[Adsc0230]

Hello BHPians,

I was wondering the best possible way to wash one's car on a regular basis after PPF is applied. I have invested significantly on PPF and I am worried if I let my regular apartment car washers clean and wash, the PPF film may be affected somehow and each time I can't be monitoring too while they wash.

Is the only option to visit a professional car spa/cleaner to clean and wash the exteriors of a PPF applied car?

Any recommendations for a car spa in the Whitefield area of Bangalore especially who specialise in washing a car that has a PPF-applied?

Thanks.

[AJ56]

Originally Posted by Neomobile

First of thanks a lot for your reply. Was hoping that someday you would reply when you get time. For the above mentioned point do I remove the dust with a dry towel or duster first before wiping? Now I have bought a hand pump sprayer, the garden variety and spray RO water on the windshield and the sunroof to get rid of the dust, then spray the wiper solution (which I will change to diluted IPA as advised). Then wipe it dry with a micro fibre towel.

Any recommendation for a good dashboard cleaner for regular cleaning that is mild and does not leave a strong smell?

You have cautioned against the rinseless wash due to lack of a pressure washer, shall I go back to the dry wash that you have mentioned (with the Meguiar’s product, that I had asked)?

I am planning to buy the black and Decker cordless leaf blower. Let me see if it cleans more or puts more dust from the surrounding pillars and walls. Mine is next to the entrance wall. ( Hopefully after cleaning the walls a few times with the blower, the car will get cleaned more than dust falling from the walls!)

And finally

Being new to this I do not know what a quick detailer is. I can search on the Net but dot want to get it wrong. Can you name a few specific products. I have read that many people use a diluted Proklear for this purpose before using a tar remover. Is that okay?

Happy to help! Yes I try to keep up but running very busy with work off late.

Glass is much more forgiving than paint owing to its hardness, still you can use an air blower first to get thick dust off if a pressure washer isn’t available. For light dust just spray rinseless wash and follow through with the two towel method. IPA can also be used but ensure you’re not using it on moderate or heavy contamination as it doesn’t have any lubrication, it’s more for removing haze/oil from the glass for perfect clarity (on the inside of the glasses for eg. it works perfectly).

If you get a good result with just rinseless, you can even skip IPA. Aim is to have lubrication when wiping off abrasive dust off the surface. Optimum No Rinse also called ONR is a great rinseless concentrate, as is Carpro Echo 2.

If you’re in a hurry in the morning and don’t have time for the two towel method, just spray rinseless onto the windshield and very gently wipe it down, wipe your wiper blades down as well, no need to buff the glass. Now you can use your wash and wipe once you’re inside the car.
This takes under a minute and you avoid wiper induced arc scratches.

Any good all purpose cleaner will do for the dash, Koch Chemie Greenstar diluted works great, as does Carpro Multi X, both are odourless. For suede/Alcantara use Carpro Inside.

A quick detailer is a very light cleaning solution with some lubrication built in, it is generally used to wipe off polishing reside, light dust, glass, as a drying aid, etc.

Carpro Elixir, Meguiar’s quick detailer, etc plenty of options out there.

Yes, use a waterless wash as a last resort if cordless pressure washer isn’t an option. Use multiple towels (7-8), work top to bottom, remove any towel tags and jewellery/watches/belts before starting.

First use your leaf blower to remove any unbonded dust. Now spray your waterless wash, go panel by panel, use near zero pressure and keep flipping to a fresh side after every wipe, you’ll get 8 sides per towel when folded. Use 1 towel to get the bulk of contamination off and follow through with the second to remove any haze.

Originally Posted by Adsc0230

Hello BHPians,

I was wondering the best possible way to wash one's car on a regular basis after PPF is applied. I have invested significantly on PPF and I am worried if I let my regular apartment car washers clean and wash, the PPF film may be affected somehow and each time I can't be monitoring too while they wash.

Is the only option to visit a professional car spa/cleaner to clean and wash the exteriors of a PPF applied car?

Thanks.

Your concern is spot on, do not let the society clean your car, he will inflict deep scratches into the film, and unlike paint PPF cannot be compounded or sanded, only polished. So any damage inflicted will remain, ruining the gloss and hydrophobic properties.

Also, PPF is much softer than a coating so the swirling will be more severe compared to coated or untreated paint. Self healing effect is also ruined with daily abrasions inflicted by the cleaner.

Not at all, you can do it yourself just do so safely by investing in a small pressure washer and air blower for contactless rinsing, failing which you can use spray and wipe as I’ve explained above, but the latter method will inflict some swirling over a few months.

Assuming your film is installed correctly, there is zero difference in how one pressure washes a PPF vs a ceramic coated or unprotected vehicle, precautions like minimum safe distance, no sharp angles, avoiding paint edges, etc are universal.

