[Beski]

Well, after 2 weeks of having my new '14 Summit stay Clean from the Dealer, it was time to give her first bath. I used the "do it yourself" car wash with the spray wand and thought I dried it quickly, but was still left with quite a few water spots & smudges and some chrome lost its luster.

The Auburn Pearl is one of the darker colors I have owned so I need some help. Next time I am going to try and wash & dry at home, so any tips for washing, drying & keeping her clean ? (Please Answer by Number !! )

Exterior

What is the best............

1. Car wash soap ?
2. Sponge to avoid scratches & swirls ?
3. Towel or chamois to dry ?
4. For Chrome parts (especially the mirrors) ?
5. For Satin Polished Cast-Aluminum Wheels ?
6. For the Shiny Black Molding on the doors between the front & back windows ?
7. For the outside Glass ?

Interior

What is the best............

8. For the Dash ? (Is this Leather ?) I currently use a California Duster for the basic dust.
9. For the Seats ? (Is this Leather ?)
10. For the Plastic areas on Doors & Dash ?
11. For the Touch Screen ? (My first touch screen)
12. For the inside Glass & Windshield ?

* 13 - Hoping to get some recommendatons for those "Pop-Up" wipes to make some of the cleaning quick & easy !!

** 14 - Has anybody ever tried a "No Dry" rinse product that has a spot free car wash filter inside that removes minerals, salts, and sediment from your rinse water like this:
Magic Rinse the No Spot, Spot Free Car Wash Filtering System

*** 15 - Also, has anybody ever tried this "Dry Car Wash" like this:
Amazon.com: 32oz Dri Wash 'n Guard Classic Waterless Car Wash (W/AIRosol Bottle: Automotive


Thanks,
Tom

 

[bill_de]

A vacuum and a damp cloth will take care of most of the interior. Windex cleans the glass. I throw a towel on the dash while spraying the windshield. The owners manual specifically says the leather requires no leather treatment to keep it looking new. That leads me to believe that the leather is coated with some kind of plastic.

I think sponges are more apt to hold onto dirt, possibly grit that could leave scratches. I use towels. If the water is drying too quickly, continue to hose down the entire car untin you are ready for drying. Always dry the panels the sun is hitting first. If possible wash the car as the sun is going down if you can't find any shade.

A Jeep doesn't require anything different than whatever you are driving now.


---

 

[Beski]

A Jeep doesn't require anything different than whatever you are driving now.---

I always took my '07 Acura MDX through the Automatic Car Wash. It was Steel Blue - I never had a problem with scratches and it always dried perfectly.

I'm afraid to take my Auburn Jeep to the Automatic Car Wash, so going out to by a bucket, sponge, soap & chamois this weekend !!

 

[Northland]

After working on/maintaining mine and others' vehicles for years, I've developed my own preferences in method and products:

Exterior:

1.) Use only microfiber washing mitts or sponges; no soap. Get the Pure Water Products garden hose filter housing GH101 or GH102 and filter cartridge FC024. Keep the filter in a solution of water softener salt with just enough water covering the salt to enter the filter; leave it soaking in this solution in between car washes to recharge it (thus preventing you from having to periodically buy replacement cartridges). (I keep mine in a 5 gal. bucket.) This gives you a spot-free car wash that rivals those at commercial do-it-yourself car washes.
2.) Use a heated air dryer to blow off water after washing - prevents having to use a towel or chamois to remove water, thus preventing another opportunity to induce scratches in the clear coat. Also blows water out of those hard-to-reach crevices.
3.) Use Zaino polishing products - best out there!
4.) Use No Touch tire shine - greaseless; won't sling up on the car body and leaves a nice shine. I get it at Pep Boys.
5.) Use 303 Aerospace Protectant on all rubber and plastic trim; etc. on exterior and interior. Provides great UV protection, and it leaves no greasy residue like Armor All. Apply at least twice a year.

Interior:

Basically just vacuum it frequently; wash off the floor mats periodically; and use a clean microfiber cloth to clean the instrument panel; radio; etc. glass - never a cloth towel or one lying around your garage. I also invested in a used Rug Doctor machine to periodically shampoo the carpets in my vehicles and those I maintain.

 

[jgc4ever]

Exterior

What is the best............

