Tips, products, & directions on how to properly wash/wax car?

[baobao917]

Hello all,

Brand new to the forum since I just recently purchased my first BMW. Been surfing around for tidbits of info and wanted to know the best way to wash/wax and maintain my Black 2001 BMW 330Ci. Basically I have no idea what the steps are in properly washing and waxing the car, tires, etc. (i've heard of pre-cleaning before waxing?? what is that?).

Also how often do you do wax (once a year? every month? every 6 months?)?

Also what are the products you recommend? I've heard lots of stuff about Meguiars, P21s, Zaino, Zymol....it's quite overwhelming since I have no experience with any of them.

Also, what should I NEVER NEVER do...just so I don't make a rookie mistake.

Thanks for your input.:help

Bao

[Disneyducks]

Originally posted by baobao917
Hello all,

Brand new to the forum since I just recently purchased my first BMW. Been surfing around for tidbits of info and wanted to know the best way to wash/wax and maintain my Black 2001 BMW 330Ci. Basically I have no idea what the steps are in properly washing and waxing the car, tires, etc. (i've heard of pre-cleaning before waxing?? what is that?).

Thanks for your input.:help

Bao

Bao: A good place to start and get some basic info is carcareonline.com

Once you have read all the info from that site, you will need to decide between waxing and using a synthetic.

If you decide to use a wax, it will mean some derivative of carnuba. If you decide to go synthetic, it will mean either klasse or zaino (go to zainobros.com).

General consensus is that synthetic will give you a longer, deeper shine. Wax will mean a more frequent application.

Do a search on the forum to see prior threads on this.

Congrates on the new bimmer. :redspot

Cheers,
Drew:pimpflash

[///M3ryder NY]

bao, the best online car-care site is http://autopia.ws/index.php

Hands down, best site there is for learning about detailing, and the guys there, are great!

One year ago, I was very much a detailing newbie, much like yourself...although maybe a little better off... I went there on a friends suggestion, and I now consider myself to be a very advanced detailer... So much so that I've even started doing some detailing for money, on the side.... For fun, because I actually enjoy it very much.

There is a wealth of information on this site, check it out, but the autopia e-book... I think it's $10, it's downloadable from the site....and will really get you on your way with washing and waxing...and much much more....

check it out, have fun!!!

[David]

Originally posted by ///M3ryder NY
bao, the best online car-care site is http://autopia.ws/index.php

Hands down, best site there is for learning about detailing, and the guys there, are great!

One year ago, I was very much a detailing newbie, much like yourself...although maybe a little better off... I went there on a friends suggestion, and I now consider myself to be a very advanced detailer... So much so that I've even started doing some detailing for money, on the side.... For fun, because I actually enjoy it very much.

There is a wealth of information on this site, check it out, but the autopia e-book... I think it's $10, it's downloadable from the site....and will really get you on your way with washing and waxing...and much much more....

check it out, have fun!!!

Listen to everthing M3ryder NY just told you. Autopia is the place to learn! Read thru all the archives and use the search function extensively. You will find a wealth of knowledge.

[Disneyducks]

Originally posted by ///M3ryder NY
bao, the best online car-care site is http://autopia.ws/index.php

There is a wealth of information on this site, check it out, but the autopia e-book... I think it's $10, it's downloadable from the site....and will really get you on your way with washing and waxing...and much much more....

check it out, have fun!!!

///M3ryder, have you seen the book from griot's garage?? I just noticed it the other day in their catalog and wondered how it compares to the autopia book.

Cheers
:redspot

[///M3ryder NY]

Disney,

I haven't seen the griot's book no... I'm sure it's quality information too though. The nice thing about the e-book is that it is electronic, hence the name... :D Easy to download and get started with it... Is that how griot's is? Or is it an actual book that you order and receive by mail?

[Disneyducks]

Originally posted by ///M3ryder NY
Disney,

I haven't seen the griot's book no... I'm sure it's quality information too though. The nice thing about the e-book is that it is electronic, hence the name... :D Easy to download and get started with it... Is that how griot's is? Or is it an actual book that you order and receive by mail?

///M3Ryder:

The griot's book is a spiral notebook. From what I can remember, it is plastic laminated to last longer. No doubt, it probably talks about detailing with griot's products. Can't remember exactly, but I think it was about $16 or so.

Cheers
:redspot

[///M3ryder NY]

Originally posted by Disneyducks


///M3Ryder:

The griot's book is a spiral notebook. From what I can remember, it is plastic laminated to last longer. No doubt, it probably talks about detailing with griot's products. Can't remember exactly, but I think it was about $16 or so.

Cheers
:redspot

Well, that's the nice thing about the autopia ebook....It's not geared to a particular product, per say... Rather, they discuss detailing in general, and reference MANY of their favorite products. The book sits on my computer's desktop, just a double-click away for easy reference.... The pages never get tattered...:clap:

Check it out!

[Disneyducks]

Originally posted by ///M3ryder NY


Well, that's the nice thing about the autopia ebook....It's not geared to a particular product, per say... Rather, they discuss detailing in general, and reference MANY of their favorite products. The book sits on my computer's desktop, just a double-click away for easy reference.... The pages never get tattered...:clap:

Check it out!

///M3-- will do... when I get a spare moment, I'll pick it up and give it a review.

Cheers :b_blue: :b_blue: :b_blue: