Car Wash Supplies

Cupcake · 08-02-2011, 06:55 PM

Sorry if this is a repost but I couldn't find anything in the forum on this....Is there some sort of water filter for a hose available anywhere? Mr. Clean used to make a hose attachment with a filter to remove some of the dirt and minerals from water but its not available anymore. Since I'm in a rural area, our water is full of dirt and minerals, in other words its "well water." Any help would be appreciated!

LEDZEP · 08-02-2011, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cupcake

Sorry if this is a repost but I couldn't find anything in the forum on this....Is there some sort of water filter for a hose available anywhere? Mr. Clean used to make a hose attachment with a filter to remove some of the dirt and minerals from water but its not available anymore. Since I'm in a rural area, our water is full of dirt and minerals, in other words its "well water." Any help would be appreciated!

I'm sure that there are many sellers around, carrying the same or similar, but it sounds like this is what you're asking about:

http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/...rrivals&page=1

Cupcake · 08-02-2011, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LEDZEP

I'm sure that there are many sellers around, carrying the same or similar, but it sounds like this is what you're asking about:

http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/...rrivals&page=1

Yes thats very similar to what I've been looking for! Thanks so much!

DJ Daddy-O · 08-03-2011, 07:31 AM

Just come back from a great 2 week holiday to find that some birds had taken to use my car as their bathroom. Clearly done this before I had even got on the plane and their crap has been sat their baking in for 2 weeks.

Needless to say, despite BMW seal and protect and 2 coats of finish care sealant I have stubborn (large) bird lime marks on my bonnet.

:mad026 0:

I have steadily increased intensity to Autoglym SRP and this has lifted it slightly. Next stop is likely to be Meguirs Scratch X - has anyone used this? Any other recommendations ?

sfax · 08-03-2011, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJ Daddy-O

Just come back from a great 2 week holiday to find that some birds had taken to use my car as their bathroom. Clearly done this before I had even got on the plane and their crap has been sat their baking in for 2 weeks.

Needless to say, despite BMW seal and protect and 2 coats of finish care sealant I have stubborn (large) bird lime marks on my bonnet.

:mad026 0:

I have steadily increased intensity to Autoglym SRP and this has lifted it slightly. Next stop is likely to be Meguirs Scratch X - has anyone used this? Any other recommendations ?

Take it back to BMW and say you paid for seal and protect and it hasn't protected. They might offer to try to get it off for you. I got seal and protect thrown in too but I'm skeptical about its value.

Not tried Scratch X. Might be worth speaking to someone at a scratch specialist for advice (without paying them!)

Nahoa · 08-03-2011, 07:38 PM

+1 use the guarantee of the protectant; don't do anything that would invalidate it

XB101 · 09-04-2011, 01:52 PM

For people who got the BMW paint protection did you do the clay, clean, seal, wax anyways? Can we skip the clay and just do the other steps? Figure clay would just waste the effort of the BMW paint protection.

sfax · 09-04-2011, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XB101

For people who got the BMW paint protection did you do the clay, clean, seal, wax anyways? Can we skip the clay and just do the other steps? Figure clay would just waste the effort of the BMW paint protection.

Yes (although I don't rate the BMW paint protection much). And if you're not sure on claying, put your hand in a thin polythene bag and run it along the surface. If you can feel lots of little bumps, claying will remove these and is worth doing. All takes extra time and effort though

Horsedoc67 · 09-05-2011, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cupcake

Sorry if this is a repost but I couldn't find anything in the forum on this....Is there some sort of water filter for a hose available anywhere? Mr. Clean used to make a hose attachment with a filter to remove some of the dirt and minerals from water but its not available anymore. Since I'm in a rural area, our water is full of dirt and minerals, in other words its "well water." Any help would be appreciated!

I checked with amazon.com and they still sell the Mr Clean setup that deionizes the water. I have used this system for years and it works very well. Also available on amazon or Costco is a home Deionizer for less than $500

lhsa · 09-05-2011, 04:20 PM

cr spotless from costco is the way to go for DI water

flash3 · 09-11-2011, 11:23 AM

How is this product for leather seat care?

http://www.amazon.com/Lexol-3-Leathe.../dp/B002ZBPX4A

Dukat · 09-11-2011, 12:59 PM

I'm weary of wipes. The only wipes I ever used were Armorall Leather Wipes and they were horrible. Left a shiny slippery surface behind.

I've done a lot of research lately and the Leatherique cleaner & conditioner seem to be amongst the best. I ordered mine here. I wont have my car for 2 more months so it will be a while before I can report my opinions.

flash3 · 09-11-2011, 08:02 PM

[QUOTE=Dukat;10398993]I'm weary of wipes. The only wipes I ever used were Armorall Leather Wipes and they were horrible. Left a shiny slippery surface behind.

I've done a lot of research lately and the Leatherique cleaner

h0mersimps0n · 09-11-2011, 08:19 PM

One word - Poorboys

discovered from my time on e46fanatics forum the guy that runs Detailed image who is extremely knowledgeable about detailing.

