How to wash your black Z06 etc etc
Discussion
After 5 years of black C5 ownership I...
1. Spray the car with the hose to get loose crud etc off
2. Wash the car with - well for a long time I have been using Zymol auto wash. This I have noticeably found to be great at helping to leave a streak free finish on a black car. But I have for the last couple of months been using Meguairs NXT Car Wash. The jury is currently out but both are excellent in my view
I use the Meguairs Super Thick Microfibre Wash Mitt. It is so soft you could send the wife into ecstasy, the C5 positively purrs.
Steps 3 & 5 are absolutley key
3. After washing off the suds with the hose, remove all the water just deposited by using the Flash Car Wash system. This does have a car shampoo which I have not tried but what I do use is the auto dry element which sprays water onto the car having been through a de-ionising filter. Remove all the original water with this filtered water. The blurb says you can then leave the car to dry by itself without leaving a mark. Well I have only tried it once and it works! I left it overnight, I have no idea if it works well if you leave it during the day especially in the sun.
4. I use Autoglyms California water blade to remove the vast majority of the horizontal water. Now, Richard positively grimaced when I mentioned this to him. I can only say that after 3 or 4 years of using this product I have yet to put a scratch on the car. Your choice.
5. A Dutch guy at Le Mans with a black C4 put me onto the Meguairs Gold Class Microfibre Water Magnet Drying Towel. It does the job. Whether it would without step 3 I can't say. There is no doubt that the Flash system works unbelievably well. But I normally clean the car in the morning and drive off, so this towel dries off the whole car in one go, rapidly without leaving a water mark.
In my system now, my view is that steps 3 & 5 are key. Step 2 used to be key, but the Flash system may have reduced the need for careful choice of shampoo, but I have never used the Flash without either the Zymol or Meguairs shampoo. Step 4 speeds up step 5; and both are unnecessaary if washing the car in the evening - just leave it and let master Flash do the work!
Alternatively buy a yellow Z06 and don't worry about water marks
1. Spray the car with the hose to get loose crud etc off
2. Wash the car with - well for a long time I have been using Zymol auto wash. This I have noticeably found to be great at helping to leave a streak free finish on a black car. But I have for the last couple of months been using Meguairs NXT Car Wash. The jury is currently out but both are excellent in my view
I use the Meguairs Super Thick Microfibre Wash Mitt. It is so soft you could send the wife into ecstasy, the C5 positively purrs.
Steps 3 & 5 are absolutley key
3. After washing off the suds with the hose, remove all the water just deposited by using the Flash Car Wash system. This does have a car shampoo which I have not tried but what I do use is the auto dry element which sprays water onto the car having been through a de-ionising filter. Remove all the original water with this filtered water. The blurb says you can then leave the car to dry by itself without leaving a mark. Well I have only tried it once and it works! I left it overnight, I have no idea if it works well if you leave it during the day especially in the sun.
4. I use Autoglyms California water blade to remove the vast majority of the horizontal water. Now, Richard positively grimaced when I mentioned this to him. I can only say that after 3 or 4 years of using this product I have yet to put a scratch on the car. Your choice.
5. A Dutch guy at Le Mans with a black C4 put me onto the Meguairs Gold Class Microfibre Water Magnet Drying Towel. It does the job. Whether it would without step 3 I can't say. There is no doubt that the Flash system works unbelievably well. But I normally clean the car in the morning and drive off, so this towel dries off the whole car in one go, rapidly without leaving a water mark.
In my system now, my view is that steps 3 & 5 are key. Step 2 used to be key, but the Flash system may have reduced the need for careful choice of shampoo, but I have never used the Flash without either the Zymol or Meguairs shampoo. Step 4 speeds up step 5; and both are unnecessaary if washing the car in the evening - just leave it and let master Flash do the work!
Alternatively buy a yellow Z06 and don't worry about water marks
Or... take it to the local hand car wash!
£6, they use mitts, blades and chamois and it is pretty pristine afterwards. Takes them 10 minutes as there are 3 or 4 of them.
Better use of my time!
Even with a black car, I cannot be bothered with all the carnuba/£5k Zymol nonsense.
I am considering taking it into London to get Permagarded though. Harry Metcalfe and John Barker both seemed quite impressed with them, which is good enough for me.
£6, they use mitts, blades and chamois and it is pretty pristine afterwards. Takes them 10 minutes as there are 3 or 4 of them.
Better use of my time!
Even with a black car, I cannot be bothered with all the carnuba/£5k Zymol nonsense.
