For those of us who live in apartments and don’t have access to a water hose and a private place to detail our cars, self-service pressure car washes are the best option.

3197

Here’s a list with the things you’ll need. It’s intended for everyone, not for car detailing nuts like me, so I’ll mention only the basic stuff needed to properly wash a car.

· A car shampoo. As long as you don’t use dishwashing detergent, any decent brand will be good in my opinion. This time we’re using Super Slick and Suds shampoo by Poorboy’s World (http://www.poorboysworld.com/super-slick.htm).

· 2 buckets. One is for making the water-shampoo mix, the other one is filled with clean water only and used for rinsing the wash mitt.

· A good wash mitt like this one by Eurow (http://www.euroworeilly.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=26). I prefer lambswool over microfiber mitts, and mitts over sponges. There are some good microfiber sponges out there, but they won’t adapt to the shapes and curves of the paint as easily as a wash mitt. Please don’t use the foaming brush that are found at some car washes.

· A few microfiber towels. Never use old rags, used t-shirts or beach towels. They’re too hard and aggressive and they’ll scratch your paint. Microfiber is
soft and “absorbs” dirt particles instead of rubbing them all over the paint.

· A stool to reach the roof of the Patriot (I’m 1.82 m tall and I need it to clean the roof comfortably).

3202

Firstly, I apply a specific wheel cleaner onto the wheels before and I let it work for a minute. That is optional, and you can use regular car wash shampoo on your wheels. I like to do wheels first, and I use a specific sponge on them. The standard 5-spoke whells of Limited-version Patriots are very easy to clean!

Then, I get the whole car wet using the pressure nozzle. Don’t use too much pressure or water will drag dirt particles that can damage the paint. You can also work in sections.

3203

Now, on to cleaning using the two buckets as were mentioned before: cleaning with the one containing soap, and rinsing the washing mitt often with the one containing just water.

3199

Always work top to bottom, and don’t forget any detail, because dirty areas really stand out in a clean car. Usually, a lot of grime tends to accumulate on the lower door panels, and bugs on the front of the vehicle (these are sometimes very hard to remove, don’t insist too much or you may damage the paint).

When you’re done, rinse out the soap with the pressure water again.

3204

... continued ...

Now, bring out a drying towel (http://www.mothers.com/02_products/90005_f.html) and get the whole car dry. I used two “waffle weave” towels to do this. They're a worthy investment.

3205

Do'nt forget any nooks and crannies! Any shampoo or washing water left over the paint can cause damage and ugly water spots.

32063207

You should also dry out the wheels.

To finish it all, you should wax your Patriot every few months to keep the paint protected and looking neat. It’s advisable to wax before the winter season when road salt, grime and snow can contaminate your car’s paint. A wax will also enhance the paint reflections and colors.

I really think it’s a good idea to buy a good wax. There are plenty of reliable brands that offer quality waxes at good prices: Collinite, Duragloss, Blackfire, Einszett, Poorboy’s, Meguiar’s, Sonax… It’s wiser, in my opinion, to save on wash shampoo than on wax.

This time I used Optimum Opti-Seal (http://www.optimumcarcare.com/optimumseal.html) sealant, which is extremely easy to apply because you can skip the whole buffing-out step with it.

3209

For a final wipe I use Meguiar’s Quick Detailer (http://www.meguiarsdirect.com/product_detail.asp?T1=MEG+QUIK+16) and a microfiber towel. This is optional, but it will help eliminate remaining dirt and water spots.

3208

I also use a specific glass cleaner to clean the windows. Household glass cleaners are not appropriate.

If you're really into detailing, you'll probably go on with the finer details, which are the most fun and the ones that will make your car really stand out: wheel wells, plastic trim, door sills, fuel filler area, door jambs, clear plastics, polishes, paint cleaners...

I hope this advice was useful to someone. There's nothing like a clean Patriot!

Great great article!
Never thought on using the stool. Although I'm 1.88m, I usually get onto the rear wheels to dry the roof. Good idea.

I'm glad that you liked it, Pepe. I love how my steel blue Patriot looks when it's clean. It's a very elegant color that's gonna be a classic since it's not offered any more. I'm in an on-line detailing community here in Spain that might interest you: www.detailspain.com (http://www.detailspain.com) There are several members from México, too.