I use the PoorBoys Quickdetailer+ after every washing (SOOO easy on/off) and oaccasionally spray and wax (which is like non-other I guarentee you've ever used) between my hand waxes every few months...

The Poorboys Sealant with Carnuba is THE best if your surface is super clean, otherwise a good poorboys Polish first (SSR if your surface is really bad) followed by a sealant then wax or the sealant plus wax.

If it weren't for the road chips my finish would look factory new- even after a hard rain. No exhaggeration.

Next step is for me to get a good car wash.

cooldude00 · 10-27-2011, 08:49 AM

what are folks using to clean the dash and parts of the trim which is made of this rubbery material - doesn't look quite like leather or vinyl?

LEDZEP · 10-27-2011, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cooldude00

what are folks using to clean the dash and parts of the trim which is made of this rubbery material - doesn't look quite like leather or vinyl?

Depending how 'dirty' the surface is, I might clean it first using Griot's Garage Interior Cleaner with a fine microfiber. Then I use 303 for the fresh finish and protection. 303 is great because it leaves behind no greasy residue and it has good UV blocking properties.

If you just want to remove some dust, a slightly damp microfiber towel is good.

GQX3 · 10-27-2011, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flash3

Did some digging into online and it seems that there's an interior care solution that BMW uses and this would not be recommended for dashboards and such.

Anyone use the BMW Interior Care Stuff?

I use the BMW products, Insect remover, Tree sap remover, Natural Wax, Leather cleaning kit and the Natural Interior Care cleaner. All work fine for me.
Also, the Natural Interior cleaner smells so good. Highly recommend all them.

Nahoa · 10-27-2011, 06:27 PM

Brown noser. Not like they're gonna give you a discount . . .

Nahoa · 10-27-2011, 06:28 PM

(that was just kidding, I'll check out the interior cleaner; didn't know they had that)

sfax · 12-16-2011, 04:33 PM

Stumbled on this thread on a detailing forum and thought it might be worth posting here to add to the reference. Fantastic job on the wheels and tyres!

http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/foru...d.php?t=240968

Fryguy29 · 12-16-2011, 09:32 PM

I figured I would add to this thread. I have a question. I just bought my first BMW, and want to get into washing and taking care of it. The problem: I live in Wisconsin. What do you guys do during the never ending winters? Commercial car wash(shudder). Suggestions appreciated. I can't see myself washing my car outside in single digit or less (Fahrenheit) temps. Maybe I'm a wimp though...

02420X3 · 12-16-2011, 09:54 PM

Fryguy,

In the winter season I too am unable to give my X3 35i the personal care that I would like to. My X3 is my daily driver, and it lives outside in the winter. It's Deep Sea Blue, and is going to regularly become filthy over the course of the winter.

I use a touchless carwash, something that I did today after a rainy drive up into the White Mountains of NH yesterday (27MPG up, 27.2MPG back!). My X3 has never been touched by a carwash brush, nor will it ever be.

In the next few weeks I will have my X3 professionally detailed, something that will likely be repeated before the winter is over.

And, at times, my X3 will be filthy. And I'm OK with that.

