Hard to keep clean?

[Gtecko]

Am I the only one that feels like it's an absolute magnet for pollen? Jeez, my blue car is practically green from all the yellow pollen.

no ... definetely, unless it is the climate... lol
I have a Pantherametal, which has some specs on the paint and two days after wash it pollen city all over

 

[robz32]

Creamic coatings are actually inmune to water marks, provided you maintain them properly. They help with more than ease of cleaning, they provide a very tough UV protection layer and are less prone to swirl marks than the soft clear coat layer on most paints.

Many detailing professionals will disagree with that.
All cars are immune if you look after them properly, ceramic or not, but leave tap water on a coating and it will mark.

You quite conveniently left the other part of my sentence out, which makes the difference.

The hydrophobic and anti static properties of the coating will help it get rid of the water spots or etching, left by hard water, easier.
If those "pros" are seeing water spots or etching on the coating, after a short period, then they either must have extremely hard water or something is wrong with the ceramic product or application they are using.

If the mineral deposits are relatively fresh they should clean away with minimal effort with something like CarPro Spotless or Optimum MDR. Some of the ceramic coating companies make a top coating for ceramics to help prevent water spots.

 

[MerlintheMad]

I could replace my carport gutters, of course (so they don't leak between roof and gutter). But, failing that, a drop cloth functions as a drip pad, when I have melting snow on the roof splashing onto my freshly washed Stinger. I pull forward as far as I dare (a squeeze into Red), and the drips still manage to reach; thus the half a beach towel laid on the concrete. It seems to be working.

 

[Ozstung]

I could replace my carport gutters, of course (so they don't leak between roof and gutter). But, failing that, a drop cloth functions as a drip pad, when I have melting snow on the roof splashing onto my freshly washed Stinger. I pull forward as far as I dare (a squeeze into Red), and the drips still manage to reach; thus the half a beach towel laid on the concrete. It seems to be working.
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It sounds like cabin fever to me

 

[MerlintheMad]

It sounds like cabin fever to me

Not quite cabin fever, yet. Winter has been very, very nice to us in the Valley. It looks like the canyons are getting plenty of snow, and we are getting tiny drops at a time, and nice days in between. I just don't like thinking about a dirty car.

 

[Nasscar]

Not quite cabin fever, yet. Winter has been very, very nice to us in the Valley. It looks like the canyons are getting plenty of snow, and we are getting tiny drops at a time, and nice days in between. I just don't like thinking about a dirty car.

The car looked spotless and sparkling in those last photos you posted in the carport.

 

[MerlintheMad]

The car looked spotless and sparkling in those last photos you posted in the carport.

And, by waiting till the end of the day, I was able to do a shopping run without any road grime. It took all danged day for the wet roads to dry out over 95% (high humidity does make it take a lot longer).

 

[antonini311]

The first time I hand washed this car I came into the house exhausted. "Man! That thing has more planes and angles than I can count!" It felt that way. My mini van was a box: this car is a collection of concept surfaces intersecting all over the place. But I got used to it quickly.

Hand washing turned into a breeze once I locked down a machinelike method: same steps, same movements, same tools: approach it like an exercise routine, step one, and proceed to the final step.

As far as getting dirty quicker goes: not particularly. The rear end collects dust from driving a lot faster than the rest of the car. Our roads are fairly clean, so the brake side vents don't deposit a noticeable amount of accumulation; or, I haven't noticed that at least.

It sounds like you're disliking dust accumulation. A California Duster is the tool to keep in the hatch at all times. (I know, AV8R said his duster made his glass oily; but that could be the difference between dusters, because I never see that happen with the duster I use: "Pacific Coast Car Duster"; available through Walmart, but I got mine at O'Reilly's.)

I only use my California Car Duster on the windows now. As I don't want it running across an un-lubed surface.

 

[MerlintheMad]

I only use my California Car Duster on the windows now. As I don't want it running across an un-lubed surface.

Did you scratch your clear coat? Because I haven't seen that happen. Of course, my color is super light compared to yours. I bet if I had a DCB or an AB I'd probably temper my Cali Duster enthusiasm a little. But any dark color is going to be a challenge and constant job keeping it looking "spotless". Heh.

Just this afternoon, I used the duster. But the rear surfaces were too adhered with salty dust. So I used the boars hair brush on the diffuser especially around the exhaust stubs. Once I had as much dust off as I was going to get, I got out a microfiber wash towel and the spray bottle of ONR distilled water and sprayed down the rear end and lightly went over it, especially the black parts. It spiffed up very nicely. Did the gloss black wheels with the same wash towel, very light passes. ONR is really terrific stuff (I'm sure the distilled water does its part too).

 

[antonini311]

Did you scratch your clear coat? Because I haven't seen that happen. Of course, my color is super light compared to yours. I bet if I had a Deep Chroma Blue or an AB I'd probably temper my Cali Duster enthusiasm a little. But any dark color is going to be a challenge and constant job keeping it looking "spotless". Heh.