[Thad E Ginathom]

AJ56, or, anyone...

I spent much of my driving life in northern climes where it was the outside that was cold, and the inside that was warm/damp. But life is now different, and the warm-damp is on the outside of the car. Most days it isn't a problem, but, especially in these rainy days, sometimes the humidity gets too much. The problem is the glass misting up on the outside.

There are lots of preparations that claim to prevent misting, but they are made for use inside the car. Which is most-of-the-world's problem. Can they be used on the outside of the glass? Does anything work?

Yes, of course, for the front screen there are wipers (I may be dumb, but I had noticed rl; ) but it is still a nuisance, and there is still the side glass

I should love to live through this coming NE monsoon without this being a daily problem.

[krishnakumar]

Originally Posted by Adsc0230

Hello BHPians,

I was wondering the best possible way to wash one's car on a regular basis after PPF is applied. I have invested significantly on PPF and I am worried if I let my regular apartment car washers clean and wash, the PPF film may be affected somehow and each time I can't be monitoring too while they wash.

Is the only option to visit a professional car spa/cleaner to clean and wash the exteriors of a PPF applied car?

Any recommendations for a car spa in the Whitefield area of Bangalore especially who specialise in washing a car that has a PPF-applied?

Thanks.

DO NOT let the society guys with used banyans clean your car ever - irrespective of whether you have PPF or not.

There was this new car which came next to my car barely a year ago and is full of swirl marks. My car (PPF'ed right after I got it from the showroom) on the other hand looks extremely dusty and is a "whiteboard" for creative minds. But one quick waterless wash and the car is back to its glossy and shiny self!

The best way to deal with the situation is to use a sprayer bottle (like these - Product link). You can use this to spray plain water (best to use soft water) and then wipe with a good absorbing high GSM microfibre cloth. The sprayer bottle will ensure you get a mist of water to dislodge the dust and dirt accumulated and make it easy to wipe off without damaging the PPF.

If the car gets particularly dirty, visit a good detailing center and get a full wash done. I usually pay a visit to the nearby Detailing Mafia once in 2 months.

[sarkankur]

Posting after a long time.

We have been busy the past few days as we are expecting a baby, and hence I am unable to use my car.

It gets water washed if it gets too dirty (courtesy of pigeons in society).

However, the water in Bangalore leaves deposits, especially near the gaps near the fuel cap, between the metal and the piano black finish of the doors, as shown in the images below.

Is there a way to get rid of them at home without affecting the paint? any detailing product that is easy to use or some easy jugaad?

I used to clean the car myself when I was staying in Chennai, and I had never faced this before.

[AJ56]

Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom

The problem is the glass misting up on the outside.

I should love to live through this coming NE monsoon without this being a daily problem.

It’s a rare issue but I get what you’re saying, has happened occasionally to me as well. For the interior misting, just use the defogger at its coldest setting for a few seconds. Coming to the outside there are two solutions:

1) Put a durable glass coating on all exterior glass surfaces, greatly reduces exterior misting as water condenses into tight beads rather than a sheet type formation.

2) Use the defogger on the highest heat setting for about 30 seconds, as the misting is caused by hot air on the outside hitting the cold windshield and condensing, heating up the glass eliminates the problem.

Wipers can also help but you need to keep using them as the condensation is back within seconds of a swipe making it difficult in dry weather.

Originally Posted by sarkankur

However, the water in Bangalore leaves deposits, especially near the gaps near the fuel cap, between the metal and the piano black finish of the doors, as shown in the images below.

Is there a way to get rid of them at home without affecting the paint? any detailing product that is easy to use or some easy jugaad?

Yes hard water deposits are a major issue for cars that are not dried properly courtesy the daily cleaner.

It’s fairly easy, use a good mineral deposit remover like Puris D19 hard water spot remover. It is acidic so protect your skin and do not inhale, although it’s perfectly safe on all exterior car surfaces provided you don’t let it dry. Follow these steps:

1) Wear nitrile gloves and work in a well ventilated area/use a respirator

2) Clean the area with some quick detailer/diluted car shampoo

3) Spray onto the affected areas and use a soft brush to gently agitate, catch any drips on paint immediately.

4) Repeat if necessary, otherwise spray your shampoo/cleaner again or simply rinse with water (soft water preferably) to neutralise.

5) Apply your preferred wax/sealant to protect.

Some before and after examples of mineral deposit removers in action:

[Thad E Ginathom]

Thanks for your suggestions. A further option is to turn off the AC, open the car windows and let the temperature be equal. That option is uncomfortable.

I don't think that external misting is rare, but it might well belong more to the notoriously humid climate of Chennai.