I am considering taking it into London to get Permagarded though. Harry Metcalfe and John Barker both seemed quite impressed with them, which is good enough for me.
If anybody wants their car done with Supagard includes all bodywork (No need to wax car for up to 3 years!) all Leather protected all carpets all Plastic trim Vinylguard all windows security etched Bird lime neutrailiser and supplied with 3 years warranty also you get a aftercare pack includes all cleaning products all for £299.00 inc Vat
www.supagard.com It takes around half a day if you want it done Just let me know & I can get you car fully protected.
www.supagard.com It takes around half a day if you want it done Just let me know & I can get you car fully protected.
I use Paul Dalton at Miracle Detail
Yes it's expensive - however he did my 930 12 months ago and I haven't had to wax it yet - though it's probably due for another session with him now
Z06
www.miracledetail.co.uk/auto-detailing-gallery-new.html?page=16
(a very grey day)
930
www.miracledetail.co.uk/auto-detailing-car-new.html?carID=125
godzilla said:
Or... take it to the local hand car wash!
£6, they use mitts, blades and chamois and it is pretty pristine afterwards. Takes them 10 minutes as there are 3 or 4 of them.
Better use of my time!
Even with a black car, I cannot be bothered with all the carnuba/£5k Zymol nonsense.
I am considering taking it into London to get Permagarded though. Harry Metcalfe and John Barker both seemed quite impressed with them, which is good enough for me.
£6, they use mitts, blades and chamois and it is pretty pristine afterwards. Takes them 10 minutes as there are 3 or 4 of them.
Better use of my time!
Even with a black car, I cannot be bothered with all the carnuba/£5k Zymol nonsense.
I am considering taking it into London to get Permagarded though. Harry Metcalfe and John Barker both seemed quite impressed with them, which is good enough for me.
Jan's Viper is permaguarded and I haven't had to wash it with shampoo since.......and that was a year ago.
vetteheadracer said:
godzilla said:
Or... take it to the local hand car wash!
£6, they use mitts, blades and chamois and it is pretty pristine afterwards. Takes them 10 minutes as there are 3 or 4 of them.
Better use of my time!
Even with a black car, I cannot be bothered with all the carnuba/£5k Zymol nonsense.
I am considering taking it into London to get Permagarded though. Harry Metcalfe and John Barker both seemed quite impressed with them, which is good enough for me.
£6, they use mitts, blades and chamois and it is pretty pristine afterwards. Takes them 10 minutes as there are 3 or 4 of them.
Better use of my time!
Even with a black car, I cannot be bothered with all the carnuba/£5k Zymol nonsense.
I am considering taking it into London to get Permagarded though. Harry Metcalfe and John Barker both seemed quite impressed with them, which is good enough for me.
Jan's Viper is permaguarded and I haven't had to wash it with shampoo since.......and that was a year ago.
Don't you mean SHE hasn't had to wash it since!
That's a very good endorsement. Did you have to take it to Docklands or is there a provincial franchise?
Also do you just rinse it with normal water or do you use the de-ionised one? Any need to chamois?
yellowshark454 said:
After 5 years of black C5 ownership I...
1. Spray the car with the hose to get loose crud etc off
2. Wash the car with - well for a long time I have been using Zymol auto wash. This I have noticeably found to be great at helping to leave a streak free finish on a black car. But I have for the last couple of months been using Meguairs NXT Car Wash. The jury is currently out but both are excellent in my view
I use the Meguairs Super Thick Microfibre Wash Mitt. It is so soft you could send the wife into ecstasy, the C5 positively purrs.
Steps 3 & 5 are absolutley key
3. After washing off the suds with the hose, remove all the water just deposited by using the Flash Car Wash system. This does have a car shampoo which I have not tried but what I do use is the auto dry element which sprays water onto the car having been through a de-ionising filter. Remove all the original water with this filtered water. The blurb says you can then leave the car to dry by itself without leaving a mark. Well I have only tried it once and it works! I left it overnight, I have no idea if it works well if you leave it during the day especially in the sun.
4. I use Autoglyms California water blade to remove the vast majority of the horizontal water. Now, Richard positively grimaced when I mentioned this to him. I can only say that after 3 or 4 years of using this product I have yet to put a scratch on the car. Your choice.
5. A Dutch guy at Le Mans with a black C4 put me onto the Meguairs Gold Class Microfibre Water Magnet Drying Towel. It does the job. Whether it would without step 3 I can't say. There is no doubt that the Flash system works unbelievably well. But I normally clean the car in the morning and drive off, so this towel dries off the whole car in one go, rapidly without leaving a water mark.
