2010 MKS

[TSS]

^^Like you, my motivation is not at all related to any kind of trade in or future sale value. I just like having a clean ride!

If we didn't have the amazing drive-through tunnel hand wash close by at a reasonable price, I would still be like you guys, in the driveway in the middle of winter, washing my car.

 

[pmezo33]

I don't mind drying the car at all - i actually kind of enjoy it.  What do you guys use to dry it?  They make these super absorbent waffle drying towels that make it really easy to dry the car now.  Fast, efficient, and safe for the paint.  One or two of those towels and the car is completely dry.  No streaking or anything and you just wash them and use them again.

https://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-X2000-Magnet-Microfiber-Drying/dp/B0009IQZFM/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1494512507&sr=8-3&keywords=drying+towel

Really the only part of the process that i don't enjoy is cleaning the wheels.  Not a fan of cleaning brake dust at all.

 

[Brucelinc]

I just ordered one of the X2000 drying towels to give it a try.  I have been using a Chamois that a MAC tool salesman gave me years ago when I worked at a Ford Dealership.  It is ragged and has holes in it but still works better than any new product that I have ever used.  However, it is worn out so I will try something else.  I have tried the Absorber and and a blade but don't like either one.

My biggest issue with drying is that by the time I get finished, some areas have dried and developed water spots.  The electric leaf blower has helped eliminate that since it blows the much of the water off before I begin the final drying process so I can get the job done more quickly.

 

[TSS]

RE cleaning the 10 spoke 20 inch MKS rims....I have the Permachromes , so they are simple to keep clean. I just use water in a spray bottle and a soft terrycloth and my finger to get in between and clean all the spokes. Before the Perms, it wasn't that easy.

Another trick I have used is to take a wooden paint stirrer, the kind they give out for free at the paint store, wrap a clean terrycloth around that, and use that instead of my finger to get in the very tight grooves or in the corners/crevices of the spokes.

 

[pmezo33]

I just ordered one of the X2000 drying towels to give it a try.  I have been using a Chamois that a MAC tool salesman gave me years ago when I worked at a Ford Dealership.  It is ragged and has holes in it but still works better than any new product that I have ever used.  However, it is worn out so I will try something else.  I have tried the Absorber and and a blade but don't like either one.

My biggest issue with drying is that by the time I get finished, some areas have dried and developed water spots.  The electric leaf blower has helped eliminate that since it blows the much of the water off before I begin the final drying process so I can get the job done more quickly.

You'll like the waffle towel.  It sucks up and holds a ton of water, so it makes drying really easy.  I usually use two of them when drying, but you can always ring it out if it gets too wet to dry.  Throw it in the washer/dryer or just the dryer when you're done with it and it's good to go for the next wash.  They hold up for years.

I like to clean the car when the sun is either coming up or going down and not beaming on the car.  The hot sun on the car is what gives those annoying water spots before you're able to dry it.  If the sun gets to a panel before i'm able to dry it, i just hit it with the hose or power washer again and then dry it.  That gets rid of the water marks.

I also like to spray down with this after drying and microfiber towel when dry.  This definitely will get rid of any water marks and will also protect.

http://www.autogeek.net/meguiars-xpress-spray-wax.html

 

[pmezo33]

RE cleaning the 10 spoke 20 inch MKS rims....I have the Permachromes , so they are simple to keep clean. I just use water in a spray bottle and a soft terrycloth and my finger to get in between and clean all the spokes. Before the Perms, it wasn't that easy.

Another trick I have used is to take a wooden paint stirrer, the kind they give out for free at the paint store, wrap a clean terrycloth around that, and use that instead of my finger to get in the very tight grooves or in the corners/crevices of the spokes.

I've heard really good things about this product.  Been meaning to order it and give it a shot.  Not cheap, but it's supposed to be great with wheels.

http://www.autogeek.net/ezdebrfca.html