1. Car wash soap ? Optimum No-Rinse Amazon.com: Optimum No Rinse Wash & Shine 128 oz. New & Improved: Automotive
2. Sponge to avoid scratches & swirls ? No. Use Microfiber cloths Super Soft Deluxe Blue Microfiber Towels, microfiber detailing towels, buffing towels, micro fiber towel, detail cloth (dipped in a mixture of 1 oz. Optimum no-rinse and 2 gallons water in a bucket)
3. Towel or chamois to dry ? Neither. Use waffle weeve microfiber The Supreme Guzzler Waffle Weave Microfiber Drying Towel by Cobra is a medium size drying towel for cars, compact trucks and SUVs.
4. For Chrome parts (especially the mirrors) ? same products mentioned above
5. For Satin Polished Cast-Aluminum Wheels ? same products mentioned above (dedicate specific micro-fibers for wheels only though)
6. For the Shiny Black Molding on the doors between the front & back windows ? same
7. For the outside Glass ? same

Interior

What is the best............

8. For the Dash ? (Is this Leather ?) I currently use a California Duster for the basic dust. Very small portion of woolite mixed with water, and a microfiber cloth
9. For the Seats ? (Is this Leather ?) same Woolite w/ water and a microfiber
10. For the Plastic areas on Doors & Dash ? just a slightly damp microfiber cloth
11. For the Touch Screen ? (My first touch screen) I use my Oakleys sunglass soft cleaning case and/or High Definition TV (Computer monitor) cleaner called Klear Screen Amazon.com: Klear Screen High Definition Pump Spray Bottle: Electronics and a Klear Screen micro-chamois polishing cloth Amazon.com: Klear Screen iKlear Micro Chamois Kloth for iPad, iPhone, Galaxy, LCD, Plasma TV, Computer Monitor and Keyboard (Cloth and Wipes): Computers & Accessories
12. For the inside Glass & Windshield ? windex (non-ammonia: very important) or similar glass cleaner without ammonia, but don't spray it inside as I don't let it get on the dash or on any plastic, so I just spray directly on a microfiber. Still not good with inside of glass, I generally make sure not to ever touch the glass

* 13 - Hoping to get some recommendatons for those "Pop-Up" wipes to make some of the cleaning quick & easy !! There are some products but I'm not familiar with them.

** 14 - Has anybody ever tried a "No Dry" rinse product that has a spot free car wash filter inside that removes minerals, salts, and sediment from your rinse water like this.
I have not tried this.


*** 15 - Also, has anybody ever tried this "Dry Car Wash" like this:
Optimum No-Rinse (important to wipe dry, while it's still wet, with a dry microfiber and follow up with waffle weave microfiber. Instruction are on the bottle or at the website I'm sure.


I also use Perfect Detail spray quick polisher/cleaner: Perfect Detail

 

[Beski]

THANKS Northland and jgc4ever for taking the time to post Great Replies with Helpful Info !!

Looks like 2 different methods of washing the Jeep. I must admit I am intrigued by the Optimum No Rinse method and just watched this Video:
Optimum No Rinse Demo - YouTube

And this Video with the "Garry Dean Method" of using "Multiple" Micro Fiber Towels and using each 1 time (on the various sides when folded)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fr7JoC8ANog


I will re-read both posts in the morning and start ordering some supplies !!

Tom

 

[Matterhorn]

Use the 2 bucket method and a quality car soap. It will save you time and works just fine, that ONR process is a PIA to me.

Get a nice Waffle weave for drying.

If you want over the counter products you can't go wrong with Meguiers.

I am a fan of poorboysworld.com , they are a small company that produce and sell great products.

 

[berk483]

I am a fan of poorboysworld.com , they are a small company that produce and sell great products.

I agree with poorboysworld.com, great stuff!

 

[Clubby360]

I reckon you can't beat meguires car care products

 

[BradWK2]

I always took my '07 Acura MDX through the Automatic Car Wash. It was Steel Blue - I never had a problem with scratches and it always dried perfectly.

I'm afraid to take my Auburn Jeep to the Automatic Car Wash, so going out to by a bucket, sponge, soap & chamois this weekend !!

I have been putting my 14 black summit through the carwash a lot with no scratching or swirl marks. Just stick to the newer more premium (and expensive ) type car washes and stay away from the gas stations and quickie mart carwashes and you should be fine. Most of the newer premium carwashes don't scratch like the old ones use to.

 

[ONU1974]

Anyone come up with a way to whiten the "Jeep" logo on the Summit front floor mats? They get dirty VERY easily..poor choice of color.

 

[jorgetx]

Anyone come up with a way to whiten the "Jeep" logo on the Summit front floor mats? They get dirty VERY easily..poor choice of color.

I haven't tried it, but a good carpet/upholstery cleaner (I use a brand called Folex) may be able to fix that without damaging the rest of the rug. If you're not sure about that, you might want to try an Oxi-Clean (sp?) paste and a soft toothbrush.

Hope that helps.