Topic: What did you do to your car today?

[rrocket]

The thought of pressure washing my car makes me cringe. Maybe the underside once in the spring to get rid of the salt, that's it though.

Pressure washer with foam gun/foam cannon attachment...

It's the way to go! Doesn't harm paint, coatings, etc And with a quality soap, creates a barrier between wash mit and paint.

If you truly love your paint, there's no better way.

According to who?  Same lame marketing? Do whatever makes you happy.  On a car I care about I wouldn't use a pressure washer.  I feel the garden hose has more control as well.

The pressure in the pressure washer is used to foam the soap in a cannon. Doesn't come out under pressure..about as much as a hose....and coats the paint in a perfect layer of foam/soap. Which prevents swirling when you use your mitt.

I too was skeptical until I saw it used at a PCA detailing clinic. There's a reason they use these when detailing bazillion  dollar cars IMO..

Even the cheap versions do a great job!

https://youtu.be/dDamYmjLdFQ

[Solstice2006]

The thought of pressure washing my car makes me cringe. Maybe the underside once in the spring to get rid of the salt, that's it though.

Pressure washer with foam gun/foam cannon attachment...

It's the way to go! Doesn't harm paint, coatings, etc And with a quality soap, creates a barrier between wash mit and paint.

If you truly love your paint, there's no better way.

According to who?  Same lame marketing? Do whatever makes you happy.  On a car I care about I wouldn't use a pressure washer.  I feel the garden hose has more control as well.

The pressure in the pressure washer is used to foam the soap in a cannon. Doesn't come out under pressure..about as much as a hose....and coats the paint in a perfect layer of foam/soap. Which prevents swirling when you use your mitt.

I too was skeptical until I saw it used at a PCA detailing clinic. There's a reason they use these when detailing bazillion  dollar cars IMO..

Even the cheap versions do a great job!

https://youtu.be/dDamYmjLdFQ

Will be back to argue, when time is permitted! 

[rrocket]

What's an integral part is the foam cannon soap. They use something similar to ONR in which it causes the dirt particles to be lifted off the pain in a film to prevent scratching.

I love ONR BTW!

[Fobroader]

The thought of pressure washing my car makes me cringe. Maybe the underside once in the spring to get rid of the salt, that's it though.

Pressure washer with foam gun/foam cannon attachment...

It's the way to go! Doesn't harm paint, coatings, etc And with a quality soap, creates a barrier between wash mit and paint.

If you truly love your paint, there's no better way.

According to who?  Same lame marketing? Do whatever makes you happy.  On a car I care about I wouldn't use a pressure washer.  I feel the garden hose has more control as well.

The pressure in the pressure washer is used to foam the soap in a cannon. Doesn't come out under pressure..about as much as a hose....and coats the paint in a perfect layer of foam/soap. Which prevents swirling when you use your mitt.

I too was skeptical until I saw it used at a PCA detailing clinic. There's a reason they use these when detailing bazillion  dollar cars IMO..

Even the cheap versions do a great job!

https://youtu.be/dDamYmjLdFQ

Will be back to argue, when time is permitted! 

You can't argue against the foam cannons....they just work. Thats like arguing against gravity, or the fact that the Camaro is faster than the Mustang   

[CanuckS2K]

Learn to hand wash the car

Still need a pressure washer.  If you don't have one I recommend this:

https://www.homedepot.ca/en/home/p.k1710-cube-electric-pressure-washer.1001046210.html

Walking thru Home Depot last summer and they had a pile of these at the door for $99.00   Perfect for cars @ only 1700 psi.

Ummmmm nope, not even remotely true.  If you NEED a pressure washer to wash your car you're doing it wrong......severely wrong.

[CanuckS2K]

The thought of pressure washing my car makes me cringe. Maybe the underside once in the spring to get rid of the salt, that's it though.

You think dealerships of any brand use hose pressure.  We are not talking about peeling paint off deck boards here. 

Low psi wand with wide coverage.  Uses way less water and gets rid of the soap fast.  Plus hose pressure is useless on cloth convertible tops.

Exactly.  And do you think dealerships do a proper and professional job cleaning vehicles?  Nope.

There is a reason why every single professional detailer does NOT use a straight up pressure washer when washing their customer's vehicles.  Foam cannons are the cat's ass though. 

[Firm]

Foam cannons look cool, maybe a bit gimmicky, but cool. I am not gunna go run out and get one, but if/when one comes my way I'll check it out.

Dealership washes usually suck the big one. Years ago when I was getting the SLK serviced at the local Benz dealer they'd wash it, paint would always come back stripped of wax. After that I'd beg them not to wash it, but inevitably they'd forget and wash it anyway, one of the many reasons I gave up on dealer service.

[CanuckS2K]

Foam cannons look cool, maybe a bit gimmicky, but cool. I am not gunna go run out and get one, but if/when one comes my way I'll check it out.

Dealership washes usually suck the big one. Years ago when I was getting the SLK serviced at the local Benz dealer they'd wash it, paint would always come back stripped of wax. After that I'd beg them not to wash it, but inevitably they'd forget and wash it anyway, one of the many reasons I gave up on dealer service.

Zach, this is the one that I have.  Nothing pricey, just simple and it works extremely well.  The less physical contact with your paint the better, which is why I love mine and wouldn't be without one.  And I'm about as picky as they come when it comes to detailing.

https://www.eshine.ca/products/riccardo-foam-cannon-car-wash-soap-canada


And yeah, Dealerships are absolutely horrible when it comes to using proper washing and paint protection techniques. 

[rrocket]

Foam cannons look cool, maybe a bit gimmicky, but cool. I am not gunna go run out and get one, but if/when one comes my way I'll check it out.

