Cleaning your Altima.

[papawu]

Well it's time to clean my Coupe but I haven't decided to either take it to a car wash or do it myself.

I have 2 choices of type of car washes I can take it to. I can take it to spot where they run your car through a machine or a spot where they hand wash your car.

Or I can just do it myself but I haven't self-washed a car in a while. I used to take my previous car to a machine car wash since I am what they call lazy.

For those that do it themselves, what do you use?

[CoupeLover]

If you're not going to do it yourself, then take it to the hand car wash. If the car wash with the machines says brushless, then it might be ok, but the ones with the brushes can really scratch up your paint.

Hand washing it is best b/c you'll really get everything out whereas even the regular hand car wash won't. Get a microfiber wash mitt, some good car wash and something to dry up the car with, either a leather chamois, or a microfiber towel with a weave pattern. I'm still learning about all the products that they have out for washing cars. Check out http://www.autopia.org for lots more info.

[prlwhitecoupe]

Look at it this way, u spent all that money on a brand spankin new ride....and now u gonna run it through some car wash that thousands of ppl use everyday, plus its harsh and uses too much pressure and doesnt do a great job.....if u wanna protect ur investment and prevent paint damage, HAND WASH only.

I sucked it up and bought all meguiar's products....u will need to get a wool wash mitt and some microfiber towels as well. I use the silicone california squeegee...that really helps with dry time..and then i just use the micrfiber towel to the spots i missed...gotaa say if u wanna protect that paint job, ur gonna have to do it urself...i know what u mean by being lazy...but at the same time u wanna try ur best and prevent any damages. Then again im a perfectionist and a little obsessive about keeping things in pristine condition.

I recommend u go with simmons, turtle, or meguiar's car washes and tire cleaners...

But even i cant avoid stone chips and **** like dat....what can u do...now i have to get touch up paint which really sucks...but i got a pretty bad stone chip on the highway and it stripped my paint to the sheet metal...which is pretty bad...its the size of an ant..but if i dont seal it up...it will eventually rust.

[guitarmn07]

Yep, I agree with prlwhitecoupe. I also use Meguiars products. And like Coupelover said autotopia.org, has tons of info. I've been reading their site for years now.

[sandman350]

I use Eagle One products, but I know that Meguiars and Mothers have some really good stuff too.

I would avoid using a leather chamois to dry the car though. I have read numerous times that they can actually damage and/or remove the finish on your car. Also, use a good glass cleaner (NOT WINDEX) for the windows. And whatever you do, never put Armour All on anything.

[Chamillionaire]

Wtih the Xzylon application , they gave me a kit to wash my car??? Gotta wash it soon before I head back up north, gonna go ahead and use the kit ( xzylon soap , wash mit and chamois) also had some leather and upholstery cleaner

[SHIFT_COUPE]

There is nothing like doing a hand wash. You know whats being used on your car and you don't have to worry about someone or something inadvertently scratching your car etc. What about those of you in cold climates that get snow? What do you do then? I take my car through the touchless wash. Nothing much you can do about a hand wash in the winter.

[MisfitBrian]

Here's a quick write-up of a detailed 1st wash...Use 2 buckets, soapy water in both.1st bucket is for soap mitt/sponge directly to car. 2nd bucket is to rinse dirt out of mitt/sponge.Wash car 2x using this method.While car is still soapy, use a clay bar to get off any grit/brake dust/etc. from hood/roof/any other area that doesn't feel perfectly smooth. Even a brand new car will have residue from the shipping process.Dry off car. Best I've found is a high quality waffle weave microfiber towel(I wouldn't recommend squeegees for water removal on the body of your car). These are not cheap, but they won't scratch & you'll be amazed at how much water they hold.I used a good quality polish/sealant 1st, to be topped off by Meguiar's (I think #23) synthetic wax. I used a Porter Cable random orbital polisher for both of the last 2 steps, but hand application works good as well.Remember to clean & wax your wheels, too. They're painted so they need the same treatment as your car body.As mentioned earlier, Autopia is a great site. They have step by step processes for everything you need to keep your baby clean.

[SHIFT_COUPE]

^^ That is a great process. Can't go wrong with anything you have listed there.

As far as wax and polish go. I use Meguiars #7 followed by #26.