Just this afternoon, I used the duster. But the rear surfaces were too adhered with salty dust. So I used the boars hair brush on the diffuser especially around the exhaust stubs. Once I had as much dust off as I was going to get, I got out a microfiber wash towel and the spray bottle of ONR distilled water and sprayed down the rear end and lightly went over it, especially the black parts. It spiffed up very nicely. Did the gloss black wheels with the same wash towel, very light passes. ONR is really terrific stuff (I'm sure the distilled water does its part too).

I haven't scratched it yet. But I just stopped the practice to be safe. In Los Angeles it constantly gets dusty. So the chances go up. I'd rather just wait for the wash.

 

[Ozstung]

You're not wrong DCB is a nightmare to keep clean and shows every swirl or imperfection
I wouldn't change colours though.

 

[Jonno]

I've started using Bowdens Own products since getting the Stinger a number of months ago and so far am really enjoying their products... I do a full cleaning cycle but since adding "Happy Endings" in the mix I've found it really helps with keeping the car clean and washing it much easier as well:

My Current External Washing Steps:
- Snow Job (Pre-foam/wash)
- Nanolisious Wash (Two bucket wash method)
- Happy Ending (Hydrophobic Finishing Foam/Coating)
- Boss Gloss (Drying aid along with the Big Green Sucker microfibre, can dry the entire car with this cloth in one go!)

I'm about to pick up another product called "After Glow" that I'm going to try use in place of Boss Gloss (just out of interest really to compare the two products). I'm also reading up more about another product called called "Clean Detail" as I've read it has anti-static properties and it's very popular with bike owners as allot of dust blows off much easier..etc. (some people use it on their TV sets to stop it getting dusty apparently). BUT I've not used either yet but on the todo list to try and read up more about...

Still playing around and trying to find the best combination but the steps listed so far I'm already very happy with and thought I would share them as cleaning has become easier and quicker especially after the first 1-2 applications... Good luck!

 

[Jonno]

In addition to the post above I thought I would share 2 links that combine allot of tips, tricks and advice into a blog post many of which you don't need to use the Bowdens Own products but simply use to ideas and recomendations and process that could be applied to whatever detailing products you use really:

Unfortunately, I'm not able to post the links due to forum restrictions on links so you can do the following to find them:
- Goto the "Bowdens Own" website
- Click on "Guides" then select "Exterior Care"

I would recommend the following depending if you have a ceramic coat or not:

- Your new car details guide
- Maintaining Ceramic Coatings with our car care products

Hope the guides, tips and techniques included are of use regardless of what products you choose to use.

 

[ShannonC]

^^^
Al good products

 

[MerlintheMad]

the Big Green Sucker microfibre

Looked this up and now you've tempted me. It's not very big, c. 15 x 27", but the reviews are all kudos to the best drying towel ever. It costs more than twice what the Viking 2x3' towel does. *gulp*

 

[Jonno]

Looked this up and now you've tempted me. It's not very big, c. 15 x 27", but the reviews are all kudos to the best drying towel ever. It costs more than twice what the Viking 2x3' towel does. *gulp*

Just to let you know with most of my Bowdens Own purchases I've got most stuff at least 20% discounts and more recently they had a crazy 40% off most products for 2 days only at a store called Repco In Australia that unfortunately just ended but I think the Big Green Sucker was still at around a 30% discount but I could be wrong as I did not pay too much attention to it as I already had it but I would suggest waiting for a new deal if you want one and are in no rush...

 

[Jonno]

Update on the above... I just noticed Repco are selling it for $42 normally (I'm sure it was $40 last year, could be wrong though) but currently have a 30% off which takes it down to AU$29.39 (including 10% GST) all you need to do is become an "Ignition Member" which is free and anyone can join online or instore... Good luck!

Had a look around at some other stores and all seemed to be around $40 - 41 currently so I think it was $40 in the past at Repco too but seems they have put the price up a little... sneaky! (anyway it still works out much better with the discount they are offering)

 

[ShannonC]

Looked this up and now you've tempted me. It's not very big, c. 15 x 27", but the reviews are all kudos to the best drying towel ever. It costs more than twice what the Viking 2x3' towel does. *gulp*

It's the best drying cloth I've ever used and well worth the cost.

 

[ShannonC]

Update on the above... I just noticed Repco are selling it for $42 normally (I'm sure it was $40 last year, could be wrong though) but currently have a 30% off which takes it down to AU$29.39 (including 10% GST) all you need to do is become an "Ignition Member" which is free and anyone can join online or instore... Good luck!

Had a look around at some other stores and all seemed to be around $40 - 41 currently so I think it was $40 in the past at Repco too but seems they have put the price up a little... sneaky! (anyway it still works out much better with the discount they are offering)

I always stock up when the specials are on.

 

[antonini311]

It's the best drying cloth I've ever used and well worth the cost.

I just stapled four smaller towels together. That works, right?