Dealership washes usually suck the big one. Years ago when I was getting the SLK serviced at the local Benz dealer they'd wash it, paint would always come back stripped of wax. After that I'd beg them not to wash it, but inevitably they'd forget and wash it anyway, one of the many reasons I gave up on dealer service.

Zach, this is the one that I have.  Nothing pricey, just simple and it works extremely well.  The less physical contact with your paint the better, which is why I love mine and wouldn't be without one.  And I'm about as picky as they come when it comes to detailing.

https://www.eshine.ca/products/riccardo-foam-cannon-car-wash-soap-canada


And yeah, Dealerships are absolutely horrible when it comes to using proper washing and paint protection techniques.

There you have it folks...if our resident detailing guru says they work....what more do you need?

Shane...wasn't it you that turned Snowman onto a foam gun?

[BWII]

That looks just like that $16 Amazon gun...


I:
- changed oil
- put a new air filter in
- put the summer tires on.  Not sure why you guys pump 'em to 50 psi, mine were all 33/34 lbs when I checked, same as when I took them off.

Car looks so much nicer with the factory wheels, and (the tires) feels so much better too.

[Seafoam]

That looks just like that $16 Amazon gun...


I:
- changed oil
- put a new air filter in
- put the summer tires on.  Not sure why you guys pump 'em to 50 psi, mine were all 33/34 lbs when I checked, same as when I took them off.

Car looks so much nicer with the factory wheels, and (the tires) feels so much better too.

pump them up to prevent flat spotting not pressure loss.  Do your tires have nitrogen in them.

[rrocket]

pump them up to prevent flat spotting not pressure loss.  Do your tires have nitrogen in them.

Who stores their tires tread side down for winter?  How will they flat spot if stored like this?  Or even if stored tread down removed from car...I don't think it's likely they flat spot under their own weight.

[BWII]

That looks just like that $16 Amazon gun...


I:
- changed oil
- put a new air filter in
- put the summer tires on.  Not sure why you guys pump 'em to 50 psi, mine were all 33/34 lbs when I checked, same as when I took them off.

Car looks so much nicer with the factory wheels, and (the tires) feels so much better too.

pump them up to prevent flat spotting not pressure loss.  Do your tires have nitrogen in them.

About 80% or so....whatever comes out of my trusty Cdn Tire tire pump.    I thought flat spots only happened when that restoration show guy stomped your brakes...   Mine are up near the ceiling with a 2X4 pressed against their bottoms to keep 'em from falling on my head.  And car.

[Seafoam]

pump them up to prevent flat spotting not pressure loss.  Do your tires have nitrogen in them.

Who stores their tires tread side down for winter?  How will they flat spot if stored like this?  Or even if stored tread down removed from car...I don't think it's likely they flat spot under their own weight.

I'm talking when on a car not driven in winter. I think flat spotting not really much of an issue today. I pump them up anyway. I wouldn't put extra  air in  my summer tires i am storing on racks.

[Seafoam]

That looks just like that $16 Amazon gun...


I:
- changed oil
- put a new air filter in
- put the summer tires on.  Not sure why you guys pump 'em to 50 psi, mine were all 33/34 lbs when I checked, same as when I took them off.

Car looks so much nicer with the factory wheels, and (the tires) feels so much better too.

pump them up to prevent flat spotting not pressure loss.  Do your tires have nitrogen in them.

About 80% or so....whatever comes out of my trusty Cdn Tire tire pump.    I thought flat spots only happened when that restoration show guy stomped your brakes...   Mine are up near the ceiling with a 2X4 pressed against their bottoms to keep 'em from falling on my head.  And car.

I wouldn't bother adding extra air in that case. But that's just me.

[johngenx]

Got back from my ski trip a day early, so took Saturday to get the Highlander's front brakes back in good working order.  Swapped out the front calipers, pads and discs.  All fresh!  Compared to working on the Subaru, it's practically a joy.  So easy, omg.

The front left caliper was seized, such a PITA since the brakes were in such good shape otherwise.

Took about 2 hours without rushing.  Being a Toyota tech must be a cushy job.  Well, except for the rear bank of spark plugs on the V-6.  I'm not excited about that.

[BWII]

Put the summer tires on the Sonic.  While I had it in the garage I figured I might as well check the oil...pop the hood and a 1/4 of the under-hood insulation is gone.  Facking squirrels!  I got a live trap with peanuts and peanut butter...and still they go for the non-food.  Stupid little effers... Maybe instead of repatriating them 5 miles from town, I should just get a bucket of water and hang their carcasses off the deck to dry when ready.  And a sign that says "F#CK YOU, SQUIRREL!"...probably can't read though...not like they're crows or something.  Probably wouldn't get the message. 
 
And so I also changed the oil...why not, it's in the garage, it's a nice evening.

[Bubba]

Put the summer tires on the Sonic.  While I had it in the garage I figured I might as well check the oil...pop the hood and a 1/4 of the under-hood insulation is gone.  Facking squirrels!  I got a live trap with peanuts and peanut butter...and still they go for the non-food.  Stupid little effers... Maybe instead of repatriating them 5 miles from town, I should just get a bucket of water and hang their carcasses off the deck to dry when ready.  And a sign that says "F#CK YOU, SQUIRREL!"...probably can't read though...not like they're crows or something.  Probably wouldn't get the message. 
 
And so I also changed the oil...why not, it's in the garage, it's a nice evening.

Make one of these and I'll come by to watch.

[ArticSteve]

Notwithstanding the politics of it all ........ 

[ChaosphereIX]

washed the Alfa, detailed it...today it is the Saabs turn