In my system now, my view is that steps 3 & 5 are key. Step 2 used to be key, but the Flash system may have reduced the need for careful choice of shampoo, but I have never used the Flash without either the Zymol or Meguairs shampoo. Step 4 speeds up step 5; and both are unnecessaary if washing the car in the evening - just leave it and let master Flash do the work!
Alternatively buy a yellow Z06 and don't worry about water marks
This is a joke - RIGHT?1. Spray the car with the hose to get loose crud etc off
2. Wash the car with - well for a long time I have been using Zymol auto wash. This I have noticeably found to be great at helping to leave a streak free finish on a black car. But I have for the last couple of months been using Meguairs NXT Car Wash. The jury is currently out but both are excellent in my view
I use the Meguairs Super Thick Microfibre Wash Mitt. It is so soft you could send the wife into ecstasy, the C5 positively purrs.
Steps 3 & 5 are absolutley key
3. After washing off the suds with the hose, remove all the water just deposited by using the Flash Car Wash system. This does have a car shampoo which I have not tried but what I do use is the auto dry element which sprays water onto the car having been through a de-ionising filter. Remove all the original water with this filtered water. The blurb says you can then leave the car to dry by itself without leaving a mark. Well I have only tried it once and it works! I left it overnight, I have no idea if it works well if you leave it during the day especially in the sun.
4. I use Autoglyms California water blade to remove the vast majority of the horizontal water. Now, Richard positively grimaced when I mentioned this to him. I can only say that after 3 or 4 years of using this product I have yet to put a scratch on the car. Your choice.
5. A Dutch guy at Le Mans with a black C4 put me onto the Meguairs Gold Class Microfibre Water Magnet Drying Towel. It does the job. Whether it would without step 3 I can't say. There is no doubt that the Flash system works unbelievably well. But I normally clean the car in the morning and drive off, so this towel dries off the whole car in one go, rapidly without leaving a water mark.
In my system now, my view is that steps 3 & 5 are key. Step 2 used to be key, but the Flash system may have reduced the need for careful choice of shampoo, but I have never used the Flash without either the Zymol or Meguairs shampoo. Step 4 speeds up step 5; and both are unnecessaary if washing the car in the evening - just leave it and let master Flash do the work!
Alternatively buy a yellow Z06 and don't worry about water marks
All this expensive stuff is not required,almost ANY cheap wash and wax followed by a quick chamois leathering and then finished off with a rubdown with an old bath towel has showroom results.It doesn,t take long,so you do it more often and very quickly you have built up a waxy layer that water beads and runs off just like the the old Sure advert (???)try it and save your money for unleaded
5 USA said:
jellison said:
This is a joke - RIGHT?
I do hope so! Here's my alternative formula,
1. Bucket
2. Sponge
3. Chamois
4. Polish
Yep - I'm with you 5USA. Even though my C4 hasn't seen a clean in far too long (months,...) Sciencebird's new Fabia VRS is metallic black. First time I washed it, using the blade thingy, it looked loads worse than when I started. Back to buyign a proper chammy, and add elbow grease and care - result one clean car! It's a great metallic though - mucho glittery and has quite sizeable mettalic particles in it, just a nightmare to keep clean!
Just need to think away of stopping my car turning ever more matt red.
said:
jellisonThis is a joke - RIGHT?
No its not a f*cking joke. Its someone trying to pass on some experience to some guys with some nice new black Corvettes. If you want to be insulting to someone who takes the time to be helpful then I suggest you go back to your TVR forum where no doubt they aopreciate w*nkers and leave us Vette guys alone.
My routine is a combination of the above.
On an annual basis, I do a 7-stage polish, by hand, using Meguiars stuff. This being (if I remember correctly) their shampoo, then the clay-bar, then check for any swirling with the Scratch-x, then stages 1-2-3 of their polish system (cannot remmeber what they are), and finish off with the glass finish. I'm not a scientist - probably all is too much, but what the hell. It does leave the car in a pristine, condition, and the red looks deep and very, very shiny. Usually takes a day - in the summer, with beer helping.
Equipment used including elbow grease, California water blade and good old fashioned chamois, with clean towels for the buffing off [a pack of 10 from Tesco for 50p or the like...].
After all that, the other washes are either automatic car-wash, or home-wash with Turtle wash+wax. Doesn't seem to make that much difference to the finish...
I don't know if the red is less problematic to keep deep, shiny+clean, but this big annual waxing and then quick+easy afterwards [including occasional clay-bar] is absolutely fine for me.