I would suggest a quick mist of QD when the car is still damp before drying, it will help the water pickup no end.

Thats a great write up. If I ever get the nerve up to use a wash mit on my Pat, ill definately remember the two bucket method. Im all about using the high pressure blast to clean it, and then microfiber towels and detailing spray for the tough stuff. Im always afraid of scratching it with a mit or wash brush.

a mitt will be fine as long as it passes the CD test - rub the back of a blank CD-ROM, if it scratches that, it will scratch and marr your paintwork

'cuz I live on the road, I had been using the touchless washes, but those add up and man, they don't really do as good of a job as you'd do by hand. I manned up and bought the items I needed and utilize a similar approach as stated in this thread. I should have waxed though! It is down to 26 degrees up here in MN, hoping for warmer weather so I'm motivated to wash the pat:-) Btw, I like the two bucket approach! Too bad I don't have room to lug more than two buckets around the country:-(

nice write up. only choice here when the weather turns cold. here you are not allowed buckets or drying in the bays. they have gotten pricey here also. about $7 in quarters. up the street is a nice touchless drive thru tho. nothing touches the vehicle. all high pressure arches. about $5 i think. nothing compares to a hand wash tho.

Thats a great write up. If I ever get the nerve up to use a wash mit on my Pat, ill definately remember the two bucket method. Im all about using the high pressure blast to clean it, and then microfiber towels and detailing spray for the tough stuff. Im always afraid of scratching it with a mit or wash brush.

http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/car+care/car+washing/car+cleaning+tools/sheepskin+dust-wash+mitt.do

http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/car+care/car+washing/car+cleaning+tools/ultimate+wash+bucket.do

two of the best i have ever used. the bucket has a grit gaurd on the bottom to catch the nasties.

Europat, you rock man! I took a look at the forum and it's what I was looking for...(I confess I'm a freaky detail addict!) Thanks again.

Hola, Beaisa: ¿sigues ahí? ¿Miras el foro de vez en cuando? No he visto ningún mensaje tuyo últimamente. ¿Me dejas alguna respuesta aquí: http://www.jeeppatriot.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9508? Gracias.

Si te interesa, el próximo sábado hay una quedada de otro foro al que pertenezco (www.detailspain.com (http://www.detailspain.com)) para hacer una clase práctica de limpieza y restauración de un coche en Madrid, cerca de Plaza de Castilla. Son gente maja (yo conozco a varios) y esto del detallado es una bonita afición (y nada cara si uno se atiene a lo imprescindible) para los que nos gustan nuestros coches.

¡Saludos!
RAfa



Hola!

Que raro, te he contestado en private.
Voy a ver si tengo las msgs grabadas y te las reenvio.
He estado el finde pasado en Portugal, estoy llegando a los 4.000km ya :)
Saludos!
Bea

Hola EuroPat,

Aqui sigue la msg k habia enviado antes.
Un saludo!
Bea



Hola, ¿qué tal?

He mirado en el manual y no dice nada específico sobre los retrovisores calefactables. Quizá sea como tú dices. La verdad es que nunca se me han empañado los espejos retrovisores, así que hay que pensar que es verdad que están calefactados.

¿Qué tal el Patriot? Yo estoy encantado con el mío, aunque también hay muchas cosas que no me gustan de él. Lo mejor es el consumo. Cuando le hagas unos 4.000 km notarás que disminuye, y llaneando en carretera a unos 100 en sexta verás que está en torno a 6,3 l/100 km, que está muy bien. Pero se dispara hasta cerca de 8 l/100 km como corras o hagas mucha ciudad.

Y otra cosa que me encanta del Patriot es sobre todo tener un coche diferente. Yo he visto muy pocos desde que compré el mío hace un año. Es tener un coche especial y bonito.

El Patriot es versátil (ya verás qué capacidad de carga) y práctico, y no es demasiado grande. Nada "mastodonte" comparado con otros 4x4

Lo peor: los acabados, muchos detalles de mal diseño inferiores a los de los coches europeos, el motor tira poco a bajas revoluciones, la visibilidad no es muy buena, no se puede instalar un GPS tipo Tomtom, los reposabrazos son duros como piedras...

En fin, un coche que tiene sus defectos.

Jeeppatriot.com está muy bien y tiene mucha información. Algunos mensajes muy útiles son de 2007, así que mira los más antiguos.

¡Saludos!

Rafa

Hola Rafa!

Gracias por tu respuesta :)
Pues si, también yo he buscado en el manual y no he encontrado nada. Y es verdad, empañar no empaña, pero hay veces que se queda con esas gotitas de la lluvia todas acumuladas y no me deja ver nada... jeje

Yo tengo el Jeep hace casi 1 mes, y me encanta cada día más. En el inicio no estaba tan satisfecha como ahora, también pk soy demasiado perfeccionista, y le encuentro defecto a todo... jeje Pero la verdad al conducirlo más me he acostumbrado a algunas cosas, y me gusta cada vez +.
Algo que no me gusta nada es el apoya cabeza, ui... que duro! Y yo como voy a Portugal a menudo, el viaje es de unas 6h, y siempre voy c la cabeza acostada ahi, pero en el Jeep, imposible... Seguramente se podrán sustituir, pero esteticamente no me desgustan estos... Ya buscaré alguno que sume el comfort al estético.

En viajes largos por ahora está consumiendo 6,7l/100km, pero por ciudad estoy gastando unos 7,2l/100km. Y eso porque ando muy tranquilita, que a mi me gusta pisarle jeje pero con un 4x4 no es lo mismo.
Otra cosa que senti con este es que para la dimension/peso k tiene, los 2.0 no llegan... Me estoy acostumbrando, pero cuesta que no responda tan eficazmente como uno de los coches que conducia antes. Aunque el estilo de conducción de un 4x4 es distinto de un coche normal, ya lo estoy aprendiendo jeje

A mi también me encanta que por España y Portugal no se vea nuestro coche jeje El otro día he flipado, pk he visto el primer Patriot además del mío, y tenía la parrilla como la mia! Pero no ponia Baqueira en el lateral...! Weird...
El finde anterior también vi un Commander! K flipe! He aparcado al lado jeje como padre e hijo ;)

Aun así, el tamaño del Patriot a mi me tenia desconcertada, pensaba que tardaria meses en adaptarme, pero al final, me está costando menos de lo que creía. Todavía me dá miedo en algunos parkings muy pequeños, con unas curvas de angulos de 90º, pero despacito se van pillando las medidas.

He visto tu otra msg, tampoco he llevado el Jeep a uno de esos lavados automaticos, suelo llevarlo a los de presión que lavas tu mismo.
Me tengo que meter en la pág que me has indicado, seguro tendrá dicas que me interesarán.

Gracias por tu ayuda, y un saludo!

Bea

Thanks for the unsolicited advertisement, but we're talking about a different kind of detailing here.

Don't forget to wipe the inside of the doors and door frames. To include the lift-gate.
You can rinse all you want, but soap always hangs inside the doors/lift-gate.

Great post.

one more way to dry any vehicle is to buy a new windsheild wiper, a small one, about a foot long, and just wipe down the vehicle, i do this all the time and its the best, gets all the water off on the smooth parts like the doors, windows, hood, roof, trunk, and this way u will only have to pull out the chamois on the tight spots or where the bends are

one more way to dry any vehicle is to buy a new windsheild wiper, a small one, about a foot long, and just wipe down the vehicle, i do this all the time and its the best, gets all the water off on the smooth parts like the doors, windows, hood, roof, trunk, and this way u will only have to pull out the chamois on the tight spots or where the bends are
The problem with that is that if the car is not 100% clean and dirt free, the smallest bit of trapped grit under the blad will leave a scratch a few feet long!

I have a california water blade I use for work when Im checking vehicles at my dealers for dents/dings right after it has rained.

Ive been using it for a while now and have never leaved a mark on the paint with it, and these vehicles are not always 100% clean.

A wiper blade might be different but the water blade releases the dirt if need be.

Being a Paintless Dent Removal Tech, paint does hold up pretty good against many things. It takes ALOT actually to harm paint on vehicles.

Great tips BTW!

I would suggest a quick mist of QD when the car is still damp before drying, it will help the water pickup no end.

empsburna,

What exactly is QD? I'm new to detailing cars and I haven't heard of this. Thanks!