the garage to clear your head.

[Dino]

Why use a leafblower or compressed air to get the dust off?  That's what the engine is for silly.   

[RIDELIKEHELL]

..My leaf blower may just do that Bill Dino thats good thinking

[resq302]

How powerful are your leaf blowers that will suck rocks up off of the ground 3 ft off?  Must be a Tim "toolman" Taylor home improvement.   I just have a Schindaiwa EB630 backpack model.  Granted, it can blow a brick down a driveway, but thats also with the chute being about 10" away from the ground and the brick.   

[PlainfieldCharger]

The only time my Charger gets "washed' is if it rains in Carlisle!

Exactly. I can never understand why someone will not let it sit outside in the rain, but will pump the same water up out the ground with a 220 volt pump right back on the car.  I clean my junk with a spray bottle of distilled water and a micro cloth. Then, I use good old fashioned hand paste wax. Whether it needs it or not. It sits inside, so I wax it just to protect it when and IF it gets a soaker at a car show.

Cooter, wanted to let you know I am in the printing industry and we have done many tests on the use of distilled water. Distilled water is actually corrosive. It will eat away at aluminum copper and obvious steel. I would just use a high quality bottled drinking water which has a post saline treatment. I know it sounds crazy

[1969 Dodge Charger R/T]

Wow !

You guys only dust off the Cars 


In my country, we wash our cars like once a week and wax it once or twice a mouth