[nidhikapoor]

Hi,

Did a search but could not locate any post regarding this. Lots of solutions for genuine leather cleaners but have not been able to find info on cleaners for the new fake/vegan leather seats that some manufacturers are speccing their cars with. Any suggestions?

[bejoy]

After getting the new HSRP plates, I was trying to clean the reside behind the old acrylic plate. This is 9 year old residue, which I thought was hard water deposit. There were remains of double sided tape glue, which I removed using kerosene. The surface is smooth now, slightly rough asking the dark line. I tried diluted vinegar but did not go away. Any suggestions on how to remove it?

[bejoy]

Originally Posted by bejoy

Any suggestions on how to remove it?

99% of the grime removed. Directly applied Harpic over the the deposit and left it for 10 minutes and rubbed it off. It was really hard and it took a multiple tries to clear it. Thanks to our resident expert @sunnyboi for the suggestion.

[AJ56]

Originally Posted by nidhikapoor

Hi,

Did a search but could not locate any post regarding this. Lots of solutions for genuine leather cleaners but have not been able to find info on cleaners for the new fake/vegan leather seats that some manufacturers are speccing their cars with. Any suggestions?

You can use the same leather cleaners, like Carpro Inside, they’re safe on every clearcoated surface (very rarely will you see bare leather in cars, even flagships. It’ll always be coated to increase durability.) Any cleaners/conditioners we apply, work over this clearcoat.

Originally Posted by bejoy

99% of the grime removed. Directly applied Harpic over the the deposit and left it for 10 minutes and rubbed it off. It was really hard and it took a multiple tries to clear it.

Please don’t use bathroom cleaners on paint, they are extremely acidic and corrosive and will damage your clearcoat.

For hard water etching, use a purpose made mineral deposit remover like Puris D19. If some is still left, follow through with a light cut polish with mild abrasives like Menzerna 3000 and you’ll be done.

[Manudon]

I recently got my car ceramic coated which led to a loss of job for the local building car cleaner. Since my usage is minimal, I tend to wash it once every 3 weeks (or 10 trips, whichever is earlier), and a Jopasu duster to clear the inevitable dust every 3-4 days.

Whenever I use Jopasu duster, it leaves behind some smudges. Is it safe to use a clean microfiber cloth to polish those out after the dusting or will it lead to swirl marks?

[el lobo 6061]

Originally Posted by Manudon

Whenever I use Jopasu duster, it leaves behind some smudges. Is it safe to use a clean microfiber cloth to polish those out after the dusting or will it lead to swirl marks?

That be wax from Jopasu Duster strands.

It be better to use a Quick Detailer to clean them off. Spray on and wipe off with a microfiber.
1. CarPro Ech2o
2. Optimum No Rinse Wash & Shine

Lastly swirls are inevitable. Just that you can minimize them by using better car cleaning techniques.

[AJ56]

Originally Posted by Manudon

Whenever I use Jopasu duster, it leaves behind some smudges. Is it safe to use a clean microfiber cloth to polish those out after the dusting or will it lead to swirl marks?

Both methods will scratch, the duster less so. You never want to have any contact with paint without proper lubrication, dry dusting followed by wiping with any towel, no matter how soft, is a sure shot way to get swirls.

If you only have light to moderate dust, use a leaf blower to blow away the dust in between washes.

Originally Posted by el lobo 6061

That be wax from Jopasu Duster strands.

It be better to use a Quick Detailer to clean them off. Spray on and wipe off with a microfiber.
1. CarPro Ech2o
2. Optimum No Rinse Wash & Shine

Lastly swirls are inevitable. Just that you can minimize them by using better car cleaning techniques.

Those aren’t quick detailers, Echo2 is a waterless wash (Elixir is Capro’s quick detailer) and ONR is a rinseless wash which still requires a pressure washer to pre rinse if one wants to do it safely.

Also, swirls are not inevitable. With proper contact wash technique and touchless rinsing, you can wash a car hundreds of times over many years with absolutely zero swirling. It’s not easy, but entirely doable if one is particular about their paint health. Cheers.

[Manudon]

Originally Posted by AJ56

Both methods will scratch, the duster less so. You never want to have any contact with paint without proper lubrication, dry dusting followed by wiping with any towel, no matter how soft, is a sure shot way to get swirls.

If you only have light to moderate dust, use a leaf blower to blow away the dust in between washes.

Thanks AJ56. Leaf blower is there for contactless drying after water wash, but is not practical to use during regular days due to lack of plug points in the parking. Hence the fall back to Jopasu. Was only wondering if it's safe to remove the wax smudges left behind by the Jopasu duster with a microfibre cloth, or is it better to just leave them as is till the next wash. I prefer to remove them to make the car look shiny just for personal satisfaction, though I had rather avoid if I am doing more harm than good