08-02-2011, 06:55 PM	#177
Cupcake New Member 10 Rep 24 Posts Drives: 2011 X3 35i M-Sport Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: NC iTrader: (0)	Sorry if this is a repost but I couldn't find anything in the forum on this....Is there some sort of water filter for a hose available anywhere? Mr. Clean used to make a hose attachment with a filter to remove some of the dirt and minerals from water but its not available anymore. Since I'm in a rural area, our water is full of dirt and minerals, in other words its "well water." Any help would be appreciated!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-03-2011, 07:31 AM	#180
DJ Daddy-O Private First Class 8 Rep 160 Posts Drives: BMX X3 F25 2011 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: West Yorkshire, UK iTrader: (0)	Heeellllppppp Just come back from a great 2 week holiday to find that some birds had taken to use my car as their bathroom. Clearly done this before I had even got on the plane and their crap has been sat their baking in for 2 weeks. Needless to say, despite BMW seal and protect and 2 coats of finish care sealant I have stubborn (large) bird lime marks on my bonnet.:mad026 0: I have steadily increased intensity to Autoglym SRP and this has lifted it slightly. Next stop is likely to be Meguirs Scratch X - has anyone used this? Any other recommendations ?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-03-2011, 07:38 PM	#182
Nahoa Lieutenant Colonel 45 Rep 1,876 Posts Drives: F25 35i Mineral Silver/Black Join Date: May 2008 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	+1 use the guarantee of the protectant; don't do anything that would invalidate it __________________
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09-04-2011, 01:52 PM	#183
XB101 Second Lieutenant 31 Rep 225 Posts Drives: 2011 TiAg X3 35i Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Western Canada iTrader: (0)	For people who got the BMW paint protection did you do the clay, clean, seal, wax anyways? Can we skip the clay and just do the other steps? Figure clay would just waste the effort of the BMW paint protection.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-05-2011, 04:20 PM	#186
lhsa Second Lieutenant 18 Rep 255 Posts Drives: kia Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: NW iTrader: (0)	cr spotless from costco is the way to go for DI water
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09-11-2011, 11:23 AM	#187
flash3 Captain 69 Rep 654 Posts Drives: X3 28i Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: NC iTrader: (0)	How is this product for leather seat care? http://www.amazon.com/Lexol-3-Leathe.../dp/B002ZBPX4A
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09-11-2011, 12:59 PM	#188
Dukat First Lieutenant 25 Rep 383 Posts Drives: 2012 X3 35i Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	I'm weary of wipes. The only wipes I ever used were Armorall Leather Wipes and they were horrible. Left a shiny slippery surface behind. I've done a lot of research lately and the Leatherique cleaner & conditioner seem to be amongst the best. I ordered mine here. I wont have my car for 2 more months so it will be a while before I can report my opinions.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-11-2011, 08:02 PM	#189
flash3 Captain 69 Rep 654 Posts Drives: X3 28i Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: NC iTrader: (0)	[QUOTE=Dukat;10398993]I'm weary of wipes. The only wipes I ever used were Armorall Leather Wipes and they were horrible. Left a shiny slippery surface behind. I've done a lot of research lately and the Leatherique cleaner
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-11-2011, 08:19 PM	#190
h0mersimps0n Private 9 Rep 93 Posts Drives: X3 35i M-Sport Carbon Black Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Maryland iTrader: (0)	One word - Poorboys discovered from my time on e46fanatics forum the guy that runs Detailed image who is extremely knowledgeable about detailing. I use the PoorBoys Quickdetailer+ after every washing (SOOO easy on/off) and oaccasionally spray and wax (which is like non-other I guarentee you've ever used) between my hand waxes every few months... The Poorboys Sealant with Carnuba is THE best if your surface is super clean, otherwise a good poorboys Polish first (SSR if your surface is really bad) followed by a sealant then wax or the sealant plus wax. If it weren't for the road chips my finish would look factory new- even after a hard rain. No exhaggeration. Next step is for me to get a good car wash.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-27-2011, 08:49 AM	#191
cooldude00 First Lieutenant 7 Rep 332 Posts Drives: x3 2.0d Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: uk iTrader: (0)	what are folks using to clean the dash and parts of the trim which is made of this rubbery material - doesn't look quite like leather or vinyl? __________________ it's here!!!
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10-27-2011, 06:27 PM	#194
Nahoa Lieutenant Colonel 45 Rep 1,876 Posts Drives: F25 35i Mineral Silver/Black Join Date: May 2008 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	Brown noser. Not like they're gonna give you a discount . . . __________________
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10-27-2011, 06:28 PM	#195
Nahoa Lieutenant Colonel 45 Rep 1,876 Posts Drives: F25 35i Mineral Silver/Black Join Date: May 2008 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	(that was just kidding, I'll check out the interior cleaner; didn't know they had that) __________________
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12-16-2011, 04:33 PM	#196
sfax Brigadier General 91 Rep 3,855 Posts Drives: BMW X3 2011 F25 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Berkshire, UK iTrader: (0)	Stumbled on this thread on a detailing forum and thought it might be worth posting here to add to the reference. Fantastic job on the wheels and tyres! http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/foru...d.php?t=240968 __________________ F25 xDrive20d SE __ professional multimedia package \| dynamic package \| climate package \| 309s \| xline \| xenons \| electric seats \| folding mirrors \| business speakers
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12-16-2011, 09:32 PM	#197
Fryguy29 Private First Class 14 Rep 167 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW X3 35i Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Wisconsin iTrader: (0)	I figured I would add to this thread. I have a question. I just bought my first BMW, and want to get into washing and taking care of it. The problem: I live in Wisconsin. What do you guys do during the never ending winters? Commercial car wash(shudder). Suggestions appreciated. I can't see myself washing my car outside in single digit or less (Fahrenheit) temps. Maybe I'm a wimp though...
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-16-2011, 09:54 PM	#198
02420X3 Captain 63 Rep 983 Posts Drives: 2011 X3 35i Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Boston iTrader: (0)	Fryguy, In the winter season I too am unable to give my X3 35i the personal care that I would like to. My X3 is my daily driver, and it lives outside in the winter. It's Deep Sea Blue, and is going to regularly become filthy over the course of the winter. I use a touchless carwash, something that I did today after a rainy drive up into the White Mountains of NH yesterday (27MPG up, 27.2MPG back!). My X3 has never been touched by a carwash brush, nor will it ever be. In the next few weeks I will have my X3 professionally detailed, something that will likely be repeated before the winter is over. And, at times, my X3 will be filthy. And I'm OK with that.
	Appreciate 0 Quote