Oh - and on the final note: waxing and car-care is an entirely personal thing, I think. Being a 'waxer' doesn't mean you're not a driver - a Swiss Toni would say, waxing a beautiful car is very much like making love to a beautiful woman. And thus on my married parallel, once a year's about right lol
On an annual basis, I do a 7-stage polish, by hand, using Meguiars stuff. This being (if I remember correctly) their shampoo, then the clay-bar, then check for any swirling with the Scratch-x, then stages 1-2-3 of their polish system (cannot remmeber what they are), and finish off with the glass finish. I'm not a scientist - probably all is too much, but what the hell. It does leave the car in a pristine, condition, and the red looks deep and very, very shiny. Usually takes a day - in the summer, with beer helping.
Equipment used including elbow grease, California water blade and good old fashioned chamois, with clean towels for the buffing off [a pack of 10 from Tesco for 50p or the like...].
After all that, the other washes are either automatic car-wash, or home-wash with Turtle wash+wax. Doesn't seem to make that much difference to the finish...
I don't know if the red is less problematic to keep deep, shiny+clean, but this big annual waxing and then quick+easy afterwards [including occasional clay-bar] is absolutely fine for me.
Oh - and on the final note: waxing and car-care is an entirely personal thing, I think. Being a 'waxer' doesn't mean you're not a driver - a Swiss Toni would say, waxing a beautiful car is very much like making love to a beautiful woman. And thus on my married parallel, once a year's about right lol
godzilla said:
vetteheadracer said:
godzilla said:
Or... take it to the local hand car wash!
£6, they use mitts, blades and chamois and it is pretty pristine afterwards. Takes them 10 minutes as there are 3 or 4 of them.
Better use of my time!
Even with a black car, I cannot be bothered with all the carnuba/£5k Zymol nonsense.
I am considering taking it into London to get Permagarded though. Harry Metcalfe and John Barker both seemed quite impressed with them, which is good enough for me.
£6, they use mitts, blades and chamois and it is pretty pristine afterwards. Takes them 10 minutes as there are 3 or 4 of them.
Better use of my time!
Even with a black car, I cannot be bothered with all the carnuba/£5k Zymol nonsense.
I am considering taking it into London to get Permagarded though. Harry Metcalfe and John Barker both seemed quite impressed with them, which is good enough for me.
Jan's Viper is permaguarded and I haven't had to wash it with shampoo since.......and that was a year ago.
Don't you mean SHE hasn't had to wash it since!
That's a very good endorsement. Did you have to take it to Docklands or is there a provincial franchise?
Also do you just rinse it with normal water or do you use the de-ionised one? Any need to chamois?
She does wash the Viper (and her other cars occasionally) to be fair. Docklands, only franchise open at the time.
1. Jetwash car
2. Bucket of hot water and sponge
3. Jetwash again
4. then blade, then chamois.
You can skip step 4. and just drive really, really fast until all the water has run off.......
Thanks yellowshark for your cleaning routine.
I'm a bit of an inbetweeny, mainly because I've got a bad back and I'm a bit of a lazy b****rd when it comes to cleaning cars
So, I take mine to the Bulgarian car wash and they hand wash with lambs wool mits etc. Then when I get back I polish and wax with the Meguairs stuff when needed. "Hey presto" shiny black car and off for a drive 
Better still, take your Z06 to Ian Goss and have a Lingenfelter performance upgrade and it comes back all nice and shiney
It'll cost you a few quid but with the price of car cleaning stuff these days 
I'm a bit of an inbetweeny, mainly because I've got a bad back and I'm a bit of a lazy b****rd when it comes to cleaning cars
So, I take mine to the Bulgarian car wash and they hand wash with lambs wool mits etc. Then when I get back I polish and wax with the Meguairs stuff when needed. "Hey presto" shiny black car and off for a drive Better still, take your Z06 to Ian Goss and have a Lingenfelter performance upgrade and it comes back all nice and shiney
It'll cost you a few quid but with the price of car cleaning stuff these days vetteheadracer said:
1. Jetwash car
2. Bucket of hot water and sponge
3. Jetwash again
4. then blade, then chamois.
You can skip step 4. and just drive really, really fast until all the water has run off.......
If you just let it dry, do you get water marks on Permagard? I guess it depends on the water in your area, but hence my earlier question about the de-ionised Flash filter which really seems to have changed car cleaning for the people who use it.
godzilla said:
...... hence my earlier question about the de-ionised Flash filter which really seems to have changed car cleaning for the people who use it.
I agree - I use the flash system most of the time. In fact I never used a chamois on my C5 (which, incidentally, is now with its new owner).
Gassing Station | Corvettes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff